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I'd like to keep it under $2K if possible...

 

I'm kind of dipping a toe into this world. I've spent the past 1.5 years taking spin class religiously and absolutely fell in love with it. Unfortunately, I don't see spin classes coming back for at least another year so I dusted off my clunky mountain bike that I've had since I was 17 years old (I'm 45 now) and started riding around and have gotten a taste for riding outdoors.
Gravel bikes are definitely the crowd favorite these days so I've been primarily researching those models. I guess you can always get a pair of slicker road tires and stick them on a gravel frame. However, I was looking more for a road bike experience. I don't really have any desire to go off-road but live in a city (Los Angeles) where the road conditions are pretty horrid and can imagine flatting or damaging rims if I'm not careful. Hydraulic disc brakes are definitely awesome but I've never had the pleasure of trying out electronic shifters - I noticed they are only offered on the $9K-$10K plus models smile
Have you (or any cycling enthusiasts here) had any experience with FELT bicycles? I know $2K is far less than the beautiful bikes you own but is there any particular brand that you would prefer or trust in that price range?

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21 Comments view entire thread 

I haven’t tried that —

 
By: orahu : July 5th, 2020-12:49
It syncs with my iPhone — the Garmin app — and offers more data than I know what to do with!

Garmin/Strava

 
By: AIPlatt : July 5th, 2020-15:52
If the watch syncs with your Garmin App, then you need only change the setting on the Garmin App (check in settings for something related to partner apps) and sign-into your Strava account. The two "speak" immediately after your ride uploads to the Garmin... 

Is there a budget in mind?

 
By: Jay (Eire) : July 6th, 2020-16:01
It’s a good time to be buying a road bike I think. I upgraded in late 2015, it would have served me better to hold off a year or two as by then there SRAM had introduced it’s electronic shifting and disc brakes and wider tires had become the norm. Those t... 

I'd like to keep it under $2K if possible...

 
By: YpJ : July 8th, 2020-21:32
I'm kind of dipping a toe into this world. I've spent the past 1.5 years taking spin class religiously and absolutely fell in love with it. Unfortunately, I don't see spin classes coming back for at least another year so I dusted off my clunky mountain bi... 

That’s really great, that the spin classes have given you the push to get outside and ride.

 
By: Jay (Eire) : July 9th, 2020-13:21
I think $2k is a reasonable budget given you are just getting into this. Like most watches and cars bikes take a big hit once you take a new one out of the store so keep in mind that with this budget you could get a lot more bike by going used. Check out ... 

Keeping under $2K

 
By: AIPlatt : July 9th, 2020-16:11
If that's your objective, then I'd suggest getting to know the folks at a good bike shop. While not advertised, many handle consignment sales for customer who are upgrading. So that rider who had a great $7K bike that 5-7 years old, may be upgrading and t... 

Thank you so much for the awesome tips, gents.

 
By: YpJ : July 9th, 2020-23:00
For around my price range, I was thinking that disc brakes and Shimano 105 gear train would keep me busy for a while considering the kind of riding I will do. You are both emphasizing putting more $ into the frame, preferably carbon, and that brings up a ... 

You’ve hit the strongest market for bikes in the US ever I’d say. The manufacturers and the shops can’t match demand, it’s pretty amazing.

 
By: Jay (Eire) : July 10th, 2020-05:53
I think you’ll be fine with the 105. I have a aluminum gravel bike that I use mostly for commuting but also ride a little longer on it too. It has 105 and honestly it’s good enough for anything (my road bike has Dura-Ace Di2), and if you wish you can alwa...  

Thank you. A bit of a hard ride though.

 
By: Jay (Eire) : July 10th, 2020-18:05
These early efforts at “aero” roadies didn’t seem to be that forgiving. I’m close on swapping it out for something more forgiving (and with discs so I can run wider tires too), if not this year then definitely next.

Wide tires

 
By: AIPlatt : July 10th, 2020-19:15
So long as the frame can take it, you can run 28mm on a rim brake frame without issue. The other thing to check is your tire pressure. I'm also on a VERY stiff aero frame (if I ride over a penny, I'll can tell if it's heads/tails). With that said, I'm cur... 

Disc

 
By: AIPlatt : July 10th, 2020-19:17
...but if I was buying anything new, I'd opt for disc....it's the future and, for the extra few grams, it's more reliable and safe - particularly on major descents or in wet conditions. Regardless, that Cervelo is a beauty.

For sure. That S5 is 5 years old and as I mentioned in the initial response to the OP I bought it too early.

 
By: Jay (Eire) : July 11th, 2020-06:27
The following year disc brakes (and with them wider tires) were more common. So, any new bike would definitely be disc. (I also ride MTB, and of course discs are common there for years. I do like the reassured breaking). I’ve never played much with tire p... 

Always happy to talk bikes...

 
By: AIPlatt : July 7th, 2020-12:20
....with anyone - including all sorts of spec, alternatives for drivetrains, etc. Pics of my whip are attached. ...  

This bike is so beautiful I would be happy just to look at it.

 
By: YpJ : July 8th, 2020-21:38
I'm very much a novice when it comes to anything cycling but would you mind sharing what kind of drivetrain you chose for this bike?

Drivetrains...

 
By: AIPlatt : July 9th, 2020-16:04
Thanks for the compliment. It's one of my true "loves". When I first purchased this bike, the vast majority of funds into the frame (it's pretty much the only thing you cannot upgrade). I chose Shimano Ultegra Mechanical. Last year, I upgraded to the new ...