Shredder15

Hi I am looking at buying a road bike this spring and have a few questions. I have been mountain biking for a few years and I want to get into road riding. I would like a few suggestions for a first bike (under $2000) I want something that will be stable, comfortable for long rides but still have decent acceleration and can fit wider tires.

San Pedro

Lots of options out there. I'd start with what brands your LBS carries (if you are pleased with it), and go from there.

Shredder15

Ok thanks. There’s three bike shops in my town so I have some options.

Hiro11

I'd get an aluminum frame with 105 and room for 28s. Lots of options out there.

bogydave

Fit is as or more important than brand.
Some shops can measure you for
Others look at you when you walk in
for fit .
Spend winter researching fit as well as brand.
Several options:
**
Gotta look good to “you”
**
If know your frame size, a used one on CL & have it fit for you at LBS.
**
Go used or entry level, ride it a while
then upgrade after you know more your needs & wants.
**
Carbon is typically smoother
**
Figure you will change/upgrade some parts as you put on miles,
A good fitting frame can get upgraded over time

Have fun

12strings

Aim higher for $2000. Either Carbon with 105, or Aluminum with ultegra. Or both. Last fall my brother got a last year model Carbon Synapse with ultegra for $2000.

Depending on the brands your shops carry you'll want to the Cannondale Synapse, Giant Defy, Specialized Rubauix (or maybe Diverge), or the Trek Domane.

firebird854

A big question I don't see many putting out there, is what do you intend to do with it? A racing road bike is quite a bit different from an endurance bike which is quite a bit different from a CX bike.

Once you nail down your long term goals with the road bike, then look for the best deal you can get, I'd definitely recommend something from your LBS though, makes everything easier in the long run. Also, for just getting into it, alum or carbon 105 is typically pretty decent, carbon Ultegra around that 2k mark is typically a pretty good deal and quite enjoyable.

Maelochs

Bravo, @firebird854.

As I almost always do, I would suggest getting a cheap road bike and thrashing it until it dies. Then you will know exactly what kind of bike you want and what size you need.

You could get an awesome bike for $2000 or you could buy a $2000 mistake.

bogydave

+1
Best advice so far
IMO

sooni

Look at the Trek Emonda ALR. It can fit 28mm tires, and has the stiffness of a carbon bike. It also comes with full 105, and you can upgrade to a carbon seatpost if you are concerned about comfort.

I was riding it before I went to a carbon rig and in my opinion is the best value in that price range (not a shill).

Shredder15

Thanks for the advice everyone. Ill keep researching and when the snow clears up I’ll go do some test rides.

Hiro11

You can get a good aluminum / 105 bike for $1,500-$1,600 retail. I'd leave a few bucks to get pedals, shoes, road clothing, helmet, cages, tubes, etc.

green123

You can get this carbon one with 105 and disc for $1999
https://www.canyon.com/en-us/road/end...cf-sl-disc-7-0

Canker

As a fellow mtn biker here I agree with the go cheaper for your first road bike guy. Get on your local facebook groups and see what people are selling USED. You can probably get a nice enough Sora or Tiagra aluminum bike for a couple hundred to see if you even like much more dangerous without the fun road riding . If you don't like used watch Nashbar for their next 25% off sale on bikes and pick up their Carbon 105 road bike for $800 shipped or the aluminum version for around $550. Or even better pick up one of their CX bikes and slap some road tires on it and if you find out you like road riding then buy a fancy road bike and you have a gravel/CX bike too.

hsuehhwa

You will be able to get a decent 105 group-set road bike.


For beginners, what really matters is not the bike. It's how many base miles/elevations you're willing to ride it.

goenrdoug

here you go: Synapse Carbon 105 Mountain Bikes, Road Bikes, eBikes - Cannondale Bicycles

memebag

Another vote to buy a used road bike first. I bought a $300 piece of crap that I never really enjoyed, but I learned from it. I learned I liked long distance road rides. I learned how to ride in groups. I learned that a new $1500 road bike was perfect for me. Then I bought that and have been very very happy.

Dave Mayer

You are the biggest customer segment for the bike industry right now: former mountain bikers who want to try the road. The bike industry is trying hard to meet your needs, even if those apparent needs are inappropriate for the road.

So as a mountain biker, you will have certain preconceptions about what is good/useful in a bike, such as impact resistance, suspension, an upright riding position and powerful brakes. Be prepared to discount a lot of that, as road riding is quite a different thing.

The bike and and component manufacturers exist to serve your desires, even if those desires are sub-optimal or even outright misguided. Look at the long history of fads in the bike industry. Trust me: today's hot bike: the gravel endurance road bike with disc brakes and fat tires, will be as popular as fidget spinners in 10 years time.

So here is what you want for the road:

- As light as possible. Riding a 15 pound bike is profound life-altering experience. A 25-pound road bike rides like a farm tractor. The speed and performance benefits of losing this weight on a bike is far more than your initial gut feel tells you. Test ride a pro-level bike and report back.

- You don’t need or want discs. An inappropriate cross-over from the MTB world. They are heavy, fussy, and unnecessary. Same as with suspension.

- You want high-pressure lightweight tires. No texture at all: knobbies are purely for traction on loose surfaces. You don’t want any grooves either : bike tires cannot hydroplane. You want absolutely slick tires as they provide the greatest performance and highest traction.

- I ride 23mm tires day-in-day out. The current fat tire fad...they are heavy and slow - period. I suppose if you are a fatty or ride into curbs, you need them.

- Electronic shifting and carbon (everything) .. Nice to haves, if you can afford it.

Noctilux.95

If you shop around, you can easily find a high quality bike with Carbon frame and Ultegra drivetrainfor $2000.

rosefarts

I just wanted to say that I think Dave and I would really get along. More in a post ride margaritas for hydration sort of way. I too love ranting about stuff.

Shredder, the big advantage of discs is that they allow bigger tires. Bent road rims, mud, and stopping power aren't concerns I've ever had. Canti brakes on a cx bike allow the same. It's up to you whether you think you need it.

For wide tires, I've read the studies and am intrigued. Ive set up a wheelset but haven't ridden it yet. Keep in mind that my expensive 28mm tires are heavier than my 23mm Conti gatorskins. If you're planning to run tubes, I don't think you can justify wide tires on the road.

If you can, but from a shop that is able to fit a bike to you. A good fit matters more than frame material or components.