Joe Pro

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the forum, but have enjoyed what I've read so far.

Well, I'm looking for a new road bike. I've looked at the $1,000 price point Trek 1500 and Specialized Allez elite. Aluminum looks like a good start, but I'm intrigued by carbon fiber frames. I'm therefore also considering going up to the $2,000 price point and getting a good carbon fiber bike, maybe Trek 5000 or something like that. Can a beginner really appreciate the benefits of carbon fiber?

Any thoughts you can provide would be appreciated. I'm a beginner, but want to have a bike I can grow with (i.e. I don't want to spend two bikes worth if I will out grow a $1,000 bike in a year). Do all the fancy compontents (e.g. Shimano Ultegra, etc.) really make that big of a difference. Is an ounce here or there that important?

RonH

Usually not. You can't compare apples and oranges unless you've tasted both.


Yes, components DO make a big difference in how the bike performs.
Ounces? How's counting.

Boogs

The lighter you are, the more difference a light bike will make to you. I'm around 210 now, and ride an old 23lb. steel frame without a second thought - if I were 150, I might think differently.

late

Hi,
between 1K and $1500 there is a ton of really good bikes.
Try a bunch. I like the Jamis Quest, the Allez steel, there's a bunch of Alu bikes.

And this is on sale this weekend. There is a coupon for 20% of so it's like a grand.
https://www.supergo.com/profile.cfm?L...604&referpage=

I love this bike
https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/habanero.html

This is what I ride, it's a lot of fun
https://www.gunnarbikes.com/sport.php

dcon

Check out Bianchi, too. www.bianchiusa.com

I have an Eros and grin like a kid every time I ride it. I would agree that you probably won't appreciate carbon over alu or steel over carbon or anything over anything else if you haven't ridden them before. But I wouldn't worry about that too much - just find a bike you like to ride.

Late is right, there are lots of good bike out there in your price range - ride as many as you can - it's fun. And "better" i.e., lighter, more precise shifting, etc...components do make a difference both in terms of performance and, in my experience, frustration with parts that don't work the way you expect them to, when you need them to.

Also, while there's nothing "wrong" with Sora, I would avoid it if possible because for only a modest increase in price you can get a better product (105, Campy Mirage, e.g.).

Submariner

Supergo has 20% off going on right now and you can pick up their all carbon Scattante model with full ultegra for around 1200 i think. Sounds like a very good deal.

jsharr

Ride as many bikes as you can in your price range. Set a budget you are comfortable with and stick to it. Think about what kind of riding and how much riding you will be doing. If you are not racing, do you really need a race caliber bike? Will you be riding with friends? If so, what do they ride? Do you want to be on the same caliber bike as them, better, worse, does it even matter to you? If all the bikes are equipped the same, as the will be at each price point usually, fit the same and feel the same to you, buy the one that looks best to you. One last thing, shoes, pedals, shorts and helmet, computer, bottles and cages, seat bag and basic tools to fix flats and do minor roadside repairs can add up quickly if you do not have that gear already, so leave some room in your budget for gear. Good luck and have fun.

Kickingback

I think you have to try out some bikes before you can decide. You will have to try diff LBS to see diff selections. I stay with a non-carbon bike if it's your first bike. Save the money you will need it for the other things you have to buy. But there are so many buke to choose from at 1,300, Giant,Felt,Jamis,Specialize,Trek. I suggest looking at the under 700$ tread above for diff bikes. Then look them up on the internet in Google. Go to the bike sites and see what they offer. Find what you like then go try them out. But for a new rider don't spend a ton of money on the bike. If you get a bike with 105's comp and the bike fits you that should be enough for a beginner. Good luck stay safe!!!

samp02

This is a real nice buy....

Joe Pro

Thanks for all the great ideas. I've tested a few bikes out now and am set between the Specialized Tarmac Comp and the Specialized Roubaix Comp. Both excellent bikes for the same price at my LBS. They both ride differently and the Roubaix Comp comes with better stock components at the price. I don't think I need a race bike right now, but I'd like to have the flexibility to have one in the future.

The Roubaix is supposedly more comfortable, but the Tarmac was really much more nimble and quick. Do pure race geometry bikes like the Tarmac really wear you out faster. Is the Roubaix's comfort geometry all that noticeable for shorter (sub 50 mile rides)?

Once again, whatever thoughts are out there is appreciated.

Doctor Morbius

My personal preferences are probably going to be different from yours as I tend to like a more upright non-racing riding position. Some of the bikes already suggested look like good candidates. If I were shopping around for a new bike today I'd look at something like the Specialized Elite and the Giant OCR1 AL and possibly a Specialized Sequoia Elite (very upright - I own one). The OCR1 is the least expensive of the 3 with an MSRP of $1000.

If I were going composite and ready to spend more $$ I'd look at the OCR3 Composite (MSRP $1650). If my price point were higher the OCR2 Composite and and Roubaix Elite.

The Felts and Jamis bikes that were listed as "best buys" in Bicycling Mag were not available at any bike shops near me so I was never able to test ride them. You really need to test ride as many bikes as is reasonably possible to find one that fits and that you're comfortable with.

Keep in mind when buying a new rig that there will be other necessities that will be needed so if your budget is $1500 you may want to get $1000 - $1300 worth of bike and save the rest for accessories - helmet, gloves, cycling shorts, yadda yadda - or even a second set of wheels. Always a good investment.

If I had $1500 and were getting a new one I'd look very hard at the OCR1 for $1000 and a second set of wheels. However, I'm all stocked up on bikes at the moment though so I'm not in the market.

As far as buying a used bike or one online via ebay or something, those are great options but you really need to know what you want before taking the plunge. If you are kind of new to this or are not quite sure about the fit I recommend the Local Bike Shop as that is where the rubber hits the road and a knowledgeable staff (not a bunch of college kids on summer break) can help you out considerably.

Personally, I would buy a used bike or one through ebay but I also have a pretty good idea of what I'm looking for. Whatever you end up getting, keep in mind that a couple hundred bucks saved won't mean beans if the bike doesn't fit you properly and you don't enjoy riding it. It'll end up as a garage ornament.

The new models will be coming out soon and if the '05 models were overstocked an LBS may offer them at a reduced price.

One thing to keep in mind is that in 6 months you're going to want to change something about your bike. It is inevitable! So if your first bike is at the higher end of the bike spectrum it's going to be an expensive learning curve.

Maybe you'll find you don't have the flexibility or don't care to ride in a TdF racing position. Perhaps you'll discover just the opposite and the bike isn't suitable for 40km Time Trials. Whatever, just keep in mind that you will have a learning curve after a first road bike purchase. That's why so many people opt for the entry level bikes for their first bike. Then when they've finally figured out what is important to them (not us forum members ) they'll take the plunge and get a more expensive keeper. And the entry level bike becomes a commuter, gets put in the trainer, or gets ridden in the rain or gets sold on ebay.

TexasGuy

How long were your test rides? I would advise trying to take a 10-20 minute test ride with each one, depending upon your stamina (maybe do it twice , riding one then the other and then repeating). Try getting some climbing and some curves in.

NE14MX

Speaking from experience on comfort, the roubaix is an excellent choice. I had a full race frame before any ride over an hour killed my back. It got to where I couldnt enjoy it. I decided to buy something else I was comfortable on. I tried many bikes and decided on the Roubaix base model. I love it. Comfort is no longer a limit to how far I ride. Don;t be fooled into thinking it's a comfort only bike....still has plenty of performance, especially for a beginner. I'd get teh roubiax, I think you will really tell a difference after some time on teh bike. I love mine and it has really helped my performance

Joe Pro

The rides weren't too long, so I wasn't able to get an absolute understanding of the difference in the bikes. The LBS had to order the Tarmac I wanted and they had a Roubaix on hand. When the Tarmac comes in, I will test them again to come up with a final decision.

I just feel that the Roubaix is the safer bet, but it's just not as sexy as the Tarmac.

I'll ride both again to decide.

NE14MX

Yep ride both as long as you can like someone else suggested. On my other bike, my bak didn't start hurting til about 30 minutes into the ride, after which was torture. It was a very sexy race bike but it didn't feel too sexy when I was puffing and stopping every 20 minutes to stretch my back more. I usually go with the "sexy" bike when choosing but for me, the sexy label wears off soon and I can't love my bike if I am not comfortable on it