garethzbarker

hi i'm a fairly green bike rider looking to switch to road biking. I want to get a comfortable light bike for endurance rides and light touring and commuting. I Enjoy longer rides and don't plan on racing. The roads can sometimes be a little rough here (S. Korea). To make a long story short I'm looking for a list of bike models around 2k to 3k that are light weight, comfortable and built for endurance.

The only real bike I know like that is the Specialized Roubaix model. I'm looking for bikes models like this one so I can compile a list to go test out.

Thanks in advance,
Gareth

old and new

www.trekbikes.com you would want to look at the Pilot series AND the 520(touring)

www.giant-bicycles.com Avail or Defy, others too (this & the Trek site is huge)

www.jamisbikes.com The best site to read, it's informative, not overly huge and these are very good bikes, they offer enough selection in each frame material. The Aurora model, both of them should be of interest. Click on the 2009 models first.
The PDF 2010 part's a bit much to start with.

Much of this will depend on availabilty; everywhere has Giant & Trek

Barrettscv 

A bike that fits well will be comfortable and fast. Work with a fitter to select a bike.

Here are some models that are oriented towards longer distances;

Specialized Roubaix
Fuji Roubaix
Giant OCR Composite
Jamis Eclipse
Felt Z15, Z25
Cervelo R3
Salsa Pistola

Frame only;
Gunnar Sport
Soma Smoothie
Surley Pacer


See this thread for more info: https://www.bikeforums.net/long-distance-competition-ultracycling-randonneuring-endurance-cycling/553762-century-bike-optimized-speed.html

mrbUSA

I have always admired the Jamis. If a rider is looking for comfort, endurance, distance etc. is STEAL the better choice? Does it in fact absorb more bump, shock etc?

garethzbarker

thanks. that 520 looks pretty snappy actually, I want to try one out. Still not sure if i want to go with a 'racing' style or get a touring bike yet. cannondale makes a cool looking touring bike as well.

garethzbarker

availability IS a real problem here. Everyone rides trek MTBs but they pay way more than in the states. I haven't met anyone here that even knows what a bike fitting is. Specialized only has one dealer i think and they haven't returned my email

Thanks for all the information guys.

curdog

Cannondale Synapse

garethzbarker

Barrettscv that link helped me understand a lot more thanks.

StanSeven

I second the Cannondale if you are considering a touring bike. Another choice for you if the roads are rough is a cyclocross bike. It's similar to a road bike but uses wider knobby tires and center pull brakes.

FR4NCH1SE

I need exactly what the OP wants, I am in the same boat. I just checked the Cannondale Synapse and its so expensive the only one I could barely afford is the Alloy 7, I was wondering what other user here that have the bike what is their opinion on the bike. I still want to be able to go fast but I want to be comfortable less racing geometry for my back but still have the speed I love.

garethzbarker

a friend sent me this link. Anyone here familiar with these? Which ones look solid for what I'm looking for?
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/road_bikes.htm
Some darn cheap carbon and titanium bikes with decent gear sets and a couple are relaxed geometry.

old and new

w
I thought I knew what the OP wanted; what I'd listed focuses on some slightly more up-right possitions. The next fellow has a few on hi lst too, some though atr decidedly racy.

By looking at the sites, you'll see the differences as far as the basic frame geometry.
most of what I've pointed to are over a thousand but far less than two.
Anyway, all of us have provided enough. Cannondale's are very well respected. I didn't see much in the comfortable realm, not that was listed at a low price. 2009's, I know for a fact are still in stock in many places. An Al. or composite(mixed mat.) model should still be available.

garethzbarker

those links helped a lot. I'm starting to understand the difference between geometries so I'll know a little better what I'm looking for. Next step is to go out and ride some bikes

BTW what's your budget FR4NCH1SE? Did you check out the Specialized Roubaix? entry level carbon is like 2200$.