Humongous

Newb here,

I'm looking at getting my 1st road bike and looking in the $1000-1200 range. I actually haven't biked in the past 10+ years untill last Summer when I got a comfort bike to commute to work (5+ miles of smooth, paved bike path). I discovered that I really like biking but also realized how competitive I was. I constantly found that I was pushing myself, did not like getting passed by roadies.

I was going to get a performance hybrid like the Trek 7.6 FX but I'm guessing I'd still get smoked by roadies. So I figured I'll just keep on commuting on my comfort bike & get an all-out roadie for weekend rides.

What do you guys think, and do you have any recommendations on a road bike in my price range?

johnny99

All the major brands (Trek, Giant, Specialized, etc.) make great bikes in your price range. The main difference between the different models is how they fit you (frame geometry as well as size). Take some test rides and buy what fits you the best. Some people like more aggressive bikes. Some people like more relaxed bikes. Some people need shorter or longer top tubes because of their body shape.

Humongous

johnny, thanks and yes I was on that track looking at Trek, Specialized, Giant & even the Cannondales (which are on the pricier side).

I definitely want something as light as I can afford, but at the same time I want to build up my endurance to the point where I can ride in a century without destroying my back or posterior so maybe a bit more of a relaxed geometry?

From my internet research I'm liking the Trek 2.1. How would something like that stack up to something like a Specialized Sequoia? While the Specialized is most likely heavier & less aerodynamic, is it going to be that much more comfortable, if at all?

texascyclist

You can spend an extra $300 and get a race worthy bike.

Humongous

That BMC looks pretty impressive. Are there any reviews of this bike?

HWS

Check out Fuji.

You should have no trouble finding the Roubaix in your price range.

https://www.fujibikes.com/Road/Performance/Roubaix.aspx

Humongous

Thanks for the ideas on the Fuji & the BMC, but I guess I will add to my criteria that I want a bike either made, assembled, or imported by a company HQ'd in the USA.

Gotta help out my fellow Americans in these financially troubled times.

Just throwing this out there, but has anyone tried putting clip-on aerobars on a flatbar roadie (like a trek 7.6)?

plasticmaam12

Yes you can rock aerobars on a flat handlebar.

jeanHTX

my boyfriend rides a Fuji Roubaix possibly a 2006 model and it was like $700. it's also carbon fiber, so it's like 19-21 lbs. just sayin' $1k-1200 is definitely doable for a great road bike that's fast and light.

you could check out your LBS which is where my boy got his.

texascyclist

$1380 for the 105 version above. The sora triple crank version is $897. If you are comfortable building one, I would buy the $897 version, sell the drivetrain on ebay, and buy the best used Campy or DA 7800 I could get my hands on.

sheddle

then there is only one answer

If you don't want that, also look at Felt; they and Cannondale are the best US companies for prices, IMO.

johnny99

Does Felt make any bikes in the USA? I thought that Cannondale was the only company selling US-made road bicycles for under $2000.

Giant is headquartered in Taiwan and all their bicycles are made in Taiwan or China. Specialized has a USA headquarters, but they are part owned by a Taiwanese company and all their bicycles are also made in Asia. Even Trek makes most of their bicycles in Asia these days.

APKjuniorFL

I bought a Trek 2.1 last weekend and I love it. I had a Trek 7.3fx hybrid previously and this bike simply blows it out of the water. As previously mentioned, there are A LOT of other bikes in your price range, so test ride some before you make the final decision.
Just my .02

priceless

+1 for Scott

swak

CAAD9-5
105 spec.
$1500.

swaustex

I bought a Fuji Roubaix pro from performance last year with 105/Ultegra for $1024 out the door. So far it has been a great bike and I have no lust for the more expensive bikes yet. I rode all the bikes I could find in the 1000-2000K price range and the Felt F75, Scott Speedster S30 and Specialized Allez Elite were also in the top running. In the end though it came down to the Fuji not only being the better deal, but fitting the best with out the need to switch stems. I would have been happy with any of these bikes though. My 2nd choice would have been the Scott. I never found a CAAD 9 to ride in my size, but I here they are very good as well. I am primarily a mountain biker so I have to say that I can't tell the difference between carbon and aluminum. Its all just ity bitty bumps compared with the the MTB trails here in Austin that I still ride from time to time on a rigid frame.






The bikes are made in Taiwan:

Following the Fuji bankruptcy, bicycle distribution in the United States was taken over by Advanced Sports, Inc. In 1998, Jadeland Pacific, an investment group, was formed in Taiwan and acquired an 83% ownership of Advanced Sports, Inc., which had purchased the assets of Fuji America as well as the worldwide distribution rights to the Fuji bicycle brand.

In 2005, Ideal Bike Corporation, Taiwan`s third-largest complete-bicycle maker, acquired a 60% stake in Advanced Sports International Asia Ltd., which markets the Fuji brand of bicycles in Asia. Fuji bicycles are now built in Taichung, Taiwan; Dong Guan, Guangdong Province in the People's Republic of China; and in Kutno, Poland by Ideal Bike Corporation. The brand is owned, and distributed in the United States, by Advanced Sports Inc., headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

ptle

Cannondale CAAD9 6... or 5 if you plan serious racing.

deadly downtube

get a top of the line used road bike on ebay... i got a vintage 90's eddy merckx steel beauty with full dura ace for 500 bucks, way better than any brand new bike you'd get for $1200. if you want bang for your buck, go with used but in great condition, there are plenty out there, just learn what to look for, and watch ebay on a daily/weekly basis until you start seeing the bikes you want. also check craigslist and local ads of course, i'm not trying to advertise ebay, it's just got the biggest selection.

Humongous

Hey I found a full carbon bike that's sporting Ultegra/105 for $1300.. Anyone know about this? Thoughts?

Humongous

But would I be a complete tool for doing it?

Also, I was thinking about it and with all the hills in my area, rockin' the aerobars would mean that I'd be switching riding positions every few seconds or not maintaining any kind of cadence

The Roubaix isn't carbon except for the stays & fork which is the same for the Trek 2.1 and they are about the same price. Looks like a nice bike though, glad your guy is enjoying it!

franknstein

Uh oh...he asked about BD.

Seriously though, I'd also like to know how those Immortals are.

johnny0

getting a BD bike would be 100% against your wishes of it being an american made bike being that they use china/taiwan made frames that companies like fuji uses. you can get alot of bikes similar to fuji but a few hundred cheaper due to it being nonbrand name.

Humongous

I know, almost all frames, at least low to mid level frames, are made in China or Taiwan. But Bikes Direct is in Texas and... well, damn, its a full carbon frame with Ultegra on it. For $1300.. I mean is there something fishy about that place? Are they using discarded parts or something? I don't want to get scammed.

johnny0

Ive been considering to buy a bikesdirect cyclocross bike for the longest time but I still havent decided. I dont think they are fishy and alot of other people dont think so either. You'll need to know how to put some pieces on and tune the bike afterwards but thats all for assembly. there's alot of back and forth on these forums on bikesdirect so Im not going to repeat what people say.

if you can deal with their decals and namebrand and can tune a bike I think getting a bikesdirect bike would be a good deal.

somebadlemonade

they are only stored in texas, they aren't even assembled there, they are boxed bikes from asia