General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Pick out my first Roadie bike Rss Feed  
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2014-07-01 10:32 AM

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Subject: Pick out my first Roadie bike
While I've still not discuss this with my wife (I've been storing cash away...), I'm hoping to pull the trigger on my first road bike purchase this fall. I already have a race rig (2012 P2) that I ride full time at the moment, but I am looking for something that I can bring out for group rides, centuries, etc. I'm tired of being 'that guy' on a TT bike at a group recovery ride....

Just curious to see if anyone has had any good luck with any specific entry level ( or slightly above entry level) rides. Not looking for carbon, but I'd still like a lighter bike. Budget will be around $1250, with Shimano 105 components. I'm not looking for something crazy nice, as this will likely be the number 2 steed in the stable.

Thoughts?


2014-07-01 11:06 AM
in reply to: m.a.burghart

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Subject: RE: Pick out my first Roadie bike
Last year's CAAD 10. Might be a smidge ($100-200) over your stated budget, but is a great bike. In early 2013 i bought the 2012 model at a good price as my first 'real' bike and love it. I read a ton of reviews and researched a lot before pulling the trigger, and am very happy with my decision.
2014-07-01 11:06 AM
in reply to: m.a.burghart


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Subject: RE: Pick out my first Roadie bike
From the cheap but usable standpoint you could look at some kind of Fuji bike. Performance almost always has those on sale, and you could probably pick up an aluminum one with 105 for less than your budget, or a carbon bike for slightly over.
I haven't ridden one but looking at them in person they seem like a decent option for the price.
2014-07-01 11:09 AM
in reply to: braciole

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Subject: RE: Pick out my first Roadie bike
Originally posted by braciole

Last year's CAAD 10. Might be a smidge ($100-200) over your stated budget, but is a great bike. In early 2013 i bought the 2012 model at a good price as my first 'real' bike and love it. I read a ton of reviews and researched a lot before pulling the trigger, and am very happy with my decision.



+1. I'm riding a 2012 CAAD10 and it's fantastic.
2014-07-01 11:14 AM
in reply to: m.a.burghart

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Subject: RE: Pick out my first Roadie bike

Search Ebay or the ST classifieds for great deals on new-ish road bikes.

I recently bought a 2014 Specialized Tarmac SL4 w/Ultegra 11-speed from an Ebay seller for $1800.  The bike was used one time.  Retail was $3000.

2014-07-01 11:19 AM
in reply to: m.a.burghart

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Subject: RE: Pick out my first Roadie bike

Best bang for your buck is probably the CAAD 10.  Aluminum & light weight...you'll get the same answer over on ST from the crit racing folks.  I have an old Giant that I use for group rides but I wouldn't mind owning something new and shiny like that or a Supersix EVO, or a Cervelo R3 or S5, etc.....



2014-07-01 11:22 AM
in reply to: JoelO

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Subject: RE: Pick out my first Roadie bike
I'm loving all the CAAD 10 suggestions... My commuter bike is a CAAD 3. It would fit right in!
2014-07-01 11:30 AM
in reply to: m.a.burghart


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Subject: RE: Pick out my first Roadie bike
Warning: newbie here!!

What is the difference between a tri and a road bike? Why aren't they allowed on most group rides?
2014-07-01 11:31 AM
in reply to: JoelO

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Subject: RE: Pick out my first Roadie bike
The Felt F75 and Z85 come standard with 105 components. Retail on those is $1299-1399 but the 2015's are starting to come out. I've been on the F75 for a couple years, you've seen my bike. It's taken a beating (195-200 lb load), still running strong.

2014-07-01 1:21 PM
in reply to: reecealan

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Subject: RE: Pick out my first Roadie bike

I'm riding a 4 YO Fuji Roubaix that I got from Performance Bike for around $1K all-in.  105 components, R500 wheelset.  Very happy with the purchase.

2014-07-01 1:27 PM
in reply to: jmhpsu93

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Subject: RE: Pick out my first Roadie bike
CAAD 10 and Felt F75 look comparable to each other but CAAD 10 is $200-300 more, both have 105. Stack and Reach are about the same. I think you will see Felt 2014 close outs startng in August/September.


2014-07-01 1:30 PM
in reply to: m.a.burghart

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Subject: RE: Pick out my first Roadie bike

Happy CAAD10 owner here.  Been training, group riding, and road racing on it for 4 years now and it's by no means a limiter for me.  It's a solid, aggressive, and very stiff road bike.  Weight is very much in the ball park of what you want.  I can get mine down to around 15.5 pounds.  Not that weight is a huge factor for most road riding, but you certainly don't want to be on a 26 pound GMC bike from walmart if you can avoid it.

2014-07-01 2:10 PM
in reply to: LiveLaughSurvivor

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Subject: RE: Pick out my first Roadie bike

Tri bike gear shifters are on the aero bars and the brakes are on the base bar.  It's not safe to be in a group (on a tri bike) unless you stay off the aero bars (no brakes there).  We have people in our group rides that use tri bikes.  If they are pulling, they might go to the aero bars since they're out front; otherwise, if they are in the pace line, they have their hands on the base bar near their brakes. 

2014-07-01 2:17 PM
in reply to: JoelO

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Prairie Village, Kansas
Subject: RE: Pick out my first Roadie bike
Bingo. If I ride now, I'm pulling out front 95% of the ride, which isn't a problem. Most people are pretty cool and they understand the TT is my only usable bike, but I'd still like to get something else.
2014-07-01 2:36 PM
in reply to: m.a.burghart

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Subject: RE: Pick out my first Roadie bike
Without a doubt the absolute best bike for you is a red and white 2005 Trek 2100 with a 10-speed 105/Ultegra mix in size 58cm. You could probably pick one up in great condition for about half your budget.:-)
2014-07-01 3:05 PM
in reply to: mikec123

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Subject: RE: Pick out my first Roadie bike
I take it you are selling a bike? haha


2014-07-02 9:38 AM
in reply to: m.a.burghart

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Subject: RE: Pick out my first Roadie bike
Originally posted by m.a.burghart

I take it you are selling a bike? haha

Yes, was it that obvious?

Seriously though, to answer your first question, I'll suggest you consider a cyclocross bike, which is the reason I never ride my road bike anymore and am looking to unload it. If you stay away from disc brakes the wheels will swap out with your tri bike so can have a road bike with an extra pound or two of sturdiness or, if you really want to punish yourself, show up for a group ride with some 700x37s on it and try to keep up. You would also then be eligible to participate in that wonderful wintertime punishment knows as "Cyclocross".

Of course, you could also pick up that Trek 2100, put some 700x28s on it and put the savings toward race wheels.
2014-07-02 12:30 PM
in reply to: mikec123


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Subject: RE: Pick out my first Roadie bike
Originally posted by mikec123

Seriously though, to answer your first question, I'll suggest you consider a cyclocross bike, which is the reason I never ride my road bike anymore and am looking to unload it. If you stay away from disc brakes the wheels will swap out with your tri bike so can have a road bike with an extra pound or two of sturdiness or, if you really want to punish yourself, show up for a group ride with some 700x37s on it and try to keep up. You would also then be eligible to participate in that wonderful wintertime punishment knows as "Cyclocross".

Of course, you could also pick up that Trek 2100, put some 700x28s on it and put the savings toward race wheels.


+1 on the Cyclocross... I ride a Diamondback Steilacoom RCX and I love it. Right in your price range after adding 105c pedals, full 105 set right out of the box. I like it for training rides because when I do have to dart onto the gravelly shoulder or even further into grass and roughage, the slightly wider, mini-knobbed tires keep me very stable and solid. My plan is to buy another set of wheels and tires for racing, as the wider, mini-knobbed tires are definitely slower than thin slicks.

That said, I also train much more alone than in a group and we all know single riders get buzzed much more often than we do when riding in groups, so if you will be riding in groups much of the time, maybe that "off road" traction thing won't be as important to you...

I am a "newbie" and could only afford to invest in one bike right now. I figure I will spend much more time training on roads shared with others than I will racing on closed roads, so the traction "off road" was a HUGE factor for me when deciding between "Road" and "Cyclocross".

2014-07-02 3:15 PM
in reply to: PaulPerger


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Subject: RE: Pick out my first Roadie bike
Plus infinity for the CAAD 10. You get a heck of a lot of bike with the CAAD. You could easily pick up a used one outfitted worth 105 for your budget. It's a crazy great frame that does it all.
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