Quoted By:
/bbg/ I'd like to get set up on a decent starter drop bar road bike, and would appreciate some suggestions of viable manufacturers and models.
Use: casual zooming on pavement with a road bike, exercise, commuting possibly if at a reasonable distance jobsite.
Terrain: flat pavement, no gravel/dirt
Bike characteristics: drop bar, steel frame, disc brakes (as a plus), 700c wheels, horizontal frame toptube (aesthetic), 8 speed or more.
Budget: would like to keep under $1000 USD, if possible
Origin: anywhere except mainland china (West Taiwan)
Experience: Haven't owned my own bicycle since I was a kid. I run a trackbike motorcycle in the warm season, so no stranger to two-wheels and the mechanics.
I saw the Marin Nicasio posted earlier in this thread I think and it almost checks every box, minus the horizontal toptube, as it has the gravel bike geometry.
Thanks to anyone that has any suggestions.
