Another what bike (sorry)

[Superhoop]

I'm looking to upgrade my current bike, a Trek 1.2 which I've had for a couple of years, and has really got me back into cycling, but I'm riding more now, and think it's time for a change. as for usage, I do an average of 150 miles a week when I have the time, the occasional sportive, and L2B, a couple and friends and I are also looking at joining a local cycling club.

I'm looking at these two from Evans, so what does the knowledge of PH think, and is there anything else out there that I'm mssing? Budget is up to £1500, I would prefer a carbon frame and can go over budget a little if absolutely neccesary (both bikes can be had at the £1500 budget if that helps)

Evans have both bikes coming in for me in the next week or so, and they have have offered a full fitting session, which I hope will help with the decision making process

So, to the shortlist....

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinarello/fp2-... in carbon/red

or

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/eddy-merckx/em... in black

So, over to you guys

[AyBee]

Can't comment, but I love the look of these litespeeds:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/litespeed/arch...

Was in evans the other day and hadn't come across one before then...definitely one added to my want list! Quite a big saving but still over budget Have you tried any of the ones you posted?

[Superhoop]

I did look at that, but it's just a bit too far out of my price bracket, although I'm sure a bit more discount could be sorted (just not enough)

I haven't ridden either yet, I'm waiting for them to come into store, and then will try them both and have a frame fitting.

[anonymous-user]

Van Nicholas Mistral with 105 and some proper nice easton wheels, all for £1349 from www.fatbirds.co.uk i absolutely guarantee you will not get a better deal than this.
http://www.fatbirds.co.uk/detail.asp/sku=VN-Mistra...
though the kuota kharma with 105 and some pimp reynolds wheels from epic cycles is £1549 and a close second.
http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/Kuota_Kharma.html

Van Nich ti frames are a work of art and will last a lifetime and get more envious looks at the cake stop than any other bike in the group and Kuota just have the rear triangle nailed at the moment in terms of getting power down through the chainstays.

[anonymous-user]

if it has to be the pinarello or the merckx then i would go with the merckz, as i dont like the horizontal top tube on the pin and its better specced. not sure about the different models though., the white one has shimano gear on it, the black one has campag khamsin wheels so i assume they are doing different models? the wheels on the pin are utterly shocking, R500s retail at £125 a pair, on a £1800 bike thats a joke.

[BliarOut]

pablo said:

Van Nicholas Mistral with 105 and some proper nice easton wheels, all for £1349 from www.fatbirds.co.uk i absolutely guarantee you will not get a better deal than this.
http://www.fatbirds.co.uk/detail.asp/sku=VN-Mistra...
though the kuota kharma with 105 and some pimp reynolds wheels from epic cycles is £1549 and a close second.
http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/Kuota_Kharma.html

Van Nich ti frames are a work of art and will last a lifetime and get more envious looks at the cake stop than any other bike in the group and Kuota just have the rear triangle nailed at the moment in terms of getting power down through the chainstays.

I bought my Bottechia from Fat Birds at the start of November, the front Gatorskin that I had fitted at the time failed from a manufacturing defect yesterday Rang them up and they popped another one in the post, no quibbles

[Superhoop]

Right, update time.

I've been to a couple of LBS's today.

The first had the Pinarello in stock, and I have to say, in the metal (or should that be carbon??) it really didn't float my boat - I can't really put my finger on why, and I guess that it's not really about how it looks, but for the money I'm spending, I know that every time I saw it, I'd still feel the same - So the Pin is out of the running

pablo said:

the white one has shimano gear on it, the black one has campag khamsin wheels so i assume they are doing different models? the wheels on the pin are utterly shocking, R500s retail at £125 a pair, on a £1800 bike thats a joke.

The Eddy Merckx at Evans had the Shimano RS20's fitted, so I hope that would have been a better option?, However; it no longer matters

I had frame fittings at both shops, and both say that for my size, I need a 56cm frame, this meaning that the Eddy Merckx from Evans being a 54 is unlikely to be a good fit - Again, if I'm spending £1500, then I want it to be right.

So, where does this leave me?

I popped into a second LBS, who also did a frame fitting on a turbo trainer, and let me out on a couple of their demo bikes, which I thought was great considering it was all done without any prior booking. They deal mainly in Trek and Specialized, but have a few other bits and pieces on offer too.

One of them being Wilier. Having a chat with the guys in the shop, I have to say, I don't know why I've shyed away from using an LBS previously, as they were really friendly, and very knowledgable. They were also quite willing to do a deal, and a deal was indeed done.

So, where has my money gone? Well, on one of these.

http://www.chevincycles.com/products.php?plid=m1b0...

I was initially looking at the model below, priced at £1499, however, after a bit of haggling, I've managed to get this at £1525, so saving £275, and almost bang on budget. They're ordering the bike into stock tomorrow, and will hopefully have it ready for me to collect this week. They're also fitting my existing Shimano fit pedals for me, as well as my cycle computer, and have thrown in a cadence sensor as well. So all in, I think I've had a pretty good deal. So the only thing left to do now is cancel my deposit at Evans

So, what do the guys and girls of PH think?

they did have an Ex demo Wilier, that was originally just under 3k, and is being sold for £1990 - I was trying to get a deal on that, but couldn't get it under £1750, which was stetching the budget just a bit too far

[shalmaneser]

I'd be looking at the Cannondales if I had that sort of money to spend, at the moment I have been mainly lusting after the CAAD 10s, although obviously they're alloy but the ride is just lovely.

For your budget the Synapse or the Super Six are both fantastic bikes.

I know what you mean about the Pinarellos, they just totally don't float my boat.

[anonymous-user]

good effort, the wilier is stunning!

[Fetchez la vache]

yep, that looks lovely!