What bike, road, circa 3k

[BMWBen]

I'm moving a bit closer into London which means I can commute by bike every day, both ways. Normally this would be about which bike for that, but not this time! It frees up what I was spending on my railcard for some n+1 bike purchasing.

I'm looking to spend about 3k, not including wheels.

Criteria are (in priority order):
Sexy
Carbon
Pedigree (I own a Ribble and love it so I'm not a snob, but this bike is a treat)
Aero-ish

What initially sparked the thought was seeing a felt ar3 lined up next to a pinarello rokh next to a De rosa r838. I'm not too bothered about electronic group set or anything like that, just want a quality frame that's going to be nice to ride and will last a good number of years both aesthetically and physically. Unless I should be bothered about electronic shifting that is, I've never tried it.

Use will be weekend/evening rides of 50-100miles +, perhaps a bit of racing once I've broken it in a bit and have got used to riding something so expensive.

Felt ar3/ar2 : really nice looking - bit of aero, good reviews, light for an aero frame. Not sure it stacks up well against cervelo, colnago etc. side by side I think it might look a bit cheap.

Pinarello rokh - looks really solid, but not sure about the whole asymmetric chainstay thing, strikes me as a bit of a gimmick.

De rosa r838 - superb looking bike. Don't know anything else about de rosa.

Other options might be a cervelo s2 built out with ultegra? Something from canyon? Suggestions please!

[nammynake]

Possibly not pedigree enough, but stunning IMO:

http://www.canyon.com/_uk/eurobike2012/ultimate-cf...

[Rouleur]

http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/p/19452/cervelo-s2-fra...

Stick some Force/Ultegra/Athena and nice finishing kit on one of these and you're sorted

[Teebs]

Scott foil 20?

[Markp13]

That canyon isn't released yet is it?

My short list at that price range is-

Focus izalco pro
Canyon ultimate cf slx
Cannondale supersix
Specialised venge expert/pro

I hope to try all of them before I look to splash out next year.

[nammynake]

Markp13 said:

That canyon isn't released yet is it?

My short list at that price range is-

Focus izalco pro
Canyon ultimate cf slx
Cannondale supersix
Specialised venge expert/pro

I hope to try all of them before I look to splash out next year.

Not yet, I'm guessing available to order very shortly though. Unfortunately you can't try before you buy....although I don't personally see the benefit of sitting on a bike in a store, or a 2 minute lap of the shop car park.

[village idiot]

i might be able to sort you out with something MUCH better than than little lot... what sort of size are you looking for?

[Markp13]

village idiot said:

i might be able to sort you out with something MUCH better than than little lot... what sort of size are you looking for?

Me?

Probably 58cm.

If not me, sorry for the presumption.

[sparkyb999]

One bike that really shouldnt be ignored is the Moda Stretto, This was my first road bike, and today I still have it in standard spec (although i am running Zipps's at the moment).

I bought a "pro" bike a few weeks ago and now use the Moda as my training bike, and when i compare the two the moda sits up straight. It is fast in the sprints, climbs extremly well and a month ago sat in the saddle for 5 hours comfortable for 112 miles with ease.

It will also save you a grand

Comes standard with Sram Force, and the awesome American classic 420's,
Sexy (IMO)
carbon
aero,

Ticks the boxes...no?

Worth a look anywho

[BPC7]

I test rode a Cervelo S2 and loved it, that is till I tried an S5 lol, have it on order now and should be ready for collection near the end of the month

[rhinochopig]

I know you said carbon, but what about a Renovo, i.e an R3 or an R4?

http://www.renovobikes.com/renovo-reviews-and-comm...

[Rouleur]

Don't forget frames can be made from metal too

[spongy]

I ride a cannondale six13 as my best bike.....ribble race bike as my hack....and am about to buy a felt ar4 as my ummmmmmmmmmm treat to myself .Rode one in the week and loved it.

[MadDad]

spongy said:

and am about to buy a felt ar4 as my ummmmmmmmmmm treat to myself .Rode one in the week and loved it.

How did you get on with it? I was looking at the AR4 but my LBS advised me to look at the F4, the AR4 is a stunning bike but apparently a bit flexy. I have not ridden one so don't have an opinion, but I did ride the F4 and have to say it was stiff, compliant and fast. Although the AR range looks stunning it's is a bit of a strange category, not quite an out and out racer, not quite a TT bike and defo not built for long distances - still looks fab and I am still temped (although I think I will be going down the route of a Ti bike having ridden carbon and Ti back to back)....

[okgo]

They built the ar range to compete with everyone else, s series cervelo's for instance.

[anonymous-user]

3k - 2k for the frame set and 1k for gruppo and the rest?

Hmm.

I would look at Cervelo (maybe an R3 more than an S2 for the length of rides you're looking at), Pinarello, Merckx, Felt, BMC and Canyon (probably the best bag for buck of the lot).

Actually, what I would do is stretch the budget for a Cervelo S5.

No. Actually, I'd really stretch the budget. Parlee Z5. Beautiful frame, beautifully made.

But then, I'd probably never go racing on a Z5...

[Rob_T]

i just bought one of these



specialised venge expert 2012. list was £3300, but selling now for around £2700. ticks all your boxes i believe. I can vouch for the fact it is excellent too!

[BMWBen]

BPC7 said:

I test rode a Cervelo S2 and loved it, that is till I tried an S5 lol, have it on order now and should be ready for collection near the end of the month

Hmmm the S5 takes good looking to a whole new level too... I might have to have a test ride. Could make it work if I decked it out in Sora maybe

[village idiot]

Greg66 said:

3k - 2k for the frame set and 1k for gruppo and the rest?

Having just done this myself... you need to budgeting on approx £1,200 for groupset (which should get you into Sram Red or similar), £1,000 on wheels (if you shop via the German websites, that should get you some very good carbon wheels), and about £350 for the cockpit (again, shopping around). Add that to a £2k frameset and you are at circa £4.5k.

My Cinelli Pro Best Of Italo'79 worked out at circa £5.5k (retail... that's not what I paid though!) for the full build including 11 speed Campag Chorus, Campag Bullet Ultra wheels, Cinelli Ram bar/stem, Corsa Evo CX tyres and a nice SLR saddle.