Carbon frame with Ultegra Di2 - Options?

[mouseymousey]

Afternoon all

My main road bike is currently a Planet-x pro carbon with (some) ultegra bits. I've got the urge to get something new with a little more of a relaxed geometry.

My first port of call was the Planet-x RT-58 with full Ultegra but it's actually heavier than my Pro Carbon. So then I had a look at a Canyon Endurance CF which was more expensive but was a bit lighter. Then I had a look at Rose bikes and found I could get Ultegra Di2 for a few quid off of 2k - this bike:

http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/bike/rose-xeon-team-cgf...

So my budget has increased by about 700 since looking at the RT-58 but I'm reasonably ok with that but can't go any higher. Are there any other carbon framed Di2 bikes I should be considering at this price point? I see I can spec a Ribble with Di2 for a little bit less but being fussy I'm not sure I like the colour schemes!

Any advice or hints on other bikes to check out would be appreciated.

[LotusMartin]

Trek Madone 4.9 - 11 speed Di2 last one left is 56cm.

No idea if its any good

www.cycle-ops.co.uk/bikes/madone-4-9-di2/

[craigthecoupe]

if you get the rose i hope you enjoy it, but those seat stays look wrong to my eye, both visually and structurally.

[croftsj]

Could be an optical illusion.

[mouseymousey]

craigthecoupe said:

if you get the rose i hope you enjoy it, but those seat stays look wrong to my eye, both visually and structurally.

Which photo are you looking at?

[bakerstreet]

mouseymousey said:

Afternoon all

My main road bike is currently a Planet-x pro carbon with (some) ultegra bits. I've got the urge to get something new with a little more of a relaxed geometry.

My first port of call was the Planet-x RT-58 with full Ultegra but it's actually heavier than my Pro Carbon. So then I had a look at a Canyon Endurance CF which was more expensive but was a bit lighter. Then I had a look at Rose bikes and found I could get Ultegra Di2 for a few quid off of 2k - this bike:

http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/bike/rose-xeon-team-cgf...

So my budget has increased by about 700 since looking at the RT-58 but I'm reasonably ok with that but can't go any higher. Are there any other carbon framed Di2 bikes I should be considering at this price point? I see I can spec a Ribble with Di2 for a little bit less but being fussy I'm not sure I like the colour schemes!

Any advice or hints on other bikes to check out would be appreciated.

The Pro Carbon is considered to have a relaxed geometry. How much heavier is the RT-58? 200-300g? Just have a bog poo before every ride.

Have you tried upgrading the wheels on your Pro Carbon? Stats suggest the difference in performance us tiny, but my bike felt much better with decent wheels.

[mouseymousey]

bakerstreet said:

The Pro Carbon is considered to have a relaxed geometry. How much heavier is the RT-58? 200-300g? Just have a bog poo before every ride.

Have you tried upgrading the wheels on your Pro Carbon? Stats suggest the difference in performance us tiny, but my bike felt much better with decent wheels.

Yes it's only 200g heavier which makes no real difference at all but in my mind buying a heavier bike is a step backwards. I swapped the stem on my pro carbon for a shorter one which helped with the geometry and I have no real complaints about it now, I've done a good 5000 miles on it. I just fancy something new.

The rear brake on the Rose bike is mounted under the cahinstay so that is putting me off a little now.

[stongle]

The Madone is not really a relaxed geometry fit, and I'd question it over the Pro-carbon if you want more relaxed (perhaps look at a Domane). Although it has both H1 & H2 fitting options, H2 being slightly less aggresive (you should check what one it is). Nonethless, its perfectly possible to ride one all day. I'd favour this over the internet only brands (as you can try it); but depends if you can live with the branding. At that price its looks a steal, although I'd ditch the FSA cranks and rings). I've got a 7, and it's very, very stiff; but fast. The 7 also has the aero rear brake (you comment on), and I've had no issues with it other than a bit of rubbing (but I run Smart ENVE 6.7 / Aelous D3 50mm wheels which are generally wider than traditional V shape rims). Cleaning not an issue, quick squirt of Muc-off...

[mouseymousey]

stongle said:

The Madone is not really a relaxed geometry fit, and I'd question it over the Pro-carbon if you want more relaxed (perhaps look at a Domane). Although it has both H1 & H2 fitting options, H2 being slightly less aggresive (you should check what one it is). Nonethless, its perfectly possible to ride one all day. I'd favour this over the internet only brands (as you can try it); but depends if you can live with the branding. At that price its looks a steal, although I'd ditch the FSA cranks and rings). I've got a 7, and it's very, very stiff; but fast. The 7 also has the aero rear brake (you comment on), and I've had no issues with it other than a bit of rubbing (but I run Smart ENVE 6.7 / Aelous D3 50mm wheels which are generally wider than traditional V shape rims). Cleaning not an issue, quick squirt of Muc-off...

Thanks for that, a couple of things to look into.

Good news about the aero brake on your 7, that's put my mind at rest a bit.

[adh1]

Having noticed comments re Rose bikes, I thought I would comment on my experience. I bought my Rose Team CGF 3000 a couple of months ago. It's great and it rides really well. Not only is the frame very light, all of the other components are high quality from the carbon seat post to the DT Swiss wheels, Conti tyres and Shimano Ultegra gears and brakes etc. In short, the value for money is unbeatable. The location of the rear brake has not been an issue. It always works efficiently although it does perhaps pick up slightly more grime than a standard brake caliper on a wet day. The Team C(arbon) G(rand) F(ondo) has a slightly more relaxed ride. But Rose do have other bikes with a more aggressive race geometry if that is what you are after.

Rose are a German company. They design their frames, which are then manufactured in the Far East (Korea). The frames are then shipped back to Rose, who assemble the bikes.

Unlike some other companies, Rose are very efficient in fielding queries on the phone and they are happy to offer advice (all in English naturally). Also, unlike some bike cos, there is no penny pinching on the standard spec. For example I got a full Ultegra set rather than just the parts that are most visible. If you want to tailor the spec to suit your personal requirements, it is really easy. If you want Di2, or SRAM or Campag it is not a problem. It's all so much better than buying a bike that you quite like then upgrading all the bits you don't want or like.


The downsides are first, that I generally prefer to support my LBS (but they still get plenty of business from me), secondly, there is a time lag between ordering and delivery. In my case, it took about five weeks from the day I confirmed my order to the day my bike arrived. This was in line with what I had been told when I placed my order.

Anything I would change about the bike? Hmm, the jury's still out on the standard Selle Royal saddle. It is a bit minimalist for my liking.

[Raven Flyer]

The Boardman SLS 9.4 was voted bike of the year, this year. It have everything you are after but is a bit over your budget.

It's not old enough to feature in sales yet.

With your budget, the Rose looks like a really good option.

[mouseymousey]

Interesting comments, thanks.

The Boardman does look good but it's currently 50% higher than my already stretched budget. I will look out for it appearing in a sale though as I'm probably going to have to wait a few weeks to build myself up into pulling the trigger on this!