Iwishihadknown

And if so can I afford it?
I am looking for a road bike that is light and responsive and comfortable to ride reasonable distances (40 to 60 mile rides). My budget is maxed at around $2500. It seems to be the question between endurance bike style or racing road bike style. Ideally I am looking to blend the characteristics of the two styles in the most favorable manner. The roads I most often ride on are paved but not what would be considered in the best of shape. I ride on average 80 to 100 miles a week. I would be appreciative to hear the perspectives and opinions of the folks here. Thank you.

datlas 

MidTNBrad

Look at the Cervelo R2.

Clipped_in

Another good option would be the Cannondale Synapse with Shimano 105 component group. The aluminum version is well under your budget and the carbon fiber option is just over. Either one is a great ride. If you want snappy/racier geometry go for the CAAD 12 which I would perfer but a little less plush.

WhyFi

A lot of what you're asking for is subjective. That said, you should be able to take care of these wants pretty easily within your budget. So much so that I hesitate to make any specific make/model recommendations. The only general recommendation I'll make is to feel out a few local bike shops and to look at bikes that'll take at least moderately wide tires (28-32mm) - they'll help a lot with crappy roads. Wide-ish tires often, but not always, means disc brakes.

Dean V

It does exist and you can afford it.
As to what bike it would be that is much harder to answer.
Many people are comfortable and ride great distances on a "race bike".
Some struggle to get comfortable for any distance on anything.
Hard to tell over the internet where you are in that spectrum of riders.

luevelvet

BounceCT

Specialized Roubaix

firebird854

Trek Domane SL 5 $2,299.99
Canyon ENDURACE CF SL DISC 7.0 $2199 (Buy online)
Specialized Roubaix Sport $2,200.00
Cube Cube Attain GTC SL Disc Road Bike $2099.00 (Buy online)

Here are a few solid options.

Frankly, I recommend looking into something with disc brakes, Shimano 105, and endurance geometry.

PepeM

From your description, pretty much any road bike would fit the bill.

Iwishihadknown

Thank you

Iwishihadknown

I wanted to thank everyone individually for taking the time to respond then it occurred to me that it would take longer than the time I have right now. I appreciate everyone's responses. For those that have suggested specific models that is very helpful. For those that have provided links that is super helpful. My sense is that an endurance geometry is likely my best bet. I am hoping to find that best combination of characteristics from that platform.

teejaywhy

Indeed, it exists. At that price, carbon frame, 105 groupset. A little more for disc brakes.

Actually, check out Canyon bikes, a direct to consumer sales channel saves $. The Endurace line... CF SL disc 8.0 (Ultegra) @ $2800. CF SL Disc 7.0 (105) @ $2200 Super value.

Also look for 2018 closeouts. Don't know where you are located, but there is a shop in San Diego that has 2018 Cannondale Synapse Carbon Disc Ultegra SE for $2600. That's basically $1000 discount! Was ready to take a road trip to pick one up but then the Specialized spring sale allowed me to purchase a Roubaix from my local bike shop for similar price.

From my recent research, other endurance models besides the aforementioned Roubaix, Synapse and Domane:
Giant Defy
Scott Addict
Fuji Gran Fondo

Iwishihadknown

My local bike shop owner who I have the utmost respect (a very kind and decent person) for is recommending the Giant Defy Advanced 2. I look forward to test riding one, a true test, like a 17 to 20 mile ride that is a regular ride for me. I want to see if it is faster, if I can ascend hills faster etc. how comfortable it is etc.
I purchased a bike last year that was in the same expense range, $2500, it is a great bike but not the right bike for the type of riding I most often do.
teejaywhy, thank you very much for the detailed information! I will research the bikes you have referenced.

teejaywhy

Just looked at the Giant web site and the Defy is on sale! Could be a good choice if it turns out to be the one you like.

noodle soup

What bike did you buy last year?

bgdoyle

Saw that Giant was running a sale, not sure how long it will last. I bought a Defy Advanced 2 about a month ago. Just been running it on a trainer but the weather has warmed up and it will be on the road next week. Mine is a 2018 that was a demo that no one had demoed. 600 dollar discount. Carbon fiber, 105 gearset, hydraulic disk brakes. I had looked at all the major brands and the Giant seemed to be better deal. Hard to say how you ride but I was looking to extend my 25 mile rides which is about all I can take of my FX3. Where I'm at it seems you are either going uphill or down. Tend to use my gears a lot.
This may be useful... or not.

WhyFi

What an odd bit of information to omit and something that might have proven insightful from the start, eh?

Iwishihadknown

Thank you for the additional responses and notification of the sale at Giant.
The bike I had purchased last year is not pertinent to the questions I asked or I would have provided the details about it. It is a Salsa Warbird which is a Gravel racing bike. I have road tires on it and I really enjoy the bike but I want something of the nature I described with the questions I had asked.
It is a beautiful bike and I will be keeping it for other than riding on paved roads.

WhyFi

Um, that's *exceptionally* relevant.

In general, the endurance geometry bikes have a slightly shorter reach, slightly taller stack and a little bit longer wheelbase than a road 'race' geometry.
In general, the gravel bikes have a slightly shorter reach, slightly taller stack, a little bit longer wheelbase and greater tire clearance than a road 'race' geometry.

IOW, gravel and endurance are close cousins.

What are you hoping to improve upon that the Warbird with 28-32mm road tires doesn't provide?

edited to add: in comparing the Size ML Defy and a size 56 Warbird, both with 56cm effective top tubes, there's a little more than a 1mm (not cm) difference in stack and 0.2mm difference in reach. Wheelbase will be about an inch more compact and it'll have a slightly steeper HT angle. Not exactly worlds apart.

WhyFi

If you're too old and busy to deal with a hint of snark, you should be too old and busy to omit information that gives us a *much* clearer idea of what you're looking for.

A bike that's four pounds lighter will feel a little more lively. A bike with somewhat racier geometry will be more receptive to rider input (some will interpret this as a good thing, others will not). Neither of these things will significantly improve your hill-climbing.

The first thing that I would look at is the wheelset and tires on the Warbird. I'm sure that there's a pound or three to be saved there; getting rid of a pound plus of rim/tire weight goes a long, long way towards a more snappy, lively ride (complete bikes in the $2500 region aren't going to have wheelsets to write home about, and you'd probably want to replace them sooner or later, anyway).

noodle soup

WhyFi, don't waste your time with this guy..

Iwishihadknown

I went on the Giant website, that is a remarkable sale on the Defy models. $500 off retail on bikes of that price is huge.
I will go to our local bike shop tomorrow and pursue this. Hopefully I can schedule a test ride and do it quickly so if I like the bike I can take advantage of the sale.
Thank you for making me aware of the sale and to everyone who has offered suggestions.

noodle soup

Parking lot test rides are worthless. See if you can get a 30-40 mile ride on a test/demo bike.

Iwishihadknown

I purchased the Defy Advanced 1 this morning. Awesome bike and a fantastic sale. Thank you again for making me aware of the sale. I will have it by this time next week.