Opinions sought on a sub-$2500 road bike

For $2500.00 you shouldn't settle for anything less than Ultegra and full carbon frame, in fact I'd stay away from the lower groupsets as they are quite a bit inferior to Ultegra/Dura-Ace level.

The best bike deal on the internet right now is this bike from PBK in the UK. Smoking all carbon with Dura-Ace for under $2500.00
http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=J1073

 

Honestly, I can't disagree more. I'd rather spend $1500 on a 105 equipped bike and then buy Williams Wheel System 58. The wheels will improve performance far more than the jump from 105 to Ultegra.

 

Wait, what? A 105 bike with a set of deep section tubular race wheels? That'd be like those guys you see driving around in beat up Honda Civics with wheels that cost more than the car. Carbon tubulars are race day only wheels.....I know because I had a set of ZIPP 404's. You do NOT want the hassle of those wheels on your everyday bike. And honestly, the jump from 105 to Ultegra is a few hundred dollars, those wheels are $1400.00 with tires installed, hardly a fair comparison.

 

The drivetrain isnt that far off.
The shifts i dont think are that much crisper, and whatnot, that would make me want to spend the extra G on it.
I would rather buy a nice wheelset also.
i Used a Shimano Alivio on my mountain bike, and rode it for about 1,000 miles flawlessly.
Doesnt say i would rather have Shimano XT or XTR R Derailleur, but i had it cuz it cam on the bike, and it worked fine, so i saw no reason to change it.
Wheels, however, play a major role in your bike.

 

I just bought my very first road bike, Bianchi C2C 928 full carbon, and Campy grouppo from Adrenaline bikes, and totally love my bike, yes it can get a little expensive with the Campy components but worth the expense..
I am not used to riding road bikes, but this bike is very confotable bike and makes it for a good ride..

FS

 

Where are you guys getting this extra grand for Ultegra. I can get a full Ultegra SL group for $700.00? The upgrade on a complete bike is like $500.00, because of economy of scale. As a person who puts close to 10,000 miles a year on a road bike I think I pretty well qualified to give advice on road components. Trust me, if you are going to ride with any regularity stick with Ultegra and above, you'll be glad you did a few years into your purchase.

 

Woah, Sorry I'll Leave it to the Pro. My Bad.


Just Saying, That Giant With the 105 Rides Awesome.
Not sure why you would spend the extra money to upgrade. :?:
Like you mentioned, its cheaper to buy it right off the Bat.
With his Budget of $2500 or so, i reccomended the bike that was in his price range, WHich was the 105 Bike.. IF he had $400 more to spend, he can have the same Bike with Ultegra
http://giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/road/2260/32178/


No Need to get Bent out of Shape over it, and bring in qualifications of 10,000 miles PLus.

 

Rivet, I started the "Ultrega group costs $1000 extra" thought because of the difference in prices between the Roubaix Comp and Expert models. At least at Specialized MSRP, the price difference is $1000, and appears to only be caused by a change from 105 to Ultrega components. Maybe the rims are different too.

I'd like to get the Ultrega group. I'm going to try and see both in person and ride them around and decide.

Thanks for all the great discussion in this thread guys. Keep it up please!

:clap:

 

I know a guy who doesn't race at all but has Zipp 404's and a powertap. He has them because he wants them, and he rides them on everyday rides.

And the comparison to a Honda Civic is silly. Zipp 404's have very real performance advantages that are larger than the performance advantages of Ultegra over 105. Even if you only bought a front Zipp 404, you'll have a real advantage.

Answer me this: You are competing in a race, and a guy gives you the choice of two bikes:
A full Ultegra Tarmac with normal wheels
A 105 Tarmac with a Zipp 404 in the front.

Which do you think would be faster?

 

Wow!! Some great points in the last couple of posts...

Sounds like you need to find a good deal on a on a full carbon touring geometry 105 bike and then save up for (or if you get a good enough deal) and buy a nice wheel set....

 

Good luck getting any warranty or customer service in the US with that. If you want a low-priced generic carbon road frame go here: http://www.chucksbikes.com/store/
Look under "Frames." I personally think these seem kind of dangerous.

Just because the company has a team, doesn't make their products any better.

If I were loaned a bike to race, I'll take a 105 group with good wheels before I'd take a DuraAce group with average wheels.

 

Unless you're racing, spending 1500 on aero wheels is pointless. You don't want tubulars for daily, and although cf wheels can be durable, you're better off with somethign that can take more abuse.

You'll appreciate the longevity of Ultegra/Centaur/Chorus/Force more than aero wheels in the long run. They work with less effort, are smoother and more durable.

You're better off getting an AL frameset with a Carbon seatstay, good grouppo, solid wheels, than a high end cf frame and crappier components.

Frame technology/geometry has less to do with performance on road than mtb for sure. Go for comfort, go for quality components.

 

I just happen to see this at Colorado Cyc. http://www.coloradocyclist.com/product/kit/TIMAASPR but it is $2999.00.

 

Check out BMCs they are pretty awesome looking. Call up adrenaline bikes for a good price! Jim can work some deal don't settle for less than ultegra for 2500 bucks!!!!!!!!

 

I know where there's a deal on this.

NOS 2005 Giant OCR C3.

size L
color Composite/Orange
frame fomulaOne Composite, Compact Road Design, Frame Set Available
fork fomulaOne Composite, 1 1/8" w/Alloy steerer
shifters Shimano 105 STI, 9 speed
front derailleur Shimano Tiagra
rear derailleur Shimano 105
brakes Alloy Long Reach, Dual Pivot
brake levers Shimano 105
cassette SRAM PG950 12/26T, 9 speed
chain Shimano HG53
cranks TruVativ Elita ISIS Triple, 30/39/53T
BB TruVative ISIS
rims Xero XSR-3
hubs Xero XSR-3
spokes Xero XSR-3
tires Michelin Dynamic, 700x 25c
handlebar 6061 Aluminum
stem Easton EA50
headset FSA Orbit ACB, 1 1/8"
seatpost Giant Composite w/ micro adjust, 27.2
saddle Selle Royal Viper

 

Huh? 9spd = pass. Old components.

 

three up front.... It's a touring bike.

 

it may be a touring bike, but the only reason to run a 9spd these days is to save cost and use up old components. Granted older 9spd ultegra is good stuff still, the newer 10spd ultegra group is that much better.

 

Note: this is a 2005 bike.

 

don't forget about felt...
http://feltracing.com/09-catalog/road/classic-road/09-f4-sl.aspx

fwiw...i've been riding my felt...and i am talking some serious miles for over 5 years now. the thing keeps plugging away. i've changed the chain and cassette once in that time....lube it up once a year (yeah, my road bike doesn't get much love). plus you aren't paying nearly as much for the brand.