gpr

Hi, planning on getting my first real road bike. after 4 months of the riding a fuji newest 4.0 i got tired, i have no experience what so ever nor a friend that is into the sport. So i ask for your help.

I have my eye set on a couple of bikes

1. Jamis ventura race
2. specialized allez elite compact
3. Giant defy 1
4. Caad9 6 ( tiagra )

Any advice is greatly appreciated, or if there any other bike you would recommend around the $1300 range, it has to be a small frame thought, I'am 5'5". I honestly dont know what to look for.

joe_5700

What's wrong with the Fuji?

roadiejorge 

What do the 2010 models need help with?

VA_Esquire

$1,300 in the used bike market can get you some nice bikes.
I only say this because 2010 models need help.

gus6464

I think you should ride the Fuji to the ground and keep saving your cash for a nicer bike. While a $1000 bike will be an upgrade to the Newest, it really won't be a huge upgrade. You already have a road bike so keep saving and get yourself something really nice ($2500-$3000 range). Those bikes you listed will not make you faster compared to what you already have.

gpr

my fuji has the shifters on the frame, ist about 26 lbs

gpr

I really am not going to be able to afford a 3000 dollar bike in a long time.

gus6464

So you want to go from a 26lbs bike to a 20-22lbs bike. Not much of a difference. Save your pennies and go for the 16lbs bike on your next upgrade.

gpr

be specific, what type of help.

gpr

The jamis race is 19 lbs. i thought 6-7 was a nice upgrade

rstel66

Any of the 4 would be a good upgrade. gus6464, the Fuji Newest 4.0 is the lowest end Fuji, it comes with downtube shifters and it is heavy. I have owned bikes of the first 3 brands, I was never a fan of Cannondale for some strange reason cause I think they make great bikes. It's just a dislike to the old coke can thin frames from the 80's (although I thought the Crest bikes looked good). The Defy has a relaxed geometry and a taller headtube. I'm not a fan of the Jamis short head tubes, but I liked the ride of my Ventura Pro. Ride them all and see which one you feel the best.

colombo357

Save up a bit more and getting something with a 105 drivetrain.

rdl456

Yeah, that Jamis is about 7 pounds less. Thats a HUGE difference. Those are all good bikes and will all be an upgrade to what you presently have. Maybe you can sell the Fuji and add those funds to your budget?

Compare each bike component to component so you can see the strength and weaknesses of each brand. I myself noticed when doing some researching myself that alot of brands cut corners on wheels, brakes, handlebars and saddles. Or they mix up the drivetrain with Sora, Tiagra, and 105. Your first upgrade will probably be the wheelset so see which brand comes with the best set already.

gpr

first 3 on the list have 105, that probably the only thing thta i know i should get.

rstel66

But the Cannondale has a great frame to upgrade as you can afford.

gpr

Thats what i was thinking maybe gus6464 was unaware of what the newest 4.0 is.

gpr

I'am kind of going towards the jamis ventura race or alllez elite compact. anyone ever riden these bike

dennisa

For $270 more than the Caad9-6 you could go with the 9-5 and have 105's as well. My 52cm caad9-5 weighed in at 18.2lbs. The Giant and Specialized are great options as well. Just make sure to test them all and find the one with that fits you best

gus6464

My mistake I didn't realize that the 4.0 had downtube shifters, I was thinking of the 3.0 with 2300. Any of those bikes you listed with the 105 components would be good so just go out there and ride some.

gpr

In other words which is the best frame, from the four bikes number them from one through four. 1 being the best

gus6464

At that level there is no such thing as best frame. Pick the one that feels best to you. Also are you only looking for a bike with a compact crank? I ask this because the Fuji Roubaix 1.0 is in your price range and comes with SRAM Rival which is better than 105 but comes with a standard crank.

https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...rm=roubaix+1.0

gpr

I have no idea what a compact or standard crank is, which should i be looking for

gpr

I might sound stupid but i like, the bikes that make that cliking sound when you stop pedaling, lets the guy in front know i am waiting on him.do these bikes come with that or could it be installed.

gus6464

A compact crank has 50 teeth in the big ring and 34 in the small ring. A standard has 53 in the big one and 39 in the small one. The biggest difference between them will be top speed and climbing ability. A compact crank will allow you climb easier but will be a bit slower than a standard. Many people nowadays will prefer a compact over a standard because of that reason. A compact crank with a wide cassette in the back will allow you to climb the steepest of hills and be less clunky and complicated than a triple. The loss of speed is not huge on a compact vs standard.

gus6464

That noise comes from the rear hub and it is normal on all hubs.