Thoughts on my first real road bike

[brunwick2589]

Hi,

Fairly new to cycling and first time user on BNA. I have completed a year on a pretty average road bike, computing to and from work and the odd weekend ride and after recently finishing a triathlon I realised it was time for a new bike. Looking to spend about $1500, although I will do a few triathlons this summer I will be looking for a bike that can look after general road riding for the next 3-5 years hopefully.

Have been looking at a few and would appreciate if anyone had an opinion on the options? Please suggest any other bikes you may think would suit, trying to go with a Shimano 105 groupset if possible.

2012 Trek 2.1 - $1200 (on sale)
2012 Merida Ride/Race Lite - $1700
2013 Cannondale Caad 8 105 - $1600
2013 Giant Defy 1 - $1400

Any thoughts would be a huge help.

Thanks.

[Xplora]

Are you looking to get a Triathlon position with the bike?

I've found the H2 geometry to be a little limiting when it comes to the fully blown tribar experience with my Trek 2.1 2012. I'm actually commuting on it with the tribars as well LOL

I think you'd realistically need to get the adjustable stem so you can drop it RIGHT DOWN with tribars, because even with the 100mm 7 degree stem upside with the stem slammed, it's about 2 inches higher than I'd really like. You would only need to worry about this for race day, your neck may not appreciate having to battle the aero position every day on the road bike geometry.

As much as this sounds like a dumb idea, if you are backpacking it and you aren't taking more than lunch and replacement clothes, I'd just look at a TT bike with training wheels on it. I told the guys at the shop that if they sold a TT bike with rack points, I would have bought it. I use a Topeak trunk bag, I'm not going back to a backpack

[macca33]

I recently picked up a 2008 Trek 1.9 'Alpha Aluminium' frame and it is fantastic - light, nimble and fairly pacey (well, for a rank amateur such as myself it is!). If the 2.1 is as good as, or better - which with a few years of additional design / development under its belt it ought to be - I reckon it would be a good buy at that pricepoint.

cheers

[AP81]

CAAD10. Get sized, then buy second hand of ebay or bike exchange. With the money you save, get a better set of wheels.

[BrisVegas]

CAAD10. Get sized, then buy second hand of ebay or bike exchange. With the money you save, get a better set of wheels.

+1