Originally Posted by kv501

For that money...

Aluminum frame, carbon fork, 105 or equivalent, fits, cheapest price.

Seriously. All bikes at that level are Chinese frames (except C'Dale) made in the same small handful of factories over there. They are going to do the same thing for you. By the best deal you can find on any of those bikes and use the difference on gear.

People who own Trek, Specialized, Cannondale, Giant, Fuji, Bianchi, etc...aluminum bikes are going to post here and tell you that their brand is far better and give you reasons, but don't pay attention to it. They are the same thing.