New Road Bike Advice for PNW
 

Hello all,

I am currently riding an 08 Scattante Roma hybrid and I'm ready to upgrade to a drop bar road bike. I mostly ride on the Burke-Gillman trail and do some riding on city streets. I'm looking for a bike that will allow me to:

A) Increase my mileage (currently around 20-25mi) so something comfortable over the long haul would be ideal. My goal is to get up to a century ride so I'd like to get something I won't outgrow but rather that I could grow into over the next several months.
B) Climbing hills will also be important. (I’m liking the idea of the SRAM Apex wide range)
C) Fast and fun to ride.

I started off thinking I wanted a Specialized Roubaix which I enjoyed testing a few times but then I rode the Tarmac and it was much more responsive and ultimately more fun to ride. I also rode a Salsa Pistola that was a bit large and upright for me but otherwise the feel of the frame felt pretty good. A Felt z85 geometry fit well but not sure I want another aluminum bike. So anyway, I'm thinking that something more on the traditional road bike style would be better, slightly more aggressive. I'm open to carbon or steel.

So to boil it down my questions are:
(1) Does anyone have suggestions for carbon or steel bikes (preferably with SRAM Apex) in the range under $2000?

(2) Do you think something like the Tarmac or Masi Evo would be difficult to handle in damp conditions? I mean I'll have my old bike I can use in heavier rains (I live in Seattle after all) but I'm just looking for something a bit faster and more fun to ride and comfortable for longer rides. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!!!

Pretty much any name brand bike will work fine. Just test ride them and buy the one you like the most, it's that simple. Also as for riding in the rain, how comfortable you are handling the bike will be the determining factor, the bike itself doesn't affect anything. Riding in the rain isn't anything to worry about as long as you watch out for metal or painted surfaces.

The slop will eat transmissions and the wet will help stuff penetrate your tires, but any bike will be fine so you can get what you like.

Check out some of these reviews. You could also shop around for a deal on a left over 2010. I personally like the Specialized Roubaix Comp. My 2004 frame cracked after 5 years of use and abuse. My LBS worked with Specialized in early 2010 and got the frame replaced it with a 2009 frame. I have found the 2009 to be a big improvement over the 2004 bike I had. If you tend to keep things for a long time a lifetime frame warranty is nice to have.

http://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/...011-road-bikes

http://www.bicycling.com/gear/channe...-0-0-0,00.html

And for the record if I had a $2000 budget I'd be all over the white caad10 ultegra I saw at REI

HA! I had that bike!!! traded a friend for the flat bar + shifters for his drop bar / shifters... same bike... it was awesome... no reason to get rid of the bike! talk to co-ops and lbs, see if someone has some old drop bar shifters and drop bar... perhaps someone wants to trade... I loved my roma once I made that swap, else pick up a Felt F5 (paid $1999 for mine)

You don't need a SRAM Apex drive train. You can get wide range from a lot of different cassettes and chain rings. If the price is right, you can even get a bike and change its gearing. Ideally you don't want to, but keep in mind that this isn't carved in stone.

Visit Speedy Reedy on the Burke in Fremont, tell them your story, and your budget, and ask what they'd recommend. Take it for a test ride. Repeat at other shops, too. I got my road bike there, and have been as happy with the service as I am with the bike.

i live in portland. my "must" haves for wet weather are fenders (preferably full), goretex or a good 3 layer breathable pant, jacket with pit zips, booties for real soakers, boeshield for the chain, cycle cap and good fog free glasses which is sometimes a challenge. i hate riding in the rain but have no choice most days, well i could walk but walking sucks!!!

Thanks! yeah Speedy Reedy is on my list of shops to visit. Looks like this weekend will be nice and sunny, time for more test rides :-)

truth

but don't discount that apex isn't a fine group, it is... if you like apex, get it... and you don't have to have a pie plate top gear on apex, as mentioned, you can swap cassettes easily enough, dealer might even do it for you for next to nothin...