I'm hoping/dreaming of getting a fast road bike set up. It would be purely for fast road ride, but no 'real' racer. For example, I like the Surly Pacer and All-City Mr. Pink. Not the bike for a Lance-wanna-be, but faster than my daily commuter. Striped-down to basics, light-weight components, but still durable. I would like to keep it local, but I'm open to bikes from far and wide. I don't want to spend over $2,000 complete (preferable around $1,500).

Let me know what you've ridden and loved.

If you're not riding long distances, don't discount aluminum frame/carbon fork. Much less flexy than steel.

EDIT- I'm glad I didn't sell my specialized Allez. The new 2013 Allez Race seems pretty f'n sweet too.

My wife has 2 bikes with the AL frame with CF fork, I am a fan and that set up is on my list (likely Felt, Marin or Kona). I'd love to buy from a local brand, which is going to be steel... Or am I missing a local brand with this set up?

No, if you want local you'd be getting steel. But for that price point you might be able to score a cannondale alloy ride. This Synapse 5 with 105 would be a fantastic bike.

http://www.cannondale.com/2013/bikes/ro ... t-crankset

The Pacer and Mr. Pink are both good options, though I'd prefer the latter. There's also the Salsa Colossal, which has dick breaks.

Not for nothing, as I think some of the bikes listed above are fantastic, But I do want to point out that "local" can mean a lot of things.

If you mean designed locally, then sure, lots of options in steel (surly, All-city, speedhound, etc.) a few in Aluminum (Salsa Warbird) and even some carbon options (Foundry). If you mean Made locally, then we are in the realm of custom builders, and likely out of your pricerange.

If local means "Made in the USA" then we haven't hit on anything yet, as all of the Q brands are made overseas AFAIK. True for Cannondale now too (mostly). Might find a closeout Gunner or something, but I don't know of anything new that fits the pricing bill that is made domestically.

depending on size, still quite a few full carbon roadbikes hanging in some shops that are below $2k, and some in the $1500 range. 1500-2000 is going to get a pretty decent aluminum/carbon bike new as the 2013 models come in.

That said, the All-City Mr Pink is pretty awesome

just my two cents but if you want something FAST don't go steel unless you are prepared to pay a gazillion dollars on the frame and some insane wheels.

Jon, it looks like most steel frames are only 1 to 2 lbs heavier than the aluminum frames. Let me know more about what your thinking.

Zombinate, for this bike, local is local brand. I know that most of the local brands are import frames. Peacock Groove, et. al. are very interesting, but I don't think they will fit the budget.

I will definitely take a shop tour to check out the discount racks. I have done very well in the past buying old stock bikes.

I've read a number of debates about steel versus aluminum frames for flex, ride-comfort, and power-transfer. I haven't had a steel frame in 25 years, and that was a life-time ago in bike frame tech. So I really have nothing to base it on. Let me know if you have biked new steel and aluminum road bikes, what are your thoughts?

Don't get me wrong I absolutely love my steel bianchi but compared to the aluminum Alan it just feels like a total slug. I was thinking higher end steel like 831 that stuff is lighter but also wicked expensive. I think the best bang for your buck is going to come from an aluminum bike with a solid groupo. I do love the All City rides but I think for the price of one you would do a lot better with an aluminum option.

Seems like lots of shops have great deals on sporty bikes right now. I'd head over to the Minny Hub, Freewheel, Penn, etc etc and see what they have.

You might also want to ask about any demo/rental bikes that are being sold off. My friend just purchased a rental mtb from Penn at a very nice discount. The guy who sold it to him said it'd been rented about 3 times the entire season.

My two cents, it sounds like weight isn't a huge concern. The pacer is an awesome, upgradeable bike that's value priced. The Mr. Pink is a sweet bike. Jamis, Masi, and Raleigh also make some nice steel road bikes.

Also, I've had alu/carbon bikes in the past and have loved how light and fast they are. I also loved the fact that I could afford them!

What size are you looking for?
I have a surprisingly light Lemond from a few years back... pretty sure it is 831. Carbon fork. Super agile with tight front end geometry.
http://mplsbikelove.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=23847

Nice offer, thank you! A little on the small side, I'd like 56 to 58... but a great price! I'll touch base with you once the $$ is available (don't hold your breath) and a least take a test ride to see if I could work with the size.

Think back to your intro physics class in college man.

1 - 2 lbs on the frame is nothing.

Take that weight off the wheels and you are in business. Rotational weight is heavier due to the apparent weight while the wheel is spinning, bro.

If I were going to build up a bike just to be fast, I would choose an inexpensive steel frame (less flex in the bottom bracket than aluminum and also BB70 will be dead soon) and then sink the money into a nice ass wheel set. Throw a nice SRAM grouppo on there and you're set.

Is that like a Campagnolo group?

That was a long time ago .... and a lot of beers.

Exactly my thoughts... just wanted to make sure all that beer hadn't washed away my college learnings.