When I was shopping for a "nice" road bike a few years ago I was looking at bikes like the Roubaix and at carbon fiber. There was nothing about the CF bikes that I didn't like.
My issue was very simple: I wasn't going to race, and I wanted a bike that I could add fenders to and larger tires (at least 28c). Going to a custom builder (Davidson) gave me that option.
Aside from custom CF ($$$$), there are no CF bikes available in America that will take fenders and 25c's except for these 3 (that I'm aware of):
- Gary Fisher by Trek Cronus
- Jamis Endura 2
- Orbea Diem (flat-bar commuter bike).
I love the Davison. Wish it was a couple of pounds lighter, but the rider is the real weight problem, not the bike.
In any case, this winter -- iits 4th winter -- I finally put on permanent fenders. I am just loving riding a bike of this caliber on good days and bad. Very happy w/my decision.
Last edited by BengeBoy; 01-02-11 at 12:21 PM.