~$2k CF Road Bike Options
#26
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2 generations of CF is what? maybe a 5 yr old design/layup/modulus of carbon? we're still talkin about frames that were winning the grand tours just a few years ago that are on ~low end~ carbon now, right? that is hardly what I'd call "low end". while AL is still progressing, it seems that carbon is progressing faster and the leaps are getting larger for carbon as well. I'm sure much of that has to do with economic influences for the manufacturers.
there are some great AL bikes out there right now, I can't believe Spec has one that has a price tag of $7k (GTFOutta here, right?), but the actual material that is being used in AL development isnt really changing at all, just the tube shape/geometry type of things. don't get me wrong, as I've said repeatedly, I think the uptick in price for carbon is not worth it to me, that doesn't mean that I wouldn't buy one if I had the cash, but I'm not ready to make that stretch. For the record, I'm looking at a CAAD10-4 this year and an Allez Race Rival (I'm an SRAM fan and wanna step up from Apex).
there are some great AL bikes out there right now, I can't believe Spec has one that has a price tag of $7k (GTFOutta here, right?), but the actual material that is being used in AL development isnt really changing at all, just the tube shape/geometry type of things. don't get me wrong, as I've said repeatedly, I think the uptick in price for carbon is not worth it to me, that doesn't mean that I wouldn't buy one if I had the cash, but I'm not ready to make that stretch. For the record, I'm looking at a CAAD10-4 this year and an Allez Race Rival (I'm an SRAM fan and wanna step up from Apex).
#27
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I have a Motobecane Force and I'm very happy with it, had it for about 4 years now and have logged over 20k miles. Solid bike with great components and super lightweight. I think I paid about $1700, Full Ultegra with FSA+Ritchey
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2 generations of CF is what? maybe a 5 yr old design/layup/modulus of carbon? we're still talkin about frames that were winning the grand tours just a few years ago that are on ~low end~ carbon now, right? that is hardly what I'd call "low end". while AL is still progressing, it seems that carbon is progressing faster and the leaps are getting larger for carbon as well. I'm sure much of that has to do with economic influences for the manufacturers.
Here's a gratuitous photo of my sub-$2,000 bike. Love this thing.
Last edited by pgjackson; 04-18-13 at 04:09 PM.
#29
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I love Giant TCR https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...specifications
OP is looking for MSRP near $2k as I'm not sure other posters' bikes are MSRP $2K.
I obviously paid much less for my 2006 model.
OP is looking for MSRP near $2k as I'm not sure other posters' bikes are MSRP $2K.
I obviously paid much less for my 2006 model.
#31
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#32
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#33
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#34
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#35
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Why buy "new/current model year" when for every year older you can go up a tier for the same money. (Although color and size availability goes down)
Once you have good components, go super premium and buy just frames.
#36
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This is the internet. On the internet, we have access to the internet. Also on the internet, NOBODY buys a bike at MSRP... An informed decision is to buy from the local shop that offers the best deal. If you can't find what you are looking for locally, you buy online.
Why buy "new/current model year" when for every year older you can go up a tier for the same money. (Although color and size availability goes down)
Once you have good components, go super premium and buy just frames.
Why buy "new/current model year" when for every year older you can go up a tier for the same money. (Although color and size availability goes down)
Once you have good components, go super premium and buy just frames.
#37
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I'm also of the opinion that getting a nicer aluminium frame bike rather than the lower end carbon is a smarter move. Not because the frames on lower end carbon bikes are all bad (some are, depends on who makes it) but because of the component packages you get. Who wants a carbon frame that has Shimano Sora and loose ball heavy ass wheels?! Unless you're planning to upgrade the wheels, brakes, and drive train, just opt for the Al frame with better components. There are some very nice aluminium bikes.
That being said, as somebody else mentioned, Specialized is doing a killer sale right now on most of their carbon bikes. This Tarmac for example is marked down to $2,100 from $2,500, features decent DT wheels with sealed bearing hubs, Shimano 105 components, and not to mention the killer frame. The Tarmac frame is comfortable, stiff, and handles like a dream. Not to mention Specialized really stands behind their products with great warranty service.
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bik...mpact#features
Don't think that just because a bike has full Ultegra at less than $2,000 it's a good deal, the frame is most likely poorly designed and manufactured. The frame is the most important part of a bike, next wheels, then drive train. Lots of the bargain bikes will throw on nice drive train components to make people think that the bike is a better value, but really its like putting makeup on a pig.
That being said, as somebody else mentioned, Specialized is doing a killer sale right now on most of their carbon bikes. This Tarmac for example is marked down to $2,100 from $2,500, features decent DT wheels with sealed bearing hubs, Shimano 105 components, and not to mention the killer frame. The Tarmac frame is comfortable, stiff, and handles like a dream. Not to mention Specialized really stands behind their products with great warranty service.
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bik...mpact#features
Don't think that just because a bike has full Ultegra at less than $2,000 it's a good deal, the frame is most likely poorly designed and manufactured. The frame is the most important part of a bike, next wheels, then drive train. Lots of the bargain bikes will throw on nice drive train components to make people think that the bike is a better value, but really its like putting makeup on a pig.
#38
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You can get a Cannondale SuperSix 5 105 for ~$2100. I wouldn't call it "low-end" carbon either, and 105 is great.
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Thanks for giving me some food for thought. I've been trying to decide between a 2012 CAAD 10 with Rival and a 2013 Madone 3.1 with 105 for awhile now, and the arguments for Alu and CF have given me more to think about that just "components."