Farbs

Hello all,

New to the forum.

Quick background on me. I wasn't really into biking at all as until recently. I decided to pick up a single speed commuter bike to commute to work. I was recommended a Surly Steamroller, really love it. It is perfect for my 4-5 mile commute, handles the streets well, and is easy maintenance wise. I have been riding it for two years now.

I have slowly become more interested in longer distance rides. I have tried out a few friend's road bikes and saw what I was missing.

I would like to add a Road Bike to my fleet. At first I was thinking of getting an entry level Specialized road bike from my local shop. I eventually decided against this. I have the type of personality that if I pick something up, I will REALLY get into it. I know I will regret just getting entry level and definitely grow out of it quickly.

I started to look at mid/high end road bikes on Craigslist and other second hand type places. I am not exactly sure what I am looking for, but I have a price range in mind: $900-$1,200

Any suggestions on specifics to look for? I have mainly been looking at Specialized because that is what I am most familiar with. One that caught my eye is: Specialized Tarmac Elite Road Bike - 58 - Full Carbon/105 Comp Group

Thanks in advance!

-Scott

Jaeger99

It's a bit above your price point, but the nicest 105 group carbon road bike that I have tried is the Felt Z5. You owe it to yourself to check it out.

Roopull

I'd be leery of used carbon fiber bikes. Damage is often hard to find, and if the guy crashed it & thinks it *might* be damaged, he may be offloading it for that reason. The last thing you want is to be cruising along and have the thing snap in half because some unethical creep sold you a broken bike. Plus the front chain ring is covered in grease smudges. That front chain has been off or he's been working on it for some reason. Is something wrong with the gear? You'd have thought the guy would have at least cleaned the bike up a bit.

If you really want carbon, you can get new carbon bikes for that money if you're willing to shop online & can do the basic mechanics of putting one together & tuning it. Here are a few options:

Mekk Poggio 1.5 Carbon Road Bike - Road Bikes

Save Up to 60% Off Shimano Carbon Road Bikes, Roadbikes - 2013 Motobecane Immortal Pro

Save Up To 60% Off Fuji Road Bikes - Road - Fuji SL 1 Road bikes

Save Up To 60% Off Shimano 20 Speed Road Bikes- Motobecane Le Champion CF Comp


The components vary quite a bit among those, but they're all withing your stated price point.

So, a used carbon bike that may or may not have serious and unfixable issues or a slightly less brand-flashy bike that's brand spankin' new...



If you're the type to upgrade components later on, I'd go with the nicest frame you can get. If you're probably not going to tinker with the thing later on, you can get nice aluminum bikes with top notch components at the price you're looking at.

Farbs

I am not 100% sold on a carbon bike. I just figured if I could get one around that price point, I would consider it.

Used alum frame with nice components is probably the most realistic route to go.

I do like to tinker, but don't know how far I would take it with bike tinkering.

SundayNiagara

Better yet, wait for the 2015 Z5 - Internal cables, rim brakes and a THREADED BOTTOM BRACKET!

rms13

I would also be weary of a used carbon bike if you don't know what to look for. I'd also be weary of someone who is asking $1200 for a used 105 bike and can't even clean up the cranks a little before taking photos.

I vote CAAD10 (of course since I'm a cult member). But it's the best aluminum bike money can buy and you can probably find a used one with Ultegra in your price range

seymour1910

Maybe I missed it, but how do you know you need a size 58? Do you have an idea of what size you need?

Farbs

I am in the 56-58cm range depending on the brand/geometry.

I was fitted when I bought my Surly. The shop I went to is a Specialized dealer

zymphad

I like carbon, used to think it was asplosion too, but if you do some research on current carbon, it's insanely much stronger than steel or aluminum, and stronger than titanium. And it has infinite fatigue life, comparatively to any metal which will break due to stress and fatigue over time. Also look up video from Santa Cruz. They demonstrated on even with heavy impacts, carbon can withstand more than aluminum or steel.

Go to a shop, they often have old stock they are trying to get rid of. Carbon doesn't always come with high end parts. Sometimes they do come with lower end. I talk to a bike shop employee occasionally, he told me they sold a few Tarmac SL3 recently for $1100-1300 with SORA components. Brand new, never ridden. Current model is SL4 FYI.

Eh... When I bought my frame, I didn't care if it was 52/50/53 whatever. I went by top tube length. You can use the competitive cyclist calculator that helps you figure out what top tube length you should be looking for. I know I'm not the only one who thinks top tube matters more. You can adjust height easily with a seatpost.

Farbs

It is a 2009 model.

I think MSRP new was about $2000

zymphad

FYI also, there are many who think Canyon make the best AL. There are also those who think Velocite make the best AL. Others think Giant Defy are the best AL.

That's awesome because on my next bike, as long as Shimano continues to make external threaded BB for their cranks, that's what I'm getting, so limited to frames that have that.

Farbs

I am definitely not opposed to going to a shop and trying to get a deal on last years model. That is probably where I should start before I look for second hand.

Thanks

rms13

Would not pay $1200 for a 2009 with $2000 msrp (owner probably paid a couple hundred less).

Roopull

While you're in the bike shop, don't tell 'em how much you're willing to spend. Think of a bike shop as a used car lot. Some have absolutely fantastic people working for them. Others are ready to take you for whatever they can get out of you.

It's worth asking bike shops for used bikes... people often trade bikes in on new bikes & bike shops sell them via Craigslist or Ebay. The used bike from a LBS will likely be tuned and road ready.

Willbird

Thats kinda weird, I read about the threaded bottom bracket on another forum, but I have a print out from a Bike shop in Fort Wayne, IN that shows the 2015 Z5 having a BB30 BB. It says "Felt" in the top left corner, MSRP $1899.

According to SuperDavefelt though the Z5 and Z85 will BOTH have threaded BB in 2015, which is neato because I really want a 2015 Z85 :-).

Bill

SundayNiagara

I have the same source. Are you sure you aren't looking at a '14, because the 2015 Z5 won't be on Felt's site until August 27?

Willbird

Well the paper I have says 2015Z series, I will scan it and post it, or will try something along those lines.

SundayNiagara

The only 20!5 Z carbon bike on Felt's site, the Z7.

Willbird

imgur: the simple image sharer

Ok here is a picture of the paper I have in hand. It mentions the new higher MSRP, and the 5800 11 speed.

I agree I was only able to find Z7 stuff on the Felt webpage.

The paint scheme is subtly different than a 2014, and the seat is a different color.

Bill

Farbs

I would not offer someone their asking price....ever.

If it looked good in person and I was confident that I wanted it, I would offer $800

SundayNiagara

I'll defer to SuperDave.

zymphad

Too bad it's BB30. I've been reading lately of BB30 causing squeaking and other issues. And don't understand why on the Z5 they wouldn't offer a full carbon fork when they include a carbon seatpost.

Hopefully they offer both? I don't see why companies don't offer that instead of just one standard for BB. Am I really going to notice it being stiffer if it's a BB30 over using Shimano's external BB? Yeah right... Rather just use a threaded BB that is compatible with Shimano's cranks than use an adapter.

seymour1910

Ok I see.

Well just looking over the CL listings in Chicago, I can tell it's another area where people truly over value their bikes. Most asking prices are way to high. I did find some good looks though. Instead of going for that 2009, have a look at these. I attached the blue book values with them

Giant TCR SL 2 with Ultegra 6700. I bet he will take $1,000 as the bike is a little over an hour away.

*** GIANT TCR SL ALUXX, SIZE M/L ***

Blue Book with 105. Looks like he upgraded the groupset and the wheels. It also comes with look pedals
2013 Giant TCR SL 2 - New and Used Bike Value

2013 CAAD10-5. The Cannondale Logo's are covered in the pics. Threw me off at first but seller is saying he made the bike ugly to prevent theft.

Cannondale CAAD 10 For Good Home

Blue book
2013 Cannondale CAAD10 5 105 C - New and Used Bike Value

Farbs

Seymour - Thanks! Both of those look like very good candidates! I will definitely try and check them out.

This one also popped up yesterday:

Mint condition Specialized Roubaix Expert 56"

It is also an 09 Specialized but has a mishmash/odd mix of components.

I plan to check out a few local bike stores around me to see what they have available on older models later this week as well.

-Scott

Farbs

also:

Ridley Orion Carbon race bike