solo79

Newbie here. I have a specialized secteur I got off Craiglist and I am trying to help my brother get a road bike. $800 budget and plenty of good local shops around so I feel comfortable recommending any of the shops


For the meantime lets refrain from recommending more expensive bikes. He is in good shape. His first passion is running. He does a lot of 5ks and half marathons and is looking to supplement his activity with a road bike. Wants to work up to a metric centry


I know actually getting on the bike is very important and we will do that, but to help us narrow it down, what are the thing to look for in component differences between the following? Feel free to recommend any common brand we can find in a big city (Memphis tn)


I know this is a lot of bikes, but does anything stand out in geometry or components that would make us want to eliminate one or put one at the top of the list?


Trek 1.1

Fuji Sportif 2.1, 2.3, 2.5

Fuji Finest 2.1, 2.5

Felt Z100

Gaint Defy 5

Specialized Secteur double

Specialized Allez

RoadGuy

Have your brother ride them all to find the right fit, then let him buy the one that talks to him.

You don't get the whole story by looking at specs. Looking at the specs can make it easier to narrow your search, but it's not substitute for riding each bike he's considering in the correct size.

12strings

Big differences to take note of upon a short browsing...

1. Some of those have carbon forks, so if the price is comparable, that is a lighter and more comfortable option.

2. Some are race geometry, some are more relaxed. Figure out which he likes better.

3. Some, especially as you list several levels of Fuji, upgrade from 8 speed Claris components to 9 speed Sora.

roccobike

+1, all good points. I'd eliminate the Giant Defy 5. While I'm a big fan of Giant bikes, I'm not a fan of aluminum forks.

stlcowboyfan

you can get a brand new 14 model Trek 1.2 with carbon fork and 9spd Sora for under $800, easily. I owned one and used it for solo and group rides and eventually several 50 and 75 mile charity rides. As long as you keep the Sora stuff tuned, it should have no issues.

Willbird

What size bike he needs can have a big impact on what you get for your $$ as far as last years or even the years before models still in stock. If he is a really small guy, or fairly tall he will have more in stock older models to pick from, they hand around a lot longer.

REI has their own stuff too that is worth a look, seemed a decent balance of components for the money if your not married to the idea of a Trek, or a Fuji, or a Cannondale, etc.

Most of the lines offer a very similar offering in all of the price ranges really....so it will come down to rider preference really.

I agree Sora is a decent Groupset......and it gets you into a 8/9/10 real wheel which might be a good thing.

12strings

The lowest level allez also has a n aluminum fork

solo79

Thanks. Anyone know off the top of their head which.ones have a carbon fork

Willbird

The Fuji Sportif 1.5 has a carbon fork, and I bought mine at a LBS for $809

Billy k

I also bought a Fuji Sportif at Performance for 749.00
my first road bike so I know next to nothing but love this bike just did a 34 mile club ride in 90 degree heat and stayed hydrated the bike was comfortable I am happy

Billy k

My Sportif

stlcowboyfan

as I said above...the 1.2 has a carbon fork and comes with 9sp Sora...you can get them at Trek stores for 749.00 right now...regular price 929.00

EllDC

There should be some good closeouts now that the manufacturers are starting to roll out new bikes. There was a display Charge Plug with 105 components at the Performance Bike in Chicago for $850. I kicked myself over that one 'cause I had just bought a bike off craigslist (though not as nice of one!)

quicktrigger

Not anymore. Carbon fork. Love my Allez with a carbon fork.

Specialized Bicycle Components

12strings

I think you quote the wrong person, but good to know that the 2016 has made that upgrade! The 2015 Allez at $770 had an aluminum fork...it seems like carbon forks are coming to lower and lower priced bikes!

swifty3565

Fuji Sportif 1.3c. Carbon fork and Tiagra components. I have about a 1000 miles on mine and have enjoyed every mile so far. Good luck.

ColaJacket

Hey, did you go to my place and "steal" my sportif?

That looks just like my Fuji Sportif 1.3c - 2014 (49cm) that I got in April at PB for $800.

I think I hit a sweet spot getting Tiagra, disc brakes, and a carbon fork for $800. As I don't see a Tiagra Sportif at PB online right now.

I'm right at 850 miles, and enjoying the bike. I can tell you that the bike is not holding me back right now.

GH

quicktrigger

Your right, I hit the wrong person. My apology to everyone.

Shuffleman

You really should figure out whether or not you want an endurance frame or race frame first. Once you figure that out, eliminate the aluminum forks and see what you have left. Some of the bikes that you have listed such as the Felt, will have both an endurance and race frame for you even though you only listed the endurance frame.
Performance is a great place to find a nice range on the listed Fuji. I am fond of Felt but all the bikes that you listed are excellent. Don't get caught up in the groupset at first. The real first step is figuring out what type of bike you actually want. Once you figure that out, you can narrow down your list considerably.
One thing to keep in mind--Bikes in the same price range typically come equipped similarly. It is not likely that you will see a big swing on prices between brands that have the same groupsets. They can lower prices by doing things like putting an aluminum fork, lesser brakes, tires, wheels and etc though. By and large it will boil down to which one you like the most from a comfort and or looks vantage. The geometry may be different between the bikes a little but the quality of all the brands that you mentioned is good.