New road bike,

[Black can man]

First post in here please be gentle, looking to replace my 6 year old specialised alley with a new bike & have a budget of around a bag of sand, currently i'm tempted tp buy the Norco Valence A1 2014 Road Bike reduced from £950, to £760 at Evans as it seems to tick the right boxes for me. i'm just popping down to gatwick to have a we gander, i'm bound to buy something, Can anyone give me a good reason as not to buy this bike before i part with my hard earned ?

[GarryDK]

Crack on buddy, looks like a nicely spec'd bike for the price.

[Black can man]

GarryDK said:

Crack on buddy, looks like a nicely spec'd bike for the price.

Cheers mate .

[Usget]

Yep, it is a nice spec for the money, the only reason not to buy it is if it doesn't suit you when you test-ride it. Have a go and see what you think.

[TwistingMyMelon]

Great bike for price, my mate has a similar model with Sora on, he has had no issues, bar several spokes breaking on the wheels.

If you have a grand though, I would spend a grand, ideally on something with a good frame you can upgrade up in the future. , also the Norco isn't too similar to what you currently have .

Sounds cliched, but it is difficult to knock this for an "all rounder" for a grand http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPRIV13/planet-x...

[GreatGranny]

As always this can't be discounted...

http://www.boardmanbikes.com/road/road_team_carbon...

[Black can man]

Usget said:

Yep, it is a nice spec for the money, the only reason not to buy it is if it doesn't suit you when you test-ride it. Have a go and see what you think.

Thanks for the advice , I did indeed heed your kind words & something just didn't feel right on it, then I sat on the FUJI Roubaix , much , much nicer to sit & ride on , pretty pleased , looks nice too

[Usget]

Glad to have been of assistance! It's never guaranteed that a bike will suit you, even if it's bloody brilliant both on paper and for another rider. If a bike feels right (and looks right!) then you'll want to ride it more.

[S6PNJ]

Whilst I appreicate what I'm going to suggest is hard to sit on and try, how does this one spec up against what you've been looking at so far?
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sed/road-track-bike/...
Or if the link fails, the Ribble 4600 Evo Pro Carbon?

[Barchettaman]

Unless there are fit issues with your current bike I can´t see how replacing alu frame/carbon fork with alu frame/carbon fork is going to make a massive difference.

To upgrade from the Spesh I think you´re looking at full carbon, at which point the usual suspects swing into view:
Planet X

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPRIV13/planet-x...

Boardman

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

Ribble

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sed/road-track-bike/...

[Yatesy350i]

Planet X

Pro carbon Ultegra for me at a grand.

I've just spent a little bit more and got the RT58. Absolutely over the moon with it.

Three of us went in and got a bit of a deal. Two of us got bike a couple of weeks later. Both really pleased.

The third guy has still not got his bike after a frame/fork finish problem. Had his money back today. Customer service could do with being a bit better.

But the bikes are great value. IMO.

[Disco You]

Barchettaman said:

Unless there are fit issues with your current bike I can´t see how replacing alu frame/carbon fork with alu frame/carbon fork is going to make a massive difference.

To upgrade from the Spesh I think you´re looking at full carbon, at which point the usual suspects swing into view:
Planet X

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPRIV13/planet-x...

Boardman

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

Ribble

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sed/road-track-bike/...

I agree with the sentiment above. The bikes you mention aren't sufficiently better than your current bike to warrant the money, I'd say.

If I were you I would either spend your money on a carbon bike from the likes of planetx. Or spend it on upgrading your existing bike (e.g. Wheels and tyres, finishing kit, groupset, or a combination).

[mcelliott]

Another here for Planet X - I've got the carbon pro, cost about £1,100. Definitely not the 'trendiest' brand but astonishing value for money. I love mine.

[Black can man]

Thanks for all the advice gents, i opted for the FUJI in the end & used it for my 10 mile cycle to work this morning, feels nice . I'm 53 years old very soon & the days of keeping up with the young'ns are long gone, The bike feels nice & it looks good,i know looks are not the most important thing in buying a bike but it certainly gives me a smile when i see it. if i'm still riding in 5 years time i'll probably go down the carbon route.

Many thanks again gents

[47p2]

Black can man said:

I'm 53 years old very soon & the days of keeping up with the young'ns are long gone,

You're just a lad...I'm a few years older than you and still give it beans when I see a cyclist ahead of me, can't help myself and it gives me great pleasure passing someone half my age.

[V41LEY]

I've been reading great things about the Cube Peloton Race as a great first road bike. Anyone with one got any feedback ?

[GarryDK]

V41LEY said:

I've been reading great things about the Cube Peloton Race as a great first road bike. Anyone with one got any feedback ?

My mate has one and can't fault it. I opted for the one up the agree, full carbon frame, and I absolutely love it.

[HereBeMonsters]

Most bikes around that price will have a decent spec, it's the fit that's the most important.

[Black can man]

47p2 said:

Black can man said:

I'm 53 years old very soon & the days of keeping up with the young'ns are long gone,

You're just a lad...I'm a few years older than you and still give it beans when I see a cyclist ahead of me, can't help myself and it gives me great pleasure passing someone half my age.

[Black can man]

V41LEY said:

I've been reading great things about the Cube Peloton Race as a great first road bike. Anyone with one got any feedback ?

A friend of mine has one of these, they do look nice.