Hey roadies. I've been riding fixed gear for a while now, doing some racing on the track, and I'm looking at getting into road racing. Since a lot of my buddies are on my school's team, I figure I'll join them.

I'll try to keep this from a being a "tell me the best bike for me thread," since I know everyone hates those.

I'm looking to spend about $2000 on a complete bike. I have no brand loyalties whatsoever, but the only lbs I will deal with in my town sells Specialized, Cervelo, and Orbea bikes(like 80% of the floor is specialized). I'm pretty set on purchasing from an lbs unless something crazy comes up on the local cl. I'll be moving this summer for an internship, so I might have more options then, but I'd still prefer something local.

Is it best to get a bike with a better frame and crappier components as opposed to a lesser frame with a nicer groupset?

Right now the only bike in my price range that I'm liking is the Specialized Tarmac with SRAM Apex.

Do you guys have any advice or suggestions for someone getting their first road bike?(I read the stickies) Are there any bikes/brands in particular I should look at/avoid?
Thanks

I own an Orbea Onix, a Cervelo SLC (now called the S2), and a Specialized Allez. I bought the Allez this year and it gets more ride time than the SLC. It's a lot more fun to ride when I don't have to worry about crashing a bike I can't afford to replace.

Personally, I'd rather race an Allez w/Ultegra than a Tarmac w/Apex or 105.

Assuming you're a sprinter, stiffness is more important than weight? The alu frames out there (S1/Allez) are every bit as stiff as their carbon counterparts. Another argument for carbon is comfort, but I rode 102 miles on the Allez last weekend and felt (relatively) great afterwards.

My Orbea is their bottom of the line full carbon bike from 2003 or so, but I really don't like it. The geometry is way too relaxed and the frame is noticeably flexy compared to the others I own. I can't speak for their current models, but mine has turned me off of the brand entirely.

Goodluck with your entry into racing bikes with brakes and multiple gears.

Thanks. Good assumption I'll try out the Allez when I get a chance.

Not to sound like a shill for the Allez.... I absolutely love the Cervelo, but you can't get an S2 frame for $2k, let alone a bike....

ya, I totally understand. I didnt think that at all.

So I've checked out some other shops now, and I've tried several bikes. I'm deciding between the Specialized Tarmac with Apex, the Cannondale SuperSix with 105, and the Cannondale CAAD10 with Ultegra.

Which would be better for someone that is just getting serious about road racing? How do Apex and 105 compare?

I dont want to get a bike and then in 3 months say "damn I wish I had gotten that other one..."

So ya, this is now a vs. thread.

Welcome Brother. It is good you have seen the light. Can I get an Amen!

ride em all and pick your top 2. ride em again and see if you have a clear winner. if not, let it come down to price?

how does 105 compare to apex? they are equal as far as quality but they differ greatly by how they shift and feel. its really up to you to decide which works for you better. i prefer sram to shimano and would chose apex(would really shot for rival or above) over 105 but thats just me.

as far as witch bike to get, you should ride them and see which feels best to you. thats really the best answer. all three are great bikes in thier own right but obiously they are different.

what kind of racing are you planning to do? if its crits then maybe the Alu CAAD ould be the best way to go do to chrashing. thats not to say you can not race on a CF bike but many choose an ALU bike for these kinds of races.

It will be used for road races, crits, and some time trials. I feel like any crash that would break a cf frame would at least put some serious dents in aluminum, probably rendering it useless as well. Am I wrong?

Its like $600 more to get Rival

that was your 666th post. gratz.

To answer one of your questions you should probably get the better frame with lesser components rather than the opposite, Upgrading components is cheaper than upgrading frame. Those three choices you have are all awesome bikes, just ride them all and choose the one that feels best. If you can narrow it down to two and have a hard time making a choice, get the one you think looks better. If you like how your bike looks, you'll ride it more.

You're right. Alu frames are considered more "crashable" only because they're cheaper to replace.