Hey guys, just curious to hear what bike you think is the better entry level road bike for longer rides!

What's your vote between:

Felt F75
Trek 2.1
Cannondale CAAD 10 ( the alum version not the full carbon)
Jamis Ventura race

The are all around the same price, but I wanna get the best bike for my buck!

Caad10

They're all about the same. I personally like the fact that the Felt comes with real Shimano brakes while the other brands substitute for a less expensive option. If you're test riding them, go with whichever fits you the best. If there is still a tie, go with the color you like better.

You're not going to find many people that have owned all four of your options. In terms of a popularity contest, most people will say the CAAD10. I recently went with the 10-4 as well because of the good reviews, and since a lot of people online own one, it has a large user base to vouch for its quality and durability. The other bikes you mention are a little less popular, but as far as I know they could be better quality than the CAAD. The best thing would be for you to find a bike shop that has these brands and lets you test them out.

I have the Felt F75, I love it!

Go test ride though, your butt is different than mine and everyone else's. I didn't like the ride of the CAAD9.

They'll have differences in the geometry and you may find that one fits you better than the others. That's the one you want.

The one that you like to ride?

I can say that the CAAD10 is awesome. But they are all good bikes. Test ride all of em and get whichever feels and fits best. And of course post pictures when you do.

best answer so far!!!

I own a 2010 trek 2.1 and its a great bike. A buddy of mine owns an F75 and he loves it. CAAD 10 is highly praised on this forum but since you said you want one of these bikes for longer rides the Felt or Trek might be the better option. The Caad's geometry is a bit more aggressive compared to the other two, but if you get one that fits i'm sure all three will be comfortable.

You could get 105 brakes for what, $50 online? Buy the best fitting one like UK said and if you don't like the Tektro brakes after a while, then change them.

Caad10!

The best price I can find online is $50 each (so $100/set). I've been itching to upgrade the generic ones on my Allez, but with unemployment creeping around the bend, I'll have to exercise some restraint for a while.

Unemployment? How does that happen being a teacher? My brother is one and that is a good postitive to the job...

Yeah, job security was one of the reasons I chose to be a public school teacher (it certainly wasn't the pay), but my district is laying off teachers as far back as 10 years of seniority. There's hope it will be rescinded, but I'm turning blue from holding my breath.

Really?! Is there a drop in student population, or are they just going to make classroom with 40 kids in it?

California budget woes. Basically the state is broke. Though state officials won't officially say that. To just stay afloat they have begun a series of cuts in education funding and deferments of general apportionment payments due school districts. Many school districts have exhausted their reserves and have been forced to lay off teachers and other personnel (but mostly teachers), which results in larger class sizes.

I upgraded my brakes from Tektro to 105 with my bike purchase (Giant Defy 1). The shop gave me MSRP of the tektro brakes for trade in value. The 105's ended up running me ~$95 to upgrade with free installation. Not the best deal but better than nothing.

Class sizes have been going up. There's more to it, but that's the part the community would be concerned with.

I would also check to see if your LBS would hook you up from the Tektro's to 105's. I did similar to unoudid and had my LBS upgrade my crankset and brakes to 105 from the gossamer and tektro and he only charged me $75 installed for the swap.

CAAD = Cannondale Advanced ALUMINUM Design
It doesn't come in Carbon.

I have the CAAD10 and really like it, but some find it a bit twitchy. It was a big change from my Trek 1000, but that is kind of like going from a Pinto to a Mustang. At that pricepoint they are all going to be fairly similar. I'd get the best components for the money or the bike that fits better.

i just picked up a used 105 brakeset (in near-mint condition) on ebay for $20 shipped. took me about a week of keeping my eye out but i found an auction that ended late at night and fortunately it didn't get bid up at the last minute like they usually do.

Buy based on fit, components and personal preference. If you buy a bike that you are not going to admire when you get on it, you won't have as much motivation at all when you are on it (and also thinking about the bike your heart fell in love with). Think about it almost like a car. The frame alone is only a fraction of what the components can be worth, to me components made riding even much more enjoyable when on the road.

If you can afford the one your heart is set with, you already have it figured out (based on the bikes you listed).

My 2010 2.1 came with Tiagra brakes.

Bolded for emphasis.