500lbman

Hey all - I'm in the market for a new bike. Size 54-ish. Looking to make the one buy that I can live with for the next few years. Budget is $5k-$6k. Looking for a fast bike with electronic shifting, carbon wheels, newer aero/frame design. I'm used to riding an endurance geometry and am not looking to go super racey geometry on this bike, but will keep options open. I ride 30-60 milers typically on fairly flat trails. I usually do 1200 ft in elevation on a 40 miler. Considering the Tarmac and Roubaix (although the Roubaix seems a bit heavy), the Giant TCR Pro, Cannondale Supersix EVO. Not a huge Trek fan but would probably try it out. Open to both Sram and Shimano.

Any advice/experiences with these bikes is appreciated.

Rides4Beer

I'm a big fan of Giant, love my 2020 Defy, and the 2021 TCR is def on my radar, the Pro 0 ticks all of your boxes and is in the middle of your price range, even comes with a power meter.

But I would def recommend test riding as many of the bikes that you're looking at as possible, sometimes a bike just speaks to you and feels right. The SL6 Tarmac, while being a "race" bike, is pretty comfortable, I had a 2019 Comp and had no issues doing centuries on it (28mm tires helped).

surak

At that budget and with that flat ride profile, why not look at aero bikes instead of climbing bikes? Madone, Venge, SystemSix, Propel. Sure, the latest climbing bikes tout that they're more aero than ever, but they are still going to be slower than a true aero bike.

eduskator

I currently have the TCR Adv Pro 0 and it is great. I had a Defy Adv 3 prior to that and it was also great, but I prefer the TCR over it. It feels a little more ''stable''. For 5-6k, you can either get a 2020 TCR Adv Pro 0 (Sram Force) or 1 (Ultegra DI2) or a 2020 Defy Advanced Pro 1 (Sram Force). For a reason I can't understand, Giant no longer offers a Defy equipped with DI2.

If you are looking for an excellent bike at a decent price, go with Giant. They clearly offer the best bang for the buck due to their business model. They produce their own CF from scratch (raw materials) that has a great stiffness to weight ratio.

datlas 

Canyon Endurace?

CerveloS5

Excelsports has a Cervelo R3 Ultegra Di2 in a 54cm on closeout at $2998. I don't have enough posts to paste URL link lol. While not an aero bike per se, this is a solid deal. Also, take a look at the Cervelo S3 with Ultegra Di2 I think it's within your budget.

ckmak

The TCR Advanced Pro 1 is Ultegra and the 0 is Ultegra Di2. Pro 0 gets my vote as that is my ride too. Though as previous poster said if you are mainly riding cflats an Aero bike might be more suitable.

av8n

What do you dislike about Trek?

bruce19

I'd check out a CAAD 13. I bought a new CAAD 12 last year and it is awesome. Cost me $1350. Really a great bike.

StephenH

I've got a Venge. It's okay. One thing I don't care for is the aero handlebars, which aren't as comfortable to ride with your hands on the flats.

NoseOyster

Have a look at the Scott Addict RC-great bike and you will get much better components than you would on a Specialized at the same price

Iride01 

So it's been a week, what did you get? Or are you stuck like I sometimes get trying to make sure you found the "best". Your list is pretty much what my list was. However only the Specialized dealer had a bikes in my size range so I could try it out a couple. The Giant and Cannondale dealer didn't have any until after I'd already test road the Tarmac, found it more to be a great ride and put an order in for the Di2 version. Besides the others not having a bike for me to try out during my search window, I decided to go with the Specialized LBS simply because the salesman/mechanic had the gift of listening as well as the gift of gab. So my conversations with him made me feel like he actually cared. Plus, they are the oldest bike shop in my area. Been around since I was a teen.

bigjulie

Check out Scott & Jamis. Generally better builds for the money.