How good - or bad - are entry level road bikes these days?
01-31-12 | 12:05 AM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 5,054
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From: Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex
Bikes: 2013 Haro FL Comp 29er MTB.
Well, I visited a couple of LBS today. Didn't get to ride anything, but checked out a couple of bikes.
At the Trek store, all the 2011s are gone (in my size). The 2012 bike that sort of fits my budget is the 2.1, which does come with 105s, and it's a triple. I'm thinking I want to go with a compact double this time around. The 2.1 is just under $1,400.
At another store, I got pretty impressed with a 2011 Specialized Secteur Elite Apex (who names these things?) which lists at $1,450 but is marked down to $1,250. They DO have a 56 in a box, so they're putting it together for me to ride on Friday.
This bike reminds me (based on looks and geometry) very much of my Roubiax. In fact, the dealer says it IS a Roubaix on an aluminum frame, with carbon fork. All the Roubaix these days are full carbon bikes, which is how they got out of my price range. It doesn't have Zertz inserts, except in the fork.
Stock bike has SRAM rather than 105s. It's a compact double.
It's even largely WHITE!
I want to give it a good ride and compare it to a Giant Defy 1 and 2, which I've yet to see. The Specialized store sells both, but my favorite LBS also carries Giant (and that's where I looked at the Surly). I'd also consider Cannondale and Felt, but they're much harder to find out here. Maybe even Janis, but same story.
At the Trek store, all the 2011s are gone (in my size). The 2012 bike that sort of fits my budget is the 2.1, which does come with 105s, and it's a triple. I'm thinking I want to go with a compact double this time around. The 2.1 is just under $1,400.
At another store, I got pretty impressed with a 2011 Specialized Secteur Elite Apex (who names these things?) which lists at $1,450 but is marked down to $1,250. They DO have a 56 in a box, so they're putting it together for me to ride on Friday.
This bike reminds me (based on looks and geometry) very much of my Roubiax. In fact, the dealer says it IS a Roubaix on an aluminum frame, with carbon fork. All the Roubaix these days are full carbon bikes, which is how they got out of my price range. It doesn't have Zertz inserts, except in the fork.
Stock bike has SRAM rather than 105s. It's a compact double.
It's even largely WHITE!
I want to give it a good ride and compare it to a Giant Defy 1 and 2, which I've yet to see. The Specialized store sells both, but my favorite LBS also carries Giant (and that's where I looked at the Surly). I'd also consider Cannondale and Felt, but they're much harder to find out here. Maybe even Janis, but same story.
01-31-12 | 03:45 AM
#27
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 649
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From: Oregon
Here's my entry level bike; steel frame with 105 shifters & derailleurs. It's been a great bike.
https://bikesdirect.com/products/schw..._legacy_xi.htm
This bike is aluminum with relaxed geo, I thought the bike rode really nice, much smoother then an Allez.
https://www.cannondale.com/2012/bikes...se-5-105-19928
https://bikesdirect.com/products/schw..._legacy_xi.htm
This bike is aluminum with relaxed geo, I thought the bike rode really nice, much smoother then an Allez.
https://www.cannondale.com/2012/bikes...se-5-105-19928
01-31-12 | 05:38 AM
#28
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 8
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I'm late to the thread, but allow me to second the Defy 1. The Defy was my first entry into road bikes since a Schwinn I owned in the 80's. I have found it reliable and a pleasure to ride. I do not have the 2012 model. Nor is it white:
01-31-12 | 05:53 AM
#29
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 852
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From: Illinois (near St. Louis)
Bikes: Specialized Expedition Sport, Surly LHT
LHT? It's all I ride. And you can ride it just about anywhere. Put on fat tires for snow or gravel roads. Put on knobbies for dirt and rocks. I ride 38's (Paselas) all the time, pretty much anywhere I want to go.
Put on racks to haul stuff. Put on fenders when it's raining.
It has bar end shifters- don't know how you'll take to those after brifters.
If you are of the mindset that bike weight determines speed instead of rider determines speed, then look elsewhere. I ride with a guy on a Madone 6.9. Pi$$es him off all the time...
There's a spreadsheet out there on the web that lists LHT owners willing to let you try theirs- Link Here
Put on racks to haul stuff. Put on fenders when it's raining.
It has bar end shifters- don't know how you'll take to those after brifters.
If you are of the mindset that bike weight determines speed instead of rider determines speed, then look elsewhere. I ride with a guy on a Madone 6.9. Pi$$es him off all the time...
There's a spreadsheet out there on the web that lists LHT owners willing to let you try theirs- Link Here
01-31-12 | 06:42 AM
#30
Palmer
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Parts Unknown
Bikes: Mike Melton custom, Alex Moulton AM, Dahon Curl
01-31-12 | 08:40 AM
#31
Thread Starter
I need more cowbell.
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,182
Likes: 0
From: Reno, Nevada
Bikes: 2015 Specialized Sirrus Elite
You know, this is a good point. I'm going to test ride a few literally entry level road bikes as well. I can always N+1 in a year or so, and save some money right now. I know in the long run that's more money but in the long run I'll be rich, so...
Geesh, I'm all over the board. Not that I haven't been THERE before.
Geesh, I'm all over the board. Not that I haven't been THERE before.
Buy a bike-boom era Schwinn Varsity at a yard sale and ride that for 4-6 months. Then even a Fuji Newest 4.0 will seem like a space ship.
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2015 Sirrus Elite
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Proud member of the original Club Tombay
01-31-12 | 09:09 AM
#32
Administrator
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 13,655
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From: Delaware shore
Bikes: Cervelo C5, Guru Photon, Waterford, Specialized CX
I got a compact on my cyclocross and the difference between the prior triples I've had before is night and day.
01-31-12 | 10:25 AM
#33
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,561
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From: Brighton, UK
Bikes: Rocky Mountain Solo, Specialised Sirrus Triple (quick road tourer), Santana Arriva Tandem
01-31-12 | 11:15 AM
#34
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,761
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From: West, Tn.
Did good in the past year. Bought a left over new Specialized Allez for $759. Found a nice, barely used Cannondale Caffeine 29er Lefty mountain bike for $800. I'm set for a number of years. Wanting for nothing else. As I look at it: 2 bikes for the price of one.
01-31-12 | 12:05 PM
#35
Shredding Grandma!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,803
Likes: 1
From: So Cal
Bikes: I don't own any bikes
Man I like that Giant Defy triple... wish I could get my friend over to Performance - she refused to go...
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01-31-12 | 12:16 PM
#36
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Joined: Nov 2009
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I think the term applied as "entry level" is "entry level racer". Shimano 105 has long been regarded as the lowest priced race worthy component line.
01-31-12 | 12:30 PM
#37
just keep riding
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 13,560
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From: Milledgeville, Georgia
Bikes: 2018 Black Mountain Cycles MCD,2017 Advocate Cycles Seldom Seen Drop Bar, 2017 Niner Jet 9 Alloy, 2015 Zukas custom road, 2003 KHS Milano Tandem, 1986 Nishiki Cadence rigid MTB, 1980ish Fuji S-12S
01-31-12 | 12:58 PM
#38
Thread Starter
I need more cowbell.
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,182
Likes: 0
From: Reno, Nevada
Bikes: 2015 Specialized Sirrus Elite
Found this one on Craigslist. Since I've already got one black bike, the color isn't especially appealing, but that's lower on my list of priorities than components, budget, etc. I've never ridden a Felt. It's my size, pending a test ride. Might have to contact this guy.
Felt z85 2011
Felt z85 2011
__________________
2015 Sirrus Elite
Proud member of the original Club Tombay
2015 Sirrus Elite
Proud member of the original Club Tombay
01-31-12 | 01:41 PM
#39
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: West, Tn.
01-31-12 | 09:48 PM
#40
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 259
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From: San Francisco
Bikes: Soma Stanyan
Specialized makes a great entry level road bike that the guys at Bicycling Magazine gush over it's called the Specialized Allez https://www.bicycling.com/gearfinderp...ail?gfid=13479 try it out, good luck in your search. Phil
01-31-12 | 10:37 PM
#41
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 5,054
Likes: 46
From: Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex
Bikes: 2013 Haro FL Comp 29er MTB.
Found this one on Craigslist. Since I've already got one black bike, the color isn't especially appealing, but that's lower on my list of priorities than components, budget, etc. I've never ridden a Felt. It's my size, pending a test ride. Might have to contact this guy.
Felt z85 2011
Felt z85 2011
02-01-12 | 08:19 AM
#42
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 570
Likes: 1
From: Columbia county, NY
Felt z 85 is a nice bike, also the Specialized secteur is very nice for the money , with some of the stongest wheels/tire set up, good luck.
PS; Pitcrain Island? I been there several times, good times...
PS; Pitcrain Island? I been there several times, good times...
