Entry level carbon WSD road bike?

[bluebug32]

I've just started researching road bikes. I've been riding an aluminum cyclocross bike with road tires and am hooked on road riding, so I'd like to drop a little weight and find a dedicated road bike that will be more comfortable for long efforts in the saddle. I've test ridden an Orbea Onix TDA and a Trek Madone 4.5 WSD. I liked the Trek's geometry a little better because of the taller head tube, but the Orbea was a sweet ride as well and felt much smoother.

Any other bikes I should check out? Personal recommendations mean a lot. I'm looking to keep the price around 2k or below.

[alpinerabbit]

[personal opinion]I would ditch the carbon for better components[/personal opinion] - You can get a fine alu bike with good stuff on it, I think it would make you just as happy. If it fits. Never mind if that is entirely not what you wanted to hear. But it's what I did.

[Cataboo]

I think a carbon fiber fork & carbon fiber seat stays make a huge difference on an aluminum frame - if you do decide to go with aluminum.

[Aggie_Ama]

I am pretty happy with my Cannondale Synapse in carbon and I am also very happy with my 105/Ultegra mix.

[CyborgQueen]

Any other bikes I should check out? Personal recommendations mean a lot. I'm looking to keep the price around 2k or below.

Cannondale is nice - they're coming out with new models next month (at least that's what I'm told), so LBS may want to get rid of instock bikes, you may get a good deal out of them if you want Carbon.

Full carbon bikes probably will set you back more than 2k...I think.

Other bikes you can check out - Cervelos, Jamis, Felt.

[tulip]

Jamis has some really nice bikes. Carbon seat stays and forks on a steel bike are great. I am partial to steel over carbon and alu bikes, but that's my personal opinion (based on 28 years of touring, commuting and racing, but personal all the same).

[tongue_tied]

I have a Blue RD-1. It has a full carbon frame, with 105 componetry and fits right into the price range you're looking for. You should give it a try... it's a great bike.

[bluebug32]

I have a Blue RD-1. It has a full carbon frame, with 105 componetry and fits right into the price range you're looking for. You should give it a try... it's a great bike.

I've heard great things about this bike. It's difficult to find a dealer near me to do a test ride. How slack are the angles? Does it sit you in a more upright or aggressive position?

[Zen]

Blue geometry specs here

[tongue_tied]

I've heard great things about this bike. It's difficult to find a dealer near me to do a test ride. How slack are the angles? Does it sit you in a more upright or aggressive position?

I guess it's more "upright" than other road bikes - I spoke with one of the sales reps and it's a bike made to satisfy both sexes, so it's sort of a middle ground bike. It's stiff in handling and agressive to ride. I test rode a Specialized Dolce (?) in the same size to make sure that the Blue would work for me... I also couldn't test ride one because no one had the RD-1 in my size. The only real difference I noticed between the Specialized and the Blue was the length of the seatpost to the handlebars. I feel a bit more stretched on the Blue than on the Specialized, but I was almost too cramped on the Specialized anyway. I feel like I'm rambling, but if you want to PM me, I can talk more about it, in a more coherent manner (probably :] )