Sub $3500 Complete Bike Options

[SamIAm]

I have a friend who asked me to help her choose a sub $3500 complete bike. I'm sure there are a lot of options that come equipped with Shimano/SRAM gear. She has specifically requested Carbon/Campy/Good Wheels.

I don't mind building the bike up for her and sourcing the components/wheels, but I would still need a carbon frame to start with and I know nothing in this area. Suggestions welcome.

I would guess wheels/components would run close to $2100 or so. That leaves me in the $1400-$1500 range for the frame.

[rnhood]

My first thought is go with a Specialized Almira (or Ruby), or Trek WSD but the fact is, only the top models are available as frame sets and these are expensive. Another idea is the Cervelo R3 frame and it should be available in your budgeted ballpark (for a frame set). Good all around bike and suitably lightweight.

I think the deal is better if you purchase the entire bike. Both Spec and Trek offer very good fully built carbon bikes in the $3500 +/- range.

Of course the older Parlee Z4 might still be available, and maybe in this price range too ($1500). Its obsolete but still a very good bike (and lightweight).

[93legendti]

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1128060_-1_400306__400306

[Climb01742]

i might take a spin through the competitive cyclist site. they always seem to have a number of complete bikes on sale at what seem like very good prices.

[ultraman6970]

Wish my budgets were 3500 bucks lol...

Dont know her size but I will asume petite, if that's the case there is a ridley orion in XS size for the right price. Sure nobody she knows has a ridley aswell, get some like pink car tape and put some pink stuff here and there and ready to go, female frame, black with pink accents.

There is a set of 45 or 50 mm tubular wheels for the right price aswell, then the only thing you might need is maybe change the rear hub for a campy one unless you want to go shimano/sram and in that case you need nothing else.

Parts... well you still have like 2500 bucks to get a group, chorus 11 speed is like 1600?? then you still have 800 bucks for the saddle, searpost, handlebar, stem and the tubulars.

You might end up with money for a movie and dinner at the end.

Good luck.

[Joachim]

Wish my budgets were 3500 bucks lol...


You might end up with money for a movie and dinner at the end.

Good luck.

His divorce lawyer will cost more than the dinner and a movie.

[beeatnik]

A piece of mind build could start with one of these:

Great starter carbon frameset from Litespeed
http://www.coloradocyclist.com/product/item/LITADMUX

Made by Sarto and would prolly retail for 4 grand
http://www.planet-x-usa.com/product-p/frsahmcarr.htm

Kinda sexy and for the ladies
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/orbea-orca-dama-gold-frameset-womens?ti=UExQIENhdDpSb2FkIEJpa2VzOjE6MjA6Y2NDYXQx MDAxNzE

Then go with a mix of Chorus and Athena, $500 Campy wheels, Deda cockpit, all from the UK and you're under $3500.

[binxnyrwarrsoul]

There's a sweet full Centaur kit, NOS for $575. That is just a start. I've built $10K+ bikes for less than $4K (hell, I'm in msgs to build a $15K project for less than $5K.), admittedly not carbon (one was custom ti) but Campy, mid/high end and all damn sweet (IIDSSM) utilizing the help/info/leads of generous members here, obsessive search's (here, cl and ebay) and a lot of patience. It's doable, if you have all of those. All starts with a "WTB carbon frameset."

[RedRider]

For womens specific geometry, I like the Colnago CLD with the Ultegra package for $3599. Buying a complete bicycle will usually cost less than putting it together yourself.
This is an awesome frame which is $2469 F&F. Wheels can be upgraded at any point or swapped out at purchase.

[christian]

Merckx EMX-5 from comp cyclist - $1875 for the red in all sizes. Chorus from UK.

[beeatnik]

Merckx EMX-5 from comp cyclist - $1875 for the red in all sizes. Chorus from UK.

Yes.

[Ti Designs]

I have a friend who asked me to help her choose a sub $3500 complete bike.

I would pick something with two wheels and costs less than $3500. There really isn't enough information here to pick out a water bottle...

[Ralph]

It's a lot cheaper to buy a complete bike than build it from parts. I'm a Campy guy, but for less than $3500, you could buy a real nice new bike, lots of bike sales going on right now, major brand bike complete carbon frame and fork, Ultegra parts, and good fast wheels. That's not what I would do for myself (I would build it from parts), but that's what I would do in your situation.

What I would really do.....is find a slightly used bike with great parts (Dura Ace, Chorus), and wheels, and take it apart and rebuild it perfect like new. For a lot less than $3500.

[torquer]

Another thread (in classifieds, I think) mentioned that NOS 2012 Parlee Z5s were available for under $2K. I would cobble together a $1500 build kit to stay within budget, and upgrade wheels later.

I'd rather have that bike than any complete bike from the big 3, even with "better" wheels or components, because that is a great $4K frame (at least it was a year and a half ago) and you are in control of what components you save on, and which you don't compromise on.

[thirdgenbird]

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1128060_-1_400306__400306

I clicked this thread to post this. Upgrade the wheels later.

[kramnnim]

Another thread (in classifieds, I think) mentioned that NOS 2012 Parlee Z5s were available for under $2K. I would cobble together a $1500 build kit to stay within budget, and upgrade wheels later.

I'd rather have that bike than any complete bike from the big 3, even with "better" wheels or components, because that is a great $4K frame (at least it was a year and a half ago) and you are in control of what components you save on, and which you don't compromise on.

But they are Z5 SLi, and Di2 is not cheap... :(

[RedRider]

But they are Z5 SLi, and Di2 is not cheap... :(

There are some NOS 2012 Parlee Z5 (mechanical) at dealers. We have 2 in size Large.

[torquer]

I missed the SLi part, doh!
Still, 10-speed Di2 could help keep the cost down, no?

[kramnnim]

There are some NOS 2012 Parlee Z5 (mechanical) at dealers. We have 2 in size Large.

Still trying to figure out how to shrink one of yours down to a ML... :p

[kenmetzger]

Bianchi Intenso Veloce at under $2,600. Carbon-check Campy-check Wheels-check. More than enough budget left over to upgrade components or wheels if she wants something better.

http://www.bianchiusa.com/bikes/road/coast-to-coast/intenso-veloce-compact/

[spacemen3]

The Wilier Gran Turismo (http://www.competitivecyclist.com/wilier-gran-turismo-campy-chorus-11-complete-bike?ti=UExQIENhdDpQcmUtQ29uZmlndXJlZCBSb2FkIEJpa2 VzOjE6MTQ6Y2NDYXQxMDA1NjU) looks like a pretty good deal to me.

[thirdgenbird]

The Wilier Gran Turismo (http://www.competitivecyclist.com/wilier-gran-turismo-campy-chorus-11-complete-bike?ti=UExQIENhdDpQcmUtQ29uZmlndXJlZCBSb2FkIEJpa2 VzOjE6MTQ6Y2NDYXQxMDA1NjU) looks like a pretty good deal to me.

I like that.

I think they may let you swap out parts too.

[firerescuefin]

Bianchi Intenso Veloce at under $2,600. Carbon-check Campy-check Wheels-check. More than enough budget left over to upgrade components or wheels if she wants something better.

http://www.bianchiusa.com/bikes/road/coast-to-coast/intenso-veloce-compact/

Hey Rob,

Local shop carries these (Bianchi). Very sharp, but feminine and checks off all of your boxes. I was really impressed.

[thegunner]

i have this complete bike that i'd let go for far less haha - i'll send you a PM.

[druptight]

Merckx EMX-5 from comp cyclist - $1875 for the red in all sizes. Chorus from UK.

These have been going for much cheaper on Chainlove too, if you call up compy cyclist, they'll probably give you the chainlove price (I think it's like $1350).

[SpokeValley]

I've looked at these guys more than an couple of times. Not for me, but it is a compelling story. They would probably put Campy on it.

http://www.fezzari.com/performance/fore-cr3-2013

[veloduffer]

I see like new Giant carbon framesets in eBay for under $1k all the time. Also, look at a Focus Cayo- high quality German bikes known more more for cross.

[SamIAm]

This has been really helpful, save TiDesign of course :). I really appreciate the assistance in narrowing the field. There are some good options here.

Thanks.