Onyxaxe

Hey guys, I am looking to buy my first modern road bike. I've got a 70s road bike that I'm going to convert into fixed, A giant option my neighbor gave me and a 29er beach cruiser. I had planned to modernize the 70s bike but realized I could buy a brand spanking new road bike by time I retrofit everything.

Durability supercedes every need I have.
I'm 5'10, 160 and female. My limbs are exaggerated.
I'm looking for something that's good enough for group rides and Zwift.
Budget is under 1200.
No carbon please, I'll be frank and state that I've already crashed twice on my 70's bike. I like steel lol. Even carbon forks make me nervous but I probably won't be able to get around that.
Weight of the bike isn't much of a concern, I can zip pretty good on my 30 pound 70s bike. I think average weight of a road bike would be fine.
This is purely for road racing and in house training, so it won't need rack or fender mounts.
Black, grey or white would be best.

I was looking at the Verenti Defense but couldn't find any first person reviews on it. So far this is my favorite option.

Thanks .

qclabrat

not to be vague, but have you checked your LBS?
great time for end of season deals if you are patient and you'll also get support for a few months
with the budget, you should be able to find an aluminum frame with carbon forks and Shimano 105 or SRAM Apex
not too many steel frames unless you go with Surly or smaller mfrs

Never heard of a Verenti, is that a UK only bike?

Onyxaxe

Verenti is wiggle's house brand. Good review from a bunch of british mags but nothing from the US so far. I have looked at the local LBS, the selections aren't that great. I have to wonder where people I see on the road are getting their bikes from lol. Good advice on the sales, thanks.

datlas 

Caad10.

WhyFi

#41ier strong

RollCNY

If you are comfortable ordering a complete bike from Wiggle in the UK, the Wilier Montegrappa is a very sharp race oriented bike, aluminum, within your budget. I don't know how comfortable you are ordering sight unseen for size though.

Specialized Allez are nice, as is whatever the WSD version is.

If you are comfortable ordering on-line, and not concerned about weight, the Nashbar prebuilt bikes are very good value, easy to put together, and perform well. I own and have owned several.

Lazyass

Reynolds 520 steel, 105 group for $800.

Save Up To 60% Off Pro Level Steel Road Bikes | Commuting | Commuter Bikes | Motobecane Gran Premio PRO

qclabrat

That's a good deal for 800 clams
Anyone know much about Reynolds 520? seems like the tube is welded and likely single butted?

Lazyass

It's double butted. I've had my eye on one for awhile.

The Reynolds 520 Double-butted frame is handcrafted and precision machined bottom bracket shell.

Bathwater

Fuji Roubaix 1.1 might fit your needs. 105/Ultegra mix. If you have a Performance membership it'll be tiny bit over your ceiling.

Fuji Roubaix 1.1 C Road Bike - 2014

rms13

OP: ....are you in the UK? Probably an important bit of info. Buying bikesdirect bike won't make sense if OP is in UK and buying a Wiggle bike doesn't make much sense if they are in the US.

The Verenti is also alum/carbon with fenders and that doesn't make sense considering OP's initial requirements. I do think the bikesdirect steel bike is a good deal if you are in US. Reynolds 520 is basically Reynolds brand cromo 4130 so nothing special as far as steel frames go but probably a good bit lighter and more responsive than the 70s bike (unless the 70s bike was a high end racer). It also is old 10 speed 105 and has FSA cranks, Tekto brakes, Claris hubs, Tiagra cassette so they cut a lot of corners to hit the $800 price point. It's certainly worth $800 but it's not a screaming deal but a good name brand steel bike will probably be close to $2000. But as also mentioned you might get a good deal on a close out if you go to an LBS and I would also suggest getting fitted because I'm not sure what exaggerated limbs mean but it might be good to make sure you get the right size

Onyxaxe

I'm in the US. The Verenti was eyecatching but I figured that maybe what the price was all about. I really, really like the Reynolds 520 frame, except for the fact that it doesn't take 28c tires. I'm running 28's now, the local streets aren't that great. Exaggerated Limbs meaning I have long arms and legs and a short torso, positive ape index as some sites call it.

Anyone have opinions on the Super Strada?.

Save up to 60% of new Shimano SRAM Apex 20 Speed Road Bikes | 2012 Motobecane Super Strada Road Bikes Sale | Save up to 60% off your next new Road Bike

I'm researching all the other options now.

Onyxaxe

The Caad10 and Roubaix are out of my price range.
The Montegrappa 105 although really cool has a mixed groupset which I'm not fond of.
The Gran Premio Comp is gorgeous, and I love steel bikes. The non 28c is an issue though, and again the groupset is a bit mixed.

Now it's between these three:

Save up to 60% of new Shimano SRAM Apex 20 Speed Road Bikes | 2012 Motobecane Super
Strada Road Bikes Sale | Save up to 60% off your next new Road Bike

Nashbar AL-1 Road Bike

https://www.wiggle.com/verenti-belief...tiagra-2014-1/

Lazyass

I'm not sure any of those will fit 28's. IMO 25's are big enough unless you're riding cobblestones for miles on end.

rms13

I actually owned that Super Strada with Apex. My first road bike and road it for about a year. It is decent bike and at $800 for a full Apex group it's a good deal. But 700x28 might be a tight fit on that. Also don't know what your bike mechanic skills are but if you buy from BD or Nashbar or any online source you'll probably have to at least adjust brakes and derailleurs out of the box and maybe true the wheels.

I would at least go to an LBS and see what kind of deals they have right now. My friend just got a 2014 Giant Defy (last year's model) with 105 for $1000 out the door a couple of weeks ago. I got a 2013 Giant TCR for $2000 (msrp $3995). 2015 models are out and shops will be trying to move any old stock they have this time of year.

Elvo

BH Prisma Tiagra Bike | Shimano 10 speed | Carbon Frame/Fork

gsa103

For the ~$1000 range you should be able to find a good bike with Al frame + CF fork with Tiagra/105/Apex.

Some other things to consider. Brake/shift lever ergonomics, especially since you're a woman (and likely have smaller hands). Try a range of different shifter options Tiagra, 105/Ultegra (5700/6700) (10-speed), 105/Ultegra 11-speed (5800/6800), SRAM Apex/Rival. All of them have slightly different ergonomics and would be available near your price range (Ultegra 6800 is too expensive, but worth trying).

You definitely want to go to a bike shop and test ride a bunch of bikes. Test rides bikes that are beyond your price range, just so you can see what is different. Sometimes a simple change in stem length can make a big difference in how a bike feels.

datlas 

I won't argue with you, but I am pretty sure you can get a new CAAD10 for under $1200 if you look around.

cderalow

you may still be able to find a caad10 on close out from 2014 if you look hard enough. I picked one up at the end of August for around 1200

rms13

Since OP is 5'10 I would imagine her hands are big enough to manage most levers but it is worth considering. My wife is 5'4 with small hands and she could not get comfortable on the Sora equipped bike I got her. Even with shims to bring the levers closer she didn't have the hand power to stop the bike with any confidence. SRAM Apex (and all SRAM levers) have adjustable reach so they should work for even smaller hands. Not sure about Shimano but I think at least 105 levers are adjustable.

Bathwater

Lower priced Roubaixs:

Fuji Roubaix 1.3 C Road Bike - 2014
Fuji Roubaix 1.5 C Road Bike - 2013

Sorry if I come off as Fuji fanboy or something but I'm really not. Just trying to let you know what's out there. Good luck on your search and feel free to post pics of your new ride when you pull the trigger.

alexaschwanden

Caad8 is abit cheaper and a good bike.

TheDavid 

Kona ***** Tonk and the Kona Esatto are worth a look. The ***** Tonk is a Reynolds 520 steel bike with Sora 9 Speed and the Esatto is a Scandium frame with alloy fork.

RogueRadio

+1 for CAAD10. Best bang for the buck in entry level cycling right now (IMO, so everyone calm down)

datlas 

In case you did not notice, that word that sounds like your car horn is on the censor list. Silly, but that's the way it is.