road bike for price range of $500-$600

[Aggie_Ama]

I had a Fuji Finest for 2.5 years, not sure if they still make that one. The bike did everything I asked of her, so no complaints about Fuji.

[indigoiis]

Indigoiis, do you have any spec info on this bike we could look at?

I had a heck of a time finding specs online, but here's a 2003 spec on epinions.com... I am not sure how different the 2005 is... it is an aluminum frame and has all that shimano stuff on it, from what I recall. The frame is small but seemed to fit right, although DH says I will be surprised when I try more bikes today.

http://www.epinions.com/bicycles_2003_Fuji_Newest

[Aggie_Ama]

http://www.fujibikes.com/2005/bikes.asp?id=11

You had to dig into the history of Fuji bikes.

[indigoiis]

I test rode this today: http://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bike...id=1413003&f=3 and it fit nicely and rode nicely as well.

Now I'm just confused.

I guess I'll have to do a side by side comparison - but it's two different bike shops (my lbs doesn't carry trek.)

[Zen]

I know you're working with a budget but from my limited experience I'd advise you to pay attention to that specs page on the Trek site where it does a component comparison of "good-better-best"

I'd go for "better", at least.
Now you're going to be even more confused.

[surgtech1956]

I rode the Trek 1000 wsd and Giant OCR 3w and liked the Giant better, plus it was about $60 less. I just have to wait for the LBS to get in my size.

[Starfish]

I had a heck of a time finding specs online, but here's a 2003 spec on epinions.com... I am not sure how different the 2005 is... it is an aluminum frame and has all that shimano stuff on it, from what I recall. The frame is small but seemed to fit right, although DH says I will be surprised when I try more bikes today.

http://www.epinions.com/bicycles_2003_Fuji_Newest

Sorry, I can't offer any opinions on the Tiagra group. My bike has 105.

[nicole309]

Was it last year that Bicycling Mag put the Trek 1000 as the best road bike for the price? It has a msrp of $709 on the website, and that's a 2007. It comes in men's sizes and WSD so your chances of finding a fit are greater. You may find last year's model cheaper. From postings here, I know that bikingmomof3 loves hers! And you would have a(n) lbs to help you out or answer questions and make adjustments. May be a tad more than you want to spend, but worth it in the long run. It will hold it's value (for resale) better in case you decide to upgrade later. Maybe I should restate - for when you definitely decide to upgrade later.

Trek 1000 (I hope)

You can always go used. I bought my 2006 Trek 1000 used for $325. It belonged to a guy who used it only as his race bike. It was like new. Check Craig's list and E-Bay. You can definately find some great deals out there.