Road Bike advice

If you are willing to spend up to $2K US, there are a lot of full carbon options. Check out the Specialized Roubaix Elite ($1800), the Trek 5000 ($1929.99), the Felt 5c ($1999). There are many other quality brands as well (Giant, Cannondale, LeMonde, Klein, and Bianchi, to name a few). In this proce range, there is very little difference in quality, but there are differences in frame geometry. The proper fit, personal preference, and a LBS that will continue to provide good service after the sale should be the most important considerations. You cannot go wrong with any of these brands.

clack3rz said:

I've been to many manufacturers websites to read up, but it's all info overload.
Any advice, recommendations, reviews etc would be greatly appreciated!

My advice: go to all your local bike shops when you have time to let them fit you, and test ride any bike of interest. Ride aluminum bikes, aluminum with carbon forks and seat stays, full carbon bikes, and steel bikes. And remember even bikes that look the same can ride much differently. Most likely, one will rise to the top of your list.

Thanks all. I will go back to the LBS's and request a ride on some and I'm sure I will find a ride I luv. I only found that the LBS's would push a manufacturer that they maybe afiliated with, and being a 'newbie' to road bikes I wasn't sure if they were pushing the manufacturer or they were 'better' than the others.
FYI it was $1K - $2K AU. I'm not preferrable to Aluminium, carbon, or combo of the 2 (as I've never tried them out). So in the end I'll find a bike that suits my wants.

I've been to a few LBS's now and apart from the Giant's I've been guided towards a Fuji Team 06 (Full Carbon) for AU$1800 (was AU$2800)and an Alchemy 06 (Aluminium w/Carbon forks) for around the same price. Both of these I don't know much about.
Whilst the Fuji would be a great deal with full carbon at this price, why so cheap? The LBS said due to 06 range but at AU$2800 rrp originally still seems cheap.
The Alchemy was a nice looking bike and was very comparable to the Giant range and was a nice looking bike with Shimano Group Set (only a few left). This particular LBS claimed to have had an Alchemy and said it was a great bike.
The Fuji wasn't as nice looking but the LBS has lots in stock of 06 (maybe don't sell well?) but a very light bike with a lifetime warranty on frame.
Whilst I take all info on board, I always think that whilst I know I'll get a good deal on an 06 bike with 07 coming in - am I being guided towards any 06 bikes purely b/c the LBS needs to clear 06 stock?
Should I go with a manufacturer like these or should I stick with a more known one? I know that if the bike feels right I should go with it, but before I spend alot of time test-riding these bikes - does anyone have any advice on these manufacturers?

I've been told fuji 07 is the same frame as fuji 06 (just different stickers), and shimano is doing notihng that I've heard of for its road range.

So yes you are getting pushed towards the 06, but that is because they are offering a great deal.

Like everybody says, ride the bikes, and decide which feels best for you.

Fuji is not a big name in Australia, but they do have pro teams riding thier bikes around the world.

Phill P said:

I've been told fuji 07 is the same frame as fuji 06 (just different stickers), and shimano is doing notihng that I've heard of for its road range.

So yes you are getting pushed towards the 06, but that is because they are offering a great deal.

Like everybody says, ride the bikes, and decide which feels best for you.

Fuji is not a big name in Australia, but they do have pro teams riding thier bikes around the world.

Thanks. I'll just go and ride a few bikes and see what I like best. I guess I just get hung up on more known manufacturers, instead of just riding them all and seeing what is best for me!