McStuff

For some background information, I currently ride a Trek Elance 400T and a 2006 Giant Bowery. I've had plenty of fun with the whole SS/FG thing and it's given me an appreciation for multigeared bikes. Likewise, I've enjoyed the Trek for what's it's worth. But what I'd like is a modern roadbike. I just got a new job (part time at Vons, so nothing much, but still better than where I was), so my budget should be increasing in the near future. I want to sell my bikes in favor of a new roadbike, but I'm not sure what bikes I should be looking at. I don't want to spend more than 500ish+what I could get from my current bikes.

My rides lately have been about 20-25 miles, and I'd like to build on that. I usually ride in areas with a fair amount of traffic at times and the roads aren't always the smoothest. What would you guys recommend?

catonec 

the first on here is for road bikes under $700, the second one is under $1000. these are old so start at the end and work backwards checking the dates as you do. if nothing else it will give you a good base to start from when you cruise ebay or craigslist.

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=700+road+bike

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=700+road+bike

McStuff

Seems like Fuji keeps coming up in the first thread, and performance has the 2010 Fuji Roubaix 3.0 for 650. I'm guessing that would make a nice starter bike? Another one performance has is the GT GTR Series 4 for 500. How would these compare?

catonec 

I used to have a GT mtb and it was pretty nice, but I cant compare that full suspension rig to either of those. I havent ridden fuji or gt road bikes. fwiw I like the GTR but the sora shifters are a major detractor according to most people here.

Addison

Not really on topic but I was wondering what you paid for your Elance 400T. I bought one in 1986 for around $600. I had it untill 2 years ago and really liked it, just that my ageing back and neck needed something with shorter top tube. I kind of wish I kept it instead of ditching it for $200. Its odd that you're looking for something cheaper than the original cost of the bike, inflation aside. Does it have the oval crank? I liked that. Just seems to me as though you might be better served by tuning up that 400T and waiting untill you can afford a bit more. $500 doesn't buy a lot of bike in comparison. Just curious.

good luck either way.

RoboCheme

Most folks will probably recommend that you find a used bike on Craig's List. But if you want to buy new, than Performance Bike always has good sales and you get 10% back in credit if you join their club.

dmcdam

"Always" is the only right answer to OP's question. "Which one?" is like debating evolution vs creation - but with way more viewpoints and conflict.

McStuff

Addison: I got it from a friend's dad for either 200 or 250, can't remember. Came with clipless pedals as well. Not sure if it has the oval crank though. I mean, I've liked it so far, but I feel like I'm just better off with a newer bike. I mean, it's got downtube shifters and a freewheel instead of brifters and a cassette. I was hoping to get 300, maybe 4 from both bikes, so it'd put my total budget around 8-900.

RoboCheme: True, but I think I'd like to go new this time around. I've got a performance quite close, so maybe it's time to start scouting out

Dmc: Haha, "always" isn't always the right answer when you only make minimum wage As to the second part, I was hoping there was some sort of agreement on a nicer beginner bike, but I suppose not.

Thanks for the help guys!

McStuff

Hmm, after a bit of browsing, I think I might go used. There are some nice deals on CL right now like a 2009 Trek 1.5 going for 600.

McStuff

Update: I went into Performance today and talked a bit with an employee. They seem to have a lot of last year's Fujis on clearance. I ended up taking a Fuji Roubaix ACR 2.0 for a test ride, and I loved it! Completely different from what I'm used to. It's on clearance for $900 and the employee said that it's most likely 20% back, which would mean 180 bucks for gear. I was concerned at first when the first bike he grabbed for me to check out was a GT GTR Series 1 going for 1400 (yikes!), but it seems like a lot of nice Fujis are more in my budget. So what do you guys thinkg of the Roubaix ACR 2.0?

2ndGen

Congrats on the new bike!

And to answer the original question:
"It's ALWAYS time for a new bike!"
At least for me!

halfspeed

At that budget, I'd stick with the Trek.

McStuff

2ndgen: You're mistaken, I merely took it for a test ride today. Don't quite have the money right now

halfspeed: Would the Fuji not be a worthy upgrade? Sure seemed like a nice bike to me.

2ndGen

Actually, that's great news!

That means there's time for you to save up for and test ride a CAAD10!

halfspeed

It's a nice bike, but so is the Trek. The Fuji is probably a bit stiffer but you likely won't save much weight and you may find it beats you up a bit more on long rides. If the Trek's in good condition and it were my decision, I'd keep the Trek and save until I could afford a bigger upgrade.

McStuff

2ndGen: Oh boy, an MSRP of 1500 for the 105 CAAD10. How much do they usually retail for? And how would it compare to the Roubaix ACR 2.0?

halfspeed: What would you consider a bigger upgrade? I guess one thing that would keep me from upgrading in general is the fact that I'll be going to UCLA next year. I don't want something that costs 1k+ locked up out in the open.

j-law

I've had good experiences with my Fuji Newest 1.0.

Not a super fast bike, but fun for centuries. I did upgrade the wheels to a hand built set.

halfspeed

If you're going to lock it up outside on a college campus, the only thing I'd suggest you buy is four different awful colors of rattle can paint for fuglification purposes. College campuses are notorious places for rampant bike theft.

Addison

The 400t that I had came with a triple ( thats what the t stands for), i think it was 32,42,52 and with a 10 apeed cassette. Sounds like yours is now a single speed? Do you have an lbs that could put it back to where it was for a few hundred, or better yet do it yourself? Again, thats a nice bike, but i understand the need for a new one.

best of luck

ilovecycling

Yeah, I wouldn't keep it outside on a college campus. You are just asking for it if you do this. I can't tell you how many bikes were stolen or had parts stripped off during the four years I spent at Purdue University. Like halfspeed mentioned already, college campuses are hot spots for bike thieves.

McStuff

What would you guys recommend for bike storage? I would rather not make it hideous considering I love the look.

Addison: No, it's not a single speed. It's mostly stock, except for the Shimano SPD pedals and a new freewheel. I still have the stock freewheel, and I'll probably swap it back because I haven't been able to nail the shifting perfectly with the new freewheel. My 2006 Giant Bowery is my single speed bike. I bought it for 250 and it's in pretty good condition, so what do you think I could get out of it?

McStuff

Got 300 for the bowery, so I'm rather pleased. The trek is up on craig's list right now, so I suppose this is actually happening

EDIT: Turns out the Roubaix ACR 2.0 was 999, not 899 At least it's 20% back for accessories at performance. And unless I step up to ultegra, I don't see how much more of an upgrade I could get.

McStuff

Would a bike from BD be a good idea? Seems like I can get nicer components for the same price as what I'd pay through a LBS.

Garfield Cat

Definitely UCLA is the place to have two bikes: the beater bike for going from dorms or apartment to campus and then the real bike for rides with their bike club or tri club. My daughter got her bike stolen there.

McStuff

Where do you keep the nice bike?