What’s in a name? When it comes to road bikes, a name is worth $1,000 or more!
What your local bike store won’t tell you is that nearly all road bike frames are made in the same factories in China and Taiwan and often come from the same molds. Combine this with the fact that manufacturers outsource nearly every component of the bike and what you’ll discover is that the paint scheme and logos are often the only difference between an off-brand road bike and a name-brand road bike.
Tone out the marketing machines that have ingrained any bias and let’s start shopping based on tangible benefits. At the end of the day:
Bikes have specs…
specs are easily compared…
value is easily discerned.
Boom! The mystery of road bike shopping has been solved.
To help you make the best decision with your budget of $1,200 to $1,500 we’ve shopped hundreds of road bikes, tested dozens of road bikes and narrowed the field down to 3 options that won’t let you down!
2011 Motobecane Immortal Pro – $1,295
2012 Tommaso Aggraziato Pro – $1,555
2011 Scattante R-670 - $1,499 $1,299
Bikes have specs…specs are easily compared….value is easily discerned. Click the image below for Road Bike Mike’s review of the specs and value:
Overall, the 3 bikes compared very similarly across the board. The difference between 1st and 3rd was minimal. From beginning cyclist through competitive cyclist, those road bikers with budgets limited to $1,500 will get tremendous value from the Tommaso Aggraziato Pro, Scattante R-670, or the Motobecane Immortal Pro. Ultimately, we had to pick a winner. For riders looking for the latest carbon fiber and Shimano Ultegra components, look no further than the Tommaso Aggraziato Pro.
Bikes have specs…
specs are easily compared…
value is easily discerned.
Perhaps the ultimate decision factor for you is the color and graphics packages. Having done your homework for you, the team at Road Bike Mike fully supports your ultimate selection based on superficial looks.
Hey, you wanna look good while riding, right?
Conclusion:
Road Bike Mike Likes the 2012 Tommaso Aggraziato Pro for $1,555
This bike has the frame and components of brand-name bikes that retail for $3,000+, has a lightning quick ride, is paltry in weight, yet supple in ride, and gets compliments wherever you go. Of all bikes we tested, this bike garnered more attention than all other bikes combined and this was the only bike that actually had our testers considering trading in their Cervélos and Pinarellos. If that doesn’t say something for the Tommaso…
Don’t forget to follow our 10 Steps to Buying Your First Road Bike and make sure you know What Size Road Bike to Buy and don’t forget the Pedals!
Son of a gun, this is so helpful!
Where are you getting your prices on the Tommaso? The link to this one and the best at 2000 are $300-$500 more than you quote.
Greg,
The prices quoted in this article were based on the previous Aggraziato, which now appears to be on closeout. Our links have been converted to Tommaso’s brand new 2012 Aggraziato. The price has moved up slightly…we’re told that the new Tommaso line is even better than the last! I’ll be making a trip to see the complete line toward the end of July, at which point we’ll document our test rides and write new reviews! stay tuned…
Cheers,
Mike
I have found very few if any listings, reviews, articles or comparison of Tommaso Bikes against the major players such as Trek, Giant, Cannondale, Fuji, Cervelo, Specialized. The Cycle media acts as if Tommaso does not exist?? Consumers need good independent unbiased reviews for comparison . Not just Road Bike Mike.