I've been looking to buy my first road bike. I started biking this summer after a 20+ years gap, wasn't sure what kind if riding I would like, so ended up getting a Trek Fx 7.2 hybrid. While it is a decent bike, I want to upgrade to a proper road bike. Went around looking for Aluminum bikes with carbon fork / seat post and Shimano 105 components initially, found a few good bikes like Giant Defy 1, Felt Z85, and Canondale Synapse. These were the best I rode in that category, although C'dale only had Sora components in them. Fet Z85 best ride of the lot.

Anyway started thinking why not get full Carbon since I am planning to ride lots, and since age 40+ need something that gives less road fatigue over the years. So started looking at full carbon. So far did test ride on the following bikes (2013):

1. Giant Defy Composite 1 - ultegra components price $2650
2. Specialized Roubaix Comp - ultegra components price $3000
3. Trek Madone 4.5 - Ultegra mostly, mix of 105 (crankset, break) price $2600
4. Trek Domane 4.5 - Ultegra mostly, mix of 105 (crankset, break) price $2600

In fact they didn't have a 4.5 Domane, so what I got was a Domane 6.2 with full ultegra components. This bike was awesome, but I don't know how it will transpire to lower end 4.5. Bike shop folks say the feel will be same as frame geometry is same except lower end carbon. Components not too much difference as shifters are ultegra on both.

Madone was very responsive to ride and sharp handling, but bike shop folks say for my type of riding I should get Domane, since it has less road feedback.

Specialized Roubaix, I had a lot of expectation as I thought this is the bike that will fit me perfect, but I was underwhelmed with the ride. While the positioning is relaxed, I could not get response from it like the Madone or Domane. I felt it was a bit sluggish.

Giant Defy Composite 1 was very good ride, responsive and good handling, but felt a lot of vibrations. Perhaps because road conditions different (?)

Overall I like the Trek bikes better and leaning towards the Domane 4.5. Only problem is they don't have the bike available and have to wait for another batch of production to be released. I can get 5% discount on Trek as I am repeat customer at this shop.

Only bike left in my list is Cannondale Synapse 5, only shop near by is REI and they don't have stock. They say it may not come in until late in the year or even next spring. That is a bummer as I like the aluminum Canondale and was hoping to test ride the Carbon Synapse before settling on final choice. The new Synapse is being sold online by REI for $2099. Its cheaper than all my other options, but I cannot buy it without riding. Is there any way around this?

Also not able to test ride Scott CR1 or Felt Z4 as originally planned.

Domane looks like it will do the trick though.

What do you all think?

Cannondale Synapse Carbon. More relaxed geometry, carbon so it's light and dampens vibrations, and in your price range with a good group set.

Ha ha ha....Ooooooookkkkaaaayyy......

and FYI a 5% discount is crap. You should be getting about 15% off MSRP on any bike in this category.

How do people go about getting 15% off MSRP? is there a secret handshake or something. Seriously, I always ask for reduced price, all bike shops in my area never sell anything for a discount unless it is a last year model that they have marked down, 10% usually. So I can get whatever 2012 is left over for a 10% reduction in most cases, and an additional 5% at one shop. That means I am going to have to buy something that is marked down and not exactly what I want to buy.

It must be a local economy specific thing, in my area (washington d.c suburbs) no discounts, I have no idea how to get a discount from them, other than ask and be told no.

Continue to conduct your test rides and narrow it down to the bike and size you want. Then price shop around a little further out of your area where there is some local competition. Determine what monetary value was justified by the shop that provided the test rides. Arrive at what you feel is fair (best price found+value of LBS test rides and convenience) and give the Local LBS the right of first refusal. At that point, it is market forces that dictates price. You need to give them a reason for the proposed discount and for this you have to do the same leg work you did in order to determine what bike you wanted. In the end, it also boils down to the value of your time as well and for this, it will vary from one person to another.

well, it must be your local economy/market place because I got the 15% off my Roubaix Expert and that was in May so before the late summer deals and I also got the $600 'tour package' deal from specialized that included an S-works helmet. In terms of last season model...I bought my tricross like that, it had a MSRP of $2199 and I got it for $1600 with SPD pedals. Thats like a 30% discount. These are from 2 different bike shops in my city.

How did I get them? well I just told them I was ready to buy but I had a budget. Reminded them of other shops selling in the area and told them to give me their absolute best price. They knew I'd go where the best deal was to be had.

I wasn't pushy or rude and in fact I believe we were both happy at the end of the transaction. My Roubaix included proFit and free tune ups for a year.

I think I am going to get the Felt Z85. I can afford to spend around $1200 instead of spending $2500 now, and feel really good about this bike, possibly 90% of what I can do on a full carbon, and it does come with 105 grouppo. I can get this and start riding more, then at some point in future if needed get a carbon. I feel going all carbon and spending $2500 now is an overkill, besides I can spend around $1000 to $1200 without too much guilt.

If you can get the Domane, get the Domane. Hell, give the 2.0/3 a go if you have to.

I wanted to follow up on the discounts I found. I went around calling and visiting shops outside my immediate area.

There is a 2012 Giant Defy Composite 1 with Ultegra components going for $1670, original MSRP is $2400. My local shop is selling this same bike for $2200. If I go 25 miles out then I can get it for $1670. Only problem I can't get regular tune ups and warranty work whenever I want. I will need to pay for it out of hand if I do it in local shop. But then I will save $500 upfront which will pay for this, so worth it? I have to see the bike sizing and condition.

Other deals at same shop is a Specialized Roubaix Elite for $1974 and Roubaix Comp for $2099. Both are listed MSRP of $2799 and $2900. Sounds like deep discounts, I wonder anything wrong with these bikes, have to see sizing and condition.

All three are full carbon with Ultegra components.

Discounts will be specific to your city, the bike shop in question & the make/model of bike. You can't simply say that every bike should/would give X% off the price of a bike. What you'll find though is at this time of the year there can be deals made if you find a bike you like in the size you want that is in stock. What typically happens is you tell them your budget, they figure out your size & they match you with whatever they have that's closest to your size that is in stock. You won't necessarily get the best bike for you, but rather they'll try & sell you the best bike they have to get rid of. I would choose the bike that I liked the best on the road and if necessary order it and get it when it arrives rather than taking whatever is in stock. You will save money by buying what's in stock but if it isn't a good fit you'll just be looking again next year.

I felt the same way about the Roubaix as you described & ended up going with the Madone.