I was in the exact same situation a few months ago when I bought my first road bike. I was on the verge of making a purchase on BD until I made a few visits to LBS's. I didn't know how much I would like sora components vs higher end stuff. I was able to ride them all from sora all the way up to Dura Ace. This gave me a really good feeling of where I wanted to end up vs. my budget because I actually had things to compare with such as shifting speed, “crispness”, and ease. I ended buying a 2008 from a shop with 105 and ultegra mix. You can also negotiate on prices a bit at an LBS, especially on older models. IMO, having knowledge about the components is also key when dealing with the staff. At least knowing the range of component sets makes it a lot easier to talk about the bike and prices comparisons.

i've been riding a Windsor Fens for the past 2000 miles and i'm completely happy with it. the only thing i did was change the saddle to the Forte Pro SLX for a measly 40 bucks. it has 105 brifters, cassette, and derailleurs and I've had no problems with any part of it. Eventually i want to upgrade to a nicer double crank, nicer wheels and maybe repaint it just for vanity. for the $740 i've spent on the bike, i couldn't be happier and couldn't have found anything NEW that would've been as good of a value. This was the first bike i've ever worked on and using the park tools website for reference i was able to get it riding perfectly. If you know what size you need and what you want from the bike dont hesitate to buy from BD

I am doing the same research for a new bike, my current road bike is a 1991 Specialized Sirrus Triple (Suntour Edge Group). A complete chromoly steel lugged frame/fork/etc is a great ride the only complaint is the lack of convenience of the shifters on the down tube. I was looking at the Motobecane “Le Champion SL” on BD, but I changed my mind. I plan on purchasing either a TREK 1.5, Cannondale CAAD9 6, Cannondale Synapse 6, or Felt Z85 (can’t make up my mind yet) at a local LBS. BD has what appear to be a great deal, but my local LBS took over an hour talking to me about different bikes in my price range. The LBS offers lifetime adjustments (not maintenance), taking the time for bike fitting (not just once but after I had some time to ride the bike), swapping parts that don’t work for me, teaching me how to do some of my own maintenance, group rides, and test ridding my future bike. I will take lower (perceived) quality group components for this type of service, support & friendship. No I don’t work for a LBS I am in the military 22+ yrs. I tried the “Sora” on a Specialized Allez ($850) worked fine, quick shifts both up/down rear cog & front crank. I am used to shifting from the down tube so take it for what it is worth. Good Luck.

FWIW, BF conventional wisdom says CAAD9 FTW.

Thanks for the recommendation. Why do you recommend the CAAD9 6 over the Trek 1.5? Thanks for the advise...

You have my exact bike, I didn't think many were still around. Got any pics?

I bought from BD. They delivered exactly what they promised, promptly. What more can you ask from a vendor? Well... sure a _ _ _ _ _ _ _ would have been nice, butt....

Is Bikes Direct going to do another Christmas special this year? I want to pick up a ti mountain bike!

i just bought the windsor knight with ultegra 6600 ill tell u what happens when i get it, hopefully this week, bd isnt too far from where i live

as for sora, some people are fine, but i feel their kinda cheap feeling, and u cant shift in the drops, unless u are those few ppl who can reach for it, as for rec. riding, i'd say their fine

Your Jedi powers do not work on me!

Nothing wrong with buying a very low priced entry level bike. At that price you are going to have to go with Sora unless you buy used. If I wanted to spend $500ish on a NEW bike I would get the Scott Speedster S60 from REI it's $589 plus you get 10% cash back at the end of the year. It's basically equipped the same as the BD bike but you get a 'professional' assembly and REI has a 100% lifetime satisfaction guarantee on EVERY item.

Scott Speedster S60

thats a hybrid with flat bars though, not exactly what the OP was looking for.

Word up motherfredder.

NEVER apologize for a Bikes Direct thread. Eff 'em. Eff 'em all.

I really like this bike, here is a couple of pictures. I thought about upgrading to Tigira or 105 group, but it is the same price as a new bike. I will definitely keep this bike, it rides so nice. I traded a 80s Cannondale AL for this bike in 1998. I am going to try a carbon fiber seat post, Nashbar has them for $30. I want to see what the "Hoopla" is all about. Do you have a picture of your bike?

Sorry OP I did not see this Speedster was a flat bar. I had been recommending the higher end Speedsters with Tiagra and 105 from REI as BD alternatives before. Those ones are not flat bar and have the same exact frame so maybe you could get it with drops. I would still try to do whatever it takes to step up to a full 10 speed. If you are going to ride very much at all and you are stuck at $500 budget then find a used bike with 105.....that's what I would do anyways.

with my wife's sora shifters you need a sledgehammer to downshift. hate 'em

I love mine as well, I've put in a lot of great miles on it and had it since new. I've thought of upgrading as well but the cost just doesn't make sense compared to the bikes you're looking at (and me as well!) Here's a pic:

RacerOne,

Really nice "Sirrus", did you put on a different rear cog? Are you still running "Sun Tour"? Do you know if there is a group or site for old "steel" Sirrus?

And what exactly did you do to them?

In my experience sora shifters are a perfectly acceptable and smooth shifting budget option. Sure if you can afford better, you'll get a better product. That doesn't mean sora is worthless. It all depends on what you want to or can pay.

You indeed can shift in the drops, you just can't have the bars in a death grip when you do. My only complaint is that the levers have a relatively long throw, which makes it awkward to shift down several cogs at the same time I shift up a chain ring. But doing that is probably just a quirk I have, and is honestly a minor annoyance.

Now, my advice is not to go lower than sora if you can, 2200's seem to be touchy to adjust, at least on the bikes I've test ridden. But it all depends on budget I suppose.

The Mirage Pro sure beats the only bike shop bike that can compete near this price point, the Fuji Newest 3.0. That one had Microshift control levers. If the traditional geometry works for you, and you can get it properly assembled, then by all means put it on your short list.

By the way, Campy control levers all use thumb tabs and I don't hear any complaining from their users.

My Felt F90 came SORA equipped and 3 years and thousands of miles later it continues to be trouble free. It is the same as anything else, manitain it properly and it will give good service, sure I might get looked down upon for showing up with "inferior" stuff but it seems like I beat some guys on better bikes and also get beat by guys on lesser bikes, in the end as always, it's "THE MOTOR".
In the end, buy what you can afford, ride it like you stole it, and enjoy yourself.

Thanks! Yes it now has a 12-24 Shimano cluster, I really don't need anything more here in Indiana, if I have to use the inner ring I consider it failure! The rest of the bike is a bit of a mish-mash anymore. Wheels, crank, FD, DT shifters and seatpost are original. I can't remember if it came with 105 brakes, I might have upgraded from Suntour but frankly can't remember . The RD is some type of Shimano mountain bike thing that my crappy bike shop sold me back in the early '90's with the cluster. If I could find an original Suntour RD I'd throw it back on in a second! The seat isn't original, in fact that saddle isn't even on the bike anymore (finally wore clean throught the leather to plastic), it now sports a Specialized Alias.

I don't know of any groups for the Sirrus but there are a couple of threads in the C&V forum.

well bike came in a few days ago. missing a compression ring, but my lbs sold me a new rubber on for 3 bucks and put it in "stupidly" cuz part of its still hanign out, very minor true, on both wheels, and derailer adjustment for both, besides that, rides great

I think the price for the bike in the photo is very good. I bought a 30 speed Windsor Fens for about $699 from BD, fast shipping included in the price. Customer service is by email 24 hours turnaround. I like the bike. The 30 speed comes in handy on steep hills.