I'm wanting to get a road bike. Ideally I'd love to get a real road racer but realistically I'm more likely to use it most for commuting and touring.
I'm currently based in Taiwan so prices can be good but I've found choice limited, e.g. although they are GIANT manufacturers you can't get OCR0 and 1 here. There are also not heaps of road bikes.
So far I've seen 3:
GiaNT FCR 1
Schwinn Supersport GX
Specialised Sirrus
Schwinn is the best deal (both cheapest of 3 and good % less than out of Taiwan) and has good components - e.g. 105 rear. It is a dull beige and not exciting to look at.
FCR seems comparable to Schwinn but is dearer and not so good components. Looks good. Prices good compared to those outside of UK
Specialised (international version on web not UK/ USA) is only a little less than UK/ USA but looks and feels good (based only so far on sitting on it in the shop). It is a bit dearer than Schwinn but cheaper than FCR1. I can get it upgraded to 105 for a total a little above the FCR1.
I'd love it if someone who knows something about bikes could let me know how these compare. Looks Specialized wins. Price Schwinn wins. Deal based on outside of UK Schwinn wins. Components - not sure between Schwinn and Specialised upgraded with 105. I'm still trying to learn and understand and value terminology.
Be great if anyone can help
PLEASE
Thanks
JD