Grasschopper

Tarmac compact or mid compact Apex are both right at $2000...full carbon high end bikes.

CPcyclist

There are a few entry level Carbon road bikes close to the $2000 mark a little easier if last years modle is ok.

For the money unless there is a specific reason/component selection you want buying a complet bike will be cheaper.

pgjackson

OP, are you only interested in steel and AL bikes? Check the links in my signature. It's a lot of bike for the price.

undisputed83

For $2000, I would buy a bike online. If you look hard enough you could get atleast a full carbon bike with full RIVAL, and possibly Ultegra. You would be more likely to find a bike with a RIVAL setup. Though you might find an aluminum bike with Ultegra.

Bike MSRP's have skyrocketed in the last few years. A lot of 105 level bikes are selling in the $2300-$2700 range whereas a few years ago you could get a decent 105 for $1600-$1800.

I bought a Full Carbon/Full Rival bike on competitivecyclist.com last year, and could not be any more satisfied. I think you're getting a lot more value by taking that route.

https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...0_20000_400315

https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...1620008_400315

https://www.competitivecyclist.com/fr...ike-10841.html


These are some good examples of great deals at great price points.

bikerjp

Lots of options in that price range. If you are interested in the smoothie that would be cool. I've been eyeing one, well the ES, off and on for a while. If this is your first bike you might be better off buying from an LBS where you can test ride and get some good fit advice. If you more or less know what you are looking for a smoothie would be somewhat unique (unless you live in SF). I've only seen one around here so far. I asked the guy what he thought and he said he loved it. Btw, he was passing me on a steep hill so clearly the bike wasn't holding him back.

mikepwagner

Here's a $2K full Ultegra carbon bike at BD

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

Evil

RollCNY

Don't know if you pulled the trigger, but in one guys opinion, $2k is a crappy carbon price point, and more than you need in aluminum. Last year, I bought a BMC SL02 carbon bike, full 105, and was not impressed. It was nice, but not stunning. List price $2300, got it for $1600. Sent it back. Extensively test rode Specialized and Felt $2-3k offerings, but wasn't thrilled. Wife was going to get me a Devinci for Christmas, much more expensive, carbon with Force and Easton wheels that I am partial to, but it really didn't speak to me.

So I got an aluminum Cinelli Xperience, built up with a mix of Daeda & Cinelli cockpit, 105 and Campy mixed components, custom wheels, Selle Italia saddle, and have about $1400 into it. And I grin like an idiot when I ride it. For stiffness, it blows the doors off the BMC. Buy what speaks to you.

When I was deciding on frame to build up, I was between the Cinelli, the Smoothie, and a Surly Pacer. From everything that I can find, the Smoothie comes out ahead in all day riding comments versus the Pacer. But the Cinelli is what I stayed up late at night looking at. If this is a big investment for you, get something that you go nuts for.