Looking for Road or CX

[Birddog]

I am looking for a good deal on preferably a new road or CX bike (complete) with a top limit of around $1300. I've done a cursory search of some on-line sites but thought some of the sage members of this board had possibly already been onto something. I'd like it to have 105 or comparable components in 55cm or equivalent size. This is for my son and I hope to make it a surprise but that may not work out.
TIA,
Birddog

[4Rings6Stars]

If you're not positive on the size, surprise him with a fitting and a "coupon" for a $xx bike.

Then buy used!!! So many good deals on the used market, unless I am buying a custom frame, I doubt I will ever buy a new bike again.

[kenmetzger]

It may be hard to find a new 105 equipped bike around $1,300. 105 bikes will probably be in the $1,600-$2,000 range.

All-City makes some nice steel bikes built up with 105 groups. Mr. Pink for road and Macho Man for cross. If the $1,300 range is momre important, then it is hard to find a more versatile bike than the Volpe from Bianchi or All City's Space Horse. (Can you tell I prefer steel?)

4Ring6Stars is right that you can probably find a great deal on a used road bike, but used cross bikes are not quite as plentiful.

[s4life]

It may be hard to find a new 105 equipped bike around $1,300. 105 bikes will probably be in the $1,600-$2,000 range.

All-City makes some nice steel bikes built up with 105 groups. Mr. Pink for road and Macho Man for cross. If the $1,300 range is momre important, then it is hard to find a more versatile bike than the Volpe from Bianchi or All City's Space Horse. (Can you tell I prefer steel?)

4Ring6Stars is right that you can probably find a great deal on a used road bike, but used cross bikes are not quite as plentiful.

Ditto on the used idea.. It'll probably be good for your son to learn to enjoy the innerworkings of a bike so buying him a used one in good shape but which may need some tuning will get you a pretty nice bike for 1300. A caad10 with 105/ultegra mix wouldn't be a bad start

[InspectorGadget]

REI's anniversary sales starts May 17th and runs through May 27th. I don't know this for a fact yet, but in years past Novara bikes, the house brand, have been 20% off. That means you could buy a (mostly) 105 equiped Strada (http://www.rei.com/product/825905/novara-strada-bike-2013) for $880 and a 30th anniversary, (mostly) Ultegra equiped Trenta (http://www.rei.com/product/837484/novara-trenta-bike-2013) for $1280.

And if you get the wrong size, it's easy to exchange. Assuming there is an REI in your area. That would also help you maintain the element of surprise.

[vqdriver]

well, you'd have to build it up, but there's this on the board.

http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=128322

[scho74]

The Civilian looks decent:
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/frame/2012-civilian-bicycle-co--vive-le-roi---2012-10924.html

Also, the All-City Macho Man if you can go over 1300.

Bikesdirect.com has some inexpensive CX bikes equipped with 105 for about 900:
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fantom_cross_xi.htm

[Birddog]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. Son is an adult and is capable of a bike build but I wanted to avoid a piece meal approach. He just had his second frame in 2 years hit by a car (both times unmounted) and his components are a hodge podge of old 8 speed stuff. There is no compensation for his loss (complicated as they say) so he is nickel and diming it. I was hoping to get him something newer and 10 speed. The thinking was that possibly a CX bike would serve 2 masters. I'm not opposed to a used frame/fork and used component group. Not interested in CX disc though. Cantis would allow him to use current wheels as backups.