I'm a college-aged club triathlete that mainly focuses on triathlons in the spring and fall. This past season I have really started to excel in the bike leg. With both of those in mind I really want to spend the summer doing some local and state bike races. My only issue is I only have a TT and I'm on a pretty low budget. Is it possible to find a decent road bike ready for racing around the $1000 range? I have no problem with it being used, as long as it's in good shape. I would prefer something with Ultegra or better, but I'm fine with 105. Is this realistic or not even close?
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Re: Decent road race bike at or around $1000: is it possible? [JeffreyIThink]
[ In reply to ]
Pick up a used CAAD10/12. That is the best bet that is going to be durable, easy to work on, have a good component setup, and affordable. You can also look for a Trek Emonda ALR or a Specialized Allez. A lot of used bikes in this price range tend to be alloy endurance bikes that people sell when they move to carbon.
Re: Decent road race bike at or around $1000: is it possible? [JeffreyIThink]
[ In reply to ]
Ofcourse it is. My road bike cost me half of your budget and I raced tris on it my first year, even a half and a full. It was alloy with box rim wheels and in no way was it holding me back. For your budget you should be able to get a cannondale caad with ultegra or something similar, great for road racing. New is prob a stretch, at that price point they really start to skimp on things like brakes, wheels, bars, etc.
Re: Decent road race bike at or around $1000: is it possible? [JeffreyIThink]
[ In reply to ]
Craigslist, i bought a 2013 Cervelo R3 with 105 (Shimano 5700) off CL for 1200. I sold the wheels and some other stuff off it and got the price down to $1050, it only had 200ish miles on it. You just have to be patient and check CL everyday. A bike will pop up that you are looking for in your range and size.
ishi no ue ni san nen | Perseverance will win in the end. | Blog | @nebmot | Strava | Instagram |
ishi no ue ni san nen | Perseverance will win in the end. | Blog | @nebmot | Strava | Instagram |
Re: Decent road race bike at or around $1000: is it possible? [JeffreyIThink]
[ In reply to ]
Look at Nashbar's "105 Carbon Road Bike". It's an unbranded Fuji frame (if you dig around you'll see Nashbar, Performance Bike, and Fuji share ownership). It's often for sale for ~$925.
Re: Decent road race bike at or around $1000: is it possible? [JeffreyIThink]
[ In reply to ]
What wheels do you own? Often second-hand at this price you'll find great frames and decent groupsets on bad wheels.
'It never gets easier, you just get crazier.'
'It never gets easier, you just get crazier.'
Re: Decent road race bike at or around $1000: is it possible? [JeffreyIThink]
[ In reply to ]
As you've mentioned, go second hand. Take your time and sooner or later a great bargain will show up. Just be aware of your correct frame size.
Re: Decent road race bike at or around $1000: is it possible? [JeffreyIThink]
[ In reply to ]
What size do you need. I have some demo bikes barely ridden I can offer in your budget depending on size. And where are u located
55 culprit croz blade
52.5 culprit roadi
58 arrow one
Tks
Joshua
55 culprit croz blade
52.5 culprit roadi
58 arrow one
Tks
Joshua
Re: Decent road race bike at or around $1000: is it possible? [JeffreyIThink]
[ In reply to ]
Fuji Roubaix 1.1 from Performance:
PC browser link: http://www.performancebike.com/..._1186434_-1___000000
Mobile browser link: http://www.performancebike.com/...52_1186434_-1_catNav
[edited to add non-mobile site link]
"They're made of latex, not nitroglycerin"
PC browser link: http://www.performancebike.com/..._1186434_-1___000000
Mobile browser link: http://www.performancebike.com/...52_1186434_-1_catNav
[edited to add non-mobile site link]
"They're made of latex, not nitroglycerin"
Re: Decent road race bike at or around $1000: is it possible? [JeffreyIThink]
[ In reply to ]
I'm digging my Felt FR and though the msrp is a little north of your 1,000 budget, a local felt dealer may be able hook you up with a college/club discount to get it in line with your price. If not, I'd guess second hand is the way to go. Or check out mybikeshop.com.
Re: Decent road race bike at or around $1000: is it possible? [JeffreyIThink]
[ In reply to ]
I raced ITU on a CAAD10 with 105 that I originally bought for $1,000 new.
Companies are doing some cool stuff with high end aluminum, and yes, you'll live fine with 105. When that wore out, I gradually replaced it with ultegra. Ultimately it was the bike's position and money burning a hole in my pocket that "forced" me to upgrade, not feeling like the bike was inferior.
IG: idking90
Companies are doing some cool stuff with high end aluminum, and yes, you'll live fine with 105. When that wore out, I gradually replaced it with ultegra. Ultimately it was the bike's position and money burning a hole in my pocket that "forced" me to upgrade, not feeling like the bike was inferior.
IG: idking90
Re: Decent road race bike at or around $1000: is it possible? [JeffreyIThink]
[ In reply to ]
Buy used for the best value.
Re: Decent road race bike at or around $1000: is it possible? [JeffreyIThink]
[ In reply to ]
C'dale CAAD, Trek ALR, Giant SLR, Spesh Allez, and the list goes on - there's amazing value for money going on with modern alu frames and I, for one, don't see a reason to look beyond that for racing. Plus, you will crash and you might wreck a frame, so it's best if that frame was cheap to begin with.
ZONE3 - We Last Longer
ZONE3 - We Last Longer
Re: Decent road race bike at or around $1000: is it possible? [JeffreyIThink]
[ In reply to ]
Bikesdirect.com has the Fuji Transonic with a 105 group for $1199 shipped. My brother in law just picked one up. A very nice bike for the money and an aero frame too.
Re: Decent road race bike at or around $1000: is it possible? [JeffreyIThink]
[ In reply to ]
Ok, it is not as important as it is with a TT/Tri bike. But first figure out what geometry will fit you then start looking for used aluminum bikes. Specialized Allez, Cannondale CAAD series. Fit will be the biggest factor on whether or not you are comfortable and powerful on the bike. And once you know what you are looking for, finding a used bike becomes a lot easier, and you will regret it less.
Re: Decent road race bike at or around $1000: is it possible? [JeffreyIThink]
[ In reply to ]
A local college age kid I know started racing on a $1000 Fuji from Performance. He did fine on that bike. In fact, within 12 months of his first race he was a Cat 2. He did eventually get a new bike, but he did not pay retail for that one ;-)
You can go used too. It is kind hard to get a great deal on your first bike used since the best way to get a great used bike is to be tuned into the local ride/race scene but scope out Craig's List, or better, a local bike classified group on FaceBook, long enough and you will find a killer deal for $1000.
You can go used too. It is kind hard to get a great deal on your first bike used since the best way to get a great used bike is to be tuned into the local ride/race scene but scope out Craig's List, or better, a local bike classified group on FaceBook, long enough and you will find a killer deal for $1000.
Re: Decent road race bike at or around $1000: is it possible? [JeffreyIThink]
[ In reply to ]
I have a used Supersix with Rival/Force that I need to sell. I was asking $1300 but it hasn't gone yet and I could work a deal to help a college kid. Send me a PM!
Re: Decent road race bike at or around $1000: is it possible? [HardKnox]
[ In reply to ]
I'd suggest looking around some Cannondale dealers in your area for closeouts on CAAD 10's, those are the best "budget" race bike by far, if you get lucky you can find last years model with 105 for just a bit over a grand
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http://www.instagram.com/cyclewise
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http://www.instagram.com/cyclewise
Re: Decent road race bike at or around $1000: is it possible? [JeffreyIThink]
[ In reply to ]
Used is the way to go!
However, if you want to shop new I'd suggest trying local sporting goods stores that also carry bikes. I find they're more interested in moving old product vs a LBS when the season is over. I managed to scoop my ar5 for 40% off this way.
However, if you want to shop new I'd suggest trying local sporting goods stores that also carry bikes. I find they're more interested in moving old product vs a LBS when the season is over. I managed to scoop my ar5 for 40% off this way.
Re: Decent road race bike at or around $1000: is it possible? [ironcode]
[ In reply to ]
Pick up a used CAAD10/12. That is the best bet that is going to be durable, easy to work on, have a good component setup, and affordable. You can also look for a Trek Emonda ALR or a Specialized Allez. A lot of used bikes in this price range tend to be alloy endurance bikes that people sell when they move to carbon.
I second the Cannondale CAAD series and the Specialized Allez's The aluminum framed bikes are were the real deals are at.
I bumped into a guy on a ride last summer. He was riding a black-on-black Allez, with Ultegra. You had to get up real close to even see it was aluminum. It was a super cool looking bike - from 5 - 10 ft away, you would have sworn it was carbon!
Spring for higher end 700 x 25 tires, and run them at 85 - 90 psi (as you should be) and the bike will ride really well and feel great!
Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog
I second the Cannondale CAAD series and the Specialized Allez's The aluminum framed bikes are were the real deals are at.
I bumped into a guy on a ride last summer. He was riding a black-on-black Allez, with Ultegra. You had to get up real close to even see it was aluminum. It was a super cool looking bike - from 5 - 10 ft away, you would have sworn it was carbon!
Spring for higher end 700 x 25 tires, and run them at 85 - 90 psi (as you should be) and the bike will ride really well and feel great!
Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog
Re: Decent road race bike at or around $1000: is it possible? [BKyle]
[ In reply to ]
BKyle wrote:
I'm digging my Felt FR and though the msrp is a little north of your 1,000 budget, a local felt dealer may be able hook you up with a college/club discount to get it in line with your price. If not, I'd guess second hand is the way to go. Or check out mybikeshop.com.i bought my tri bike at http://www.mybikeshop.com and couldnt be happier. great experience working with them to get what i wanted. Brian should be able to make something work for you.
good luck
Re: Decent road race bike at or around $1000: is it possible? [Fleck]
[ In reply to ]
Quote:
I bumped into a guy on a ride last summer. He was riding a black-on-black AllezLast summer I got to do a group ride with a few members of a US pro crit team who were in town supporting a charity ride my club was helping out with. All of them were riding aluminum Allez' - with box rim training wheels. And, yes, the were a lot faster than us folks on Madones and Venges rolling Zipps.
Re: Decent road race bike at or around $1000: is it possible? [JeffreyIThink]
[ In reply to ]
Hey Jeff... I work for mybikeshop.com. happy to help if we can. What size do you need?
more bikes and gear available at:
http://www.mybikeshop.com
sales@mybikeshop.com
more bikes and gear available at:
http://www.mybikeshop.com
sales@mybikeshop.com
Re: Decent road race bike at or around $1000: is it possible? [mybikeshop]
[ In reply to ]
I'm a size 54, got anything race-ready in my size?
Re: Decent road race bike at or around $1000: is it possible? [JeffreyIThink]
[ In reply to ]
Go to your local Cannonade dealer. C-dale was clearing both the Supersix and CAAD12 stuff. I think the CAAD12 105 was around $1300.