seely

This worked great on the MTB forum... list bikes here that are under $700 and anything you know about them good/bad. That way we avoid a lot of "I don't want to spend a lot of money what roadbike should I get?" repeats. If anyone thinks its a good idea, sticky this bad boy.

The first candidate:

Schwinn Fastback Sport, $549.99

Nice bike for the money, much better deal than most other manufacturers are offering at this price. Downside is Sora shifters but at this price you can't complain at all.



Color(s) Blue Streak
Size(s) XS,S,M,L,XL
Frame Schwinn Super Butted 'N'Litened' Gold label TIG welded aluminum with Schwinn Race geometry, IS standard integrated head tube, forged dropouts w/ replaceable hanger, 2x H2O bottle boss and pump peg
Fork Schwinn Reflex AL1 bonded 6061 aluminum w/ 1 1/8" Cr-Mo steerer
Crankset TruVativ Iso-Flow 52-42-30 Cr-Mo chainrings
Bottom Bracket TruVativ Cartridge square taper 68 x 113
Pedals Cycle Magic resin pedals with toe clips and Escape Claws toe strap safety release device
Front Derailleur Shimano FD-2203 31.8 down-pull
Rear Derailleur Shimano RD-4400 Tiagra
Shifters Shimano Sora STI
Freewheel SRAM 8-speed 12-26
Chain Shimano HG-50
Rims Jalco double wall w/ machined sidewalls 32H
Tires Vittoria Zafiro 700 x 23C
Front Hub Formula sealed w/ alloy QR 32H
Rear Hub Formula sealed freehub w/ alloy QR 32H
Spokes 14g stainless
Nipples CP brass
Front Brake Tektro dual-pivot caliper w/ DIN pads
Rear Brake Tektro dual-pivot caliper w/ DIN pads
Brake Levers Shimano Sora STI
Handlebar Ritchey 26.0 6061 alloy width to suit frame size
Stem Ritchey forged 6061 w/ front load cap
Grips Schwinn gel tape with embossed star logo
Headset FSA integrated sealed
Saddle WTB Pure V Sport
Seat Post Ritchey forged 6061, 27.2 x 350mm
Seat Clamp Schwinn forged / CNC w/ Cr-Mo Allen bolt
Extras 2 x 10, 2 x 5 extra headset spacers

Indolent58

Felt F90, $600




Custom Butted F-Lite 7005 Alloy w/forged dropouts replaceable hanger
Carbon blades w/1-1/8" CrMo steerer
Aheadset 1-1/8" Sealed
Felt Ø31.8mm 6061 Alloy drop
Felt Cork ribbon tape w/gel; 3D Felt logo
Shimano Sora, 24 speed
Shimano Tiagra CRANKSET
RPM Alloy Triple 53/42/30T
PowerPro Sealed Hollow CrMo JIS Spindle BB
Shimano HG-50 8s cassette, 12-25T
Shimano Sora Dual Control w/Tektro top mount levers
Tektro 423AG dual pivot w/DIN brake shoes
Alex DA-22 Black w/machined braking surface
Felt Inertia w/flat protection 700c x 23

my58vw

Trek 1000 649.99





Very nice bike for the money. I can not stand sora components which is a major down side. The carbon fork is a nice addition and the weight is not bad for the price range. The saddle is not bad either. It is definitly not a 1500 or 2100 - 2300 but it does its job. Good entry level bike by a very good company.

FRAMESET:
FRAME: Alpha SL Aluminum
FORK: Bontrager Carbon

WHEELS:
WHEELS: Alloy hubs; Alex rims
TIRES: Bontrager Select, 700x25c

DRIVETRAIN:
SHIFTERS: Shimano Sora
FRONT DERAILLEUR: Shimano 2203
REAR DERAILLEUR: Shimano Tiagra
CRANKSET: Bontrager Sport 52/42/30
CASSETTE: SRAM 850 12-26, 8 speed
PEDALS: Alloy/nylon road w/clips and straps

COMPONENTS:
SADDLE: Bontrager Race Lux
SEATPOST: Bontrager Sport
HANDLEBARS: Bontrager Sport, 26.0
STEM: Bontrager Select, 17 degree
HEADSET: Aheadset, semi-cartridge, sealed
BRAKESET: Alloy dual pivot w/Shimano Sora STI levers

Indolent58

So anyone know about a sub $700 road bike that doesn't have Sora STI? Move into the $800 range and you start seeing Tiagra.

zip22

excellent thread
whats the difference between Sora and Tiagra?

Lufty

Lemond Nevada City $549-$599

I have this bike, and love it. Cycling coach recomended it for an entery level road bike. Sora STI shifters haven't been bad, and the Tiagra rear is bomber. Really comfortable once I dialed it in and got some miles on it. I'd recomend it for a test ride to anyone on a budget!

MODEL Nevada City
COLOR Metallic blue/white
SIZES 49cm, 51cm, 53cm, 55cm, 57cm, 59cm, 61cm
MAINFRAME Sloping geometry, LeMond 6061 aluminum, 1.5cm headtube extension
FORK Carbon fiber
HEADSET SlimStak Direct Connect
BOTTOM BRACKET Cartridge
CRANK SR Superbe
double: 53/39
triple: 52/42/30
PEDALS Alloy road, sealed, w/clips and straps
FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano Sora
REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano Tiagra
SHIFT/BRAKE LEVERS Shimano Sora STI
CASSETTE SRAM PG850 12-26, 8 speed
CHAIN KMC Z51
WHEEL SYSTEM Alloy QR, Alex AT450, 15g ss
TIRES Bontrager Select, 700x25c
BRAKES Alloy, dual pivot
HANDLEBAR Alloy Ergo
STEM Alloy direct connect
TAPE Bontrager Powercork Gel
SADDLE CRZ+ Road
SEATPOST LeMond Alloy Micro-Adjust

galen_52657

This is a good thread. I want a bike for my gf but I do campy and nothing but campy. (that way...when I bust a wheel...I can steal hers...!!!). Glory Cycles has the the Veloce 10 group for $499. I have some spare wheels so all I need is a cheap frame and fork....

Any deals out there?

Lufty

Ohhh side note...saw the '04 Nevada City on sale for $499 rescently.

Bobdohm31

These are all aluminum bikes right? What about steel?

bmph8ter

Some of you should consider finding someone else to host your pictures. Bandwidth theft isn't cool. Great idea for a thread though. Wish it would have been around when I bought my Felt.

larue

are you not happy with the felt bmph8ter?

LordOpie

Tiagra is a little better quality and a little more money. Tiagra isn't worth it tho... If you can't afford 105, then buy a Sora bike, and upgrade to 105 or Ultegra (based on value at the time), when the Sora parts wear out. Assuming the frame you bought is worthy of the upgrades... this is why you should buy the frame and not worry about the components.

Do you go looking for things to complain about? The manufacturers would not only NOT care about the bandwidth if they found out, but probably send these people a t-shirt or something for promoting THEIR products.

Indolent58

I VERY seriously doubt that the companies hosting these images would consider linking to images of their products on a user forum to be bandwidth theft. It's the best possible kind of advertising, word of mouth.

LordOpie

Fuji used to make a low-end steel bike, but I think the Finest now has an AL fork I have the 2003 and it's light enough weight, but still a tank... I've put 3000+miles and three centuries on the frame and fork and haven't had a complaint. It tracks well in the twisties and I've never had a vibration problem, even at 50mph. I've upgraded to mostly ultegra over the past six months. All low-end bikes have the same low-end components... buy the frame.

dc70

Aluminum frame, Tiagra, Carbon Fork-Post, etc. $625.00 No tax, No shipping.

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...aquila_al3.htm

jgrey

Specialized Dolce Sport 04 (WSD) $660

https://www.specialized.com/SBCBkMode...94n22eb.j27008
I almost bought this, until I tried the allez ($620)

https://www.specialized.com/SBCBkMode...94n22eb.j27008

and liked it better, plus it was $40 less than the Dolce FOR NO REASON other than it wasn't a women's specific frame. I hate that.

Both of these are aluminum w/ carbon fork, Sora/Tiagra parts.

hubs

K2 Mach 1.0 must be well under $700
https://www.k2bike.com/04products/road/mach1.asp

Maybe even the Mach 2.0

I also saw a Raleigh Sport 04 w/ a price tag in the lower 500s (I can't remember exact)
https://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?...temid=161&va=0

And no one mentioned Giant's OCR3 though it has many fine reviews in this forum:
https://www.giant-bicycle.com/us/030....43&model=10875
Mid-season it was only $649 one place I saw.

I think the Jamis Satellite is steel --
https://www.jamisbikes.com/bikes/04_satellite.html
I don't know the price, but with Sora components I expect it is under $700. Anyone here ever ride one?

The best "deal" I saw was Tiagra/105 on this for $699 clearance:
https://www.ironhorsebikes.com/produc...mph_comp.shtml
It was on a web page which I can't find now. Has anyone ridden this either?

Performance has their house brand road bike on sale now which would fit this price range also.

larue

about $600. Less expensive than the above posted Triumph Comp.


Category: ROAD
Frame: ALLOY ROAD FRAME, SEMI COMPACT, INTEGRATED HEAD TUBE, REPLACEABLE DROPOUT
Rear Shock:
Fork: 1-1/8" THREADLESS CROMO STEERER, ALLOY CROWN AND CARBON BLADE
Handlebar: ALLOY W/ GEL COMFORT TAPE
Stem: ALLOY AHEAD, 10 DEGREE
Headset: AHEAD
Bottom Bracket: SEMI CARTRIDGE
Crank: POLISHED ALLOY
Rings: 52/42/30T
Pedal: ALLOY BODY AND ALLOY CAGE W/ CROMO AXLE
Chain: HG - 50
Seat: SAN MARCO MILLENIUM
Seat Post: ALLOY MICRO ADJUST, 27.2MM


Front Hub: ALLOY , QR, 32H
Rear Hub: ALLOY ,QR, 32H
Front Derailleur: SHIMANO 2203
Rear Derailleur: SHIMANO SORA 8SPEED
Shifter: SHIMANO SORA DUAL CONTROL
Freewheel: SUNRACE CSR80, 12/24T, 9 SPEED
Brakes: TEKTRO DUAL PIVOT W/QUICK RELEASE, CARTRIDGE PADS
Brake Lever: SHIMANO SORA, PLUS SAFETY PULL BRAKES
Rim: ALEX ALLOY. BLACK ANODIZED, W/ CNC SIDEWALLS, 32H
Spoke: 14 BLK FORGED STAINLESS SPOKES
Tires: HUTCHINSON FLASH STANDARD 700c x 25
Size: 47, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61CM
Color: RED/CHROME BLUE

seely

I couldn't disagree with you more! Sora is 8spd, Tiagra is 9spd, Sora uses those thumb triggers, Tiagra uses a paddle system like 105/Ultegra/Dura Ace. Night and day difference. Upgrading to 9spd 105/Ultegra shifters coming off a 9spd Tiagra bike is a lot cheaper than upgrading a Sora 8spd bike to 9spd shifters! I have Tiagra's right now, they were used with about 1,300mi when I got them, they now have about 3,700mi on them and still work flawlessly. Although I do secretly hope they break so I can get my Ultegras

geneman

ditto ... my tiagra shifter are wonderful.

-mark

LordOpie

If you're upgrading before putting some serious wear on the drivetrain, then you probably made an error in the initial decision making process. As such, it shouldn't be "a lot cheaper" since you should be upgrading/replacing worn components.

seely

So you need...

-chain
-cassette
-rear derailleur
-shifters

vs.

-shifters

Its still cheaper going from Tiagra to 105/Ultegra shifters, unless you are planning on waiting until your Sora rear derailleur is "worn out". The way people upgrade typically is piece by piece and thats a much more viable option if everything is already 9spd. I mean, you can use 9spd 105 shifters on a worn out cassette and chain. It won't work great, but it will work. You can't you 9spd 105 shifters on a 8spd cassette, worn out or new.

LordOpie

hey, I'm happy you like your Tiagra.

john5211

Giant OCR-3, $600

This was/is my first road bike since an old 10 speed in high school, and I love it so far. I really wasn't sure if a road bike would suit my needs (plus I don't have wads of cash lying around), so a sub $700 was definitely the way for me to go.



color Cloud Blue, Black
size XS, S, M, L, XL
frame Extra-light ALUXX butted aluminum, Compact Road Design, Integrated Forged Headtube
fork Giant composite aero, 1 1/8" alloy steerer
derailleur Front: Shimano Sora, Rear: Shimano Sora
derailleurshifters Shimano Sora,STI, 8 speed
cranks TruVativ Touro, 30/42/52T
pedals Steel w/resin body, toe clips/straps
handlebar Alloy anatomic
stem OCR adjustable, alloy forged
headset Integrated 1 1/8"
brakes Tektro Dual Pivot, long reach
levers Shimano Sora
saddle Selle Royal Viper
seatpost Alloy micro adjust, 27.2
rims Alex, 32H, doublewall, black
hubs Alloy 32H, QR, cassette
tires Michelin Dynamic, 700x 25c
cassette SRAM PG850 12- 26T, 8 speed
spokes Stainless Steel, 14G
extra Women-specific ergonomic components on Cloud Blue model

oboeguy

Sorry, no bikes to post but I do want to stop in to say what a cool thread this is. I hope it gets stickied so I don't forget about it.