Cheapest good bike with 105 group

[Langs_Sydney]

Hello

Steve from Sydney nice to meet you all.

I had a road bike for about 8 years back in the UK and loved it, had a full 105 groupset (back in the days where the shifters were on the frame my friends) and a Reynolds 501 frame......Did me proud

Now I am once again in the market for a roadbike over in Oz, I basically don't really want to spend more than 1600 bucks australian. I have been looking at the trek 1200 but it's got a Tiagra groupset, is this OK, I lovd the smooth shifting of my 105 racer and I want to make sure the gears are smooth.

Are there any other good quality starting out bikes that feature a 105 groupset for under 1700 in Australia ?

I have seen this and I wonder what you fellas think of this deal, A Diamondback ? I have never heard of it ?

http://www.cyclelink.com.au/prod4830.htm


Any other makes I should be looking at with 105 ?

Look forward to your advice.


Steve

 

[Spectatorsport]

Not sure if you have had any experiences with Fuji Cycles, but they make a bike that might fit in your price range with a 105 group set.
I just bought a 2002 'new' Roubaix Pro and I liked it so far (but due to college I haven't had a chance to ride it much though). It had the older 853 Reynolds Steel Frame. I test drove a 2005 Roubaix Pro and Roubaix and like the ride / overall bike a lot but could not afford them. I have been doing a lot of duathlons versus just cycling.
The MSRP for these Road Bikes USD is around 1200-1300. Not sure how this converts to Australian money or how it's price in the Aussie Market.

http://www.fujibikes.com/2005/bikes.asp?id=9
Fuji Roubaix Pro (Aluminum Frame with Carbon Fork and Seat Stays, with Double Crank) with Shimano 105 Group Set
or
http://www.fujibikes.com/2005/bikes.asp?id=10
Fuji Roubaix (Aluminum Frame with Carbon Fork and Seat Stays, with Triple Crank) with Shimano 105 Group Set

There Aussie Contact Distributor is
AUSTRALIA
EuroSolutions
PO Box 34
Oatley, NSW 2223
Tel: ++61/2/9559-9017
Fax: ++61/2/9594-5849
[email protected]

 

[ghostpedal]

Sorry, I'm not in Australia, but I was looking at the same thing. My criteria was 105 and a generally nice bicycle. After much research, I decided on a Giant TCR2 (the aluminum one) for about $1000 here in the United States. I do not have any further impressions, as I am picking up the bike new today, but I did do a lot of research and thought that was the best bike for the money with good components. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[tbuc]

I purchased a 2004 Specialized Allez Elite last year. I love it. If you can find a 2004, I'm sure you could get a fantastic deal.

http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=6008&JServSessionIdroot=7n00pdlqcz.j27005

 

[varcon06]

The cheapest way I've found to buy a good bike is to buy the frame and groupset seperately, then assemble it yourself. Two years ago I bought a used Bianchi frame for thirty dollars and put a full Campanolo Veloce gruppo (which is priced about the same as 105) for an additional $350. I went to a local bike shop and found a bike exactly like mine in every way except for the color. This bike sold for $900. If you have had any experience with bicycle mechanics I think this would be a good option to consider.

 

[Doctor Morbius]

... Any other makes I should be looking at with 105 ? ...

The 2005 Giant OCR 1 even has a fair amount of Ultegra with an MSRP of $1000 here in the states. However, I don't know what that would go for down under. It's geared for the sports rider and as such doesn't have the extreme positions of some road bikes.

Here in the U.S. a mostly 105 equipped bike will run approx. $900 to $1100 at an LBS.

http://www.giant-bicycle.com/us/030.000.000/030.000.000.asp?model=11025

 

[Scotty1981]

Dont really wana say to much bout Daimondback, I had one and it was no good. It was a mountain bike though. As for bikes n Aus for around $1500-$1600 mark you could pick up a Learsport 8000 for around $1500 with 105, Felt F70 also 105 for bout $1500-$1600 ( Probably a better bike than the Learsport ), Giant OCR1 $1600-$1700, Specialized Allez Sport Tiagra/105 $1500-$1600 to name a few. I'd probably recomend the Felt out of all those bikes

 

[lowriderbiker]

i would say check out www.mbbike.com , they have a really good site!
lowrider, bmx, choppers, beach cruisers you name it! parts also!..

 

[Langs_Sydney]

Nice one guys, loads of things for me to sift through this weekend.