i want something i can ride before and after work for some decent mileage. i cannot always pack up the MTB and go but to hop on and ride i am always ready. So far i have only looked at the specialized allez? it seems nice but some reviews online stated terrible wheels. can anyone else recommend anything. local dealers carry specialized/cannondale/trek/giant. i want to try to stick to these as i want to buy local so i have someone to warranty if something fails plus i always try to support the local guy.

Hey check this guy out

http://www.thebikestand.com

has killer deals.

jim, giant and always has great bikes for the price.... and the newer line of cannondales is nice too....go to the local shops, figure out which shop you like the best and start test riding.

If I can only afford a six13......

They ride like a dream. Although the New felt c3 carbon is pretty smokin too. outside the 1k pricepoint, but schweet...

I'm with brian, Giant, Cannondale or Felt for me.

I sell lots of Trek 1500's. Very nice bike for the money.

I own a Giant OCR1 and a Cannondale R4000. The Giant is a great "bang-for-your-buck" ride and is very, and I mean very comfortable. The Cannondale is an absolute rocket and completely stiff. Either way, you're gonna have to decide for yourself. I ride the Giant on long (really long rides) of 60 or more miles. The Cannondale for anything less. Good luck!!!

The Giant will be right around a grand, I don't know if they make the R4000 anymore. I say, get the Giant.....you'll love it.

[ July 21, 2006, 09:41 PM: Message edited by: njsoccerguy ]

Bicycling mag recently rated a Trek as the best bike they've ever riddin for under $1G...of course I can't remember which one-LOL.

Test rides and fit are VERY important.

J

Give MASI a look.

Masi, yes!

When shopping for a bike you need to get fitted and shop frames that fit your body and then wallet. If your on a limited budget then it's reverse, I guess? IMO road riding can be uncomfortable after 30 min and you want that seat height, seat angle, seat rails in the right spot for starters. The stem length and height. You want traditional bend or ergo bend bars? How about width of bars? Keep in mind you can't cut them. Last but not least, placement of cleat based on how you stroke the pedal. When I got fitted, it was night and day and when I get new road bikes, shoes etc. I always have the data to adjust everthing where it needs to be.

ok thanks for help. in terms of equipment on such bikes, anything i should look for avoid. i read about tiagra, 105's, sora. any input on what i should want to buy or avoid

I've never used tiagra or sora, but the 105's are pretty good. I used them for about a year and then upgraded to Ultegra. The shifting feels a little smoother with the Ultegra but really not a huge difference from the 105's.

Best of luck with the purchase. I road MTB's for years and switched to road bikes for the ease and convenience of just getting out to ride. I would definitely recommend seeing your local bike shops to take some test rides.

I agree with G! I recommend the Serotta fit, for the price of the fit they take measurements of your body, your flexability or lack thereof (really important for us older guys), and your existing bike. They will place you on an adjustable trainer and make adjustments, ending up with the data sheet G spoke of. From that data sheet they can recommend something that will fit your correctly. Chances are if you have a bike in mind they will tell you if it will fit regardless if they sell that brand.

GOOD words on fit, gents. (Kinda conicidental that I spent all of today writing the copy and doing the layout for our new shop fit brochure.) Heed this advice, jimmied, else you'll be miserable and might even injure yourself.

Can't miss with Trek, and if you can swing a little extra cake, you might want to look at LeMond as well. I'm riding a steel Sarthe this year and it is very nice. Supple and lively feel, classic geometry.

I'm going to have to be the naysayer on the Crackandfail line -- those things are so stiff they'll make your kidneys bleed. I'd rather shave my head with a cheese grater and chew tin foil than ride one of those things more than 100 yards.

Evan has given some good info...I ride a 2004 Lemond Zurich which is out of your price point but I'm very happy with the entire line.

I wasn't a fan of Cannondale either, even though they're a CT based company and that's where I live.

BUT, everybody is different and what feels good to me might not feel right to you.

J

Man Jimmy, if your going to do it right just step up and get at least an Ultegra derailer and shifters. You want the crisp feel and reliability that you won't be 20 miles away from the car and the damn derailer keeps shifting on it's own (although I have had frames with bad derailer hanger designs). You can go economy on wheels and go with 25c width tires. I run Continental's too, good mileage to flat ratio means more riding and less changing tubes on the side of the road. Anyone else concur?

I love road, did a cat 3-4 group ride for 30 something averaging 26 mph! Didn't get dropped! Wanted to quit mid way too!

Good luck Jimmy, keep us up to speed.

so far locally i have looked at the following in falling price points. i did not really want to spend too much so the tops might be a bit much but then a person never wishes they just bought the cheaper one, the only regret not buying the best.

1. cannondale r700 (105/ultegra mix)
2. specialized allez (105 or tiagra depending on model(leaning towards $920 list model- but i am concerned about rims)
3. trek 1500/1200 still have to go see(105/ultegra or 105/tiagra)
4. fuji newest or roubaix- on sale at local place, have not visited yet- newest is down from 900+ to only $699 roubaix down from $1300 to 1000.

I also want to check out a novaro randodee? it is a road touring bike at REI but am not sure about that. looked like nice features as i want to use for exercise and some trips around area but i am not sure.

Stay away from the newest. If they have the roubaix for that cheap , it's probly an 05 model. I have a red 05 on the floor now for the same price.
I rode one of those for about a year, then moved up too the team sl. I am thinking about going too the team issue euro. Havent really put much thought into it. I am currently rideing a Masi Gran Criterium. I really want too go too a full carbon frame. being that I am a fugi and Masi dealer. I tend too ride what I sell. Good luck in your hunt for a good bike.

jimmied, give me a call. or shoot me a e-mail. I have a killer deal for you. It's a little over a grand but noone can match it. 352-494-8077. the price will include the shipping.

I have a older Giant, Great bike for the money.



I've had zero problems in the 750 miles I've put on it.

The pink bike is kind of short...

Vintage brother, Maybe you did'nt see my post. I have an 06 team that I wiil sell too you for $1200.00. Thats a $2400 bike half priced. Shipping is included....

Have/had two Cannondales ...... both early 90's.......
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first - low end R400 (RX100) with 3.0 frame .... 1991 I believe .... first road bike ....
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then purchased R800 (Ultegra) with 2.8 frame.... 1992 or 1993 ....
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could not ride the R800 with hands off the bar ..... broke down the bike and had the frame alignment checked ..... alignment way off/out. Contacted Cannondale - would not warranty the frame. End of Cannondale for me.
.

Have not ridden the road in a while ....

but I went with Ultegra (in the early 90's) because it was relatively affordable ..... and the hubs were sealed better than 105 (at the time). If you are going to ride during the winter and/orin rain, better hubs are a good idea.
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Vintage G - not too many guys doing 26 mph rides on 25c tires !!!!
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[ August 23, 2006, 06:21 PM: Message edited by: t2p ]

The Cannondale R800 I rode - with 2.8 frame - was actually not too bad in the comfort area. Did not appear to be as stiff as the 3.0 frame - and I believe I could actually get some front derailleur rub when I got out of the saddle.
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Your wheelset, bar, post, saddle, etc. also contribute to the ride. I had a lightweight wheelset with 15/16 spokes .... lightweight bar (Scott LF I believe) that was probably too flexy for a pounder or clydesdale ....
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One look at a cutaway section of the Cannondale 2.8 frame is enough to scare anyone. very little wall thickness .... very thin ......
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I picked up a Windsor Bristol on the internet new for less than $500. It weighs less than 20 lbs. and has an aluminum 7005 frame and has a carbon fiber fork. I got some sealed bearing wheels with aero spokes and pedals and am in about $800. I can't say anything bad about it except it is made in tawain. I looked at the road bikes in the bike shops and was not impressed with what you can get for less than $1K. In fact I cant believe $1200 bikes dont have sealed cartride bearing hubs!!?

quote:

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Vintage G - not too many guys doing 26 mph rides on 25c tires !!!!

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Yeah unless your either a freak or a wheel sucker...I cheated: Shimano 600 wheels wrapped with Continental Grand Prix Race 23c.