Sillyak

Hello and thank you for reading my post.

I'm looking to start road biking and have done a fair amount of research and am looking to buy a road bike with endurance geometry. My budget is about $1300-$1500 CAD ($1000-$1200 USD).

There are a bunch of bikes in this category, the standard at this price point appears to be a Tiagra group set and a mixture of either rim or mech disc brakes.

I have been eyeing the

Ghost Nivolet 2 AL (Tiagra w/triple crank, rim brakes, even with triple crank is appears about a kilo less than comparable disc brake bikes, $1325)

Ridley Fenix A20 disc or the Giant Contend SL 2 (Both Tiagra with mech discs for $1425-$1475.)

It appears Cannondale, Specialized and Trek also make Tiagra equipped aluminum endurance bikes, but they are $1500-$1600. Is the price increase for these brands just in a name, or are there honest quality/R&D improvements in the frame/fork/wheels?

I have read about how important the wheel set is, but I don't know how to tell if a certain set is good. Is there a certain brand that puts more money I to the wheels than others?

Maelochs

I would avoid discs unless you ride in the rain a lot or ride down very steep mountains a lot. I don't feel they are necessary.

Cannondale, Specialized, and Trek are trading on their names ... the big difference in the decal, Particularly at that price point.

However ... https://www.rei.com/product/892482/c...9522760&gclid= looks like a super deal. Spyrre mechanicals, 105 groupset (a Big upgrade) and 22 lbs for $US1600 .... I know it is out of your Preferred price range, but you get so much for the money ... and you will have a bike you can ride for the next ten years without and need or desire to upgrade.

alcjphil

I am going to make an assumption based on the OP quoting bike prices in Canadian dollars that REI isn't going to be an option. That, and the fact that the first 2 bikes mentioned are found at that price at MEC (Mountain Equipment Coop, sort of a Canadian version of REI)

Maelochs

I'd say a Synapsw with 105 would be a really good deal for approximately that price from Any outlet.

jbell_64

Just to branch out from the big 4, you could look at the Raleigh Merit.

Elvo

Orbea Orca M30 Bike 2015 > Bikes > Road Bikes | Jenson USA

alcjphil

Again, the OP appears to be a Canadian. US online sellers are much too expensive even if they happen to ship to Canada
It would be helpful for suggestions if the OP were to indicate where they live

Sillyak

Sorry, yes I do live in Canada.

Maelochs

No need to be sorry ... some fine people live in Canada, I hear.

Seriously, if you could stretch your budget for the Synapse with 105, you would be a getting a lifetime bike. If it is not affordable, there are plenty others I am sure ....

fietsbob

I have no idea what bikes are sold for you to test ride where you live.. Canadians do come to Oregon ,and buy bikes here

saves taxes.. get them dirty then it can maybe be returned home without customs declaration?

alcjphil

Pretty much had it figured out that you live in Canada, but Canada is a very big place. Knowing which city might bring out suggestions about good places to buy where you live. The location information in your profile can help you with questions
MEC is a very good choice, prices are good, so is service and warranty support, but the store may not be close to where you live
By the way, I have had a MEC membership since before they had stores anywhere but the West coast

alcjphil

Buying a bike outside Canada is a losing proposition. Bikes are conspicuous at border crossings, you can't hide them. I have been questioned about 10 year old road bikes in my car after doing a US ride. How long does it take getting a new bike dirty? The OP is asking about road bikes. There is almost no advantage buying a bike with the Canadian dollar below par. The last time this happened was 2 years ago, but in the opposite direction. The previous year the Canadian dollar had been trading well above the US dollar. Then it took a plunge, however because bikes are bought at least a year ahead of time Canadian prices for bikes were actually LOWER than US prices despite the higher US currency exchanges, At that time, a US buyer could get a real steal on buying a bike in Canada. Today crossing to the US from Canada to buy a bike will guarantee that you will be hosed on price and you take your chances at the border. No thank you, no benefit and lots of downsides
Oh,I forgot to mention that a US sold bike has NO warranty support in Canada

Sillyak

I live in Red Deer, so I have 2 LBS plus over a dozen more between Calgary and Edmonton, 3 MECs as well between those two.

One LBS carries Trek, the other Specialized and Cannondale, selection is not overly large at both places though.

I could probably spring for a Synapse 105 if it is really worth it, I'm not really tight for money, but was hoping to keep it in the budget.

I was browsing the website of a bike store about 1.5 hours away from me and see a 2016 Raleigh Merit 3 (mostly 105 group set, disc brakes, through axels) on clear out for $1299. This seems Luke a pretty good deal. They only have it in 58, which according to the online calculators should fit me well. Should I go for this deal? Spring for a Synapse 105?

Maelochs

Tough choice. I went for a Fuji disc endurance bike with 105 ... half the price of the Synapse. But ... the Synapse is probably five pounds lighter (well, I added a rack, cages, computer, seat bag, tools, lights ... the Fuji was about three lbs heavier stock, I figure.)

I really wish the Fuji weighed less ... but for half the price, i made that choice,. I already have a light bike, I wanted a disc bike I could use for gravel and light touring without spending a fortune.

If I were buying just one bike to do everything, I'd have gone for the Synapse despite the price.

alcjphil

That Raleigh looks like a very nice bike at that price, it compares very well to a Synapse as far as components go. the only thing you would have to make sure of is the fit. Interestingly, both Raleigh, and Ghost are owned by the Accell group along with many other well known bike brands

Symtex

Do we really need to start that debate with disc brake ? I think you will see less and less discless bicycle on the market going forward. The industry is moving in the direction. It just a matter of time.

To the OP : Get the Cannondale Synapse. Great bike. It will last you a long time.

bonz50

this is how i'd roll.

Maelochs

Dude, YOU are starting the disc debate. I suggested a bike with discs.

Please, take your petty battles elsewhere.

Kevindale

We're getting close to the time when large retailers (at least in the US) start discounting the 2017 models in anticipation of the end of the riding season and the arrival of 2018 models. This is about the time of year I got my Cannondale at a $300 discount that came into effect over the few weeks I was deciding, which was a welcome surprise.

Also, when I bought that bike, I test rode the price-equivalent bikes from several other makers. On paper they were all very similar, but the Cannondale felt right to me. I'd get out there and do some test riding, and then don't hesitate to see if the retail outlet will cut you a deal even before the end-of-season discounts become official.

Sillyak

I figured I would update this.

I went to MEC to check out the Nivolet AL 2 and ended up buying it. What sold me was MEC's fitting service. If you buy a bike over A certain price they give you a free fit. My free fit took well over an hour with about 30 minutes of that peddling on the trainer. It was quite detailed, we talked about previous experience in a variety of sports, any soreness or nagging injuries ect. to asses how to fit the bike. Then lots of time on the trainer tweaking everything. It was a good experience with a knowledgeable fellow.

I just got back from it's first ride. Having never been on a road bike before it was quite the experience. It just feels incredibly fast and responsive. It only took a few miles for everything to feel very natural.

Symtex

good for you. I hope there is many more miles ahead !

Maelochs

i looked at the nivolet ... good deal.

alcjphil

Good for you. MEC is a very good place to buy from, they have stores all across the country and they really stand behind the products they sell. When they got into selling complete bicycles they did it right, making sure that they could service what they sell

San Pedro

Photo please.

Sillyak

Here you go. Going to do a 50km ride in the morning. Really looking forward to it!

I apparently can't post a picture because I am under 10 posts so I just split the http.

ht tp://i.imgur.com/YaRIdPS.jpg