is this a good deal? Orbea Onix for $2100
 

At the LBS i found a 2007 Orbea Onix with ultegra shifter, ultegra front/rear derailleurs, ultegra brakes, FSA crank for $2100, and give me 25percent off on ultegra SPD pedals. and 10 percent off accessories.

This is going to be my first and hopefully only bike for about 5 to 10 years so i don't want to buy something and regret it later seeing how im still a student and won't have the money to buy another bike.
I was looking at the 2008 CAAD9 R5 which i could've gotten free 105 spd pedals with and 10% off everything in the store afterwards, but then wanted full carbon. So I started looking around for companies that did their own carbon molds. and this was the only company that peaked my interests.

Should i go for it? or continue to shop around?

With the extra money, you could make the CAAD9 a heck of a lot lighter than the Orbea :p

my 06 felt f5c is full carbon. it looks nice and has the same components that you described on the orbea. you can find them for 1500 or less... people will dog on the wheels.. but they worked fine for me.. one more thing.. the frame has practically the same goemetry as their top of the line bikes..
http://www.feltracing.com/store/imag...alarge/F5C.jpg

Im actually not looking for extreme lightness, but a durable, comfortable bike. I hear carbon is comfortable, and might be more durable than the thin wall aluminum frames. Is a CAAD9 a thin walled frame? I haven't gotten to ride a CAAD9 yet...

Yeah, the walls on the CAAD 9 are pretty thin, and the seat stays are supposedly lighter than carbon seatstays. As far as durability goes, I'm not sure. A CAAD 8 would be more comfortable than a CAAD 9, but if the Orbea is more upright, then it'd be more comfortable than both.

A crash that'd ruin a CAAD 8/9 would probably ruin a carbon bike too though. You might want to check out some of the specialized Tarmacs and Roubaix models, as well as some of the higher end fujis. Those bikes are more comfortable than the CAAD series, and are plenty fast.

well yeah, like the felt you can get fuji bikes with the same specs as that for cheaper, but that is not the argument.

Orbea makes great bikes... very comfortable, easy to ride... and I bet that one you got a quote for comes with real wheels (unlike the felt and most fujis which I believe come with alexa, or alexis, or whatever wheels. which you absolutely don't want. )

I would say go for the obea, or look at another bike *in the same price range*. the CAAD 9 is also a great bike that I believe is fairly similar.

^^ the wheels they came with were shimano 550s i think
and i don't know of any other bike in the 2100 range with a monocoque carbon frame could you point some out to me?

thanks for all the replies

edit: i Just looked up kestrel
Is a Kestrel Talon with ultegra for 2000 good?

For this bike, $2100 is a good price. I paid $2200 for the same bike at the beginning of the year. I haven't met anyone who has this bike who is unhappy.

Their are less expensive options that come with Ultregra, and some that could be made lighter, but I can tell you that I love this bike and have been happy with it. Actually, with a bit of attention, you can lighten this bike up quickly.

Finally, in my opinion, the finish / appearance of the Orbea was hands down better than anything else in this price range. Yes, that has no bearing on performance, but when my bike is parked in my office I have to look at it. Call it vanity, but it factored into my decision.

On the wheels -- if it is the Onix TDF setup, it probably comes with Ksyrium Equipes. Good wheels, though not particularly light. If they are the Shimanos, someone probably did a switch out (unless Orbea changed specs halfway through the year).

He said he "made to order" that bike i rode. Ordered the components he wanted from Orbea and put it together at the shop. So which were better the ksyrium or the shimano 550s?

The ksyrium equipes may be just a touch better -- they are the lowest end Ksyrium. The Shimanos, however are good wheels (I believe Shimano 550 = 105 wheelset). Both are likely to be durable and require little maintenance. My personal preference is for the Mavics, but it wouldn't be a deal breaker for me on this bike. One thing to keep in mind is that this frame for Orbea sold for significantly more prior to '07 -- they priced the full bikes much more agressively beginning this year. So compared to the same bike this time last year, it is probably a smokin' deal.

$2100 is pretty much list isn't it?

^^MSRP is $2400. Looking at a ~12.5% discount on the bike. Not bad.

I got a Cannondale Synapse Carbon with (mostly) ultegra for around $2300. I felt good about the extra $200 for that fit vs. the Onix. I say find the fit that is perfect for you in that price range. $200 is nothing when you start to factor in soreness and dr. visits if you don't have the ideal fit (that was my justification as well).

I agree - the Onix is sexy

Shops are starting to clear out the 2007 Onix's for 2008's. I think you can get it even cheaper than that. I did.

Local Orbea dealer here says that the 2008's will offer an Onix TD with 105 stuff for 1799. Just an FYI.

No huay!!! ;)

Is that coming in the next few weeks, or in Spring? I'm looking at the TDF but would be quite happy with 105 instead of Ultegra.

I paid less than that for a 2007 with ultegra and better wheels - not bragging, just saying that it's possible, so shop around

Dunno. Popped in last week to see what he had and when I asked about the 08's he mentioned it as an option. I think just call your local dealer and ask em. I went with a certified pre-owned Trek.

congratulations on your (impending) purchase.

for what it's worth, i have been riding an orbea (alu frame, carbon fork + stays) with an ultegra build + shimano 550 wheels. at the time, i thought i should shell out some more money for wheels, but i was maxed out.

in nearly 3,000 miles, the 550s have performed very well. i routinely climb a mountain pass with them and descend @ speeds up to 50mph. i live in a rural area and encounter cattleguards frequently. the wheels are still perfectly round and true with no maintenance from me.

while they may not be the lightest thing going, they sure do seem to be durable.

(that said, my new ride which is on the way has mavic wheels...ksyrium es.)

I was offered 1800 out the door on one a while back...I don't think thats a deal to write home about.

Friend of mine bought an '07 Cannondale Synapse with 105 for $1500 today, nice ride and seriously light (50cm)