lacrossebowe8

I am in the process of buying a road bike and have ridden a cannondale caad 9 and a few specialized models.
What bike for 1800 will offer the best performance? I like the feel of the aluminum frame over carbon. I like to feel the road and I want a quick shifting drivetrain.

FYI I am 6'2 190 and I think a 60 or 61 size fits best. Thanks for the suggestions.

jschatz

In my opinion you'll get much more bike (say, one that retailed for $3000) if you buy used. Try ebay or craigslist. You'll end up with lighter wheels, a lighter frame and better, more durable components (Ultregra or maybe even DuraAce).

indygreg

yeah, yeah, I am a shill, but if I had $1800 available, I would buy this in under 10 seconds.

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...mp_force08.htm

I spent $1500 there on a full DA bike similar to this and I love it.

HopedaleHills

Look at the BMC Steetfire if you can find one. I paid $1895 and it's an awesome bike.

sced

Also.....

https://www.bikesdirect.com//products...mp_campy08.htm

I bought the Campy Bottecchia that came out a few months ago for $1,500 and just love it. This deal is $200 dearer but some of the equipment is better and the bike is ~1.4 lb. lighter.

sced

OOPS...$300 dearer!

ElJamoquio

A $1300 bike with a $500 ebay powertap.

rollin

If you don't know what size for sure then I would advise against online.

I hear CAADs are great frames that you can upgrade over time.

If you can wait untill the 2008 models are out then you could pick up a bargin. I got a Trek 5200 for $2k Late last year. List price was over $2.5k

Oh also the BMC rocks!

indygreg

Very valid point, though one can really mitigate this quite a bit if they put a little time in with research. At the end of the day, a basic fitting (to a frame size) is not rocket science. It is not even 5th grade science.
Every LBS I went into (5+) told me I was a 56 without measuring a thing or me touching a bike. They were all right.

The bigger downside of a BD.com purchase are the smaller fitting parts . . . stem length (you get a size that is likely to be common for frame size, like a 120 on a 56) and crank arm lengths (172.5 on a 56). These are things that might not be perfect for you . . . only some time and a really detailed fit session will get you.

Speedy Gonzalez

If you definitely want aluminum and quick shifting how about a Felt F55?
https://feltracing.com/products/produ...18,19,26&pid=5

muteseh

that is some BMC hotness

lacrossebowe8

I am a 60 or 61 according to the local bike shop if that helps.

Logan B

I just bought a new cannondale R800 and people are amazed at the deal I got on Ebay. Definitly try to shop online after you've tried the real thing in your LBS. I saved $900 on the exact bike I was looking for.

NealH

Specialized Tricross Comp. Then you can ride anywhere.

flipped4bikes

+1!

Mr. Wu

I got a 2006 Blue RC4 Carbon off of e-bay for 1800 ... Brand New in a 58cm. Full Ultegra and such ... So far, I really love the bike. I think I just got lucky, but sometimes you find some deals.

Good luck ...

Wu

doughboy

+1. Size/fitting is more important than anything I can think of.

bvfrompc

Man, not a lot on Ebay our size (I'm 6'2", 34" biking inseam) right now. I ride a Cannondale CAAD8 R1000 (size 60cm, 120 stem) and have been really happy with it. I was able to find a late season deal on it and was well under your price point. It is high season right now so i don't think your going to see the real bargains that you would late season or early season on last years models.

Have fun, bike shopping is one life's true pleasures.

Paul Barnard

How much does the Caad9 Optimo 2 with full Ultegra sell for? I think it's in your range. If so it'd top my list.

mleess

Dude, forget the road bike and buy a nice big screen t.v. and relax. Cycling is too much work!

lacrossebowe8

I would buy the caad 9 optima 2, and in fact, I ordered it, but it is on backorder and I do not want to wait. I want to stay with my local bike store (City Bikes, they carry Jamis, cannondale and specialized).

I thought about a caad 9 optimo 1 but it is 600 more, so I don't think I can do that. I may get a caad 9 optima 3 and upgrade componets later. What else from these three brands may be worth looking at for around 2000?

dekindy

From what I have read the Cannondale that you are looking at is one of the best values around if you want to go fast and frame is supposed to be less harsh riding than most aluminum frames because of Cannondale's expertise. Go with an Optima and at least Shimano 105 level components and ride it to your heart's content.

I have a Serotta Fierte steel and if I wanted to spend the money for a go fast aluminum bike I would seriously look at the Cannondale since my favorite LBS has them.

unbelievably

Get the CAAD9 Optimo 3. IMO, it is a better bike $ for $ compared to the Optimo 2.
You get 105 cranks AND it comes in Raw Hi-Bright gloss...

Upgrade as you wish when the time comes...
(it will be sooner than you think)

TNoodles

Take a look at a Trek 2100. Aluminum frame, carbon stays, carbon fork, 105/Ultegra group. My LBS has them on sale for just under $1500.00. I suspect that is the going rate in the USA. For the money it's a lot of bike, and seems to fit your need.