Need help finding the perfect road bike under $10,000
12-30-19, 09:58 AM
#1
Tortoise Wins by a Hare!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Looney Tunes, IL
Posts: 7,398
Bikes: Wabi Special FG, Raleigh Roper, Nashbar AL-1, Miyata One Hundred, '70 Schwinn Lemonator and More!!
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1549 Post(s)
Liked 941 Times
in
504 Posts
Need help finding the perfect road bike under $10,000
For commuting and pleasure rides up to 100 miles. Must be:
Fast, but comfortable.
Lightweight but not too flimsy.
Flashy… not all black.
Free of any gaudy lettering.
Able to fit 28mm tires nicely, but not oversize gravel tires.
Tubeless ready, (for bragging rights) but running tubes. I hate the thought of ever splooging up my fancy clean bike with sticky sealant.
Aero, but not the type that gets blown off the road in a mild side wind.
Would likes:
Disc brakes, with anti lock technology.
Electronic shifting, with LED gear indicators on the dashboard.
I presently ride about 3000 miles a year on a Nashbar AL-1 road bike, and a couple of souped up hybrids and fixed gear bikes which I love. This new bike must be the absolute fastest, most comfortable, most robust, and most importantly the fanciest “show off” bike that $10,000 can buy.
I realize my “would likes” may not be standard on a budget of only $10,000, so I suppose I can splurge upwards a bit if necessary. Or, I'm not opposed to doing a bit of cobbling if that's what it takes. Thanks!
Fast, but comfortable.
Lightweight but not too flimsy.
Flashy… not all black.
Free of any gaudy lettering.
Able to fit 28mm tires nicely, but not oversize gravel tires.
Tubeless ready, (for bragging rights) but running tubes. I hate the thought of ever splooging up my fancy clean bike with sticky sealant.
Aero, but not the type that gets blown off the road in a mild side wind.
Would likes:
Disc brakes, with anti lock technology.
Electronic shifting, with LED gear indicators on the dashboard.
I presently ride about 3000 miles a year on a Nashbar AL-1 road bike, and a couple of souped up hybrids and fixed gear bikes which I love. This new bike must be the absolute fastest, most comfortable, most robust, and most importantly the fanciest “show off” bike that $10,000 can buy.
I realize my “would likes” may not be standard on a budget of only $10,000, so I suppose I can splurge upwards a bit if necessary. Or, I'm not opposed to doing a bit of cobbling if that's what it takes. Thanks!
12-30-19, 10:06 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: se MIch.
Posts: 2,300
Bikes: 1938 claud butler,1983 Basso,teledyne titan,teocali super,nrs,1993 stumpjumper fsr,Paramountain,Paramount Buell(sold),4 banger,Zaskar LE,Colnago Master Ibex MTB,1987ish,.etc....
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 2,962 Times
in
1,492 Posts
do the math/
figure where your preferences are then look for the brands that fit & actually test ride them.good luck.https://bike.bikegremlin.com/832/bic...rame-geometry/
12-30-19, 10:06 AM
#3
Tragically Ignorant
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: New England
Posts: 15,613
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
Mentioned: 62 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8186 Post(s)
Liked 9,098 Times
in
5,054 Posts
For commuting and pleasure rides up to 100 miles. Must be:
Fast, but comfortable.
Lightweight but not too flimsy.
Flashy… not all black.
Free of any gaudy lettering.
Able to fit 28mm tires nicely, but not oversize gravel tires.
Tubeless ready, (for bragging rights) but running tubes. I hate the thought of ever splooging up my fancy clean bike with sticky sealant.
Aero, but not the type that gets blown off the road in a mild side wind.
Would likes:
Disc brakes, with anti lock technology.
Electronic shifting, with LED gear indicators on the dashboard.
I presently ride about 3000 miles a year on a Nashbar AL-1 road bike, and a couple of souped up hybrids and fixed gear bikes which I love. This new bike must be the absolute fastest, most comfortable, most robust, and most importantly the fanciest “show off” bike that $10,000 can buy.
I realize my “would likes” may not be standard on a budget of only $10,000, so I suppose I can splurge upwards a bit if necessary. Or, I'm not opposed to doing a bit of cobbling if that's what it takes. Thanks!
Fast, but comfortable.
Lightweight but not too flimsy.
Flashy… not all black.
Free of any gaudy lettering.
Able to fit 28mm tires nicely, but not oversize gravel tires.
Tubeless ready, (for bragging rights) but running tubes. I hate the thought of ever splooging up my fancy clean bike with sticky sealant.
Aero, but not the type that gets blown off the road in a mild side wind.
Would likes:
Disc brakes, with anti lock technology.
Electronic shifting, with LED gear indicators on the dashboard.
I presently ride about 3000 miles a year on a Nashbar AL-1 road bike, and a couple of souped up hybrids and fixed gear bikes which I love. This new bike must be the absolute fastest, most comfortable, most robust, and most importantly the fanciest “show off” bike that $10,000 can buy.
I realize my “would likes” may not be standard on a budget of only $10,000, so I suppose I can splurge upwards a bit if necessary. Or, I'm not opposed to doing a bit of cobbling if that's what it takes. Thanks!
Likes For livedarklions:
12-30-19, 10:13 AM
#4
Heft On Wheels
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 3,123
Bikes: Specialized,Cannondale,Argon 18
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 887 Post(s)
Liked 560 Times
in
346 Posts
LMAO, I just about spit out my coffee. I can't comment because I can't even fathom having 10K to spend on one bike. I wish I had that liquid cash to do so and not have to live in a box down by the river for 2 years. Would be pretty awesome though.
For 10K it has to be 100 custom build...no doubt. I would find a frame, custom paint it then apply all the stuff myself. Then 10K would be super easy to spend but 10k damn, a boy can dream.
For 10K it has to be 100 custom build...no doubt. I would find a frame, custom paint it then apply all the stuff myself. Then 10K would be super easy to spend but 10k damn, a boy can dream.
12-30-19, 10:24 AM
#5
Zip tie Karen
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
Posts: 7,004
Bikes: '13 Motobecane Fantom29 HT, '16 Motobecane Turino Pro Disc, '18 Velobuild VB-R-022, '21 Tsunami SNM-100
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1465 Post(s)
Liked 1,542 Times
in
806 Posts
Build your own with a Chinese frame painted to suit your tastes. All of your desirements can be met for ~$4000, tops. With the remaining $6000, you can ride for weeks in France or Tuscany. Cool.
Likes For Phil_gretz:
12-30-19, 10:26 AM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Valley Forge: Birthplace of Freedom
Posts: 1,297
Bikes: Novara Safari, CAAD9, WABI Classic, WABI Thunder
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 365 Post(s)
Liked 457 Times
in
240 Posts
Not sure you can find what you want for under $12,500. Maybe if you can "splurge upward" to that we could help better....of course $15,000 would be better.
Last edited by stevel610; 12-30-19 at 10:30 AM.
12-30-19, 10:32 AM
#7
Tragically Ignorant
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: New England
Posts: 15,613
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
Mentioned: 62 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8186 Post(s)
Liked 9,098 Times
in
5,054 Posts
Maybe not as good in cross-winds as you require, but...
.tga.jpg?1407651909)
12-30-19, 12:01 PM
#8
Advanced Slacker
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,210
Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2761 Post(s)
Liked 2,534 Times
in
1,433 Posts
$10,000 is not much to work with.
Probably best to go used. Check Craigslist.
If you must go new, try Bikes Direct. They are a decent budget option
Or maybe just save up to get what you really want. Too many people try to cheap out on $10K bikes only to find themselves upgrading everything.
Probably best to go used. Check Craigslist.
If you must go new, try Bikes Direct. They are a decent budget option
Or maybe just save up to get what you really want. Too many people try to cheap out on $10K bikes only to find themselves upgrading everything.
Likes For Kapusta:
12-30-19, 12:11 PM
#9
Tragically Ignorant
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: New England
Posts: 15,613
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
Mentioned: 62 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8186 Post(s)
Liked 9,098 Times
in
5,054 Posts
$10,000 is not much to work with.
Probably best to go used. Check Craigslist.
If you must go new, try Bikes Direct. They are a decent budget option
Or maybe just save up to get what you really want. Too many people try to cheap out on $10K bikes only to find themselves upgrading everything.
Probably best to go used. Check Craigslist.
If you must go new, try Bikes Direct. They are a decent budget option
Or maybe just save up to get what you really want. Too many people try to cheap out on $10K bikes only to find themselves upgrading everything.
Hell, the cold fusion-powered shifters on mine were $225,000 alone. Have to expect that when you're buying space alien technology.
Likes For livedarklions:
12-30-19, 12:12 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,217
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18398 Post(s)
Liked 15,494 Times
in
7,317 Posts
Who am I?:
"If you didn't buy your bike for less than $15 at a garage sale you are an elitist scum."
"If you didn't buy your bike for less than $15 at a garage sale you are an elitist scum."
Likes For indyfabz:
12-30-19, 12:14 PM
#11
Tragically Ignorant
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: New England
Posts: 15,613
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
Mentioned: 62 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8186 Post(s)
Liked 9,098 Times
in
5,054 Posts
12-30-19, 12:16 PM
#12
Happy banana slug
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way
Posts: 3,694
Bikes: 1984 Araya MB 261, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper Sport, 1993 Hard Rock Ultra, 1994 Trek Multitrack 750, 1995 Trek Singletrack 930
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1532 Post(s)
Liked 1,527 Times
in
915 Posts
12-30-19, 12:18 PM
#13
Palmer
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 8,605
Bikes: Mike Melton custom, Alex Moulton AM, Dahon Curl
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1659 Post(s)
Liked 1,808 Times
in
1,053 Posts
An Alex Moulton NS comes to mind. Your stretch budget might cover a Speed, but a Double Pylon is well out of your price range. There's a waiting list, so maybe for the spring 2021 riding season.
12-30-19, 12:22 PM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,892
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
Mentioned: 129 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4791 Post(s)
Liked 3,918 Times
in
2,548 Posts
Consider custom titanium.
Another benefit - if down the line, you decide you want to make a change, say add a "braze-on" to do "this", you have a working relationship with your builder. Drop off the bike, he welds on the gidget, brushes the ti to match, replaces the decals and you get back a brand new bike.
For commuting and pleasure rides up to 100 miles. Must be:
Fast, but comfortable. What ti bikes are known for.
Lightweight but not too flimsy. Again. what ti bikes are known for.
Flashy… not all black. Covered
Free of any gaudy lettering. Very few ti builders even offer gaudy lettering.
Able to fit 28mm tires nicely, but not oversize gravel tires. No problem
Tubeless ready, (for bragging rights) but running tubes. I hate the thought of ever splooging up my fancy clean bike with sticky sealant. Even if you did spill, it's not likely to do anything to a ti frame.
Aero, but not the type that gets blown off the road in a mild side wind. There are some more aero ti tubes but the big gains are in wheel, handlebars and position, not frames.
Would likes:
Disc brakes, with anti lock technology. I don't know what's possible but you would have a lot of money left over after the frame and fork.
Electronic shifting, with LED gear indicators on the dashboard. Again, I don't know what's possible but you would have a lot of money left over after the frame and fork.
I presently ride about 3000 miles a year on a Nashbar AL-1 road bike, and a couple of souped up hybrids and fixed gear bikes which I love. This new bike must be the absolute fastest, most comfortable, most robust, and most importantly the fanciest “show off” bike that $10,000 can buy.
I realize my “would likes” may not be standard on a budget of only $10,000, so I suppose I can splurge upwards a bit if necessary. Or, I'm not opposed to doing a bit of cobbling if that's what it takes. Thanks!
Fast, but comfortable. What ti bikes are known for.
Lightweight but not too flimsy. Again. what ti bikes are known for.
Flashy… not all black. Covered
Free of any gaudy lettering. Very few ti builders even offer gaudy lettering.
Able to fit 28mm tires nicely, but not oversize gravel tires. No problem
Tubeless ready, (for bragging rights) but running tubes. I hate the thought of ever splooging up my fancy clean bike with sticky sealant. Even if you did spill, it's not likely to do anything to a ti frame.
Aero, but not the type that gets blown off the road in a mild side wind. There are some more aero ti tubes but the big gains are in wheel, handlebars and position, not frames.
Would likes:
Disc brakes, with anti lock technology. I don't know what's possible but you would have a lot of money left over after the frame and fork.
Electronic shifting, with LED gear indicators on the dashboard. Again, I don't know what's possible but you would have a lot of money left over after the frame and fork.
I presently ride about 3000 miles a year on a Nashbar AL-1 road bike, and a couple of souped up hybrids and fixed gear bikes which I love. This new bike must be the absolute fastest, most comfortable, most robust, and most importantly the fanciest “show off” bike that $10,000 can buy.
I realize my “would likes” may not be standard on a budget of only $10,000, so I suppose I can splurge upwards a bit if necessary. Or, I'm not opposed to doing a bit of cobbling if that's what it takes. Thanks!
Last edited by 79pmooney; 12-30-19 at 12:54 PM.
12-30-19, 12:26 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 1,410
Bikes: 2017 Specialized Allez Sprint Comp
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 850 Post(s)
Liked 344 Times
in
247 Posts
$10,000? Those are rookie numbers. You gotta pump those numbers up. Unless you spend $10,000 on the paint job alone, you will be the laughing stock of every group ride you futilely attempt to join.
I recommend flying to Italy and talking to a REAL bike CRAFTSMAN. Spend a month with him, and let him get to know you. Your measurements, your riding style, your preferences, your power profile, your favorite skratch flavor, etc. Only then will you be able to earn the privilege of paying $40,000 for a bike worth bragging about.
If you want anti-lock disc brakes or LED gear indicators plus a “dashboard” to put them on I recommend flying to Japan and talking to a REAL ENGINEER. Only the Japanese know how to make technology. Every other country just (poorly) copies what they do. Alternatively, you can just put some grease on your rotors. I guarantee they will never lock.
If you want aero/lightweight, you shouldn’t really be looking at your bike. Get a custom skinsuit (talk to Ineos) and a custom helmet and you’ll almost be there. Hire a coach (good ones cost $2000 per month) who will email you a PDF and then tell you to do exactly what it says, a chef who can handle your 3 meals a day, plus a personal trainer who can help you get absolutely shredded. If you show up to a group ride with an expensive bike but are slow and fat, all you will hear are laughs and sneers as you see the group fade away on the first hill. Get your FTP upto 450W or 7W/kg, whichever is higher. Only then are you allowed to ride your $40,000 hand-crafted, custom spec’d, bleeding edge bike. If you don’t hit those power numbers, the bike will assplode.
I recommend flying to Italy and talking to a REAL bike CRAFTSMAN. Spend a month with him, and let him get to know you. Your measurements, your riding style, your preferences, your power profile, your favorite skratch flavor, etc. Only then will you be able to earn the privilege of paying $40,000 for a bike worth bragging about.
If you want anti-lock disc brakes or LED gear indicators plus a “dashboard” to put them on I recommend flying to Japan and talking to a REAL ENGINEER. Only the Japanese know how to make technology. Every other country just (poorly) copies what they do. Alternatively, you can just put some grease on your rotors. I guarantee they will never lock.
If you want aero/lightweight, you shouldn’t really be looking at your bike. Get a custom skinsuit (talk to Ineos) and a custom helmet and you’ll almost be there. Hire a coach (good ones cost $2000 per month) who will email you a PDF and then tell you to do exactly what it says, a chef who can handle your 3 meals a day, plus a personal trainer who can help you get absolutely shredded. If you show up to a group ride with an expensive bike but are slow and fat, all you will hear are laughs and sneers as you see the group fade away on the first hill. Get your FTP upto 450W or 7W/kg, whichever is higher. Only then are you allowed to ride your $40,000 hand-crafted, custom spec’d, bleeding edge bike. If you don’t hit those power numbers, the bike will assplode.
Last edited by smashndash; 12-30-19 at 12:34 PM.
12-30-19, 12:47 PM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,547
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18352 Post(s)
Liked 4,502 Times
in
3,346 Posts
Hmmpf... you've been on the board for 14 years and haven't figured out what your dream bike is yet? 
You've got a lot of options.
.Start narrowing it down a bit as to what you desire. Then if you choose to purchase locally at a LBS, cruise around and see what you can find. If you are in a small town, then perhaps a trip to Chicagoland.
Even if you buy local, you'll probably end up ordering custom. Try a "Bike Fit" before you drop the dough.
Trek Project One?
What about online bikes? Even Ribble has their own line of bikes. REI COOP?
You've got a lot of options.
.
- Comfort (Specialized Roubaix) or Trek Decoupled?? vs Performance (Specialized Tarmac, etc).
- Brands... Specialized, Trek, Colnago, Bianchi, Cannondale, Lynskey, Litespeed, & various "house" brands.
- Groupset (Campagnolo, Shimano, SRAM all have electronic shifting).
- Materials (Carbon Fiber, Aluminum, Steel, Titanium, etc).
Even if you buy local, you'll probably end up ordering custom. Try a "Bike Fit" before you drop the dough.
Trek Project One?
What about online bikes? Even Ribble has their own line of bikes. REI COOP?
12-30-19, 01:32 PM
#18
Senior Member
Likes For ironwood:
Likes For phughes:
12-30-19, 02:01 PM
#20
Tragically Ignorant
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: New England
Posts: 15,613
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
Mentioned: 62 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8186 Post(s)
Liked 9,098 Times
in
5,054 Posts
Likes For livedarklions:
12-30-19, 02:35 PM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,217
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18398 Post(s)
Liked 15,494 Times
in
7,317 Posts
I’m people who think this thread is serious.
people who think this thread is serious.
Likes For indyfabz:
12-30-19, 02:40 PM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Portland
Posts: 1,115
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 451 Post(s)
Liked 364 Times
in
227 Posts
You are getting lots of excellent advice here. I hope you're writing this down.
Personally, all kidding aside, I would probably spend around $4500-5K on an Orbea or a Trek with each's super-cool custom paint job of your choice, then, go to Mallorca and France/Italy/Spain for two weeks. The memories you create from your trip with your ridiculous bike will be worth way, way more than $7500.
Personally, all kidding aside, I would probably spend around $4500-5K on an Orbea or a Trek with each's super-cool custom paint job of your choice, then, go to Mallorca and France/Italy/Spain for two weeks. The memories you create from your trip with your ridiculous bike will be worth way, way more than $7500.
12-30-19, 02:47 PM
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,850
Mentioned: 38 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6943 Post(s)
Liked 10,944 Times
in
4,677 Posts
You have to spend at least $11,000 to get the LED dashboard display.
12-30-19, 02:51 PM
#24
Tragically Ignorant
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: New England
Posts: 15,613
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
Mentioned: 62 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8186 Post(s)
Liked 9,098 Times
in
5,054 Posts
Likes For livedarklions:
12-30-19, 02:52 PM
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,850
Mentioned: 38 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6943 Post(s)
Liked 10,944 Times
in
4,677 Posts