Hello all -
I want to make the jump from mt biking to road bikes. Not interested in competitive racing or anything, just want the best bang for my buck - and a bike that is comfortable for the long-haul miles and nimble yet durable for sometimes-crappy asphalt roads. I've looked at the Crossrip elite and the Kestrel Talon....know that one is more "urban" than the other (and the Crossrip seems to have more of a durable feel)...but, I can't seem to count out the Kestrel...anyone ride a Kestrel or Crossrip here an have any advice? Since I'm a newbie at roadbiking, I'm not planning on spending any more than 1400 for starters....

Thanks much

Brett

Are you looking at drop bars or flat bars?

I bought a flat bar urban road bike - the GT Eightball. It can take up to 40 c tires and the stock high volume Schwalbe Kojak 35 c slicks are reputed to be fast...

For me, under $1000.

Im fairly new to road bikes so take this for what it may be worth. I have a Crossrip Elite and love it. I love that it is versatile and can go between the pavement and gravel trails. I take it on 30+ mile rides along a canal path with hard packed gravel.I also like having a rack and trunk bag. With that said I tried it with some 25 mm slicks and it felt nice and fast on the road but not nearly as fast and nimble as some of my friends road bikes. I ended up buying a road bike as well. Neither bike is gathering dust so I don't feel guilty about the second purchase.

So I guess the point of my post is to be sure of what you want to use the bike for before making a purchase. It sounds like you already have a mountain bike for use on trails. If you really intend to stay on the pavement I would look for a pure road bike.

I bought the Emonda ALR 6. Which is above your budget. The 4 is available now and on the Trek website.

I picked up a Nashbar 105 57cm roadie for like $700 and it's freaking awesome. bang for the buck it's an amazing machine and considerably cheaper than buying at your LBS for comparable components. with that said, if you don't know how to measure and do a bike fit, and you are uncomfortable setting up, adjusting, and maintaining a bike, then buying online is a total crap shoot. If you don't know how to wrench I strongly suggest working with a local shop, but $1400 will get you a fair amount of bike. keep some money in your budget for new kit (riding shorts, jersey, clipless road shoes and pedals) and accessories (bottles and cages, co2, tubes, better tires, etc.). if you do it right these things can be had for a few hundred, so look to keep the bike around $1000.