So, I've finally got some money saved up for a new bike, around $1500 give or take. Looking for getting the maximum groupset for this money. I've looked around, and so far my best bets look like they are Bikesdirect and Neuvation.

I've got an all aluminum bike at the moment, and am wanting to give carbon a shot (unless you guys can talk me out of that?), as I found aluminum to be very uncomfortable so far. Also, would prefer a bike with Sram on it.

Thanks!

Just curious - why the emphasis on groupset? Would you really be able to tell Tiagra from 105 from Ultegra?

IMO I would get the most comfortable frame as possible at the LBS and be comfy with the shifters. I hated the Sora shifts personally...

I was close to the Neuvation but just felt better w/a local LBS to rely on for adjustments etc.

Not a lot of SRAM equipped bike out there now. But every year a few more show up. IMO try to find something with a Tiagra or 105 group. Good luck

You say you want comfort... Specialized Roubaix seems to be the climax of comfort these days...
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...01&scname=Road
$2k MSRP isn't all that out of your range with a little stretching/saving, and it's got SRAM.

Cannondale also sells a full carbon "comfort" bike, Synapse? No experience but can probably get a low end groupset version for near 1500.

The real question, is what about Al is uncomfortable? I've got a race geometry Al/Carbon fork bike, the definition of uncomfortable, and perfectly comfortable over 100-120Mi rides... I suspect you'd benefit more from fit adjustment. Saddle position, model, handlebar orientation, stem length/height....

What's uncomfortable about your current ride? If it's road noise, than a carbon frame may help, otherwise you'd be far better served finding a LBS to get you fit properly.

First, your current aluminum bike being uncomfortable is a characteristic of that bike, not all aluminum frames. But if you want SRAM on a carbon bike, go for it. It's your money.

And I'd highly recomment Neuvation over Bikes Direct. Yeah, you'll pay a little bit more, but you will get better wheels and absolutely great customer service if you need it.

spend the extra $300 and get this one. $1799 but what a schweet bike. sram components. full carbon frame. although their comfort performance bike it looks fast.




https://www.cannondale.com/usa/usaeng...-Carbon-6-Apex

+1.

Buy a great "frame" with an entry-level group and then build it up as you go.
At that price, you either choose between group or frameset.

Scott CR1 Comp comes to mind. https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...CR1-team-model
Full Carbon.
Full Tiagra (actually, not bad).
Fully gorgeous and worthy of build up.

https://www2.bicycling.com/gear/detai...2016-0,00.html

"If you're worried about component spec, this is not the ride for you,
but if you're all about getting the biggest performance bang for the buck,
the CR1 Comp should be at the top of your test-ride list."

Try bottecchia! Just google them and check them out. I just got one and it's pretty amazing and a real sweet deal!

Go to www.competitivecyclist.com and look at their sale prices on SRAM rival equipped Ridley bikes. Either the 'cross bikes or their "compact" model road bike. Great values.

Felt has a few bikes including Z85 and F75 that are in or under your price range with full 105.

Maybe titanium for an extra $100. It might last a lifetime. I'm a ME and have 3 BD bikes at my house, and recommend them without qualifications. They are solid bikes and excellent values.

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...heat_rival.htm

Aren't those aluminum?

Also, Cannondale Six Carbon 6 Tiagra...

"Looking for getting the maximum groupset for this money."


Agree with the others. This is one of the most common bike buying mistakes - concentrating on the groupset. That is kind of like buying a car and concentrating on getting the best tires and stereo. In fact, Bikes Direct business model is basically to take advantage of this buyer tendency (tease them with better components than the bikes at the LBS's and hopefully they will forget about the generic frames (that they can't test ride and know nothing about).

Components wear out and are disposable. Frames can last a lifetime if you pick the right one. I have one bike with Ultegra and another with Tiagra and they both shift exactly the same.

Disagree. A frame is just another component and the easiest place to save a lot because that's where most of the mark up is. A high end Asian-made alloy frame OEMs for less than $50 and a CF one, from the Ebay prices on generics, can't be more than a couple hundred. Watch this.

https://www.neuvationcycling.com/media/Videos/Value.html

You could get a used Cannondale System Six or find a new one (old stock) on closeout for about that price.

You are right. I got hosed when I bought my Cervelo carbon frame. I could have had exactly the same thing by buying a generic no-name Ebay carbon frame. I should have just trusted the Ebay (and Bikes Direct) web sites. They are exactly the same frame quality.

Thanks for educating all of us. I will pass this information on to Alberto Contador and the rest of the pro peloton

It's not a mistake - by FAR the cheapest way to get a groupset is as part of a bike. Upgrading later is much, much more expensive.

So buy the groupset you want on the frame you want.

OP wants SRAM on carbon - so he should BUY SRAM on carbon.

And how do you know they're not?

Guess how much Contador and the rest of the pro peloton pay for THEIR bikes...

$1500 is really a sweet spot for bikes. Each of the major manufacturers has something nice. Being in the OC you have access to some great shops. Start there. There
are some good deals out there being the end of the season.

i was checking 2009 bmc roadracer sl01, which is exactly the same as the 2010 version, and its a very nice bike. weighs about 16.5lbs (without cages and pedals) for $1700.
or specialized allez with apex. the frame itself is really nice and you can definitely upgrade later on.
caad9 (if you can find one in your size) or caad10. you can spend about $1500 for a caad10 with full 105 (5700). i havent heard much from the caad 10 but definitely cant be bad. only downside is that theyre made in asia instead of the usa. maybe wait a lil longer till spring comes along.

I went to the LBS and picked up a CAAD9 5 for $1200 with the new (5700) 105 components on it It's possible, if you get lucky I guess. I think it depends on what batch and time your particular bike was made in the Cannondale factory. I also role the Allez with Apex, and although I like doubletap, the new 105 is nice, especially for the price. However, both bikes have ALU frames.

So it's warm and cozy in The Matrix? Say hi to Al for the rest of us. Although I'd like to hear what he has to say, since he skipped college and engineering school, he probably doesn't know much about how bikes and engineered products in general come into being. Good athlete though.

Near a EMS?
Scott Cr1- Full Carbon with 105 for 1574.99

https://www.ems.com/product/index.jsp...737439.3696715

Or for a little more try and build your own with a Planet X or Pedal Force frame...

https://pedalforce.com/online/product...oducts_id=8420

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

Planet X also has a build option that would put you close to your price with Sram rival