I bought a new road bike last year, and like you I was quite suprised at how expensive they can be, and the variety of brands, components, materials, etc. Since you're new to it, I'd suggest buying from a local shop rather than an internet place. Hopefully you have several nearby that you can go to, try to get a warm and fuzzy from them.

First thing you gotta do is decide your price range. You can spend as little as $600, as much as $6000. In my experience, there was a noticeable improvement in the ~$1,000 bikes compared to the $600 models, then again in the $1,500-2,000 range over the $1,000 ones.

Any of the major brands are fine - Trek, Giant, Cannondale, Fuji, Specialized, Lemond, etc.

105 is perfectly good for the components, it'll serve you fine.

I second the suggestion to check out some steel framed bikes. There's a small weight penalty, but in my (admittedly limited) experience, the steel frame bikes rode noticeably smoother and more comfortably than the aluminum bikes. I ain't racing, so I'd much rather lug around the extra 1 lb and have a smooth ride. If you're concerned with weight, drop a few lbs off your belly instead! :)

FWIW I ended up buying a Lemond with a part steel, part carbon fiber frame and a mix of 105 and Ultegra components. MSRP of $2,000, got it for $1,500 as the shop was having a hard time moving it because it was one of the larger sizes. Fortunately, I'm pretty tall so our interests were aligned :)

jeff

ps. check out roadbikereview.com for more info

posted by 192.5.27...

• OT== road bikes -- brands, sources?, Pete Saab 9-5, Sat, 8 Jul 2006 19:39:48
  • If you ride an old Raleigh GP now,, dudewithasaab, Sat, 15 Jul 2006 09:53:54
  • Shopped around Trek 1000, Pilot, Cann'dl r800, Pete Saab 9-5, Mon, 10 Jul 2006 09:38:26
    • A couple of ideas, Schu, Mon, 10 Jul 2006 13:45:28
  • Re: OT== road bikes -- brands, sources?, jeff in MD, Mon, 10 Jul 2006 04:49:42 <-- Viewing This Message
  • Looked alot last year - really loved the Burley line, saw, Sun, 9 Jul 2006 19:13:08
    • Actually shouldn't have said all steel; carbon fork, saw, Sun, 9 Jul 2006 19:21:23
  • Re: OT== road bikes -- brands, sources?, George on the Cape, Sun, 9 Jul 2006 15:40:28
  • Re: OT== road bikes -- brands, sources?, Dean C, Sun, 9 Jul 2006 11:31:34
  • Random observations, OKSaabs, Sun, 9 Jul 2006 10:06:22
  • Steel is real - Bianchi, Specialized, JMJ in NC, Sun, 9 Jul 2006 08:41:59
  • Re: OT== road bikes -- brands, sources?, KenManiac , Sat, 8 Jul 2006 22:20:21
  • My old road bike was stolen in 1987 & >, Mike in Anchorage, Sat, 8 Jul 2006 21:02:45

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