WickedOne513

So I ride a little already and my GF use to ride and did a couple races when she was younger. But the question is I am looking for a decent bike that she could do a couple 150 mile or local race/rides on and feel comfortable with. I already ride a lot however I am a fixed gear primarily, but now having to start over again.

Obviously the LBS is a good place to look around however I also like to read reviews and hear from the masses on the pluses and minuses of different entry/mid range road bikes. The top side of the budget is around 1500$. The other issue is that I would like to help her be informed when we go to the LBS, but depending on what companies we look at will depend on which place we go or if we have to travel so she can get fitted and test ride.

I would like any info but please limit the B.S. telling me to use search or what ever I already have and not really found a viable resource. Thanks again for any help.

009jim

My Giant CRX-3 has been great. I just wish I had had it 20 years ago. The new bikes have 'rapid fire' shifters which is so much better. Brakes are better too. I went to about half a dozen bike shops before I worked out what I wanted.

Menel

Duuude... CRX is a flat bar road bike. That's like a short distance commuter. He's talking two possibly fit/active individuals, with some racing experience that may get the bug again...

Pure drop bar roadie is definitely on the table.

Cannondale CAAD10 w/ 105 or Specialized Allez w/ 105 would be my prime picks for the OP's budget/situation. Very high quality road/race geometry bikes.

Something a little more road/comfort oriented would be the Cannondale Synapse or Specialized Secteur.

Most major bike manufacturer's have a road/race family of bikes and a road/comfort(endurance) family of bikes. Difference is geometry profiles differing in head tube steepness, head tube height, wheel base, etc.

Sora 8sp, Tiagra 9sp, and 105/ultegra/DA and up is 10speed. Big durability/quality feel jump at 105 and you'll have the best compatibility and parts availability going forward if you can swing at least 10sp.

SRAM has a big following now days and has developed a good report with many here. Starting to see more and more bikes with their stuff, and hear a lot of good.

Elvo

https://jensonusa.com/store/product/B...Road+Bike.aspx

blacksquid

I know how many of you feel about BD but here are a couple worth looking at:

Ultegra for ~$1600. A little over budget but a good starting place.
Kestrel 105 for ~1500

You have to do the final assembly yourself, but that will help you understand how it all goes together.

I'm not sure if you've missed most of the end-of-year sales but there may still be closeouts available.

catonec 

1) your best bet is to go into your local bike shop and see what they have to offer. This will allow you find the correct size bike you will need.
2) Im sure I will get flamed for this...but in that price range you are looking at an aluminium frame w/ hopefully a carbon fork. Most alum frames will provide a nearly identical ride so dont get hung up on brandname or particular alloy blend.
3) the majority of off the rack bikes will come with shimano. In order lowest to highest, sora, tiagra, 105, ultegra, dura ace. 105 will perform great, its just a little heavier than the next 2.
4) carbon seatposts do little to nothing towards dampening the vibration, same for carbon stems and bars. dont be swayed by that.
5) The wheels provide the biggest difference in ride quality.
6) aero trumps weight savings.

dont forget about www.Bikesdirect.com so long as you can assemble and maintain your ride yourself, if you cant then buy from the lbs that seems to have the best customer service.

blacksquid

This may not work unless OP's GF is 5'10" or taller. The smallest size they have is 57cm.

roadwarrior

At a top end budget of $1,500 there is a lot of nice stuff available.

Rule of thumb...whatever your budget, 75% of that is the bike, 25% is for the stuff you'll need to go with the bike like helmet, shorts, jersey, pedals, shoes, seat bag, inflation system, tubes, chain lube, etc...

Your budget will bring in nicer aluminum frames. Suggest Cannondale as they, in my opinion, have the nicest and best engineered aluminum as that's their heritage.

bbattle

Can't go wrong with any of the major brands in any LBS. Most important thing is bike fit. If it doesn't fit, you won't ride it.

You can pay for a professional fitting and then try to build a bike based upon your measurements. If you know what you are doing you can save some money.

At this time of year, bike shops are willing to make you a deal, particularly on last year's models, which wouldn't be last year for you at all. Rather than ask for a cut on the price, go for jerseys, bottles, new saddle, cages, helmet, pumps, bike fitting, etc.

Pre-built bikes at the shop often have lower quality wheelsets but they'll be just fine to get you going. I still ride on my old Shimano WH-500 set. Heavy but the hubs are smooth as butter.

Should be able to get at least Shimano 105 or SRAM Rival components. Often, the crankset is FSA and the brakes may be Tektro but they are acceptable. The brifters and derailleurs is where you'll feel the difference in most groupsets(also your wallet).

Pedals are up to you. I go with Shimano road pedals or their mtb. pedals. Others swear by Speedplay or Look.

Saddles are another personal preference item. Go with whatever you like.

The question of compact vs. traditional crankset is also a matter of personal preference. Basically, with the same cassette, a compact(50-34) will give you a gear or two on the low end and lose a gear on the high end compared to a traditional crank(52-39). You can split the difference with a 52-36 compact and use an 11-28 cassette and get the best of both worlds. But one is not better than the other.

I'd go and test ride every bike in your area. Ask lots of questions. A bike shop that sells the bike you like but has rude or condescending staff won't be any fun to deal with when the bike needs repairs or upgrades.

ildiddy

The Cannondale CAAD series consistently gets good reviews from both the "press" and people who ride them. It's a good, reliable model that will give you enough bang for your buck for now. But perhaps more important than that is what your local store carries. If you don't have a Cannondale dealer within 100 miles, then that's a problem.

Most of the bikes at the 1.5K level from the major manufacturers will be good... it's probably more important to get a model that your local shop can fit you to. Hopefully they will do a good job, rather than try to sell you whatever they have on their shelves. Shimano or SRAM drivetrains are very good in that price range so I think you'll do fine (Shimano 105 or SRAM Rival are probably what you'll find, maybe with FSA cranks).

halfspeed

ftfy.

revchuck 

At about $1500, you'll get a good quality aluminum frame and either Shimano 105 or SRAM Apex drivetrain, both of which are also good quality. The choice of which brand to buy comes down to which brands are available in your area. The bikes in this price range will be about the same in quality and features, so when you check around, take note of which shop treats you best. Do they answer your questions respectfully, or treat you like you're as dumb as a box of rocks? Do they explain stuff or just roll their eyes? Do they work with you within your budget, or try to push you to buy a bike above your budget? When the bikes are as close as they are at this price point, shop by customer service. A good shop is better than a poor one, including when the poor shop is a little cheaper.

Saving money by buying a bike that's on sale but doesn't fit is a bad idea.

Another thing to check on is whether a basic fit is included, and how much after-purchase maintenance is included. The norm is that the fit is included as part of the purchase price, as is at least one tune up; some shops offer a year's worth.

Women-specific sizing is also available at this price point. It doesn't mean your girlfriend HAS TO get one, just that the option's there. Some women fit on the standard versions better than the women-specific versions.

Some folks have recommended buying online. IMO, it's a bad idea because the money saved is often eaten up by things that come included in the purchase price at an LBS (like fitting and tune ups), and if you have a warranty issue, it's much more of a hassle.

Best of luck on your search!