Road bike advice

[ammw]

Hi,

I'm thinking of buying a road bike. I've currently got a Kona Dew Plus (hybrid), bought on the bikes4work scheme, but really fancy a road bike now - I blame all the watching the TdF on TV!

Will be used just for leisure rides, either myself, or with the family, so not racing. Maybe the occasional comute when the weather is nice!

Popped into Evans yesterday for a look, and took one of these out for a test ride:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fuji/roubaix-1...

However, I really like the look of this:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bianchi/via-ni...

Looking at the specs, there doesn't appear to be much difference - I just think the Bianchi looks better!

Any thoughts on either of the above bikes, or other suggestions? I don't really want to spend more than £1000, and less would be better, but from all the research I've been doing, it sounds like 105 is worth getting.

cheers,
Andy

[Justayellowbadge]

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/aeos-...

[option click]

All three bikes from the links above are nice. Don't buy purely on looks, however tempting.
The only way to decide is to go and have a ride and then make your mind up.

I'd also suggest you look at Planet-X bikes, the SL Pro Carbon bikes are very good value for money:
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/bikes/q/drop-bar-r...

[anonymous-user]

Focus Cayo

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Focus_Cayo_105_C...

carbon frame and forks, 105 throughout and fulcrum 7 wheelset.
List price is £1500 currently on sale at £1000.

this is the bargain of the year, you will not find a better bike for the money, read some reviews and they are always highly rated, i see a lot of them around the tri events and the owners adre very happy with the purchase. The 50/34 chainset is a bit of an annoyance but thats the only downside to the whole bike......wiggle now offer a 30 day trial too...

[ammw]

Justayellowbadge said:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/aeos-...

I saw this in Evans yesterday ... salesman told me Pinnacle was Evans own brand, which is why they are cheaper. Unfortunately, I only got to ride the Fuji yesterday, as we ran out of time - had the wife and kids with me waiting to head out for a cycle!

I'll try to pop back in and get a ride on the Bianchi, and maybe the Pinnacle too.

[ammw]

option click said:

All three bikes from the links above are nice. Don't buy purely on looks, however tempting.
The only way to decide is to go and have a ride and then make your mind up.

I'd also suggest you look at Planet-X bikes, the SL Pro Carbon bikes are very good value for money:
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/bikes/q/drop-bar-r...

Trying to resist the temptation, but that Bianchi is just stunning! Also, I like the fact that it is designed as more of a comfort bike i.e. C2C, rather tha an all out racer. I guess I'm a bit of a badge snob too (I drive a Porsche!) and Bianchi appeals on that aspect over Fuji, Pinnacle, Focus etc...

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

ive now whittled my choices downt he the focus (above) or the Bianchi Via Nirone fr 1029. the Bianchi wins ot for me on looks but not sure whic way to go....argh, this is so confusing.

quick question on compact V Triple chainsets. I have knee problems and live in a hilly area. Should i definetely be speccing the triple or will I regret it if I dont? The Bianchi is an extra £139 for the triple.

and then wiggle also have a Focus Cayo expert ( compact) ex-demo at 1225 down from 1750!

Edited by Obiwonkeyblokey on Monday 2nd August 14:28

[ammw]

pablo said:

Focus Cayo

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Focus_Cayo_105_C...

carbon frame and forks, 105 throughout and fulcrum 7 wheelset.
List price is £1500 currently on sale at £1000.

this is the bargain of the year, you will not find a better bike for the money, read some reviews and they are always highly rated, i see a lot of them around the tri events and the owners adre very happy with the purchase. The 50/34 chainset is a bit of an annoyance but thats the only downside to the whole bike......wiggle now offer a 30 day trial too...

Been checking out the Focus bikes on Wiggle too. In fact it was the Variado Expert at £599 that got me started on the idea of buying a road bike, but my budget has gradually crept up towards £1000!!!

I do buy quite a bit from Wiggle, but for an actual bike, I prefer to go into Evans and have a look, test-ride etc... before buying.

[itsnotarace]

This thread comes up at least twice a week

My stock answer is CAAD9, but since you just want it for leisure then you will be wanting a more upright riding position.

Get a Giant Defy 2 or similar and spend the remainder on clipless pedals/shoes/water bottles etc

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Giant-Defy-2-2010-Road-Bik...

[shouldbworking]

And heres another option - purely because I bought one recently as my first road bike and thoroughly enjoy it



http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/specialedition.asp?a...

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

that ribble site is great, but it just confuses me even more. seeing as the evans cycle to work scheme is on our companies list and the wiggle one isn't, that may sway me to the bianchi.

[anonymous-user]

ammw said:

pablo said:

Focus Cayo

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Focus_Cayo_105_C...

carbon frame and forks, 105 throughout and fulcrum 7 wheelset.
List price is £1500 currently on sale at £1000.

this is the bargain of the year, you will not find a better bike for the money, read some reviews and they are always highly rated, i see a lot of them around the tri events and the owners adre very happy with the purchase. The 50/34 chainset is a bit of an annoyance but thats the only downside to the whole bike......wiggle now offer a 30 day trial too...

Been checking out the Focus bikes on Wiggle too. In fact it was the Variado Expert at £599 that got me started on the idea of buying a road bike, but my budget has gradually crept up towards £1000!!!

I do buy quite a bit from Wiggle, but for an actual bike, I prefer to go into Evans and have a look, test-ride etc... before buying.

Evans, of all places....ask yourself this, "what am i really looking for when i go in to the shop?", are you actually trying to find fault with the bike, to examine each weld and the alignment of the tubes or is it just peace of mind, a few minutes in the shop and someone to reassure you that you are buying the right bike.

i dont see any reason why you can not do all that with a bike from wiggle (or merlin, or any other mail order bike shop) in the comfort of your own home without some salesmen stood next to you constantly changing his sales pitch and advice dependant upon your concerns.

[option click]

ammw said:

option click said:

All three bikes from the links above are nice. Don't buy purely on looks, however tempting.
The only way to decide is to go and have a ride and then make your mind up.

I'd also suggest you look at Planet-X bikes, the SL Pro Carbon bikes are very good value for money:
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/bikes/q/drop-bar-r...

Trying to resist the temptation, but that Bianchi is just stunning! Also, I like the fact that it is designed as more of a comfort bike i.e. C2C, rather tha an all out racer. I guess I'm a bit of a badge snob too (I drive a Porsche!) and Bianchi appeals on that aspect over Fuji, Pinnacle, Focus etc...

I must admit, there's a certain *something* about a nice Italian bike - I've just bought myself a Willier, which is the 'Ferrari' in comparison to my two 'Ford' Specialized bikes.

yes I love Specialized, but they (ironically) don't feel as special as the Willier

Edited by option click on Monday 2nd August 15:52

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

OK....UIve done it. In the end I plumped for the Focus Cayo expert ex demo from Wiggle. reduced from 1750 to 1225. one of the factrops being both the Cayo and the bianchi come with two front ringe but the Cayo has a 28 rear cassette which im hoping will save me on the hills! very excited now, I just hope their definition of ex-demo is " almost new"

[anonymous-user]

Obiwonkeyblokey said:

OK....UIve done it. In the end I plumped for the Focus Cayo expert ex demo from Wiggle. reduced from 1750 to 1225. one of the factrops being both the Cayo and the bianchi come with two front ringe but the Cayo has a 28 rear cassette which im hoping will save me on the hills! very excited now, I just hope their definition of ex-demo is " almost new"

very jealous, let us know how you get on!

[ammw]

Obiwonkeyblokey said:

OK....UIve done it. In the end I plumped for the Focus Cayo expert ex demo from Wiggle. reduced from 1750 to 1225. one of the factrops being both the Cayo and the bianchi come with two front ringe but the Cayo has a 28 rear cassette which im hoping will save me on the hills! very excited now, I just hope their definition of ex-demo is " almost new"

Let us know how you get on with it. BTW, can't you get a brand-new Cayo Expert Compact from Wiggle for £1299.99? Did you think it was worth saving £75 buying an ex-demo?

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

i saw that after I ordered it ( bike confusion - to many to concentrate on) so I emailed them and changed the order to a new one.

[Dunk76]

pablo said:

Evans, of all places....ask yourself this, "what am i really looking for when i go in to the shop?", are you actually trying to find fault with the bike, to examine each weld and the alignment of the tubes or is it just peace of mind, a few minutes in the shop and someone to reassure you that you are buying the right bike.

i dont see any reason why you can not do all that with a bike from wiggle (or merlin, or any other mail order bike shop) in the comfort of your own home without some salesmen stood next to you constantly changing his sales pitch and advice dependant upon your concerns.

Well there is the matter of try before you buy - the bike I was originally intending on buying I chickened out online and went to my LBS as they had the same bike.

10 minutes of riding round the block on it and the guy said 'the geometry doesn't suit your riding style... try this one instead'... I was much happier with the instead option. Especially since it was 40% cheaper than what I'd set my heart on.

(Unfortunately, my good lady drove her horse into a hedge that very afternoon, so all my bike money had to be thrown at the horse-menders instead.)

Still, glad I did try, because I'm certain I'd never have been happy with the first choice.

[ammw]

Phoned my local Evans last night to check if they had the Bianchi in my size. They do, so I'm going to test ride it on thursday evening.

Also, confirmed that they will price match as I had seen other websites doing it for £1000 - they said fine.

Now, I've just checked the web again, and I see Winstanley bikes are doing them for £824.99! Unfortunately, they're out of stock on my size, so I'm not sure Evans would price match.

This got me thinking ... when will the 2011 model Bianchis be out? Is it likely that other shops (maybe including Evans) will soon have the 2010 models on sale?

[esuuv]

I love this thread - I get to reply every week, I have the Bianchi - but last years so its a different colour (celeste?)- still very pretty though.

I rode a few and liked it the most - remember they are a bit adjustable - not only seat height - bar height / reach, seat position fore / aft etc so while you should buy what fits best remember that can be altered within limits once you've got some miles on it if its not comfortable.

From a stock point of view I bought mine pretty much exactly this time last year and stock with everyone was very low, but I needed the biggest frame size which may have been harder to get - I dont know how they split production across the sizes - I got mine from evans and did get some discount.

Basically buy the Bianchi.....