what is the Best bang for buck Road bike (-$2200)

[nyccvs]

I'm looking for my first road bike to get into amature racing ( i'm an old BMX guy) I tested a cannondale six carbon 5 / Trek Madone 4.5 and a Specialized Roubaix. Help!!! I want to go riding this weekend and cant make up my mind

 

[titleshot]

The Cannondale Caad9's are really good for the money, get one of those and get a good set of wheels and you will be golden.

 

[redstar]

The Giant TCR Advanced 3. A true racing frame.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

Test rode a new Masi GC at a friends' shop, pretty sweet. http://www.masibikes.com/competition/gran-criterium/

I wouldn't really go by forum suggestions for a bike though, you've gotta get out to the shops and test ride to see what you like best, like what you've been doing up to this point.

 

[Bustedknuckle]

I'm looking for my first road bike to get into amature racing ( i'm an old BMX guy) I tested a cannondale six carbon 5 / Trek Madone 4.5 and a Specialized Roubaix. Help!!! I want to go riding this weekend and cant make up my mind

Often you buy the bike shop more than the bike..which provides real bike fitting complete with hbar/stem/saddle swaps if needed? PLUS ride quality is 100% subjective but ya gotta do a fairly long test ride. All bikes feel good when ridden around the block.

 

[Buddha]

Specialized

I just got the 2010 Specialized Roubaix Elite Compact for $1600, brand new.

 

[rgmerk]

I'm looking for my first road bike to get into amature racing ( i'm an old BMX guy) I tested a cannondale six carbon 5 / Trek Madone 4.5 and a Specialized Roubaix. Help!!! I want to go riding this weekend and cant make up my mind

Note the the Roubaix is a "sportive" bike - as I understand it the Allez is the out-and-out race bike in the Specialized line. Many other manufacturers do something similar (Giant has the Defy sportive line, and the TCR race bikes, for instance). A sportive bike is a bit more comfortable and less twitchy, but less stiff (which supposedly matters in hard acceleration).

The differences are subtle, and you can race a sportive bike - plenty of people do. But you should probably give both a try to see which style you prefer.

Rest assured that whatever bike you buy you will a) start dreaming of bits and pieces to add to it, b) you'll want a brand new bike, and c) neither a nor b will make you go substantially better in races!