oldroadie48

Hello everyone. I am a newbie here but have raced bikes about 10 years ago and I road a Trek 5900 USPS. Now I have a local bike shop that I would like to deal with that carry mainly Specialized and Masi. They also carry Felt, Giant and Trek. I have looked at all the bikes they have and honestly there is so much more to consider about bikes now than 10 years ago.

I am 50 frame size (yes I am short 5ft 7-8in). I have looked at the Masi Evoluzione, Specialized Tarmac and Roubaix. I have also looked at Bianchi, Giant and the Treks. Not sure if I can get a Bianchi from the local shop.

I plan on competing in road races, duathlons and doing some century rides so I think a road bike would be more beneficial than a straight TT bike.

I have about 2500 to spend.

Any input from you guys with what you would choose would be helpful. Thank you for taking time to give me your opinions.

seymour1910

looking at the bikes they carry, if I had to pick one it one be the Giant TCR Composite 1

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...1/14798/66277/

RollCNY

You mentioned Felt. I would do a Felt F5 ($1800) and a set of race day wheels. Train on the stock cxp-22's, race on some $5-600 hand built wheels, or Boyd Vitesse, or any of the others that show up often.

rpenmanparker 

OP, depending on how the bike is sized (effective seat tube) your height would center on 54cm bikes. Such bikes might have actual sest tubes of 50cm, but that would not usually be the nominal size. Sure there are a range if sizes that would fit you. It is just that the center of the range for "normally" built folks your height.

All the bikes at your LBS are quality choices. You can't go wrong. Test ride. Test ride. Test ride. Oh, did I mention you need to test ride? With that selection and at this season you should be able to find a really good deal you like. Go for it.

gc3

Just my opinion but if you plan on racing, get the Tarmac with the best components you can negotiate with the LBS.
As was noted, lots of good/adequate choices on your list. You might want to just get what appeals most to personal your sense of aesthetics.

roccobike

You're looking at all good brands, I don't think you can lose with any of them. If I were you, I'd try as many as possible and pick the one you like the best.

cafzali

+1 These are all great bikes and you really can't go wrong with any of them. I'd test ride and/or shop as many as I could and see which one really spoke to you. I love Giant myself, but these are all good.

nastystang

I would do as RollCNY suggested. The F5 frame is no slouch and with 105 and a better wheelset it's a very nice ride. But really go ride some and see what grabs you. Your budget Is the sweet spot and there are a lot of choices.

Duane Behrens

One other hint. Some, like me, like to spend a lot of time standing on the pedals on the uphills. I personally find that style comfortable (YMMV). So I made sure to test ride a few different bikes to see which was most comfortable while standing. I chose the Specialized Tarmac over the Roubaix for that single reason. Good luck.

Ghost Ryder

I wouldn't solely base my decision on looks, try the bikes you want out on a test ride to get a feel for them.
Whatever feels best, & looks nice is the one you want to consider.