New road bike ideas

[LegendRider]

I'm considering getting a new road bike and would like to get some recommendations outside of the usual Trek, Specialized, Giant, Cannondale, etc.

Budget: ~$6,000
Group: 12 speed electronic Ultegra, disc
Frame: "all purpose" with room for 30mm tires (have a separate gravel bike so I don't need an all road style)

I'm looking for something similar to a Specialized Aethos, Trek Emonda, Giant TCR or Canyon Ultimate. (I may wait to see the new Ultimate which should be available post-Tour).

Color: bike, white, grey - something low key
Fit: similar Colnago 54s, Giant M/L
Timeline: no rush, willing to wait

Are there any bikes from smaller brands that fit my desired criteria?

Thanks!

[cnighbor1]

For great ideas and reviews

[Davist]

ooh, a new ultimate is coming? might answer this question for me... I have the current one, fits 32s great value. $6k definitely doesn't go as far as it did in '19 looking at the major brands..

[BRad704]

Originally Posted by Davist

$6k definitely doesn't go as far as it did in '19 looking at the major brands..

True that. I just got home from the shop and was noticing a 2022 Domane SL7 (so not the high-end SLR carbon) with Ultegra 8100-series hydro/electronic groupset for $7,499.

[LegendRider]

Originally Posted by Davist

ooh, a new ultimate is coming? might answer this question for me... I have the current one, fits 32s great value. $6k definitely doesn't go as far as it did in '19 looking at the major brands..

https://weightweenies.starbike.com/f...51185#p1751185

[Clean39T]

Originally Posted by Davist

$6k definitely doesn't go as far as it did in '19 looking at the major brands..

Yes and no. Force AXS, Chorus, and Ultegra 8100 Di2 are so good now that the equivalent $6-8K Ultegra 6800 di2 equipped bike you could get in 2019 is outperformed by the "lower spec" bike you can get for that today. Add in tire clearances, wide-range gears, manufacturing quality, a return to threaded BBs, etc., and in some regards the value you get at that price point is higher than it's ever been......

[deluz]

I have always liked the look of Wilier. Have never ridden one though.

[trener1]

BMC and Orbea while not exactly boutique brands are smaller brands that I like.

[party time]

Look? Wonderful heritage, uncommon in US, they own their own factories and produce in house. For $6k US you can't get shimano electronic shifting, but you can get sram rival, or maybe find last years somewhere?

[Clean39T]

Originally Posted by trener1

BMC and Orbea while not exactly boutique brands are smaller brands that I like.

Same.

[Clean39T]

If you don't mind doing some of the legwork, $6K can get you a very nice bike with some hunting..

R8100 Di2 Disc or Force AXS for $1500-2000.
Mid-range alloy or carbon finishing kit for $200-300.
Mid-range carbon wheels and nice tubeless tires for $1000-1350.
Saddle, cages, and pedals for $200.
Assembly for $200.

That leaves $2K-3K for a frameset, depending on the above choices and whether you can assemble yourself - and there are plenty of options in that range for demo frames, lightly used, or off the rack.

Put simply, I'd rather pay full retail for a frameset and hunt the rest of the items myself than have to pay full retail for a complete bike and get chonky finishing kit and wheels that I'm going to upgrade anyway.

Just a thought.

[fredd]

Bridge Surveyor is interesting looking and is around your budget with Ultegra 12spd. Supposed to start shipping this summer.

https://www.bridgebikeworks.com/

[benb]

For this price range a power meter would be a mandatory part of the budget for me.

And yah, what you get is depressing. My 2016 bike was like $5500 once the PM was added. Disc brakes + electronic shifting have added a lot of price and it's stuff we all argue about.

[pasadena]

Don't even know if you could get a good Chinese brand spec'd at that price.

Originally Posted by LegendRider

I'm considering getting a new road bike and would like to get some recommendations outside of the usual Trek, Specialized, Giant, Cannondale, etc.

Budget: ~$6,000
Group: 12 speed electronic Ultegra, disc
Frame: "all purpose" with room for 30mm tires (have a separate gravel bike so I don't need an all road style)

I'm looking for something similar to a Specialized Aethos, Trek Emonda, Giant TCR or Canyon Ultimate. (I may wait to see the new Ultimate which should be available post-Tour).

Color: bike, white, grey - something low key
Fit: similar Colnago 54s, Giant M/L
Timeline: no rush, willing to wait

Are there any bikes from smaller brands that fit my desired criteria?

Thanks!

[fredd]

Originally Posted by fredd

Bridge Surveyor is interesting looking and is around your budget with Ultegra 12spd. Supposed to start shipping this summer.

https://www.bridgebikeworks.com/

Nevermind. Closer to Rival AXS for your budget. Still looks like a nice option if you value the made in Canada aspect.