I realize that this in another, "which bike" thread. As I state on the bottom, I am strongly leaning toward the Kona Jake. However, I do not expect it to see much, or any, off-road use. So, I am asking in the road forum. I am interested in which bike you think would suit me best. I am looking for a bike to use for commuting and for weekend jaunts. My riding will be on roads; but, not necessarily good roads. I am 42 and am looking for a road bike that does not possess an overly aggressive geometry.

The bike I am seeking is to replace my 1984 Schwinn Le’Tour for these duties. I will keep the Le’Tour; but only for nostalgic reasons. The new bike will be inserted onto a fleet including a BikeE recumbent, a Specialized M2 comp hard tail Mountain bike and a Specialized FSRxc Full Suspension mountain Bike. I mention the other bikes in the fleet so you can see what duties the new bike does NOT need to preform. I have no need for another Mountain Bike, and the recumbent fills any gap for a cruiser or comfort bike.

I do want drop bars. I would like brakes on the flats, or the ability to add them later. I want the ability to install fenders and a rear rack. I currently have Wald folding baskets on both sides of the rear rack on my Le’Tour, along with Planet Bike fenders, and am happy with that arrangement.

I recently have looked at a few bikes in my price range. That range has a top of about $800(USD). I looked at the Giant Defy 3 size M. It rode nicely and fit well; but, I did not like the saddle (didn’t dislike it much, it just wasn’t great) and I did not like the groupset. It was equipped with Shimano 2300 and the shifters did not feel good to me. Further, I do not like the spring return lever as a trigger near the top, I like it behind the brake lever; where it is on higher level groupsets.

I also looked at the Specialized Roubaix. I like it. Without a doubt, I would like it to be my first choice; but, it is more than I want to spend. I can say the same about the Specialized Tri-Cross. I also looked at the Secteur; however, it also had the lower level, 2300, shifters that I did not like on the Giant.

I looked at the Windsor Tourist (ok, in truth, it was the Fuji tour; but, it’s the same bike). I was entirely put off by the weight. As stated, I want to be able to strip off the racks and use the bike for sporting rides on the weekends. In simple terms, the Tour didn’t do it for me.

I have also looked at the Kona Jake in Size 52. A nearby shop has one with triple chain rings (desirable, I live in the hills), brakes on the flats (desirable for commuting), Tiagra shifters (which I like), and it has two mount points on the rear dropout so that I can attach the rack and fenders to different points. I like this because that way I do not need to remove the fenders if I only want to remove the rack. This bike fits well and is priced at $799. Overall I like this bike; however, the brakes are not too good and it is not road focused. It also has a huge, steel, fork. Overall it does seem to ride well and I do like it.

While the Kona Jake is, solidly, at the top of my short list, I would like to know if there are any bikes in that I should consider. I am reasonably comfortable putting bikes together. I have taken the bikes I have down to the frame at various times, for servicing, and have a repair stand and a bike tool set. I say this to assure you that a bike in-a-box, such as BD, is not a concern to me. What do you recommend?

At REI, 2009 The Raleigh Clubman is going for $929. Two sets of eyelets in the front and back for rack and fenders. And has the STI levers you prefer.

Which model of Tricross were you looking at?

Only the bottom of the line Triple has the 2300 "Thumbshifters". All other models have the paddle shifters as far as I know.

That said, I have a 2010 Tricross. Its the triple model with the 2300 groupset. I absolutely love it. I bought it as my first "roadish" bike, coming from casual mountain biking. I had the intent of using it on trails, but I have yet to do so. 99% of the time I'm on pavement, so I picked up a new wheelset (Soul 3.0SL) and 23c tires. Its a very comfortable, stable bike that ride can spend hours on.

It might not be the fastest bike of the bunch, nor the lightest, but its a blast to ride. It has everything that you are looking for:
1) brake levers on the flats
2) attachment points for fenders and racks
3) conservative geometry
4) carbon fork with zertz inserts

There are a ton of entry-level $800ish road bikes.

Unfortunately, $800 is pretty much only going to get you Sora or the equivalent. There's absolutely nothing wrong with it, you can rack up thousands upon thousands of miles on that level of equipment. It's probably 10 times better and more robust than what came with your Schwinn, and that lasted you 25+ years.

I'd avoid the Bikes Direct crap unless you are an excellent mechanic. The bikes are more or less the same as any other bike, but warranty support is limited and most LBS's these days will give you at least a year of free tune-ups. You're only saving money if you don't need a mechanic.

I am still leaning toward the Kona Jake. However, i did send a copy of my post to bikesdirect, the other bike vendors do not seem to have an email address for pre-purchase questions. They, bikes direct, responded with this:However, that bike still has the 2300 shifters. As far as free tune-ups and such, I never got that on any of the bikes I purchased in a LBS; so, I do not see that as a big selling point. As it stands, i am looking at the Fantom Cross (or cross cx), the Kona Jake (most likely), the Giant Defy 3, and this BD bike https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...per_strada.htm looks moderatly interesting. I am mostly familiar with the Shimano groups; but, from what I am reading, the SRAM Apex looks OK. Where does it place in comparison to the Shimano line?

My understanding is Apex is about equivalent to 105/Ultegra, but the differences in the entire group also make it unlike Shimano in many ways. Shifting is different (inherent), larger cassette, larger cage RD. Apex I believe is geared (NPI) toward the touring crowd, but without the triple crank.

i actually clicked here to recommend the kona jake (no first hand experience, ive just heard good things)

that said, i would MUCH rather have sram apex than sora...

Who said we wanted another "which bike" thread.

Just kidding.

SRAM Apex is da stuff. It's like a triple but without the dorkiness and weight of a triple. Definitely better than 2300, Sora, Tiagra. I'd say that it's even with 105.

I have a Specialized Roubaix and rented a Kona Jake last week while in Quebec City, so I can give you a comparison. Both were 54cm.

Jake was a reasonable bike, but hardly felt "relaxed" to me. I rode it for 15 miles, and while it was OK comfort-wise, I would much rather have had my Roubaix, which I can ride for 60-100 miles without discomfort (has a great seat too). I also felt like the Jake was slower to get up to speed.

That said, the Roubaix is expensive new. I found mine on CRaigslist for 1/3 off retail, but I got very lucky to find one in my size.

The Secteur has the same geometry as the Roubaix but an aluminum frame (though with carbon fork and seatpost). Even the base model Secteur has STI shifters, and if you jump up one model "Sport" you get Sora. 105 "elite" will run you a few hundred more. there is even a "comp" model which is close to the price of a Roubaix, so I can't see why anyone would buy that.

I was going to buy a SEcteur when I found the Roubaix on CL. from what you've said, I think a new Secteur (Sport) would make you very happy. but you might want to get an opinion on the Kona from someone who has ridden it more than 15 miles.

also, if you want to mount a rack then the Secteur has eyelets whereas the Roubaix does not. (the Secteur Comp also does not, as it has the seat stays from the Roubaix).

good luck! the good news is, you'll probably be very happy with whichever bike you purchase.

I bought a BD Fantom CX for many of the same reasons you mention and have no complaints with BD or their after sale support on any of the 4 bikes I've bought from them, esp as compared with a couple area LBSs.

But, given you current stable of bikes, I'd get a light road bike for nice weather road use, and use the Schwinn for heavy duty, rain, etc use.

Absolutely. Apex is near 105 range....maybe just beneath, but definitely better than 2300/Sora/Tiagra.

You also don't have to get the large cassette/med cage rd with Apex. Standard road cassettes and short cage RD is avail.

I think cloudy2010 was being sarcastic - I don't tend to dignify those posts with a response.

I am adding a bit to this thread because I am narrowing down what I am looking for.

First, what I want to do with the bike. I am thinking that I will start riding centuries again. About two years ago I was riding a metric century nearly every weekend. I miss doing that. Here is a picture of the bike I was riding while doing that.

Looking, at the Giant site, it looks like a Windmark 2200; which is what I think I recall it being.

I am considering a few Bikes Direct bikes.
As I stated, in my message to BD they recommended the Fantom Cross cx, at $560 this is the easiest on my budget. The people here that have this model seem to liek it as a commutter bike; however, I am considering keeping the LeTour in service as a commutter and getting th enew bike for centuries and fun riding.
I am considering the Windsor Fens. The people here that have them seem to like them; but, I do not know if they are using the Fens for long rides or not. How suitable would it be?
Because I looked at the Fens, I have also looked at the Vent Noir. I don't like it as much, it seems to be a step down form the Fens at the same price.
I also looked at this bike, the Super Strada. I love the Orange! The SRAM Apex intrigues me. Again, I am curious how the Sprint frame is liked for centuries.