Shoalwater

Trying to develop a list of carbon bikes to test ride this week in the $2500 range and in turn hopefully take the plunge over the next two weeks.

I ride ~ 100 miles a week, looking for a balance of comfort and performance, don't race mainly solo and group rides.

It would be great if you could post up two or three that you would test ride so I will have a good starting point.

Thanks in advance, take care.

ZXiMan

This can be had with full Shimano Dura-Ace (minus brake calipers and crankset) for $1,750

Bottecchia-USA CF78 Sprint Team.

The original crankset on mine was FSA SL-K w/ISIS BB. The new 2009 models have the SL-K Light with a more traditional BB (much better IMO).

It's a great bike for the price, especially considering your needs... You can upgrade the wheelset and a few other lesser components on a budget.

I sold mine, only because I was in a money crunch. I regret selling it but I had no choice back in July.

They can be purchased on ebay (just type in "Bottecchia" in the search window.

Crast

What brands do your LBSes carry?

Shoalwater

In Houston, so you name it, which is part of the problem, lol.......................seriously, there are a ton of bike shops within 30 minutes.

George

I got a good deal on a Specialized Roubaix from Sugarcycles.

ZXiMan

Seriously, contact Dave @ Bicycle Spectrum in Barker/Houston since you are local (281-583-2453) . I drove down to Houston from the DFW area and bought one after looking at it and taking it for a test ride. I had a 2008 Trek Madone 5.5 Performance fit before the Bottecchia and there were very few compromises between the two. The Trek cost me $4550 with tax, the carbon Bottecchia $1800 and some change. You can test ride the entire Bottecchia-USA line, as well as other Bike Direct offerings. If you ride the CF78 Team Sprint, you will love it, especially considering when you compare specs with more mainstream brands, the others don't even come close as far as value is concerned. You will be lucky to find a *NEW* carbon frame road bike with anything better than Shimano 105 groupset for around $2500.

check out:

https://cgi.ebay.com/BOTTECCHIA-CARBO...3A1%7C294%3A50

I am not a shill by the way. Search some of my posts from last fall and earlier this year about my experiences. With that said, I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one especially if I was just starting out or needed a second bike... if only I didn't like my Pedal Force RS2 even more...

Reaper0Bot0

"You will be lucky to find a *NEW* carbon frame road bike with anything better than Shimano 105 groupset for around $2500."

That's insane. I am about to make a purchase and I've got at least two options that clobber your suggestion. Both are new, unsold, on the shelf at reputable stores:

2007 Specialized Tarmac Expert (Ultegra) $1785
2008 Trek Madone 5.1 (Ultegra) $2250

So what were you saying exactly?

SWorker

Go looking for 08's, I like the Specialized Roubaix and Tarmac. The size of Specialized allows them to give better components on cheaper bikes. I love the way they make a bike and you can always find a dealer if you have an issue.

stapfam

Bit above your price but haggling could bring it down. Giant Defy 2

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/...ad/2264/32186/

Paul Barnard

I recently bought a new 2008 Specialized Tarmac Expert Ultegra/DA for 2K even MSRP is 3K. There are deals to be had right now.

ravenmore

I want to say Buck's Bikes in Austin has a Giant Defy Advanced for under $2500 right now. Giant's 09 bikes are incredible. I would seriously put them at the top of your to look at list.

ZXiMan

How do your suggestions "clobber" my suggestion? I'm talking about a 2009 carbon framed bike with nearly full Dura-Ace groupset, not Ultegra. Dura-Ace front derailer, Dura-Ace rear derailer, Dura-Ace cassette, Dura-Ace shifters, Dura-Ace chain etc etc.

You can get an Ultegra equipped carbon framed Bottecchia for around $1200 with pretty much full Ultegra, minus the crankset. Heck, if the frame was cr@ppy (it's not) it would be worth buying the Dura-Ace bike just for the components and swapping them over to another frame.

FWIW, I wouldn't own another new style Trek Madone... I had a 2008 5.5 Performance fit that I put around 3,000 miles on in 3-1/2 months. The Madones are very overated in my opinion. I put around 5,000 miles on my Bottecchia and it was dead solid perfect. If the OP lives in Houston, he can have the bike serviced for FREE for as long as he owns the bike. Bicycle Spectrum has been around for over 20 years. Just sayin.

terrymorse 

Felt Z35, SRP $2199:

https://www.feltracing.com/09-catalog...es/09-z35.aspx

Bontrager

I believe this is the same company as Bikes Direct.

Bontrager

+ 1

stapfam

Tested the Defy 2 today and I am impressed.

ravenmore

I went up to Buck's today and made a point of looking again. It was $2600'ish with Ultegra. They might have a version that is a bit less with Rival, which to be honest I'd prefer anyway.

ZXiMan

Yes but for the OP it is a local shop where he can go look at the bikes and test ride them. I wouldn't buy a bike online sight unseen without trying it first to make sure it fit and would fit my needs.

AWillZ

I would check out the new Look 566 with Sram Rival. Its about $2500. Look knows how to make beautifully balanced, well made frames.

ravenmore

Until the 09 stuff the Look 595 was one of my favorite bikes - the Giant stuff has impressed me more though. It's really that bad ass.

NealH

I have not ridden one but, I must admit those new Giants look very nice, and nicely thought out. If it were my $2500, that's the direction I would take.

Reaper0Bot0

"You will be lucky to find a *NEW* carbon frame road bike with anything better than Shimano 105 groupset for around $2500."

"How do your suggestions "clobber" my suggestion? I'm talking about a 2009 carbon framed bike with nearly full Dura-Ace groupset, not Ultegra. Dura-Ace front derailer, Dura-Ace rear derailer, Dura-Ace cassette, Dura-Ace shifters, Dura-Ace chain etc etc."

I wasn't saying it was a better bike. I was saying you were just completely wrong. Either Ultegra is better than 105 or it is not. That was my point. My only point. And I was correct.

bigtea

Colorado Cyclist sells their Douglas Fusion for $2K. It is full Ultegra with some decent Easton wheels. Plus, you don't pay sales tax.

Fox Farm

Check 0ut the Blue Competition carbon bikes.

SushiJoe

Pedal Force RS - $595
Dura Ace 7800 group - $958
Dura Ace / Open Pro wheels - $399

Total $1952
Which leaves $500+ left over for bars, stem, saddle, seatpost and pedals