Road Bike - Decision Time
Discussion
Right, the shortlist has been shortened, sales are on and I find myself with the following options (prices are what I can get them for based on conversations and offers thus far).
1. Boardman Team Carbon 2013 £1050
2. Cannondale Synapse Carbon 105 2012 £1380
3. Trek Domane 4.3 2013 £1550
The left field choice is an Eddy Merckx EMX-3 Centaur Carbon 2013 at £1500 (sizes look a bit random on these but it's a good looking bike)
The budget busting porn mobile is the Bianchi Sempre Veloce Compact 2013 at £1650.
Appreciate there is a range of prices here, but I'm looking at overall value rather than absolute price.
In terms of use. This is for fun and exercise only, no racing, so some bias towards comfort.
Maybe some etape type events of 80-100 miles. Normally 70-100 miles a week.
The more I look, the more I find and the choices are endless. Feel free to chuck something in to the mix I haven't considered but I think I've covered the bases!
1. Boardman Team Carbon 2013 £1050
2. Cannondale Synapse Carbon 105 2012 £1380
3. Trek Domane 4.3 2013 £1550
The left field choice is an Eddy Merckx EMX-3 Centaur Carbon 2013 at £1500 (sizes look a bit random on these but it's a good looking bike)
The budget busting porn mobile is the Bianchi Sempre Veloce Compact 2013 at £1650.
Appreciate there is a range of prices here, but I'm looking at overall value rather than absolute price.
In terms of use. This is for fun and exercise only, no racing, so some bias towards comfort.
Maybe some etape type events of 80-100 miles. Normally 70-100 miles a week.
The more I look, the more I find and the choices are endless. Feel free to chuck something in to the mix I haven't considered but I think I've covered the bases!
mcelliott said:
Planet X are doing some good deals at the moment, I would chop the Synapse for a CAAD 10 equipped with Ultagra, some good deals to be had on the 2013 model as they're about to launch their new 2014 range any day now.
Different type of bike: the Synapse is of a more relaxed geometry, whereas the CAAD is an out-and-out race bike.OP: I set out looking at a Synapse last year. Walked out the shop with a Genesis Equilibrium 20. Love it
How much budget creep are you prepared for?
May I suggest this for comfort:
http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=30...
...or this for stonking value for money:
http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=30...
May I suggest this for comfort:
http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=30...
...or this for stonking value for money:
http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=30...
I'd go for the Trek but only because I really like the idea of the Isospeed flex thing and want to try one out. Most designers went with skinny seat stays to aid comfort but this is a new approach. All the videos on the website show Spartacus battering it over cobbles so if thats your thing then its worth a look and whilst the UK isnt littered with cobbles, it would probably improve comfort on longer rides.
Domane for me because it is so clever and everyone I know who has ridden one loves it.
However for value the canyon are very good as are rose bikes.
Planet x did do a full ultegra carbon for just under a grand which appears to be stonking value.
Finally check out Westbrook and Paul's cycles for good end of year deals.
However for value the canyon are very good as are rose bikes.
Planet x did do a full ultegra carbon for just under a grand which appears to be stonking value.
Finally check out Westbrook and Paul's cycles for good end of year deals.
andySC said:
Here's where my moolah would go...
Scott CR1 frame from Westbrook
Ultegra 6700 group set from Merlin
Mavic Ksyrium Elites from TotalCycling.
Bits n bobs from LBS & a day twirling the spanners.
Be about £1500-1600 all in I'd guess & for that you'd have a great machine for the outlay.
Those "bits and bobs" can come to quite a bit! Stem, bars, bar tape, inner cables, outer cables, seatpost, saddle, tyres, tubes,. On the assumption you go for not-sScott CR1 frame from Westbrook
Ultegra 6700 group set from Merlin
Mavic Ksyrium Elites from TotalCycling.
Bits n bobs from LBS & a day twirling the spanners.
Be about £1500-1600 all in I'd guess & for that you'd have a great machine for the outlay.
t parts in keeping with the rest of the bike, you're looking at a good £300 there alone. PH: Budget creep matters.
hellsbuddha said:
Domane for me because it is so clever and everyone I know who has ridden one loves it.
However for value the canyon are very good as are rose bikes.
Planet x did do a full ultegra carbon for just under a grand which appears to be stonking value.
Finally check out Westbrook and Paul's cycles for good end of year deals.
The only FULL ultegra equipped bike planet X do is the new N2A ultegra edition and that is £1999 and that includes 45mm carbon clinchers with an Ali braking track. However for value the canyon are very good as are rose bikes.
Planet x did do a full ultegra carbon for just under a grand which appears to be stonking value.
Finally check out Westbrook and Paul's cycles for good end of year deals.
bakerstreet said:
hellsbuddha said:
Domane for me because it is so clever and everyone I know who has ridden one loves it.
However for value the canyon are very good as are rose bikes.
Planet x did do a full ultegra carbon for just under a grand which appears to be stonking value.
Finally check out Westbrook and Paul's cycles for good end of year deals.
The only FULL ultegra equipped bike planet X do is the new N2A ultegra edition and that is £1999 and that includes 45mm carbon clinchers with an Ali braking track. However for value the canyon are very good as are rose bikes.
Planet x did do a full ultegra carbon for just under a grand which appears to be stonking value.
Finally check out Westbrook and Paul's cycles for good end of year deals.
Hargroves have some good offers on.
Just picked up a Cube Agree Pro (105) for £1150. Ever so slightly better speced than the Boardman. Nice bike.
Evans are doing a CAAD10 105 for just under £1100 too
http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/products.asp?cate... Bikes&product=Agree GTC Pro - 2013 Road Bike#.UhyKCo1wa70
http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/products.asp?cate... Bikes&product=Caad 10 105 Replica - 2013 Road Bike
The Synapse Carbon sound like a good deal.
Just picked up a Cube Agree Pro (105) for £1150. Ever so slightly better speced than the Boardman. Nice bike.
Evans are doing a CAAD10 105 for just under £1100 too
http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/products.asp?cate... Bikes&product=Agree GTC Pro - 2013 Road Bike#.UhyKCo1wa70
http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/products.asp?cate... Bikes&product=Caad 10 105 Replica - 2013 Road Bike
The Synapse Carbon sound like a good deal.
Check out this at Planet X - just got an email
£999, carbon, Ultegra groupset (mostly), Shim R501 wheels. a smidge over 8kg :-o
Looks like a bargain to me!
www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPULT2/planet_x_...
£999, carbon, Ultegra groupset (mostly), Shim R501 wheels. a smidge over 8kg :-o
Looks like a bargain to me!
www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPULT2/planet_x_...
Edited by LotusMartin on Tuesday 27th August 18:09
Domane 4.3 won.
Got a decent deal on one. Picked it up the other day and, allowing for the fact it's my first proper road bike, it's pretty bloody good. If there's anything better for the money, it must be astounding. The Trek frame is brilliant and ingenious. Very comfy, very light and, as far ad I can tell, really good value.
Got a decent deal on one. Picked it up the other day and, allowing for the fact it's my first proper road bike, it's pretty bloody good. If there's anything better for the money, it must be astounding. The Trek frame is brilliant and ingenious. Very comfy, very light and, as far ad I can tell, really good value.
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