New Road Bike- Suggestions?

Question

With the price of gas, I've had it with my car. I want to get a really great, high end bicycle. I don't want a junker, so I would like some suggestions of really good road bikes to get. I am prepared to spend as much as $300 on my new bike.

Answer 1

I don't think they make a commuter bike for that much money.

Invest in a proper bike trailer as well so you can do groceries. I use a Cargo Croozer. It's great. Take the time to find the right saddle (check out the leather Brooks' saddles) and comfy grips.

My bike is a Trek Soho 1.0. I commute to work (6km) and I use it to do the groceries -- I love it!

Answer 2

I'm assuming you will be using the bike as a car replacement for groceries, commuting, etc and so will want to have a rack, lights, and other accessories installed on it.  I would recommend looking for a couple of features:

1) Rack mounts - make sure the bike has threaded eyelets for mounting a rear rack that you can use for your bags while riding.  A backpack is ok, but having the bags on the bike makes the ride a lot more enjoyable.

2) Disc brakes - while not a necessity, certainly helpful in wet conditions.

3) Internal gearing - no chance of losing your chain when you hit that pot hole plus lower maintenance in wet/dirty conditions.

That being said, I'd check out both the Trek SOHO and the Specialized Globe lines (links below).  

If you're looking for something less for car replacement and more for just riding around, there are many good hybrid bikes around like the Trek 7000/FX series, the Felt Speed series, and the Specialized Vita/Crosstrail series.

HTH!

Answer 3

$300 I was about to laugh.

For commuting only I would get a hybrid. It is a road bike but the handlebars are more comfy.

As for brands that is very personal. But you can't go wrong with a specialized or trek.

I would go to a couple local shops and take a look and sit on a few. for 3k you can get an amazing bike...full carbon etc.

Buy what feels good.

Answer 4

i really like Cervelo's.  just very comfortable and wonderful to ride.  Cannondale is a fine choice as well, my brother prefers his cad 5.  Motobecane's are good rides.  hit up a local shop and get fitted and see what a professional has to say about each frames geometry, because they all differ a bit and you need what is most comfortable for you rather than what i like.

Enjoy you new ride,

Bob Cordiak

Answer 5

My budget for my new bike was the same as yours.  I ended up getting the Giant TCR C2.  I wanted a full Ultegra (or equivalent) bike.  Before this, I've ridden a Specialized Allez A1 for 9 years.

I shopped around a lot, all the major brands, and the elite brands, and i kept coming back to the Giant.  I like the compact geometry, mostly from my mountain biking past.  To me fit was the most important thing, so this bike may not be for you.  However I'm VERY happy with what I chose.

Answer 6

Doug's suggestion of the Giant is the best so far, but I have a few more.

Check out the all-carbon Douglas Matrix Dura-Ace bike at Colorado Cyclist.  It's on sale for $2,100.  You'd have what you're looking for and $900 left over.

They also sell Giants, but not by mail order, and have the excellent Ultegra equipped TCR 2 on sale for $2,499.

Finally, for a really incredible value, look at the carbon Motobecane Immortal Spirit (Dura-Ace) at Bikes Direct for only $2,000 delivered.  You'd be hard pressed to match that deal anywhere.  

Good luck, and congratulations.  One less car!