Tycho Brahe 

After almost a year absence from riding, I am feeling looking to get back into it. I was overseas, then I moved when I returned, so I've been busy.

I am new to my area, so I have no relationships with any LBS. The few that I went to had little in stock. Nothing in my size, but they are all more than willing to order something for me, provided a pay up front. Um, isn't the whole point of buying from a LBS the ability to test drive first?

Basically looking for a carbon bike (for shock handling, not weight), with minimum 105 and a relaxed geometry for under $2k. My last entry level carbon bike had these specs, and I loved it. Sadly, it was stolen in SF just before I left for overseas. Now I am looking to either buy online from Competitive Cyclist (I liked them, but never ordered a complete bike) or Performance Bike (their site allows me to check inventory, saving me a trip since they are not that local).

Since stores have exclusives, it is hard to compare products from the same manufacturers. All I know are groupset differences and crank sizes. Don't really know the difference in frame materials, bottom brackets, brakes, etc...

Ridley Fenix Carbon Ultegra Complete Road Bike - 2015 | Backcountry.com
Ridley Fenix CR2 105 Road Bike - 2015 Performance Exclusive
Ridley Orion Ultegra Road Bike - 2016 Performance Exclusive

The Fenix has been as low as $1549 on one of their sister sites. My one concern is that it has a mid-compact instead of a compact crank. I love climbs and although I do not need a triple, I am not the strongest either. Will I miss the 34?

I saw the CR2 at PB for $1499 just over a month ago. I wonder if that price will return or if I can ask for it.

No single PB has every bike I want to try and they are far apart. Besides, I really do not have good muscle memory and cannot tell the differences between bikes easily. My last bike, when I was overseas, was aluminum and I would only notice the difference between it and my carbon bike after being more tired after long rides.

I am open to other suggestions as well, especially at those two stores (mainly Ridley and Fuji at PB).

cardiac rider

I am new to road biking. I purchased a cf orbea used on craigslist. Not recommending you do this. Most of my purchases end up being at performance bike. From clothing to tools to saddles. They always have a good stock of anything and the return policy is the best, even if you purchase on line the store will deal with it for a year. Good luck

Wileyrat

If you want a Fenix, look at this one. They build them in their shop, so you can get it set up the way you want.

Ridley Fenix Force 22 Featured Road Bike - 2015 | Competitive Cyclist

Despite the picture, it's a whole bike.

I bought one in July, and they built it to my specs. (changed crank arm length, stem length, bar width, and upgraded the wheels. I ended up paying 400 bucks more, but that only was due to the upgraded wheelset.

I'm very happy with it.

edit...It looks like you can get the same bike from Backcountry also. (I believe they're sister sites)

GuitarBob

Correct. Backcountry bought Comp Cyclist a few years ago.

Tycho Brahe 

But it begs the same question: why?

Why is one bike better than the other? I can understand if someone said one had better wheels, etc...

StanSeven

I think the Competitive Cyclist comment wasn't about that particular bike being better. Rather it's CC allows customers to spec their own components.

BTW, all the bikes referenced are good. It's a matter of personal preference whether you like SRAM Force, Shimano 105 or Ultergra, etc., or whether you want this year or last years model.

Wileyrat

What StanSeven said.

You commented there were issues with one or two of the bikes as configured.

If you buy a CC build bike, you can have it configured any way you want. If you know what you're looking for in components and fit, it saves spending money on changing out things later.

Tycho Brahe 

I am a "just ride" type of guy. For example, I have no idea what stem was in my last two bikes, and I rode one of them for almost 9000 miles. Ditto for the seat post, brakes, etc... Don't remember what wheels were on my last bike (they were not expensive). Certain things I do know, like what derailleurs and that I like a compact double up front with at least a 25 in back and items that need to be replaced such as the cassette/chain/pads. Cycling computer? Cadence? Interval training? Nah. I just ride. I have done most of the big climbs in the SF Bay Area and my goal is to bike up Haleakala. I used to do at least one century ride a month, mostly solo. I could not care less about what stem I have. I just ride. And a good fit, I understand the need for a good fitting.

Which brings me back to point of my original post. All those bikes satisfy my requirements, which are carbon and 105 (or better) componentry. Not sure if one of them has a racing or more relaxed profile (my other requirement). Other than that, it is a bunch of components that I cannot tell the difference about. Which brakes are better? Wheels? I don't know, which is exactly why I asked. I would have no clue on how to configure a bike. I appreciate the answer though, however it is wasted on me.

I am a leaning toward the Orion because it has (almost) all Ultegra and the price is cheap ($1500). I am basing my decision based on those two factors alone because the rest I cannot tell. BTW, I am not a weight weenie. I get carbon so that I can do 200km rides and not have sore muscles (mostly upper back/shoulders) and Ultegra because, well, why not?

BTW, I hate the colors on the Orion, but that will not persuade me. Do not care for black bikes in general, but black and green? Ugh.

GuitarBob

Fenix is endurance geometry, with taller head tube and such. A friend who tried the Orion recently said it felt like it had a very long top tube, so he felt far too stretched out... so he passed on the bike. Try them on for size if you can.

Sy Reene

That's cool if they do that. Wish they'd improve the functionality then of their website to reflect this capability (ie. along the lines of Ribble's bike builder).

RR123

I wouldn't worry too much about the mid-compact being more difficult to climb with than a compact. The 2 tooth difference on the front isn't a huge difference, my 34-27 gear on my bike with the compact feels almost the same as the 36-28 gear on my bike with a mid-compact. I'm a bigger guy (190lbs) and can climb the same steep hills we have in my area with either setup. It's also easy to change chainrings and cassettes to get the gearing you want especially if you can get a better deal on one bike or the other.

Tycho Brahe 

Thanks everyone. Good to know that Orion has more of a racing profile, so that's out. I have seen the Fenix is person, so I know the geometry works for me.

Based on the prices right now, I would opt for the bike at CC/BC, unless the Fenix at PB comes back down $200. At CC, I have to pay $80 shipping, but no taxes. With PB, I would have to pay $135-160 in taxes, but no shipping charges and a free fitting. However, PB is not really local to me, plus how good would their fitting be? They might have a good employee, but I rather go to someone that I know is good. Competitive Cyclist has a good video on their site about how to assemble one of their bikes. I always liked them, great operation. The only tool I do not have is a pedal wrench.

Any other opinions on bikes?

BTW, this bike is more than I want to spend, is black, but damn it, I want to ride an Italian bike!
https://www.competitivecyclist.com/wi...lete-bike-2014

I used to live not too far away from Wilier. I was not into biking back then.

San Pedro

I love the paint job on that bike! From the description it sounds like a geometry I would like to try, quick handling, with a more relaxed fit.