Another newbie trying to find a bike (Fuji, Marin, Bianchi)

italianstallion

So a little background on me: I'm 25, 6 foot, 180lbs. I run and lift 4-5 times per week. Back home in NY my gym was equipped with spin machines and screens and I really enjoyed spinning for an hour every other workout day. Now I've moved to Florida and my current gym does not have spin machines, but I live in close proximity to a variety of very long bike/pedestrian trails that I want to ride on.

So my desire for a bike is two-fold: first to workout on and second to access the small little towns and villages that are within a 5 mile radius of my house without having to get in my car.

My budget is $1000 max (tax and other accessories not included). After a few days of research and visiting local bike shops that gets me an aluminum frame and a carbon fork. There are a few cobblestone roads I'll need to navigate, but they can also be easily avoided and I won't be traveling on such roads at speed.

After visiting a variety of large and small shops, I've decided to stick with a local shop. But it seems every local shop carries their own special brand they like. After a few days of footwork I've narrowed my choices down to the following bikes, and just wanted to see if anyone had any input on these choices.

Choice 1: Bianchi Via Nirone Sora (msrp $970)
http://www.bianchiusa.com/bikes/road/co ... a-compact/

Choice 2: Bianchi Via Nirone Claris (msrp $850)
http://www.bianchiusa.com/bikes/road/co ... s-compact/

Choice 3: Marin Argenta A6 Comp (msrp $980)
http://www.marinbikes.com/us/bikes/family/argenta

Choice 4: Marin Argenta A6 Elite (msrp $1150, a bit above budget, some of the hardware is different than the A6 Comp so I just want to know if it's worth going over budget for the hardware)
http://www.marinbikes.com/us/bikes/desc ... a-a6-elite

Choice 5: Fuji Roubaix 1.3 (msrp $1169 but the shop sells it for $960)
http://www.fujibikes.com/bike/details/roubaix-13

Choice 6: Fuji Roubaix 1.5 (msrp $1049 but the shop sells it for $870)
http://www.fujibikes.com/bike/details/roubaix-15

So that's it. All of these brands mean nothing to me, I've never heard of them and have no technical background on the components they use. All of these bikes come from local shops where they'll fit me for the bike (included in the cost) and provide warranty and repair support.

Thanks for the help!

trailflow

Have you had any test rides ? The geometry's are slightly different across the list. You may prefer one to the other. The Marin's are more upright with longer head tubes and slightly slacker head angles (designed for more comfort and endurance riding). The Bianchi's and Fuji's have more traditional race geometry.

All of the bikes have very similiar specifications with own brand components and wheels. The stand out model is the Fuji Roubaix 1.3 which has the new Shimano 105 (5800) shifters and derailleurs. These get trickle down features from Dura Ace 9000. It has the long arm front derailleur for easier front shifting. Plus new levers and hood design. Plus snappier more refined rear shifting. It is almost functionally and visually identical to Dura Ace 9000 just heavier, and its 11 speed. This is the bike that seems the best value with the discount you can get. i think the 105 5800 looks way more up to date in my view. The other bikes use 8,9 and 10 speed groupsets.

the groupsets hierarchy goes

Claris (entry level)
Sora
Tiagra
105
Ultegra
Dura Ace (Pro level)

The Fuji Roubaix 1.3 is also the lightest bike on the list at 8.5kg

The Fuji Roubaix 1.5 is 8.6kg
Marin Comp is 9.6kg
Marin A6 is 9.5kg
not sure what the bianchi's weigh buy i would guess they are around 9.5kg