New best bike decision time.
Discussion
I suspect this is a familiar tale for many of us.
I got back into road cycling in 2010 with a decent 'full Ultegra' Merida Scultura, completed my first 100 miles on it and bought my first Rapha jersey before they went full mainstream.
Upgraded to a Wilier Gran Turismo in 2012, climbed Tiede, did the RideLondon, completed the Festive 500, notched up 360hr riding on Strava in a year.
Then CV19 hit and I went from all the fitness to none of the fitness. I kept riding my 650b'd gravel bike but my heart just wasn't in it.
Fast forward to now and I feel the bug coming back. My Wilier is on the Kickr but really it's time for my next 'best bike'.
f
k me! How expensive are Ultegra Specced bikes 
So, what do I want? Nothing that could be considered mainstream so no Giant, Specialized et al. Not too keen on BMC and Cervelo despite how accomplished they are. My heart says Italian but I find that carbon bikes dates easily by model year.
Which leaves custom, or it would if the waiting lists weren't ~ 18 months.
I guess my question is: Where should I be looking at for a bike that gives me racey handing, clearance for 32mm tyres and is special enough to be my best bike for the next ten years?
I'm currently obsessing over the Curve Belgie but I fear the geometry may be too aggressive.
I got back into road cycling in 2010 with a decent 'full Ultegra' Merida Scultura, completed my first 100 miles on it and bought my first Rapha jersey before they went full mainstream.
Upgraded to a Wilier Gran Turismo in 2012, climbed Tiede, did the RideLondon, completed the Festive 500, notched up 360hr riding on Strava in a year.
Then CV19 hit and I went from all the fitness to none of the fitness. I kept riding my 650b'd gravel bike but my heart just wasn't in it.
Fast forward to now and I feel the bug coming back. My Wilier is on the Kickr but really it's time for my next 'best bike'.
f
k me! How expensive are Ultegra Specced bikes So, what do I want? Nothing that could be considered mainstream so no Giant, Specialized et al. Not too keen on BMC and Cervelo despite how accomplished they are. My heart says Italian but I find that carbon bikes dates easily by model year.
Which leaves custom, or it would if the waiting lists weren't ~ 18 months.
I guess my question is: Where should I be looking at for a bike that gives me racey handing, clearance for 32mm tyres and is special enough to be my best bike for the next ten years?
I'm currently obsessing over the Curve Belgie but I fear the geometry may be too aggressive.
It will only take 28s but perhaps an Orro gold? Ultegra build for £2500 and decently reviewed bikes.
https://www.orrobikes.com/shop/endurance-bikes/gol...
https://www.orrobikes.com/shop/endurance-bikes/gol...
Most of the custom builders seem to have waiting lists of about 18 months which as I'm hoping to pick the bike up next spring is a bit too far off for me.
Lovely Quirk.
I've been admiring Stelbel for a long time but they have suspended new orders for an unspecified reason, a shame as they are fabulous looking bikes.
Lovely Quirk.
I've been admiring Stelbel for a long time but they have suspended new orders for an unspecified reason, a shame as they are fabulous looking bikes.
I'd have thought the first place to start is a proper fit to work out what geometry you need to fit you like a glove. (Not sure what the options are, but will be looking into this when I get my next bike I guess. Is Retul an option?)
Once you've got that nailed, you can start to think about the best frame material for the type of riding you want to do, and whether you want to sacrifice adjustability for hidden cables. (If it's built to fit, this might not be an issue.)
I want a TT bike next, and will want it adjusted to be comfortable for up to 2 hour TTs. I will also want it to still have room to adjust for all day comfort as I get a bit older, as I would like to do the Trans Am and similar when I get a bit older. I'll be starting with a good chat with a bike fitter I trust.
Once you've got that nailed, you can start to think about the best frame material for the type of riding you want to do, and whether you want to sacrifice adjustability for hidden cables. (If it's built to fit, this might not be an issue.)
I want a TT bike next, and will want it adjusted to be comfortable for up to 2 hour TTs. I will also want it to still have room to adjust for all day comfort as I get a bit older, as I would like to do the Trans Am and similar when I get a bit older. I'll be starting with a good chat with a bike fitter I trust.
For a sensible waiting time (2 months rather than 2 years), bespoke titanium frame, you could get something very special from Mosaic.
Stunning details and welding:
https://www.mosaiccycles.com/
Stunning details and welding:
https://www.mosaiccycles.com/
Daveyraveygravey said:
Randy Winkman said:
Have you considered titanium? I feel that metal bikes with a somewhat "retro" look don't date like carbon ones.
I'd definitely be looking at titanium. You can get them from Enigma, Reilly, Kinesis, loads of choices...I went for a Burls custom Ti frame...chose my own geometry, tube cross-sections etc...basically design your own frame and their software does the calculations for any parameters you didn't specify - all handmade in Russia by former aerospace fabricators who used to make the Ti frames fro Colnago.
http://www.burls.co.uk/titanium.html
http://www.burls.co.uk/titanium.html
nammynake said:
But may crack. They look nice but give me a modern carbon frame any day. Just as comfortable and loads more choice available.
Not sure about that. I don't have a Ti frame, just a carbon and an old steel for winter. But everyone I know with both tends to ride the Ti more.I have a kinesis 4s which is set up as a winter bike but I love riding it in all weathers and could easily be my only bike. Will take 28mm with guards.
The geometry is the same as the kinesis gf ti I believe and really is all day comfortable with sublime handling in the bends. Stable yet chuckable.
I also bought a fairlight strael which has similar characteristics in terms of handling. Steel takes away the buzz though so even more comfy.
The strael is my 'best bike'. Ultegra, carbon etc.
I'd consider what characteristics you want from the bike and narrow the choices that way.
ETA check out Pearson cycles as well. Oh and Condor. I really love the colourway on the Super Acciaco.
The geometry is the same as the kinesis gf ti I believe and really is all day comfortable with sublime handling in the bends. Stable yet chuckable.
I also bought a fairlight strael which has similar characteristics in terms of handling. Steel takes away the buzz though so even more comfy.
The strael is my 'best bike'. Ultegra, carbon etc.
I'd consider what characteristics you want from the bike and narrow the choices that way.
ETA check out Pearson cycles as well. Oh and Condor. I really love the colourway on the Super Acciaco.
Edited by ovlovlover on Monday 26th July 14:01
z4RRSchris said:
Just in case anyone hadn't noticed Wyndymilla is no longer the company it was. New CEO is a complete arse and has ripped the guts out of the place one way or another. At this point I'd point you *anywhere* else. They used to be brilliant but this is now history.
bit harsh - do you have one? or have you ordered one? i have two WM bikes.
for a small bike brand making sub 100 frames a year i think they do very well. The WM frames are custom sartos basically.
Customer service is very good, process of ordering a frame is great. the paint lads are top notch.
for a small bike brand making sub 100 frames a year i think they do very well. The WM frames are custom sartos basically.
Customer service is very good, process of ordering a frame is great. the paint lads are top notch.
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