the sci guy 

Please don't bother with things like 'you need to spend more to get a good one' or 'for only a little more you can have X'. $2000 is a firm binding budget cap. I know my options are limited but I'd like some input from those with experience.
So other things to know :
Disc brakes not a necessity
I'm 5'5" so looking for a smaller frame.
I am not a racer and prefer a slightly more upright position. That is not to say I don't get aero from time to time though.
I'm open to almost any brand. I've done some Internet window shopping and decided right now the top two contenders are the Giant Defy Advanced 3, and a trek Emonda s4.

If push comes to shove and a high end aluminum frame from Cannondale or somewhere turns out to be the best investment, so be it.
Have at it!

sam_cyclist

Just about every manufacturer (or, should I say brand) has a bike (or several) at this price point. For specialized, it's the roubaix 105. You would be looking at either a 49 or 52 cm frame for specialized.

I've enjoyed test riding the specialized bikes the most, but you may prefer something else when you test ride. Good luck!

Elvo

https://www.mybikeshop.com/bikes?product_id=851

loimpact

Fuji Gran Fondo 3.0 LE Road Bike - Performance Exclusive

Carbon ------------------ check!
5800 ------------------- check!
Kick@$$ Black/Orange --- check!

You can rewrap to some black (or better yet...orange) bar tape after the white gets dirty.

Slackerprince

You're lucky that, these days, this is totally possible.

S

basqueonacaad

that's a nice looking ride.

sam_cyclist

That's a slick looking bike.

I was going to ask how well performancebike mechanics build up bikes. But then again, with sealed cartridge bottom brackets and hubs, and with torque ratings written on components, not to mention that bikes are 90% built coming from the factory, is it even possible to botch a bike build these days short of total mechanical ineptitude/incompetence?

sced

Ultegra Di2

Save Up To 60% Off Shimano Electronic Di2 Ultegra 6800 2x11 Speed Road Bikes- Motobecane Le Champion Carbon Aero Road Bikes

rpenmanparker 

Performance Bike Shop is exactly what I was going to suggest. You can do what you want pretty easily there. Maybe even get Ultegra...maybe. Being in Houston it should be pretty convenient for you.

Dave Cutter

I have an old steel Nashbar bicycle and I am amazed at how well constructed it is. I'd look at the Nashbar carbon bicycles.

rpenmanparker 

Giant and Trek both make good bikes. That Defy would be sweet. The Emonda may be a little too racy for you. There should be something similar in the Domane line that would give you the more upright position.

HawkeyeBike

I'd go with the Giant Advanced 2. It's just over $2K but you could probably get it for less. I plan on getting this bike and after doing a lot of research, I felt I was getting the most for my money.
Defy Advanced 2 (2015) | Giant Bicycles | United States

the sci guy 

Thanks for the responses so far folks. It should be noted I made this thread while laying in bed, half asleep, on my iPad. I'm surprised it came out as coherent as it did.
So far my favorite is still the Defy Adv 3, for it's style and price. However, I wish I could get it without disc brakes.

rpenmanparker 

That's a nice one. Maybe it is better to just give in to the disc brakes now and be done with it. We ain't gonna win this one. Or as the Borg say, "Resistance is futile."

Seriously, you can probably get enough of a discount to bring the "2" model in under your budget. Not that there is any reason to have to do so. Just if you really want to spend that $2,000 and get as much for it as possible, I would think the "2" would be doable. Even with tax. I imagine if you were seen as a serious customer and didn't mention that you would settle for the "3", you could offer $1,900 all in and walk out the door with it for that. That would be a 15% discount. $2,000 tops.

PiLigand

Word. I'm a big fan of Fuji despite not having one. (Transonic someday.) Yo also might check out the Altamira. Fuji Bikes | ROAD | COMPETITON SERIES | ALTAMIRA 2.7
The Altamira is a more ligthweight race bike. So it's a more forward geometry, but the round tube construction will absorb road shock well still. It's probably closer to the emonda whereas the the Gran Fondo is closer to Trek's Domane. This is from advertisement, not personal experience.
You don't get kick-@$$ black and orange, but professional kick-@$$ black and red with that kick-@$$ red bar tape? Just as good.

Either way. Fuji is a lot of bike for a not large amount of money. They usually win my vote whenever anyone is asking for suggestions.

rpenmanparker 

I've always like Fuji for just those reasons. Excellent value. Only question is would one of their models meet OP's desire for an "endurance" ride?

PiLigand

I certainly think the Gran Fondo would. The OP also mentioned some more aggressive tendencies, so while I wouldn't suggest the SST or the Transonic, the Altamira would be worth investigating as a somewhat racier geometry with an endurance construction.

KarlC

You could buy new, but way ? Likely you will want to make some changes to whatever bike you buy, especially after you ride it awhile.

Your local Craigslist will have many very high end / quality bikes at that price, a lot of this will have very low miles on them. Why not go test ride a few ?

GlennR

Too bad you're not taller, i'm selling my Madone 4.6c for well under your price, but its a 56cm frame.

rpenmanparker 

Yes, the Gran Fondo name suggest it would be suitable. I haven't looked it up.

Shuffleman

Focus Cayo Evo 3.0 Force Bike 2013 > Complete Bikes > Road Bikes | Jenson USA

$1899 for that bike is a great deal. They have the Cayo Evo Ultegra for $1499 but their sizing is for 57cm and 61cm.
The Focus bikes are awesome and Jenson has killer deals on them.
The Giant that you mentioned is a good bike as is the Trek. I do not ride Focus but I would have purchased the Cayo Evo had I not gotten such a great deal on my Colnago frame when I was in the market. All the bikes in your price range are excellent so you should have no problems. Performance also has a good price on The Ridley Fenix that is awfully enticing.

Dopefish905

Just bought a new 2014 Cervelo s2 on 5700 105 for 1999.00 highly recommend at that price!

kraftwerk 

2000? I bought TWO Carbon frames for that much, used but in great shape...I think by buying lightly used- anything- your money goes much further.

rpenmanparker 

Frames or whole bikes as OP requests?

the sci guy 

Houston craigslist is a clusterfu...
Not to mention half of them are most likely stolen.

the title to my autobiography