somegeek

I'm looking for a road bike in the $1000-$1500 range. I'm 6'5" and 205lbs if that has any bearing. I'm looking for something to ride around town and do the occassional century on. I do have a singlespeed for putting around town as well so this road bike can lean more towards a long distance bike if that makes sense. I like my 22.5lb steel frame SS and have yet to ride a carbon frame but I am not against it.

I'm also familiar with bike building so buying a frame and building it up is an option, however, I imagine I'd save some $ buying this road bike pre-built with components and such.

Any suggestions? I know this is a pretty general question but imagine other folks out there have bikes that can be purchased in this range that would do well for what I am looking for.

Appreciate any input.

somegeek

g.r.e.g.

Cannondale CAAD9-5. Awesome aluminum frame with full-105 components for $1500 MSRP so I'm guessing you could get it cheaper than that at your LBS.

900aero

Check competitive cyclist website for their deals - they pretty much cover everyone and have a couple in that $$ ball-park. BMC look nice. If you're cool with building bikes then you pretty much have a zillion options.

jaq524

I love my Allez, but that bike never seems to get suggested around here. Full 105 components for about 1300.

Seagull01

Do your shopping! The crappy economy means lots of LBS have plenty of last years stock, or even unsold stuff from 2008.

So instead of suggesting any particular bike I'll say see what you can scare up locally. I got a bike that listed for $2,300 for a grand off - just because it was older stock. It was not traded in stuff, it was all new never sold before with the full warranty and whatnot.

If you can find a similar deal in your area, it means that your $1500 budget might be able to touch a 2009 or 2008 that listed for $2500. A lot more bike for something that still fits the budget.

Good luck hunting!

roccobike

Because you didn't say racing and you did say centuries, I'd go for more flexy frame than a CAAD 9. Your budget puts you at a price point where you could go full carbon....and that's my recomendation. As for brand, go with the bike that you can demo, that you like the best after riding them.

halfspeed

Raleigh Clubman. And no, I'm not kidding.

roccobike

+1, on a steel frame, good point.

EchtoGammut

Fuji Roubaix Pro (2009) or the ACR 2.0, if you can find one discounted. Great compromise between full carbon and aluminum and the geometry is halfway between race and touring. I was 220lbs when I bought my Pro and I am now down to 188. I tend to hammer a lot and the bike has never protested. The carbon rear stays dampen the ride, making long trips more enjoyable. Although I would give a nod to the Steel Raleigh as well, steel bikes are durable and great to ride. Also, with the Raleigh, you can spend your extra money on everything else you will need.

K&K_Dad

come up with another $100.00 and go with Nuevation. I hear they're pretty good.

ptle

Nuevation has some of the best deals I've seen... Ultegra 6700 bike for $1300! https://www.neuvationcycling.com/product146.html

If you are patient, building a bike can be just as much as buying one if not cheaper. That's what I'm currently doing. I should be finishing up my full carbon Rival equipped bike weighing under 18 pound mid-April for $1200.

MrClyde

I just got a Fuji Roubaix 1.0 from Performance. $1149, then I got 10% off that. SRAM Rival. My budget is similar to yours, I am spending the reminder on a set of wheels from Psimet.

ac29593

Here is what I would do:

1. Find all bikes with full 105 or equivilant, preferably on closeout.
2. Ride them and find the one with that fits you best, and you are most comfortable on.
3. Pick your favorite color.

sijray21

i had the same price range and here's what i found after a few test rides:

$1375 - Felt F75
$1300 - Specialized Allez Elite
$1300 - Trek 2.1

you may even find great older model-year deals. my price range was very similar to yours and i test rode a bunch of bikes. the LBS that i tried several bikes out actually had a year-old Tarmac Comp in my size for $1800 and i ended up springing for the extra cost to get the bike after the test ride. i haven't regretted that decision yet. in-fact, i'm really glad i paid the extra money.

jediphobic

I'd stay away from full carbon if I were you... Not that you should listen to any horror stories, it isn't going to implode. But... If you crash it, it's never going to be the same. And I'm going to guess that you really don't want to replace it.
I recommend the Trek 2.3. MSRP~1700, but you'll be able to find it for less. The main advantage I see is that it's one of the nicer aluminum frames around, with 105 components, but it's not so nice that you'll feel bad riding it into the ground. Plus, the Trek warranty is nice, just in case.

bloomieracer

I'm getting back into it have been looking the past few months for a training bike. I'm 6'4"/200lbs and here's my experience.

I tried Trek, Giant, Cannondale, Specialized and some other random things.

Lots of good ones in there but I liked the CAAD9 and Six the best, the Six 61cm fit me the best and the 2010 Six Carbon is such a nice frame. I decided to build in the end because it's cheaper.

Still a work in progress but Planet X XL carbon frame, 2009 Force w/ 6700 Ultegra chain and cassette, carbon seat post, alloy bars and stem mostly from ebay - and it will come out at just over $1000.

If you really wanted to bargain hunt and/or know people you could cut that down a lot too. Good luck.

somegeek

Not to be needy, but do you have links to those products(mainly the frame)? I did enjoy building this bike up and that $1000 for that setup sounds nice. I understand the risks of a carbon frame but I've been lucky so far and stayed upright on my bikes for the most part.

Thanks for all the input thus far.

bloomieracer

https://www.planet-x-usa.com/pPCRFRMS...-Frameset.aspx

or search ebay for planet x frame

Check out the geometry carefully, the XL might be too small for you.

longbeachgary

I'd look local to see what you can get. It's hard to buy a bike on-line without being able to test it.

somegeek

Thanks for this. My current setup on my SS is a pretty solid fit. I'll get the geometry measurements there and then look at the planet x frame to see if it will work.

darb85

Allez Comp, Might push your range a bit, but its a great bike. Id highly suggest it. otherwise ya the next step down will get you running! but ride them all and buy the one that YOU like best.

EKCooper

At least test-ride the Cannondale Synapse, especially if you want to do a century ride.

halfspeed

With a bit of care it'll last forever, it'll be reasonably comfortable, has fenders and a Brooks included, room for fat tires, and a reliable Tiagra drivetrain at a nice price. Unless you want to race or hammer with the A group, it's a classic all-around road bike. Commute, tour, century, and recreational group riding. And if you do decide to get more competitive, you'll look for something fancier than an entry level bike anyway and you'll still want a backup/rain bike.

somegeek

I'm eyeballing the Felt F75 63CM and the Cannondale Synapse 5 61CM. There is one local shop that carries the Synapse which I can check out. I need to compare the F75 geometry to my existing SS to get some ideas of the differences. That Synapse is a little longer than my SS but nearly the same geometry. Will be interesting to take a spin on one.

somegeek

I ended up purchasing a 63cm CAAD9 5 from River City Bicycles($1400) and I'm happy with this purchase. Brifters are awesome. This bike fits well. The only thing I changed was the grip tape (was white). Thanks for the suggestions.