What is the best carbon fiber road bike for the money?
100285
The best bike is the one that fits you and fits your style of riding.  Specialized has made lots of improvements to their frames.  Giant gives you good value for your money.  Trek has their approach. Bianchi has put some good stuff together.  They all offer great products and the marketplace is so competitive that they all have to keep around the same price point.  They all are using primarily the same component groups.  Given this, in my mind it comes down to fit.  What works best for you?
172908
2006 Trek Fuel EX 6 \nIf you're looking for the ultimate entry-level trail bike, look no further than the Fuel EX 6. Starting with a made in America ZR9000 aluminum frame, the Fuel EX has a balanced ride with four inches of front and rear Rock Shox Motion Control suspension. The Shimano drivetrain and disc brakes round out the performance package that invites you to explore the great outdoors.
412550
Try to stretch your budget a little and take a look at the Cannondale range. For your money you get one of the best built frames in the World - comfortable, strong and built from the ground up for women. The componentry is usually superior pound-for-pound too. A Cannondale is a quality bargain that will last you for years and be a pleasure to ride.\n\nThe current 'Street' and 'Vintage' ranges are brilliant.
280723
APR offers a functional Carbon Fiber wing. They are typically on Imports but they do increase downforce at speed and they are adjustable. They make several different wings and offer a road racing version. There is also a new product out that will measure the downforce created by the wing. It's $400 though and I cannot find the ad for it again so I don't remember who makes it.
762555
Regarding price, consider that if you keep a bike for 5 years and ride only during the "100 days of summer" each year, that a $500 bike will only cost you $1.00 per riding day, or about 27 cents per calendar day....\n\nForget a mountain bike. You'll want either a hybrid or a comfort bike depending on how you ride:\n\nRiding on paved trails or on the road asks for a hybrid. They have narrower tires and are quite comfortable for hour long or day long rides. I would recommend either Raleigh, KHS or Diamondback for the best value. Trek is OK too but aren't as well equipped for the same money. Expect to pay $300 to $500.\n\nIf you want to go "off the beaten path" every now and then- perhaps a rain rutted trail or a mildly rocky path- choose a comfort bike. If a hybrid is a road bike, then a comfort bike is a mountain bike. Diamondback invented comfort bikes, but Raleigh, KHS, and Specialized also have some nice models. Consider these in the $250 to $500 range.\n\nIn full disclosure, Diamondback and Raleigh are both Raleigh USA products.\n\nIn any case, forget full suspension as most "production" bikes in this price range are meant for riders in the 120 to 170 pound range. Also, for the type of riding you plan to do it robs energy...every time you pedal the suspension flexes, so instead of your power going to the rear wheels it gets damped out by the suspension.\n\nWhen shopping, be sure that there is a mechanic available that can "tune" your bike for your weight. This will include stiffening up the wheels and things like that. I have tuned bikes for people as large as 275 pounds with great results. \n\nGood luck!
820367
Diamondback and specialized are not good bmx bikes.  I say this from experience.  They may be affordable but the parts quality is poor.  In racing you get what you pay for.  To build a decent light bike it takes around 500-700 dollars.  Mine actually cost 1200.  You didnt give your height so it makes this a little harder.  If you really want to you can buy a complete haro SX1 http://www.harobikes.com/bmx/bikes/group1_sxpro.php  It is a decent race bike complete for about 450 bucks.  You can also buy a complete Staats http://www.staatsbikes.com/Default.aspx?tabid=789 for around 550 i believe.  The Haro is a pro xl and if for riders 5'11 and up the Staats is a pro sized for riders 5'7 and up.   I would personally go for the Staats I believe they are better bikes for the money.  I am going to purchase their top of the line aluminum frame after I get over my broken wrist.  MCS also puts out a couple of complete bikes.  You can check www.danscomp.com for them and you can find other bikes if you are a shorter rider.  Here is a weblink for a sizing chart so that you can make a better informed decision on your bike.  http://www.wiregrassbmx.com/bmxtech.html  Now you can find your size and look for bikes in that area.  Though if you want to build a truly light and possibly smoother and more personal bike buy a frame and pick out the parts you want.  You will be much happier with the bike and can make it lighter than a stock bike.  Hope that information helps you out.
792177
Well, I am a pretty hard core mountain biker and dirt jumper. In that price range you aren't going to find a bike out of the entry level range. Entry level Kona, Trek, Specialized, Jamis bikes are pretty good. The only problem with an entry level is that your rear axle may break if you decide you want to ride a little more hard and down and dirty. Also the fork that entry level bikes come with are shit. They have, like, two inches of travel.\nSo after that, I suggest that when you go to buy the bike, get something like a specialized hardrock or specialized rockhopper or something. They are both mountain bikes, with decent forks, and a strong axle. It can be used on the road as much as you want, and it's not a REALLY heavy bike. Depending on what year model you buy, it's going to be a little over $300, but it's well worth it.\n\nHope I helped!\nLater.\n\nCher.
1105
I'm partial to Turner frames.  Check out the 5 Spot for an all around trail bike, the 6 Pack if you want more travel for aggressive riding, or the Flux for a lightweight trail bike that can hold its own on the race course.\n\nTurners are known for a great balanced ride feel, stiff/solid construction, and great customer service.\n\nNote: Turner recently changed the design of the suspension linkage on all their bikes.  Reviews indicate no significant change to how the bikes ride, but if this is the sort of thing you care about, read through the reviews at mtbr.com.
321354
Probably a Brompton at your price limit, but if you can stretch to it, try a Birdy. The Brompton (UK) is a great all-round commuter bike, fully developed, packs up small (and quickly) and its a good ride over short distances. For more riding fun (and performance at speed) the Birdy range (German) is better.
434514
shimano dura ace group is the highest level shimano component, so that alone would cost you $1,000 or so.\n\n\nIt depends on the frame manufacturer.
708894
Try looking into a Trek Madone.  I have a friend who bought his Madone 5.2 a couple months ago and he loves it.\n\nI just bought my Fuji Roubaix Pro a month ago and love it.\n\nMy girlfriend bought her Specialized Dolce Comp two weeks ago and she loves it.\n\nOther than that, check out the Trek, Fuji, Cannondale, Lightspeed websites.  Be sure that you get minimum components of Shimano 105s (or even better, the Shimano Ultegras)\n\nCheck http://www.performancebike.com/\n\nThey're trying to unload their 2006 inventory and selling them all at a really good price.\n\nHappy hunting!
32685
if you are planing to go off road, i just purchased a giant trance 3 and i love it, full suspention, disc brakes, twenty-seven speed, aluminum frame it weighs about 26lbs, and i payed around $1300, extremely happy with this purchase. \nI recommend talking to your local bike dealer and getting sized for a bike to fit you and your needs, don't just buy one from wal-mart, because when you shop at a dealer they will give you mantainance packages and they can help you better
716838
Haro and hoffman bikes are far best by standards. and its reliable.. Cheers
517534
I dont know a whole lot about dirt bikes, but there was an article on consumerreports.com that said the following. Hope it helps!\n\nBikes\nWhether you plan to hit the road or the trail, you'll get more bike for your buck than ever before.\n\nIf you're planning to buy a bike, chances are your new ride will have an aluminum frame, even if the bike costs less than $500. It might even have disc brakes or 27 gears. These features, once found only on more expensive bikes, bring the benefits of lighter weight, better braking in sloppy conditions, and more efficient pedaling to cyclists with a modest budget.\n\nHigher-priced bikes are getting better, too. The best of the $1,000-and-up models in our most recent tests had the shock absorption and handling previously found only on bikes costing two or three times as much.\n\nWhichever bike you choose, there's good reason to buy it from one of the nation's 5,300 bike shops, rather than from a department store or toy store. And you don't have to spend a fortune. We found fine choices for pavement rides that cost less than $300 and very good bikes for off-road cycling for $440. The bikes for serious trail riding cost $1,000 or more.\n\n\nWHAT'S AVAILABLE\n\nBrands include Bianchi, Cannondale, Diamondback, Fuji, Gary Fisher, Giant, GT, Iron Horse, Jamis, Klein, Landrider, LeMond, Mongoose, Raleigh, Schwinn, Specialized, and Trek.\n\nFull-suspension mountain bikes. These bikes are best for rough terrain with steep slopes. You'll get a shock-absorbing suspension fork and rear-suspension frame, which provide the best control and comfort on the roughest terrain. Most have 27 speeds and 26-inch wheels. All have wide, knobby tires; narrow or moderate-width saddle; and flat or riser handlebars.\n\nPrince range: $1,000 to more than $4,000.\n\nFront-suspension mountain bikes. These bikes are best for less-rugged off-road trails. You'll get a shock-absorbing suspension fork and rigid frame, fine for tamer trails. These bikes need less maintenance and are more efficient on smooth terrain than full suspension mountain bikes. Most have 24 or 27 speeds; 26-inch wheels; wide, knobby tires; narrow or moderately wide saddle; and flat or riser handlebars.\n\nPrice range: $400 to more than $2,000.\n\nHybrid bikes. These bikes are best for moderate-speed riding on pavement and smooth dirt paths. A cross between comfort and road bikes, most hybrids have a shock-absorbing suspension fork and seatpost; 24 speeds; 700C wheels (a designation from the French system, indicating size and width; it's about 27-inch); midwidth, fairly smooth tires; moderately wide saddle; and riser handlebars.\n\nPrice range: $400 to more than $500.\n\nComfort bikes. These bikes are best for casual cycling on pavement and smooth dirt paths. Most comfort bikes have a shock-absorbing suspension fork and seatpost; 21 speeds; 26-inch wheels; wide, relatively smooth tires; wide saddle; and riser handlebars. Generally have most upright riding position, which casual riders often find most comfortable.\n\nPrice range: $250 to more than $400.\n\nRoad bikes. These bikes are best for fast and/or long distance rides on pavement. Most have a lightweight frame with no suspension; 18 to 30 speeds; 700C wheels (about 27-inch); narrow, smooth tires; narrow saddle; and drop handlebars. The bent-over riding position reduces wind resistance at higher speeds, while the narrower seat facilitates pedaling.\n\nPrice range: $500 to more than $3,000.\n\n\nIMPORTANT FEATURES\n\nBrakes. Long-arm cantilever brakes (V-brakes or linear-pull brakes) are fine for most uses. For rough, sloppy terrain, go with disc brakes, which will spare your wheel rims from the abrasion of muddy braking. Some bikes are sold with your choice of brakes. Discs add $100 or more. You can retrofit some bikes with discs; ask at the bike shop.\n\nHandlebars. High-rise handlebars let you sit fairly upright. With low-rise and flat handlebars, you lean forward.
296923
Though Trek has some great bikes, I would highly discourage you from purchasing a bike with a combo material frame like this especially if you are in an area where you see a lot of rain and/or snow. The reason being is that if the bike is not taken care of the aluminum will oxidize at that junction and disrupt the quality of the frame. If you are looking for you first bike, I would go with a steel frame from Bianchi! They may be a little heavier than some racing frames, but they are comfortable and tend to absorb more shock than an aluminum frame. If you decide to spend some extra cash and go carbon I highly recommend going with Trek. I raced some of their OCLV frames on a couple of teams and I loved the bikes! FYI- I am currently riding Titanium and wouldn't ride anything else.
350040
most higher dollar bikes changecolor patterens every year\n check with your trek or cannondale dealer.
667677
You should get the Mirra Pro...its about $250-$400 but its well worth it...very durable....good frame...360 degree handlebars, shiny spokes :), and best of all it has the name of the greatest BMX rider of all time DAVE MIRRA!