nyquil

Hi guys,

Could anyone recommend a good road bike around this range that are good for racing but at the same time not overly uncomfortable to ride?

This will be my first bike... i know this range might be too high for me, but i've been saving for a long time, so i'm willing to shell out the money that's needed.. so if anyone could recommend some good ones i could check out and test ride i would really appreciate it.

This is a pretty nice local bike shop near me... so if possible, would love a recommendation from here(they also have caad and others that are not listed, but if you do a search they sometimes will appear)
www.wheelworks.com

However, i'm also open to bikes that are not listed at this local bike shop. so really, all suggestions are welcomed.

i hear fuji is a good brand and that they actually make all the specialized and treks bikes?

Panic

I'm no expert, but those Cervelos look pretty good for the price range.

nyquil

most of those are just frames though. there are two however, but they are tour bikes :\

Panic

how about this one?

Beaker

You're asking a very broad question - in general I'd go to the intro to the Road Forum thread and look for info there about buying bikes. Looking at the website you linked to and browsing their inventory, I'd be interested in checking out the CAAD8 for ~$900, or some of the Orbeas that they have in the $1100-1400 range. Both from respectable brands.

The other question to ask yourself, as this is your first bike, is have you budgeted for the non-bike stuff - i.e. helmet, floor pump, repair kit, shoes+cleats, pedals, cycling shorts/bibs, etc,etc. This can easily add up to several hundred. If it was me I'd look at the bikes above and set aside $500 for all the other stuff you need to actually ride the bike you just bought.

Good luck with the decision.

Banzai

Comfort is more about fit and less about money spent. A $10K bike can be "overly uncomfortable to ride" if the fit is not right.

However, I will caveat with the fact that most cheap bikes come with even cheaper saddles...that fact can certainly influence comfort.

RazorWind

Cannondale CAAD series is what I'd look at first.

There are tons of worthy bikes in that price range, though. You're probably best off just going to a few shops and trying some out.

Edit: And the others are absolutely right about all the ancillary stuff. You should bugdet a few hundred dollars for clothing and other gear, plus at least a little bit for futzing with saddles, as you'll likely have to try a few before you find one you really like.

nyquil

panic, i did check out the cervelo, but it's 61cm
man i hate how different models only have certain sizes... this really limits the selections =\

why do you like the CAAD? someone did suggest CAAD9 5/6 to me since they also have 105 shimano which is at least better than tiagra which comes with a lot of the bikes around the 1.5k range.

but why the CAAD series though. just curious.

lukewall

+1 for the Cannondales in that price range. And if you're looking for aluminum, then it's a no brainer.

yogi13

The CAAD is one of the better aluminum frames made, especially good for racing crits, at a very good price.

Really there are a lot of pretty nice options in that range at your LBS, though it looks like most are last year's models blowouts, which is why there is limited size availability. Maybe a tarmac elite if the soloist isn't available in your size. You really should just go and ride, though, and buy what fits.

WCroadie

Um... all brands of bikes come in many different sizes.

tominator

Use craiglist. I'd look for used. You could buy a $3k road bike for 2 K easy right now. And you get to try all kinds of types of bikes. Ride everything: alumn, steel, carbon. Try a ton of bikes before you buy.

Billsteak

Just got a Felt F75. Pick it up next week. You can get them for $1299 now. 105 compact group. Comfortable. A little heavier than the CAAD 9 5, but most of the difference is in the wheels which I am swapping with last year Neuvations (1540g) for $299. All told it should trim out with pedals in the high $1000s range for total cost and about 18.8 lbs weight.

CAAD 9's fork is a little heavy, cuz I think it is still a CF/Al mix, but the F75 has an all carbon fork and the rear triangle makes the ride a little smoother. I agree with the CAAD 9 option if you'll race crits, but I don't race and thought the Felt F75 felt better on the road.

I chose between these two and a 2008 GT Pro with rival group at performance bike for $1800. This bike has really good components for the price.

Good luck with your selection.

jesspal

CAAD9-5 ftw

nyquil

yeah i think i'm going to go with the caad9-5 thanks guys

mugatu

kbtommy

I picked up a Specialized Roubaix Elite from the Somerville Wheelworks in January, and I love it. Got last year's model for around $1600. But as everyone is likely to say - find the one that fits you well, and that rides well. Wheelworks is really good about letting you test ride as much as you want.

Val23708

https://www.competitivecyclist.com/ro...bike-5977.html

asv

Cannondale Six13 on eBay.