RetroDork

I'm looking for a decent entry level road bike. I've been looking a lot at the Fujis from Performance Bike because they seem to be a good bank for the buck.
They have a model I like ( the Fuji Sportif) that comes with 105's but it has disc brakes

Are there other brands I should be looking at that are comparable in components and price range?

It going to be used mostly for fitness ride 2 or 3 times a week, and longer group rides a couple times a month, and probably for a century ride to two a year.

dksix

Nashbar Nashbar Carbon 105 Road Bike with the 20% off through the 29th.

10 Wheels

Disc brakes are Great Brakes.

KonaRider125

This. I've had my Nashbar carbon road bike for a couple years, put 100-200 plus miles on it every week and its held up. No cracks in the frame yet. My plan is just to ride it until the frame fails, and then upgrade to a better bike.

dksix

That has to be about the best value on the market, too bad they don't have a 61CM in it.

Lazyass

$808 free ship. I'm probably buying this in a couple of weeks. Would be a good century bike. Three bottle mounts, 105, good wheelset and fits big tires.

2015 DeGroot II blue

deGroot II ? FitWell Bicycle Company

Xherion

This also has the 10 speed 105 (5700).

thin_concrete

Don't discount the new 4700 Tiagra groupset - it's much better than previous iterations and you can save a bit too. That said, the PB Fuji and the Nashbar bikes have good reviews.

Smithson1

I picked up the 2015 Fuji Roubaix 1.3 for $900. The wheels are a load, but everything else is great at that price point.

Duo

How would a carbon bike like this compare to someone who normally rides an aluminum bike or perhaps a steel touring bike? I ride a steel touring bicycle but have been curious whether the difference is worth looking into.

OnyxTiger

Fuji Roubaix 2.0 LE Road Bike -2016 Performance Exclusive

Fuji Roubaix's are good options. This one has 105. $999, but with a Performance Member card for $30, you get 10% back, so $100 for spending... or wait for double or triple points and you can double or triple that amount back for kit. Plus, if you're military, that's another 10% off the top.

I have the 2014 Sportif 1.3 with Tiagra components, and a 2014 Fuji SST 2.0 with Ultegra Di2. Between the two, I wouldn't say that the Di2 is light years ahead of the Tiagra gruppo in terms of performance. Not that Di2 isn't great, because it's practically perfect with shifting and ease of maintenance, but with good care, Tiagra isn't low end either, and I wouldn't hesitate to get another bike with that set. The Di2 doesn't make me faster either.

That said, if you're conscious with budget and want to squeeze more value out of your dollar, I wouldn't rule out Tiagra either. In which case, the 2016 Roubaix with Tiagra is in your range too: Fuji Roubaix 3.0 LE Road Bike -2016

dksix

Real world experience I lack, only having ridden the one road bike I own now. From what I've read it's a matter of taste as far as what you consider to be ride quality, subtle ride would have to go to steel and power to the pavement would have to go to CF. Some of the high tech aluminum tube sets like is used in a CAAD 12 or the likes from Trek or Specialized seem to be trying to be carbon fiber'ish. I'm sure most any of the regular posters here would be far better able to give you ride characteristics of the different materials and I'm sure each has their own merits, which will suit individual taste.

From a matter of price points, the Nashbar CF 105 for around $900 shipped is the best "on paper" value. Normally CF bikes, even from Bike Direct are at least a few hundred more with a few 105 equipped being in the $900-$1100 range but the Nashbar 105 bike being the only current year bike available at that price point.

Lazyass

I know. So what. Their Ultegra 11 speed model cost the same as that cheap carbon Nashbar bike.

RetroDork

I'm a buy and hold kind of guy. I'm going from a steel frame to an aluminum...so carbon is going to be awhile for me.

dksix

If you're looking for aluminum that gives you a lot more options. I'm biased to Fuji, they as a brand seem to offer a great value alone with a great reputation. I agree with most that's been posted. The Tiagra 4700 is a high regarded groupset and Performance Bike offers a lot of value. Is there a Performance Bike in your area?

Looigi

You could well be riding that bike for a very long time.

noodle soup

do you work for Fitwell? You recommend that company frequently.

dksix

What size do you ride? I've been looking at frames with more endurance geometry, those seem to have a really high stack height with the 58 Alex at 630MM and the 57(?) Drew at 660MM. Have you ridden one of those frames?

ErichVonCartman

I just recently purchases a Nashbar Carbon 105 and I am very impressed with it. This bike has the latest and greatest tech. Carbon Fiber with the latest Shimano 11 speed. Even the fork is a full Carbon fork with Carbon steerer. This is something that is not expected on a $900 bike.

The frame is well made with beautiful internal cable guides. We are living in 2015 now, but it seems a lot of people are still stuck in 1990 and have an aversion to Carbon frames and parts because of this false notion that Carbon is weak. However, any Carbon frame these days should last you a lifetime. There is a weight limit to Carbon frames and parts, but then again there is a weight limit to everything. Carbon is stiffer and lighter than any other material out there and also the most comfortable as it seems to just soak up all the bumps. Carbon is the only material I would consider for my future bikes.

I have Dura Ace 9000 11-speed on my main road bike, so I have something to compare the Nashbar Carbon 105 bike to. My conclusion is Shimano 105 5800 11-speed is so close to Dura Ace in performance, that the only way you can really tell the difference is you ride the 2 bikes back to back and nitpick. As for the ride of the Nashbar frame, it feels just as good as any top end Carbon bike, fast, stiff, and comfortable. I would say this bike is 90% of my main road bike at about 25% the cost! If I am faster on my main road racer, that is only because it is 3.5 lbs lighter.

This is a cheaper Carbon Frame, but cheaper Carbon means heavier and not weaker. This is my y only complaint of the Nashbar Carbon 105, that it is relatively heavy. Came at 18.4 lbs without pedals, but this expected for all Carbon bikes less than $2000 with Shimano 105 Gruppo, so I should not complain. The wheelset is heavy at 2000 grams without skewers, they are strong but cheap and go for about $125 shipped online. The wheels are decent, but these are the first parts I would replace on this bike.

I have since turned this bike into a Grocery Bike. Link here: https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/...onversion.html

dksix

@ErichVonCartman I thought that was a Santa Cruz????

Lazyass

The gnat is back. Why don't you blow away like a leaf in the wind, newbie.

Lazyass

I would need a 56 but I've never touched one before. They actually have more of a touring geo than endurance, the bottom bracket is pretty low.

dksix

The BB being low would explain how they have such a tall stack and still have a pretty level top tube. What would be the advantage to a lower BB?

ErichVonCartman

It is! It was Christined Kate Upton Von Cartmann Santa Cruz Nomad! Keep in mind, that is just her personal name, and not a brand name.

link0

Unless you crash the bike hard, the frame will probably last longer than you.