Novara: Express MSRP: $799
IT'S FOR ROADIES, HONEST: Putting aside the handlebar for the moment, the Express is like many other road bikes. The frame is aluminum with a carbon fork on the nose, and the 700c-diameter wheels are shod with wider 32c tires for a bit more comfort over rough pavement. With a triple crank and low gears, it'll spin up almost any hill with ease.
FLAT IS BEAUTIFUL: A mountain bikestyle flat bar is wider than a drop bar, providing more control over the front wheel and slightly slower handling response, while a rise stem puts riders in an upright position that is comfortable and affords a good view of the road and surroundings. Bar-ends provide a second hand position for both comfort and leverage when climbing.
Felt: Z 100
MSRP: $769
FLAT IS BEAUTIFUL: A mountain bikestyle flat bar is wider than a drop bar, providing more control over the front wheel and slightly slower handling response, while a rise stem puts riders in an upright position that is comfortable and affords a good view of the road and surroundings. Bar-ends provide a second hand position for both comfort and leverage when climbing.
Felt: Z 100
MSRP: $769
Take away the top-mounted brake levers, the triple chainring and the oversize saddle, and it would be hard to tell that Felt's Z 100 is a beginner bike. The smoothly welded, fully butted frame tubing, eyepopping red tires, and subtle and stylish attention to detail belie the sub-800-dollar category it falls into.
The Z line is a toned-down version of Felt's race-oriented F series, with a slightly longer head tube, a sloping top tube and a longer wheel base. "Sloping top tubes help accommodate different reach requirements and increased standover helps shorter riders," says Dave Koesel, Felt's road product manager. "But the Z 100 is not a dumbed-down ride. It's the same geometry as the top-of-the-line Z frames."
Because of the 22-pound weight, the triple chainring is a necessity and comes in handy when you're trying to keep pace on up- tempo climbs and for easier spinning on steep hills. However, the big ring is a 52, so we didn't spin out in faster pacelines and false flat descents. The front end is built around a plus/minus 10-degree stem and relaxed drop bar. Riders new to the sport or trying their first road bike can straddle the line between upright and comfortable, or riding in the drops, depending on the ride du jour. They'll also find comfort in the Z 100's additional brake levers on the top of the bar, especially if transitioning from a commuter or mountain bike.
The gel-padded saddle is longer and more heart-shaped than most road saddles and is almost unbelievably comfortable. All of these touches are meant to ease new riders' adjustment to road riding. "We don't want to overwhelm people in this category," says Koesel. Whatever direction this bike's rider takes, he can rest assured its on a well-spec'd, carefully thought out, and fairly priced bike that's suited for any conditions or time spent on the road.
BUY IT: If you're looking for an inexpensive, but racier, entrylevel bike
FORGET IT: IF you actually plan to race; there are better choices for that
Cannondale: CAAD8 8
The Z line is a toned-down version of Felt's race-oriented F series, with a slightly longer head tube, a sloping top tube and a longer wheel base. "Sloping top tubes help accommodate different reach requirements and increased standover helps shorter riders," says Dave Koesel, Felt's road product manager. "But the Z 100 is not a dumbed-down ride. It's the same geometry as the top-of-the-line Z frames."
Because of the 22-pound weight, the triple chainring is a necessity and comes in handy when you're trying to keep pace on up- tempo climbs and for easier spinning on steep hills. However, the big ring is a 52, so we didn't spin out in faster pacelines and false flat descents. The front end is built around a plus/minus 10-degree stem and relaxed drop bar. Riders new to the sport or trying their first road bike can straddle the line between upright and comfortable, or riding in the drops, depending on the ride du jour. They'll also find comfort in the Z 100's additional brake levers on the top of the bar, especially if transitioning from a commuter or mountain bike.
The gel-padded saddle is longer and more heart-shaped than most road saddles and is almost unbelievably comfortable. All of these touches are meant to ease new riders' adjustment to road riding. "We don't want to overwhelm people in this category," says Koesel. Whatever direction this bike's rider takes, he can rest assured its on a well-spec'd, carefully thought out, and fairly priced bike that's suited for any conditions or time spent on the road.
BUY IT: If you're looking for an inexpensive, but racier, entrylevel bike
FORGET IT: IF you actually plan to race; there are better choices for that
Cannondale: CAAD8 8
MSRP: $899
ALL NEW: The new CAAD8 platform opens up Cannondale's road portfolio. Compared with the manufacturer's 2009 offering at this price, the CAAD8 8 has a 15mm-taller head tube and 3mm-longer chainstays, for a more comfortable riding position and a touch more stability.
STEP BACK: The CAAD8 8 is Cannondale's least-expensive road bike, and $50 cheaper than the bike that bore that distinction last year. The drivetrain comes down a notch—from nine to eight speeds—though Cannondale still offers buyers the choice of a triple or compact-double drivetrain. We generally suggest the lighter, better-shifting double.
STEP BACK: The CAAD8 8 is Cannondale's least-expensive road bike, and $50 cheaper than the bike that bore that distinction last year. The drivetrain comes down a notch—from nine to eight speeds—though Cannondale still offers buyers the choice of a triple or compact-double drivetrain. We generally suggest the lighter, better-shifting double.
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