Struggling to pick a road bike - Suggestions

[nufcfan]

Looking to spend upto £1600 on a road bike. Plan is for fairly fast 1-2hr rides 2/3x weekly and something a little longer at the weekend. I don't plan or regularly doing 100+ milers but may do the odd sportive.

I am 6"3 and 90Kg, fairly fit. Probably looking at a 60cm frame?

I don't really want to wait 5-6 weeks if ordering a Canyon or Rose so have ruled them out.

Short list at the minute is:

Cube Agree GTC Race £1600
Specialised Tarmac Sport £1400 in the sale at the moment
Madone 3.1 £1400
Boardman Pro Carbon - Halfods dont seem to stock any bigger than a 57 at the moment
Synapse Carbon 6 - £1699 is pushing the budget
Caad10 £1500

Any other suggestions?

[Usget]

nufcfan said:

Synapse Carbon 6 - £1699 is pushing the budget

Pauls Cycles have a 2013 105 model @ £1439, they have a 58 which might fit?

Or a Liquigas-colours CAAD10 105 @ £1189 - that with a set of smart wheels would be a hell of a bike, although not the most fashionable admittedly.

Edited by Usget on Tuesday 29th April 11:00

[JEA1K]

I don't think you'll end up with a bad bike out of those ... they're all much of a much-ness.

If you can test ride any of them to help narrow down the search all the better ... coupled with a proper bike fit, then I think you'll be fine.

[yellowjack]

It might be worth stretching the budget for the Synapse Carbon 6 - the Carbon 5 is the 'Cycling Plus' magazine Bike of the Year this year. They gave it five stars. All of their 'top 5' bikes are upwards of £1800 though, but in the test they gave...

Dedacciai Gladiatore (£1500) 4.5/5 stars www.chickencycles.co.uk (Campagnolo Veloce)
Sensa Giulia Custom (£1600) 4/5 stars www.merlincycles.com (Ultegra group on this one)
Canyon Ultimate AL SLX 9.0 SL (£1699) 4.5/5 stars www.canyon.com (22 speed SRAM Force)
Lapierre Sensium 300CP (£1700) 4/5 stars www.lapierre-bikes.co.uk (105 group/Ultegr rear mech)
Van Nicholas Ventus SE (£1699) 4/5 stars www.vannicholas.com (TITANIUM!!! Frame and SRAM Apex group)

...budget creep, I know, but there are so many great bikes only just above your £1600 budget. I've only mentioned the ones from the 50 bikes in the Cycling Plus test that were priced at £1700 or less, and rated 4 stars or better.

I'll be looking for something round about this price range when my compensation is sorted after a collision with a SMIDSY driver in Feb. Favourite at the moment is the Synapse, even though I've always tried to avoid the 'usual suspects' and looked to buy something a little less 'common' on the roads. (Last bike was a Merida). Speaking of Merida http://2014.merida-bikes.com/en_gb ...

Merida Scultura Carbon Comp 904 (£1500) (105 gears, own brand brakes) http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/bikes/...

Less 'racy' / more comfortable?

Merida Ride Carbon Comp 94 (£1500) (roughly same kit as Scultura, more relaxed frame geometry)

[Daveyraveygravey]

If you are doing fast 1 - 2 hr rides mainly, why not look at a Cannondale Super 6 rather than a Synapse? Not sure what deals there are around at the moment.

It might be worth trying a few local bike shops, saying you've got £1600, what can they offer you?

[Joey Ramone]

The CAAD 10 is supposed to be superb. And even though I ride a Wilier and don't necessarily favour Cannondale over any other brand, the Supersix is also meant to be an excellent bike and I was close to getting one. But, and here's a salient point, the drop on them is extremely pronounced. It's very much a racing posture with your hands down v low, even on the hoods. So make sure you sit on one before buying otherwise your back won't be thanking you for it.

[Some Gump]

Focus Cayo Evo - you might (just) get a 2013 Evo 1 or 2 if the online folk still have them. Racier than some of your options, but not too racy (Focus make an Izalco for that).

I always had me heart set of a Agree GTC, but then tried a Cayo and found it to be really comfortable - plus quite a bit less common round my ways (which is always nice). I just wish I could have justified the expense of the Evo 1 at the time, it looks like an angry carbon wasp - I loved it!

[anonymous-user]

If you don't need the comfort that carbon sportive geo bikes affords for those long 100 milers and can live without the clique, max the budget and get the canyon al 9.0 with ultegra and ksyriums. Read some of the reviews, it's widely considered to be one of the best alu frames ever made but the top end carbon fork and vcls seat post do a good job of absorbing road buzz

https://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3...

[ChrisMCoupe]

We are very similar size, I'm 6'3 and 90Kg and I ride a Cannondale Supersix that I picked up from Pauls Cycles a couple of years ago. I ride a 58cm and it fit's me perfectly.

I can't fault the bike in anyway, and in your price range the 105 is a bargain, that leaves you budget for pedals etc.

[Barchettaman]

Get a fit first, then listen carefully to your fitter's recommendations, and take it from there.

[TheLemming]

I'd upgrade the Boardman to the pro carbon SLR. Full 11 speed ultegra including wheels.

Although they are 1800, 30% off that is achievable....

[CPK]

Giant Composite 1. Ordered mine on Monday, collecting it tomorrow after the bike fit. The LBS did a package: bike + pedals+ Cateye computer + shoes for a little over £1,600.

[Justin S]

Although a cube owner, I would steer towards others. Seems a few people needing warranty frames have been left bikeless for months and a chap I met on Saturday at the LBS , had a cracked carbon BB on his Cube. Cube showed no interest. He has claimed it through his household insurance and is not getting another Cube. Shame , as I like my alloy Cube, but hope it doesn't break now.
Wife has the CAAD 10 from Pauls. Is a lovely bike. She is teeny, so the frame is pretty small and rigid. If the larger frames are more 'flexible' should be a great bike. Have a look at Dolan bikes, very happy with mine. To be honest, that kind of money will buy a nice machine. Good Luck with the search.

[mikees]

Cannondale SuperSix, I bought the tiagra and put ultegra and 105 on.

Amazing frame. Do you need a Synapse for 2 hours?


http://www.sunsetmtb.co.uk/shop/index.php?product_...

[craigthecoupe]

i have a dolan tuono, spec'd to just under £1700. i've only ridden it a few times, but did my first 100 on it on good friday. no real aches or pains to speak of. i'd say its a happy medium between stiffness and comfort, the devon roads are appalling at the moment, and it coped well. following on with the theme of not appalling, their customer service for me was non existent. such a shame, as i have zero confidence if something goes wrong. lovely product though.

[Sortie 10]

I guess most people here are posting how they have spent their hard-earned. I will join the debate - don't overlook the MEKK range. I'm very satisfied with my Poggio 2.0 all carbon, and fantastic value (& great service) from Wiggle.

[Sortie 10]

I guess most people here are posting how they have spent their hard-earned. I will join the debate - don't overlook the MEKK range. I'm very satisfied with my Poggio 2.0 all carbon, and fantastic value (& great service) from Wiggle.

[Jester27]

^^ ditto above. Got the same bike and have spent some money on it. All in it's been £1600 as near as damn it.

Now weighs 7.5kg! Some more easy wins still to be had