I posted up here before looking for recommendations, I decided I needed to go out and ride the bikes. At this point, I've ridden just about every bike my local shops carry in my price range and style I'm looking for. I'm looking to spend around 2k for full carbon, 105, and race geometry. This is my first road bike, all of them feel basically the same to me. They all have 105, carbon, all are between 1750-2000, and are all solid bikes. All shops have similar expertise, all have been very helpful. All shops are within 5 miles of my house. How does one choose? Is it as easy as picking the one that I like the look of best?
The bike's I've ridden:
Felt F5
Felt Z5
Specialized Tarmac Elite
Giant (race frame w/105, full carbon, forgot the name)
Giant (endurance frame w/105, carbon, forgot the name)
The only bike I have yet to ride that I would like to is a Cervelo. I love the paint on the Felt bikes, and I also like the tube design of the Specialized bikes (beefier bottom bracket). I can currently get the Felt F5 (2010) for $1750, the others are right around $1900-2. I don't really care for Trek since I had a bad experience, so they are on my "do not buy" list. Also, I'm 5'9 170lbs.
The bike's I've ridden:
Felt F5
Felt Z5
Specialized Tarmac Elite
Giant (race frame w/105, full carbon, forgot the name)
Giant (endurance frame w/105, carbon, forgot the name)
The only bike I have yet to ride that I would like to is a Cervelo. I love the paint on the Felt bikes, and I also like the tube design of the Specialized bikes (beefier bottom bracket). I can currently get the Felt F5 (2010) for $1750, the others are right around $1900-2. I don't really care for Trek since I had a bad experience, so they are on my "do not buy" list. Also, I'm 5'9 170lbs.