USA-made road bike for under $2K?

[eofelis]

but I'd want to build it up with decent components and good wheels--and that really adds up.

My bf bike mechanic/wheel builder has Mavic Open Pro wheels (Ultegra or DA hubs) on all 5 of the road bikes in our house. He likes those wheels a lot. They are not fancy looking boutique low spoke count wheels. But inexpensive, easy to maintain, ride great.

[indysteel]

My bf bike mechanic/wheel builder has Mavic Open Pro wheels (Ultegra or DA hubs) on all 5 of the road bikes in our house. He likes those wheels a lot. They are not fancy looking boutique low spoke count wheels. But inexpensive, easy to maintain, ride great.

I don't doubt that, but a lot of men can get by riding beefier factory wheels. Women--depending on their weight--often benefit from wheels built for lighter riders. I am a big fan of my low spoke count handbuildts. They're a pretty basic build, but have a really nice ride. Regardless, decent wheels can make a huge difference in ride quality, be they factory or handbuilt. And it's an expense a lot of people don't factor when considering the cost of buying a custom bike. That was the main thrust of my comment.

[eofelis]

I don't doubt that, but a lot of men can get by riding beefier factory wheels. Women--depending on their weight--often benefit from wheels built for lighter riders. I am a big fan of my low spoke count handbuildts. They're a pretty basic build, but have a really nice ride. Regardless, decent wheels can make a huge difference in ride quality, be they factory or handbuilt. And it's an expense a lot of people don't factor when considering the cost of buying a custom bike. That was the main thrust of my comment.

My 2007 Specialized Ruby came with Ultegra 6600 wheels. Low spoke count, bladed spokes. Nice wheels. When we switched my bike to a 11-36 cassette that was the one hub that the cassette wouldn't go on, so we went to the Open Pros on 6700 Ultegra hubs. I did notice a big improvement in the ride quality of the bike with the Open Pros, compared to the 6600s. Sold the 6600s to a friend that likes to ride fast and wanted stiff wheels.