hanjin

My brother is getting into road cycling, and would like to get a nice entry level carbon road bike. I currently own a 07 Fuji Team Pro, and showed him the 08/07 Fuji Team which as well as the CCR3 both of which he can get for around 1000.00 to 1300.00. What other bike would you guys recomend?

Thanks

hanjin

johnny99

Try some different brands and geometries and buy whatever fits the best.

merlinextraligh

I'd suggest you're going about this backwards by asking what CF bike.

Rather, the question is better posed by 1) identifying what your brother wants to do with the bike, and 2) what his price range is? (which you kind of did at the end)

The answer to the best bike for your brother may or may not be CF, and which CF will depend a lot on his priorities, and how he intends to use the bike.

"I want to race, and comfort is of little to no concern." versus " I want to do moderate group rides, some centuries and value comfort over speed", versus " I want something to ride 10-20 miles at a shot, by myself to get some exercise" will get you radically different answers.

hanjin

He will be riding in large group rides, local races, and the MS150, also some short hops to the store and so on. I figured that carbon would be a bit less harsh as an aluminum frame. He is coming from a MTB background, and has been riding with me on the road using a converted hardtail with 26" street tires. Not the best setup, so we went and looked at a few bikes over the weekend Scott, Marin, Fuji, and GT. He rode them all and really liked the carbon frame bikes from Scott and Fuji. Budget is is 3000.00 max.

kwrides

$3,000 is a huge budget for entry-level imo. If he has $3,000 to spend, I would recommend just going to your LBS's and riding everything under $3,000. He'll find one he falls in love with...and if he's anything like me it will be about 10% over his budget

motorcade

Check out the current edition of Bicycling Magazine. They are reviewing a half dozen or so "value" road bikes, some carbon some not, but all look pretty nice, and I think most if not all in your price range.

Amen

This

https://pedalforce.com/online/product...ducts_id=11894

OR

https://pedalforce.com/online/product...ducts_id=11374

CLICK THE GROUP BUY TAB

I own an RS2 with SRAM Red, and I love it. I paid $3500 for all the parts and to have the bike built (with ksyrium sl premiums accounting for $900) of that last year. You can do better without the blingy wheels. (I regret buying those wheels btw...)

munski1968

Hell!! I wish I had $3000 to spend!! I'm having enough trouble just getting my bills paid every month!! Does he have any extra he can give me? Im sure I could find me a good CF RB for $1000.

merlin55

1. The fit of the frame, in particular the top tube length in conjunction with the seat tube angle, compared to your body is much more important than the choice between Carbon, Aluminum, or Steel frame. It is the difference between enjoying riding, and have a sore neck and back as long as you own the bike. If the LBS cannot or won't explain this to you, find a better shop or ask an very experienced rider to help you.
2. Fuji offers a life time frame warranty and are a good value, i.e. usually more bang for your buck than a Trek with the Armstrong cost adder or Specialized. That said, at some price points, and sometimes you can find deals that make the Specialized or Trek a better buy than the Fuji....
3. FIT, FIT, FIT is the important thing. Also the saddles on $1000 to $2000 bikes will likely be a PITA.
4. Save $100 or so to replace the seat, and also buy some name brand top quality pedals as the generic copies just don't seem to last. Mountain bike pedals are a great choice for new riders and people that use their bike in real life and need to walk around wearing their cycling shoes. Full on road cleats and carbon sole bike shoes are for roadie snobs like me that never walk more than 5 steps in a 4 hour ride, and they make walking on slick floors exciting in a bad way.

hanjin

I guess I should point out that he rides two Titus mountain bikes, one is a Ti Fireline hardtail and the other is a Ti Motolite, he has money to spend I just don't want him to get something that's gonna turn him off to road biking. I used to ride aluminum frame I they mabe my teeth hurt. We live in Houston so the local roads are not the best. We have a 40mi ride on March 22nd we want to ride in also.

kwrides

Hanjin, are you new to Houston? If so, I've been to most of the shops here several times and can offer feedback if you want.

Most of the bikes you will see in Houston shops are Trek or Specialized, but there are Giant, Scott, Orbea, Colnago, Marin, Serotta, Kona, and many others around. Also, I can offer you maps of lots of good local rides if you're looking. PM me if you want more.

DesnaePhoto

Definitely find components he likes. And find a fit he likes. THEN find a bike that combines them. After my crash last Easter, I was introduced to SRAM. BAM! Instant -- I want THIS! Everything else revolved around "Can I get SRAM on it?"

Ended up getting a Novara from REI. (No flames please). Perfect in my budget, fits great, and is a blast to ride. Everything just fell together with it.