Purchasing new Road Bike - So Confused!

[rivergal]

I'd echo what others have suggested, test riding and research. Be sure that your test ride is on the proper size for you, too. If it's too big or too small, you may be not feeling the love that you might feel on the right size. A good LBS will know this, tho. Also, if it feels not quite right, even if they sized it for you, try the next size up/down if it's available.

3 years ago I bought my first entry level bike, which I don't regret, but I now I do want a better ride, so I'm going with carbon. First bike was a Felt ZW100. Next bike will be a Cannondale Synapse 5.

Geometry varies a lot. I like a more upright ride because of shoulder issues, so I loved the ride on the Synapse. You'll find the right ride for you, and you'll know it.

Now is a good time to buy, as it's the end of the model year for 2011, so you can get a good deal if they have your size.

[Nick]

I just wanted to say welcome and good luck with your decision making! So many choices to make can be overwhelming. I had to make similar ones for a mountain bike. I ended up selecting the one I really wanted even though it cost more than I originally planned to pay. She just came in today, and I'm in love :-)

[Koronin]

I bought my first road bike last summer. I bought a used road bike. Mine is a Trek 2000. I really like enjoy riding it. Also bought a new mountain bike last summer. I've had issues getting it to feel right, but after hubby made some adjustments last weekend and last night, I finally have it feeling much more like my road bike. (Just need to find a saddle for it that I'm happy with). I was really happy to get my road bike last summer and hopefully someday eventually (no money right now) can get a Madone. The one I have my eye on is the Madone 4.5 men's version. I just wish they had the men's version in 47cm in all the different choices.

[KatzPajamas]

Newbie as of May this year. Bought Cannondale Synapse Alloy5 with 105 components. I have put 400 very comfortable miles on it so far (been way too hot recently to do more). Yesterday was cruising @ avg speed of 15mph on my 25 mile ride. May not sound like much, but for a overweight, close to 60yr old lady, I am delighted with my progress and my Synapse! My hubby has a 7year old Synapse that he has put 8000 miles on! He has done several GOBAs (350-400mile week ride in Ohio), and numerous 75mile rides over the last 7 years. Recently he did One Helluva Ride in Chelsea, Michigan with a small group of older guys like him. After the ride, one of the guys asked him how he likes his new Synapse!
We were at LBS yesterday and comparing CAAD 10 with Madone 5.2. For about $1000 less, the CAAD10 is extremely comparable. We both test rode CAADs and loved them. It is much stiffer and therefore more aggressive than our Synapses, and I could tell just on the test ride.
Of course, it is all personal preference. Definitely find a LBS that will do fitting both before and after purchase. My shop spent at least an hour with me both before and after and that was included in the price-I paid $1299 for my Synapse, which is the price quoted on Cannondale website. From what I have read on this forum, some shop charge extra for the fitting. Check out Bikeworks in Sylvania, Ohio ~ http://thebikeworks.com/. Ask for Heather~she is a wonderful person to work with~
They also sell fun stuff, like the pink Cateye computer that was asked about in another thread! ENJOY!

[Owlie]

CAAD's aluminum (presumably with carbon fork), though. The Madone is full carbon, so of course it's going to cost more.

If you can find one in your size, do give it a shot, though. DBF says his R2000 (the forerunner to the CAAD series) is a much nicer ride than his old Giant (basically, my bike), though how much is due to the higher-quality aluminum and how much was because of other stuff, I don't know.