What bike??

[roboxm3]

Apologies in advance for resurrecting a thread topic that has been raised numerous times before but having kept my eye on the likes of Evans and Paul’s Cycles websites, I’ve seen the various models and prices change over the last few months, presumably as the 2011 bikes hit the shelves, so I thought I’d ask the PH cycle crew for their advise based on the current market.

Following on from my previous thread where I had all but decided, with the help of you lot, to get a HT XC bike, I have been speaking to various friends and acquaintances who, it turns out, go for regular ride-outs on the road, so I’ve decided that I’d be more likely to use a road bike more often and with the aid of my employer’s cycle to work scheme, get myself a roadie!!

So, for a grand-ish, which bike would you go for??
From what I’ve learned lurking around here I think I should probably be looking for something alu-alloy framed, carbon forked, Tiagra / 105 equipped, with the best wheels and brakes possible.

Unfortunately I’m a bit of a short-arse and due to the fact that I had to wait until I’d completed my 3-month probation period before joining the scheme, some of the bikes and potential deals that were available a few months ago are no longer there...but then again I’ve only really looked on the sites mentioned above and by LBS (who incidentally had a nice Tiagra equipped 2010 Orbea for under £700...in a large only!!).

I know that I will need to go and have a sit and ride on a few for size, fit and feel but if I (read: you lot) could come up with a short-list for me to focus on it would be much appreciated.

So far I have found...

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/al...

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/23-compac...

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bmc/street-fir...

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

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/eddy-merckx/am...

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/lapierre/audac...

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/raleigh/airlit...

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/15-compac...

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m7b...

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m7b...

...but deciding which one “out specs” the other in terms of anything other than the bit I half-understand i.e. 105 or Tiagra is proving a little difficult.

Also, just to add, I’d be just as happy with a new-old-stock 2008/09 bike that was fully 105 equipped with better brakes, rims, hubs etc as I would with a 2010/11 Tiagra equipped bike with lesser wheels, brakes etc.

[option click]

Can't really help with your choice - it's really a case of test riding and getting the one that suits your shape best.
However, do think hard about the CTW scheme - the terms have changed recently and you won't get as good a deal as you would have, due to the new 'fair market value' payment at the end of the 12 month lease.

You may well get a better deal on a '10 season (or '09 depending on size/spec/brand) clearance bike than CTW.

EDIT - also consider a Planet-X, Ribble or Boardman - all have very good entry-level bikes at around the £1000 mark

Edited by option click on Monday 1st November 14:37

[Flippin' Kipper]

You could consider a CX bike as well if you fancy a bit of off road XC as your original choice indicated. These have a slightly shorter top tube as well so maybe be better for you.

[roboxm3]

I had concidered a CX, mainly because for some reason, you often appear to be able to get a higher spec bike for less money.

Something like this....

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/kona/honky-inc...

...but I wasn't sure how much of a disadvantage it would be Vs a pure roadie on a tarmac only ride-out!?

[anonymous-user]

they are all very similar to each other to be honest, very similar spec, most will be made within the same factory, all built to hit a price bracket (though to be fair tahts the same across the price ranges). the raleigh airlite is a particularly good spec for the money and they are getting good reviews. have to say that the £1K carbon boardman would be top of my list though.

personally i would go for something around £800 and spend £200 on a new set of wheels. wheels on £1K bieks are utterly gash and let the whole bike down, its where the manufacturers make their saving by dazzling you with a 105 or even ultegra rear mech then spec some stty rims and hubs hoping you wont notice. the money saved by getting a bike equipped with tiagra rather than 105 can be spent on a proper set of wheels which will be a much more worthy upgrade.

[Flippin' Kipper]

roboxm3 said:

I had concidered a CX, mainly because for some reason, you often appear to be able to get a higher spec bike for less money.

Something like this....

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/kona/honky-inc...

...but I wasn't sure how much of a disadvantage it would be Vs a pure roadie on a tarmac only ride-out!?

From my, admittedly rather limited, knowledge the CX bike will be a little shorter and more upright, with a slacker head tube and slightly higher bars. Also the gearing will be bit different, and it will be a little burlier.

However, pop a set of road tyres on it and you should be able to keep up with your friends who have road bikes - unless they are very keen.

If you google CX vs road bike you get quite a few threads on this subject.

I think it just depends whether you are prepared to live with a few compromises to increase versatility.

Edited by Flippin' Kipper on Monday 1st November 16:27

[Mars]

My brother has a Focus with a CF frame/fork which is nice and light, and has a decent set of components.

[roboxm3]

So, reading between the lines, my best bet would be to get the best fitting, best value Tiagra equipped bike (for what difference 105 would make to a newbie - is the difference that minimal, considering it'll be used for social / fitness only) and spend a couple of hundred on some better spec wheels.

What are the wheels like on that Raleigh - if the frame and forks are decent and it comes equipped with 105s, would that be a good shout??

[The Walrus]

The raleigh has 105 shifters and front and rear deraileurs the rest is FSA and some other stuff, the wheels are pretty heavy 1kg for the front and 1.2 for the back.

If you are looking at sub £1000 the Focus cayo from wiggle would be worth a look as well as the others you have listed and they use the CTW scheme and you have the 30 day trail if you don't like it send it back.

Go to Evans or a local LBS and see what feels right frame wise first then take note of the geometry and take that info for if you purchase on the net.

[Roman]

I prefer the BMC out of the bikes you've listed but I'd buy a Ribble Evo Pro Carbon special edition with SRAM Rival.

It's the best value sub £1k rrp roadbike currently available now the Boardman Team Carbon, Cannondale CAAD 9, Focus Cayo and Planet X SL are no longer available for under £1k. Rival is similar cost to 105 but as light as Ultegra.

With upgraded wheels, compact & pedals for £970 (+ £50 fee for C2W bikes):

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

Review:
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/...

Edited by Roman on Tuesday 2nd November 10:33

[roboxm3]

Is this...

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/raleigh-airlite-400-2010/

...as good value as it first appears??

[itsnotarace]

Yes thats a good deal, but budget another £100 for a set of Mavic Aksium or Shimano RS10 wheels to go with it

[roboxm3]

Thanks for the uber-quick response!!

...now just to find out where I can have a sit on one...??

[beanbag]

Although I'm new to road biking, I can thoroughly recommend the Trek 2.5. (You have the 2.3 listed).

If you search hard enough, you could probably get the 2.5 for the same as the 2.3 and this includes a complete Ultegra groupset.

Some people find the geometry a little odd, but I find it very comfortable and the bike is extremely nimble thanks to its very stiff aluminium frame.

My only critique is that for some reason, Trek chose to include a 105 cassette with 11-25 ratio. The price saving is negligible so I've no idea why they did this.

[anonymous-user]

beanbag said:

Although I'm new to road biking, I can thoroughly recommend the Trek 2.5. (You have the 2.3 listed).

If you search hard enough, you could probably get the 2.5 for the same as the 2.3 and this includes a complete Ultegra groupset.

Some people find the geometry a little odd, but I find it very comfortable and the bike is extremely nimble thanks to its very stiff aluminium frame.

My only critique is that for some reason, Trek chose to include a 105 cassette with 11-25 ratio. The price saving is negligible so I've no idea why they did this.

its nothing to do with price but the range of gears that are available with 11-25, ultegra cassettes are 11-23. 11-25 with a 34/50 will give you a better ratio for the big hills without requiring the legs of jens voight. pushing 34/25 is far more preferable than 34/23 and the difference may seem minimal but when your legs hurt its a life saver...

[Raven Flyer]

Roman said:

I prefer the BMC out of the bikes you've listed but I'd buy a Ribble Evo Pro Carbon special edition with SRAM Rival.

It's the best value sub £1k rrp roadbike currently available now the Boardman Team Carbon, Cannondale CAAD 9, Focus Cayo and Planet X SL are no longer available for under £1k. Rival is similar cost to 105 but as light as Ultegra.

With upgraded wheels, compact & pedals for £970 (+ £50 fee for C2W bikes):

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

Review:
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/...

I agree with all of that.

I have the Boardman but at £200 less, the Ribble is out on its own.

Rival is way better than 105, IMHO and the Boardman Teams used to come with Ultegra before they switched to Rival. Having ridden both (my wife changed her Ultegra equiped Team 2008 for a Rival equipped Team Carbon 2010), there is nothing in it except for the excellence that is 'double tap'.

[With these feet]

You also left out the Fuji bikes at Evans?
I bought a Roubaix 3 (Ok so its got Sora components, but carbon forks and weighs 21 lbs) price matched to £550. As a starter bike I cant fault it. Same frame as the Roubaix 1 (which has 105 etc etc for £900).

[roboxm3]

Just found this, which looks interesting...

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/27591/Ko...

105 gearing and Mavic Aksium wheels.....any good??

I really need to get out and have a sit / ride on a few to discount certain types, otherwise I'm going to send myself mental with the potential options

[anonymous-user]

kona started making the best steel framed mtbs on the market back in the mid 80s and that was their bread and butter for years and years. their first alu framed mtbs were awful. their original full sus stuff was ok but imho their mtbs are a shadow of their former offerings. as mtb bikes have got more complicated they appear to have faltered.

although they have only been in the road market for a few years, they are simpler bikes to get right (compared to full sus stuff) and i would trust them to have done a good job and i wouldnt doubt their ability to make a good, responsive road frame that can compete with the best from the likes of bianchi and trek et al, for the money that looks like a more than competant bike and i would very much pursue it further.