any recs for a new road bike?

[kie_fujo]

I need a new road bike badly. The one I have is way to big. I tend to do long distances and am planning a century in september. I am looking at the specialized dolce elite. I think it is a beautiful bike, but if I could keep it under 1k I'd be happy. Any reviews on the elite or recs for something else to look into? I would like to keep it sub 20lbs with decent components!

[rij73]

If you want under 20 pounds for under $1000, you should look at lightly used bikes, I think! I've been doing research for my brother-in-law on good aluminum road bikes with carbon stays and carbon fork under 20 pounds, and everything I've come up with is a bit over $1000. Here's the list I've compiled for him. Some of these bikes come in a women's specific version if you need women's geometry...

Jamis Ventura Elite
http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/08_bikes/08venturaelite.html

Felt F75
http://www.feltracing.com/08/product.asp?catid=1504,1515&pid=8665

Specialized Roubaix
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=33108

Giant OCR A1
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/road/1242/29288/

Bianchi Via Nirone 7 105
http://www.bianchiusa.com/08_c2c_nirone_105.html

Trek 2.1
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/road/2_series/21/

Specialized Allez Elite
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=08Allez

Cannondale Six13-6
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/08/cusa/model-8RCT6D.html

[ilima]

Felt! Best sped'd bikes in the biz.

Felt has at least three 10-speed (105 level) equipped bikes retailing for $1100. No other manufacturer I know of can touch that. For that price, most are offering 9-speed (Tiagra) and I think Trek even throws some Sora on their bikes in that range, which amazes me.

There's the Felt F85; no carbon seat stays like the F75, but still under 20# and comes in at an amazing $1100 for a 105 10-speed bike. The FW35 is a woman's version. The Z70 is similarly priced, but with a triple instead of a compact crank up front.

[simi0712]

I fellow rider has Trek and he absolutely love it. I'm looking into getting an FW15. Great value! Felt is local in Sacramento and is very popular.... good reputation so far.