First serious road bike

[mshahidil]

After riding a Reid Condor for a few months now to and from work, I've decided that I'm serious enough about cycling to upgrade! I'm looking for a sub $1000 road bike with shifters at the levers (the Condor has shifters on the stem of the bike). Here are my options:

Reid Falco Sport 2013 - $669 ( http://www.reidcycles.com.au/bicycles/r ... QLdv78qiSo )
Fuji Roubaix 3.0 2012 - $799 ( http://www.cycleworld.com.au/bicycles/f ... /102071669 )
KHS 2013 Flite 500 - $799 ( http://www.torpedo7.com.au/products/KHB ... -road-bike )
Cell Swift 2013 - $849 ( http://www.cellbikes.com.au/Cell-2013-S ... gory=12632 )
Silverback Strela 2.0 - $849 ( http://www.bikebug.com/bikes-road-silve ... -5126.html )

Any thoughts/recommendations? Would love to have a Tiagra bike but will settle with Sora if price difference is worth it.

[macca33]

I dunno, but I've picked up 2 fantastic road bike on Ebay in the past 4 months - both in excellent condition (albeit aluminium framed) and with good groupsets - one at $670 and one at $450.

Just another option - new isn't always better.

Cheers and good luck.

[hmcl0145]

I bought a 2012 Cell Blade as my first roadie almost 6 months ago & it's proven to be very reliable.
I can't comment on the other brands & the worst aspect of the Blade is the Sora gears can be a bit jumpy, especially under strain.
If you're going for a Cell, it depends if you'd rather save $150 and get the Blade with Soras, stick to the $850 Swift with Tiagras or spend $1k on a Team with 105s (website still lists 2012 Blades for $650).
Good luck!