hotcore

I've done a ton of research and have a 'short list' of road bikes that I'd like to test ride. Here goes:

1. trek 2.1 (race)

2. trek domane 2.0 (endurance)

3. specialized allez comp smartweld (race)


There aren't any local dealers with the models I want in my size, so I'd be driving out of town a considerable distance (1-2 hours) to test ride the models in the correct size.

I am 5'9", about 155 lbs. My inseam is 30" so probably 31" w/shoes + socks (don't plan on riding barefoot ).

I've test ridden several bikes over the past few years (felt 105, cannondale), but never really felt wow'ed or even strongly impressed. So, I'm giving it another go 'round hoping for a sweet ride.

I would love to hear from people who own a smartweld, domane or 2.1. Thanks in advance!

Gramin

Buy the one you like the best. If you don't like it, you're not going to ride it. If you love it, you'll be on it every day.

Also, how good are you at bike repair? If you're going to need a mech to help out, you might want to consider a local LBS. Putting the car in the trunk and driving an hour or two to get a couple minor repairs done will be a pain. Don't know where you live, so you might not have any options. I live in Chicago, and the difference between 4 blocks and 2 miles was enough to influence me. I'd rather be able to walk the bike over to the LBS than have to put her in the car.

Good luck!

bonz50

all 3 excellent bikes. test ride each, pick the one you enjoy most, you won't be going wrong with any. maybe add a CAAD10 in your test ride list along with a Secteur and Synapse alloy and you'll have 3 bikes in each category to choose from. plus its a lotta fun testing new bikes!!!

hotcore

Thanks so much gramin and bonz for your very helpful comments.

I'm proficient at minor adjustments and repairs, but I'm just not as fast or as skilled as an experienced shop hand. I moved after I bought my current bike so I became pretty good at taking care of all necessary adjustments myself and installing upgrades.

I haven't yet reassembled bottom brackets, headsets, and hubs, but plan on doing so for fun, probably on a very cheap clunker I buy just for that purpose.

---

I would love love love to buy from a shop that's close by. I don't think any sane person would however--not in the shops closest to me anyway. The nearest shop has employees, and an owner, so stoned out and incompetent, it's beyond laughable and almost pitiful.

I haven't been able to locate the models or sizes I'm interested in locally: the closest would be maybe 45 min. out. I would have to order and buy beforehand without a test ride. Even if I did, I have less than complete confidence in the mechanics of the local shops.

I've visited most of the local shops already and have been underwhelmed not only with selection, but customer service and has also been poor.

If I drive out of town and make a day of it, I could probably hit 4-5 shops at least and test at least as many bikes.

My first priorities are fit and assembly quality, and the shops I've short listed out of town nail those two criteria.

I won't completely rule out the local shops, but it's a long shot for just about every reason mentioned and probably more.