Here's my situation: I've given up trying to get the wife out on a mountain bike, and the lack of hills has me totally bored with Katy Trail riding. So brought up the subject of getting full-blown road bikes with the wifey and she jumped the gun, already has her a nice Specialized Robaix...

So the pressure's on me to get my own ride. I'm methodical in my research to the point of being completely overwhelmed by all the choices out there! What does one look for in a road bike? Here's what I think I need:

• Don't plan to race but I want something that won't get left behind either.
• Like the idea of carbon frame.
• Need comfort for all-day, long-distance rides.
• Can spend around $2,000.
• Would like to do the occasional tri but don't want a dedicated tri bike.
• Want something different than say Giant, Specialized, Trek that you see everywhere, my mountain bike is a Yeti if that helps.

I've been looking at Kestrel real serious, Scott, Felt, Lemond all have interesting offerings. Seems the Kestrel line offers a lot of value, Talon with Ultrega at my price point, anything else at that price has Shimano 105. Any input would be appreciated, never thought I'd enjoy the road but my commutes to work have me sulking now if I don't get to ride. This can be habit forming...

Jim, Scott bike are really nice. I have a cervelo and absolutely love it!:)

page 92 of August 2007 Bicycling magazine

one scribe, Bill Strickland

writes that the Cervelo Soloist is the best bike for $2,300

it's a very popular bike in my area. Never ridden one. Not recommending it, just something to look at.

Doesn't Walmart have a bike somewhere in your $2,000 price range? ;)

he says he wants a comfort bike for long rides, the Aluminum Cervelo Soloist youre suggesting is a race bike and is stiff as can be. I own one and its not built for comfort, it was designed for racing and it rides like a stiff racing rocket.

It's going to be tough getting new carbon for under $2K, but it can be done. Not the best carbon but doable. However, you most likely will need to settle for Trek or Specialized. Almost any other brand offering in carbon will cost significantly more. The first step I would do is find a good LBS and talk to them about what you are looking for. If they are unable to set you up with something that meets your needs, then consider used bikes. You may be able to find a good deal on a carbon frame for under $2K, but if you do this, you're on your own, no service, etc. Know what you are getting, know what to look for, ie has the bike been crashed before, are there subtle cracks in the frame, and most important, does the bike fit you properly? If you can answer all these questions comfortably on your own, then go for it. You can often get a lot of bike for little money if you buy used, but buyer be ware.

There are of course other options other than all-carbon. You may consider carbon stays, or Titanium (very expensive), or a good old steel frame. I've never ridden any of them, but I'm told Lemond makes some very comfortable frames. Do they still make all-steel bikes? Look into it.

John

Man, to be riding a Wal-Mart brand! Maybe after years of dedicated training and self sacrifice! Hoping to take a look at some bikes today, narrowed it down to Orbea Onix, Spec. Roubaix, 08 Trek Madone 5.1, Kestrel RT-700, or maybe one of these, I hear they are fast:

It's going to be tough getting new carbon for under $2K, but it can be done. Not the best carbon but doable. However, you most likely will need to settle for Trek or Specialized. Almost any other brand offering in carbon will cost significantly more. The first step I would do is find a good LBS and talk to them about what you are looking for. If they are unable to set you up with something that meets your needs, then consider used bikes. You may be able to find a good deal on a carbon frame for under $2K, but if you do this, you're on your own, no service, etc. Know what you are getting, know what to look for, ie has the bike been crashed before, are there subtle cracks in the frame, and most important, does the bike fit you properly? If you can answer all these questions comfortably on your own, then go for it. You can often get a lot of bike for little money if you buy used, but buyer be ware.

There are of course other options other than all-carbon. You may consider carbon stays, or Titanium (very expensive), or a good old steel frame. I've never ridden any of them, but I'm told Lemond makes some very comfortable frames. Do they still make all-steel bikes? Look into it.

John

My research so far shows Kestrel's Talon and the Specialized Roubaix are under $2,000 while the Orbea Onix is about $2100 with the Campy Mirage package and $300 more with Ultrega. Trek's Pilot 5 can be had for $2100. I'm thinking shops shuld be dealing now as they are getting 08s in. On the flip side of that, selection is poor. Went to two shops that had nothing in a 58 cm. I'll keep you all posted, might have a roadie tonight.
:)

Just picked up a Felt F4C for $1,600 on close out. It's not quite as twitchy as the Scott and not as plush as the Specialized. Haven't done an all day ride yet, but others claim it's comfy enough. Depending on size, you may be able to find one for a good price at your LBS.

http://www.gvhbikes.com/

Tange prestige tubes are excellent and the bike would come in about $1700 with an Ultegra build kit. You could get some fancier wheels and stay in your price range.

Aero bars that allow placing the arm rests behind the top of the handle bar work well to give me a sustainable aero position on a road bike with a much slacker seat angle than a tri bike.

I have an older model kestrel, and a new Felt f3c. Both are great bikes. Both will serve your purposes well. I have raced tri's on both of them, and road races on both of them. They are awesome, awesome bikes with manufacturers who stand behind thier warranties and will bend over backwards to help you out. I think that you should get the bike that (a.) fits you best (b.) you get excited about.

If you think you are going to want carbon, then IME, you will always long for that carbon bike until you own one. So going ahead and getting what you want (and possibly spending a couple extra hundred) will save you a bunch of cash a year from now when you want to totally upgrade.

The Richardson location of Richardson Bike Mart had the Trek Madone 5.2 SL (full Ultegra) on sale for $2199 as of Monday. My riding partner bought one and is thrilled. It's a very good deal if they have any left.

Steve

Try not to get enamored by frame material. Be more concerned with fit and the bike will be plenty comfortable whatever it's built from. The best comment I've ever heard about frame material is from Jeff N. When he bought his bike, a steel Lemond, he said he initially wanted carbon. But after looking around he though he'd rather have one of the best steel frames instead of one of the lower end carbon ones and that he never regretted his decision. Just a thought.

If you poke around a little, you can probably find a custom steel frame that could be built up into a $2000 bike with not much problem. Curtlo is the first that comes to mind.

But as always, your LBS is the best place to start. If they are good, then they'll guide you through the process and get you on the proper bike.

Increase your budget $300 and get the Cervelo Team Soloist. Bicycle magazine has a review of it in this months issue. Something like the best bike you can get for $2300.

Comfort for all day/distance rides has a lot to do with you, then the fit of your bike. Depending on your body, and the roads, it may also have a fair bit to do with tire choice and tire pressure. I guess I'd look for fit, and for something that will accommodate at least true 25s in tires. It's easy enough to swap in deep section wheels with appropriate tires for the occasional tri that you have in mind, but some new CF frames make it pretty darn hard to swap in something like a Pro2race in a 700x25 (or tubular options), if you've got an all day ride on rough roads in mind. At your price range, I guess I'd look for a stock bike that really seems to suit, and fit, and float your boat, and that accommodates at least a couple different tire choices before I worried about frame material.