Best $1500 Road Bike?
 

Hey folks. I'm a regular contributor over in SSFG, but I'm looking at getting a road bike so that I can do more than a century without feeling like I'm going to die, and so that I can keep up on group rides. My wife and I have set a $1500 budget, and I was wondering what my best options are. On the table right now are the Specialized Allez Comp Apex, Cannondale CAAD8 5 105, Bianchi Impulso 105, and Felt Z6 (over budget, I know, but I can get a deal.) I'm looking for aluminum, carbon fork, and integrated shifting. Of those listed, what's the best option? I'm also open to others, provided I can buy them locally. Yeah, I'm one of those people. Thanks!

Giant Defy 1
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...fy/9014/48853/

I hadn't even thought of Giant. I forgot, I test rode a Jamis Xenith too, and it was pretty ok.

For that money...

Aluminum frame, carbon fork, 105 or equivalent, fits, cheapest price.

Seriously. All bikes at that level are Chinese frames (except C'Dale) made in the same small handful of factories over there. They are going to do the same thing for you. By the best deal you can find on any of those bikes and use the difference on gear.

People who own Trek, Specialized, Cannondale, Giant, Fuji, Bianchi, etc...aluminum bikes are going to post here and tell you that their brand is far better and give you reasons, but don't pay attention to it. They are the same thing.

I like my Trek 2.1 - and didn't pay anywhere near $1500. Carbon fork, alum frame and decent components.

Fellow drummer too!

Cannondale is no longer made in the USA (stopped with the CAAD9). I would suggest a CAAD 10 over the 8 with 105 and it should be the $1500 you're looking to spend. I spent about $1300 on my CAAD 9 but it was a leftover and MSRP was $1550 I believe, most shops will work with you on $50 bucks.

If you fit a large frameset (57-58), this is a great option.

Ridley Phaeton

in the list you've got so far I'd go with the Allez Apex myself. Kozy (near north side of Chicago) has the '11 Allez Apex listed for $999 and the Tarmac Elite Apex for $1499 (best $1500 bike you can get imho)

Felt Z6 is carbon framed and designed specifically for comfort. Allez and CAAD are more race oriented geometry. Bianchi is overpriced and heavy. I'd go for the Felt no question.

If you want the race geo, the Felt "F" series is what you're looking for. The "Z" lines up more with the Defy, Synapse, Roubaix, etc.

I call BS. Most carbon and alu frames are made in China or Taiwan. Are you saying all carbon frames are the same too? Does frame geometry, tube shape or other design aspect have no part to play in ride quality?

Haha yes; in other news, flutes and jeans made in the USA are the same, by virtue of both being made in the USA.

Also, what's wrong with Asian manufacturing? Given that all manufacturing is done there these days, I'd say their manufacturing plants and capabilities have far surpassed what can be done in the West.

I think it is more of an economic issue rather than a quality issue. It is hard to hear that you think the West has essentially given up.

one thing to keep in mind also is to check out any old stock or clearance at your LBS. in that price range, you should be able to hold out for Ultegra if you don't mind a frame that is a year or two old. especially if you want to stick with an aluminum frame. i was able to choose between a CF frame with 105 (Scott CR1 Team or Quintana Roo Split) or aluminum with Ultegra (Orbea Mitis). i went with the Orbea. that was a couple years ago and i was more in the $1300 range, but you should still be able to find similar deals.

Rosetti Vertigo if you're ok with ponying up a couple more hundred bucks

Call BS if you want. What I stated in my post was that bikes at this price point, with components being equal are so close to the same that the differences are negligible.

trek 2.1 apex right now for $1250 at alot of trek shops. $200 bucks for some aksiums off the net. nice bike and cheaper then caad 10. tadah. also, for the 9th gagillion time, mainland china is NOT taiwan. huge quality difference quite often. thanks. end of rant.

CAAD10. and yes, there are differences between the frames. How the tubing is shaped, the geo.

Test ride a CAAD10 5. I was looking for a comfort/endurance bike. After trying a few, I was about to buy a Giant Defy 1. I liked it, but it didn't knock my socks off. The salesman suggested I try the CAAD10. It knocked my socks off.

If your budget is $1500 you need to keep in mind you will need stuff to go with that bike. So dont spend all on the bike if that is your limit


I just got a 2013 Trek to use on my trainer and as a rainy day bike and I really have liked it. The others mentioned are good just don't throw the 2.1 out without trying it.

Today I rode an Allez Comp and a Madone 3.1 carbon. I also got an actual fitment done, and I found out I should be on a 64, not a 61. This severely impacts my options. I dug the Allez a lot, and can get a good package deal on that plus a Globe Roll for my wife from Johnny Sprocket's. The Kozy's option is something else to consider though. I haven't been through there in a while. I'll stop by and see Luis. He's a good guy, and I love dealing with him.

CAAD10-5 is light weight and strong, IMHO.

This. They start at about $1400, full carbon.

I just got a Fuji Roubaix 1.0. I love it, and it's a bike that fits all of your criteria, but is $500 cheaper.

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes...87_-1___400306

If you want carbon, you could get a Schwinn Paramount 7 or the Fuji SL-1-Comp and still be under budget.