Best Road bike under $1000 (ideally $700)?

Trevor Jakes said:

Hi, I’m commuting a *lot* on a mountain bike on flat city streetsin
Tucson, AZ. I’m going to go carless and want something better/faster.

Also, when I say under $1,000 that’s total, including shipping, tax,
assembly/tune-up (I’m no mechanic), etc. Low maintenance is a priority
as well. I’m willing to buy used if I can get it from a reputablesource
such as an e-Bay seller with a good sales history with no applicable
negative feedback. And I really don’t have to spend $1,000 ($700 or less
would be ideal, though I suppose so would $1).

I’ll be riding every day on flat pavement, but comfort is more important
than. No snow (well, maybe 1 day every 7 years). Lots of rain in the
summer/monsoon season. I don’t race and generally sprint only when I’m
in a great mood or angry

CRITERIA:

Low maintenance
Comfortable (not like a “racer” – comfort is moreimportant than speed,
cross terrain okay for that? Recumbent?)
Good for everyday use
Any gears (don’t care: single speed or multi-gear – whichis better for me?)
Pannier (can handle installation of a massive pannier)

CONSIDERING:

Bianchi (Strata, Bergamo)
LandRider Deluxe or Elite
Trek (Portland)
Other suggestions?

Buy a used RANS Rocket [1] - they can be had for $400-600 in decent
condition. The
RANS Rocket is much more comfortable than any upright bicycle, faster
in flat terrain; works well in urban riding, and can be set up to carry
a large seat back bag and four panniers. [2]

[1] Newest version shown here <http://www.ransbikes.com/Rocket.htm>.
[2] See
<http://www.phred.org/~alex/pictures/bikes/rocket/loaded-1.jpg>.

--
Tom Sherman - Fox River Valley

Looks Sweet, thanks Tom! -trev

Trevor Jakes said:

Hi, I’m commuting a *lot* on a mountain bike on flat city streets in
Tucson, AZ. I’m going to go carless and want something better/faster.

Also, when I say under $1,000 that’s total, including shipping, tax,
assembly/tune-up (I’m no mechanic), etc. Low maintenance is a priority
as well. I’m willing to buy used if I can get it from a reputable source
such as an e-Bay seller with a good sales history with no applicable
negative feedback. And I really don’t have to spend $1,000 ($700 or less
would be ideal, though I suppose so would $1).

I’ll be riding every day on flat pavement, but comfort is more important
than. No snow (well, maybe 1 day every 7 years). Lots of rain in the
summer/monsoon season. I don’t race and generally sprint only when I’m
in a great mood or angry

CRITERIA:

Low maintenance
Comfortable (not like a “racer” – comfort is more important than speed,
cross terrain okay for that? Recumbent?)
Good for everyday use
Any gears (don’t care: single speed or multi-gear – which is better for
me?)
Pannier (can handle installation of a massive pannier)

CONSIDERING:

Bianchi (Strata, Bergamo)
LandRider Deluxe or Elite
Trek (Portland)
Other suggestions?

Thanks!
-trev

PS: Some of the review sites like roadbikereviews.com look like they do
too much e-commerce to review objectively (like a “shop now” button by
each bike, plus sparse reviews and no editorial accountability – just
like Amazon reviews). Cycling magazine and http://www.cyclingnews.com
are for pros. Any ideas on good sites?

Tom,
What sort of light is that on front? Or am I misreading the photo?
TIA
Dave

"Johnny Sunset" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Trevor Jakes said:

Hi, I'm commuting a *lot* on a mountain bike on flat city streets in
Tucson, AZ. I'm going to go carless and want something better/faster.

Also, when I say under $1,000 that's total, including shipping, tax,
assembly/tune-up (I'm no mechanic), etc. Low maintenance is a priority
as well. I'm willing to buy used if I can get it from a reputable source
such as an e-Bay seller with a good sales history with no applicable
negative feedback. And I really don't have to spend $1,000 ($700 or less
would be ideal, though I suppose so would $1?).

I'll be riding every day on flat pavement, but comfort is more important
than. No snow (well, maybe 1 day every 7 years). Lots of rain in the
summer/monsoon season. I don't race and generally sprint only when I'm
in a great mood or angry?

CRITERIA:

Low maintenance
Comfortable (not like a "racer" - comfort is more important than speed,
cross terrain okay for that? Recumbent?)
Good for everyday use
Any gears (don't care: single speed or multi-gear - which is better for
me?)
Pannier (can handle installation of a massive pannier)

CONSIDERING:

Bianchi (Strata, Bergamo)
LandRider Deluxe or Elite
Trek (Portland)
Other suggestions?

Buy a used RANS Rocket [1] - they can be had for $400-600 in decent
condition. The
RANS Rocket is much more comfortable than any upright bicycle, faster
in flat terrain; works well in urban riding, and can be set up to carry
a large seat back bag and four panniers. [2]

[1] Newest version shown here <http://www.ransbikes.com/Rocket.htm>.
[2] See
<http://www.phred.org/~alex/pictures/bikes/rocket/loaded-1.jpg>.

--
Tom Sherman - Fox River Valley

Dave Braden said:

Tom,
What sort of light is that on front? Or am I misreading the photo?
TIA
Dave

It is not my bike, but if you go to the web page and scroll down to
"Lighting" it is a Shimano Nexus hub generator and a Lumotec Oval
light. See <http://www.phred.org/~alex/bikes/rocket.html>.

--
Tom Sherman - Fox River Valley