Hey everyone,
I am new here and new to the sport as well. I am looking to get a road bike. This is my first one. I am looking for something I can train with and possibly race in the future. I have a fairly tight budget so my options are limited. I have look at trek 1.1, lexa, fuji roubaix 3.0 (2011), specialized allez and secteur, and the lower version of the diamondback podium. Can anyone help me make a good decision for my situation? I have heard to buy a good frame because you can upgrade components later. Which of these have the best frame and upgradable components? Is there another brand or bike you would recommend? Thanks everyone.

Determine your budget.

Visit all the bike shops in your area.

Buy from The Friendly shop.

Get the bike that talks to you.

Have fun shopping.

Those are all good choices, although if you are considering the Trek you should seriously consider upgrading to the 1.2 for the carbon fork and better components. You really need to find a good bike shop or two that will let you ride each of the bikes you are considering for a decent amount of time. Each bike is going to fit differently, and feel different and fit and feel is the most important part of any selection process.

Everyone understands the need to deal with a budget. Only thing I'd caution is that if you get a bike that's too "bargain basement," it may not be comfortable and/or fun enough to ride is regularly. You certainly don't need a carbon frame, but a carbon form fork will make for a much more comfortable ride. Also, you want wheels that will stand up to riding and not need truing very often. I believe the Fuji Roubaix has a carbon fork, but I know that Trek model does not.

Agreed. A little bit of money can buy a whole lot of aggravation.

That's what people said many years ago. It made sense then but not now. New bikes come with group sets manufacturers buy in bulk. They are a fraction of what you pay if buying components individually. Rather than upgrading a lot of people just sell the bike and buy a new one.

Divide your budget into three piles:
- necessities (helmet, frame pump, floor pump, spare tubes, tire levers, water bottle)
- nice to haves (cycling clothes, eye protection, etc.)
- bike (what you have left)

Buy a bike that fits you and is comfortable, from the friendliest of the bike stores in your area. Spend LOTS of time test riding it both outside and on the trainer in the shop. Make certain that you are comfortable on it for rides longer than 45 minutes. Buy what you can afford.

Ride that bike for 1000 miles and re-evaluate what you would change. Begin saving for the next bike. When you reach your target, buy the next bike (incorporating all of your lessons from the first bike). Keep the first bike for foul weather/sketchy area riding and as a loaner when friends visit.

Every few years, repeat the process until you no longer have space for furniture in your living room...

Thanks for all the replies so far. I have visited one store that dealt with felt and specialized. I rode the secteur which was very nice but without anything to compare it to yet I can't say it's the one. The service there was great so I know I can go back and deal with good people. Does anyone know if the allez or secteur has carbon forks?
Whoever said the trek 1.1 didn't have carbon forks I appreciate the info I did not know that and I definitely want those. Does anyone have any info on the roubaix? I haven't found a fuji dealer yet but it is on a good sale right now? Thanks for all the help so far.

walmart

depends on which model Allez or Secteur you're looking at. The base Allez for 2013 doesn't have a carbon fork but all the other models up do.

I highly recommend an Allez or Secteur as a first bike. My Allez elite served me well for 5yrs.

I would bE getting the base model. Probably a 2012 model if I could.

if you want to check out components on stock bikes check out https://www.bikepedia.com/ they obviously dont have all of the information for things you might be looking at but just for a general sense of what you might be expecting to have equipped on the bikes you're going to buy stock. I have to agree with Phil_gretz's partitioning of your funds, as he said...

Divide your budget into three piles:
- necessities (helmet, frame pump, floor pump, spare tubes, tire levers, water bottle)
- nice to haves (cycling clothes, eye protection, etc.)
- bike (what you have left)

although if you are looking to do any riding over 10-15 miles (which from your post I'm assuming is the case I would put cycling shorts in the necessities section.