Options for a road bike - up to 2K

[vxsmithers]

Done to death around the 1K mark, but I'm looking for a comfortable bike (so sportive rather than out and out race bike) up to around £2K. I like a few hills, and I usually do less than 30 mile rides, but hoping a new bike will extend this (I'm currently on a 15kg mountain bike).

I'm going to the bike show tomorrow to look at Canyon and Rose, but anything else I should look at? Quite happy with left field choices, and I'm keen to look at disc versions as well as traditional brakes.

Any good bikes I should consider?

Considering a Rose CDX / CGF or Canyon Endurance CF to give an idea of what I'm currently thinking about

[vxsmithers]

Thanks for the replies, all food for thought.

The Cervelo looks fantastic, but I feel it may be a step too far for me, what I don't want to do is buy something that I'm put off riding due to severe position (although that doesn't look too severe?)

Rose CGf with Di2 was also on my shortlist to look at, as is the CDX with Di2 if there is a cheeky discount at the show (although I doubt it) need to sit on a few to make my mind up.

The only issue with Rose is that being a bit of a magpie, they don't look as nice as some others - maybe better in the flesh though. Certainly not a deal breaker and I'm happy with distance buying if I can sit on one first.

[vxsmithers]

Thanks for the advice

like the look of the Giant, and was looking at the 2015 S2 with budget creep ( I don't think the 54 would be big enough)... now I have too many choices!

Will see what happens today

[vxsmithers]

Well, I dithered

On the plus side it was good to see some of the Canyon bikes and Rose Bikes up close, and I tried and failed to get on an s2, as they only had a 58 which was way too big. I sat on an S3 but they didn't seem keen on setting it up which is fair enough I suppose

To be honest I was a bit disappointed with the show, the promise of riding a bunch of bikes turned out to be a very nice Wilier with no pedals, a Rose GF or Rose Pro. Not exactly the abundant lineup I was expecting...

The one thing I did realise was that I prefer Shimano to SRAM which is a shame as I wanted to like SRAM (on a sample size of one bike running Force).

I'd have been better off going to a decent bike shop really as any discount was the same as online as far as I could see.. Live and learn.

I did quite like the Rose GF though so may well buy one after I've tried to get on an S2 and maybe a Giant Defy/Propel. Also loved the look of the Storck visioner and Scenero G2 but budget is an issue (and my brother has a Storck...)

[vxsmithers]

SixPotBelly said:

vxsmithers said:

Well, I dithered

On the plus side it was good to see some of the Canyon bikes and Rose Bikes up close, and I tried and failed to get on an s2, as they only had a 58 which was way too big. I sat on an S3 but they didn't seem keen on setting it up which is fair enough I suppose

To be honest I was a bit disappointed with the show, the promise of riding a bunch of bikes turned out to be a very nice Wilier with no pedals, a Rose GF or Rose Pro. Not exactly the abundant lineup I was expecting...

The one thing I did realise was that I prefer Shimano to SRAM which is a shame as I wanted to like SRAM (on a sample size of one bike running Force).

I'd have been better off going to a decent bike shop really as any discount was the same as online as far as I could see.. Live and learn.

I did quite like the Rose GF though so may well buy one after I've tried to get on an S2 and maybe a Giant Defy/Propel. Also loved the look of the Storck visioner and Scenero G2 but budget is an issue (and my brother has a Storck...)

I found that mini review of the show useful.

In your opening post, you mentioned the Canyon Endurace as a contender. Did it fall off your short list when you saw it, or is it just that now the Rose, Cervelo and Giant(s) appeal more?

The Canyons not off the list, but I understand that some of the finishing kit is oddly sized, not a big deal but something to consider. It also looks very bland in black - I don't mind that, but a bit of colour is also nice! (hence being drawn to the bright blue Storck)

[vxsmithers]

okgo said:

Curve ball

Sigma flogging supersix hi mod frame for £1300, that's the same frame Sagan rode last year half price. £500 on ultegra groupset, £150 on fulcrum fives, and then £200 on 3t finishing kit and arione saddle, half decent tyres or spend a bit more and get racing 3's - that bike for just over £2k has pro tour level frame, basically last years dura ace quality groupset and wheels that will be reliable and perfectly light enough for all things.

I like curve balls! may take a wander down there tomorrow if I get time. I also see there are a few Colnagos in budget. The magpie is coming out in me.

To be honest all I really want is a bike that I like the look of, and that will be comfortable to ride. I'll likely keep this for 10+ years so I don't mind paying more than others would think is required

[vxsmithers]

SixPotBelly said:

Thanks. I've been seriously considering the Endurace myself but I too am put off by the colour choices of matt black or very dark grey. I don't get it. If you're going to offer two colour choices, why make them all but identical?

I'm off to the show tomorrow to look and feel too, but my expectations are low now. It's funny how a bike can have geometry that suits, with the spec I want, that gets great reviews and at a bargain price yet I'm put off buying it because I don't like it's colour (or lack thereof).

Might have to swing by the Storck and Cervelo stands now. As long as they're out of my price range but there's no harm in looking

Thanks again for the post. Keep us updated on what you decide!

Apparently Thursday has been a trade only day in the past and I don't think half the stands got the message its not this year, so there may be more bikes out to try tomorrow.

There wasn't a stand as such for either Storck or Cervelo, but there was a bike shop with a few of each on their stand - you won't miss the Blue Storck! Its very blue

[vxsmithers]

TKF said:

10+ yrs? Better not get a carbon bike. They melt y'know.

No hope of it turning into a family heir loom then!

Carbon frames have been around since the 1970s (I googled it!) which surprised me, but I wonder what they look like as I've seen some exotic cars with carbon bits looking pretty tatty from the 90s - delaminating etc.

[vxsmithers]

Well it looks like I might be buying an R2 - something I hadn't considered at all until yesterday, but seems to fit what I want more than anything else. Quick test ride booked next week to confirm.

I looked at the supersix but to be honest, I'm not confident enough in building up a bike without really knowing what it will be like to ride if that makes sense?

I also thought Sigma were pretty good, took over an hour of their time going through stuff and getting a basic fit.

I reckon I'd still be questioning what to do without asking on here, so thanks for the help

[vxsmithers]

ALawson said:

Is that a new R2?

Yes, 2015 version. I seem to have a habit of buying things in the same colour - My last 5 cars have been battleship grey, and my last 2 bikes have been white. Why change a habit!

Interesting comments on test riding, I agree that a short test ride will only tell a little about the bike, but I still want to feel how it rides before I drop a load of cash. In my mind I've already bought it, but just need to be sure.

[vxsmithers]

Thought I'd update this. I bought the Cervelo R2 in the end, the Rose was very tempting but I wasn't confident enough with understanding road bikes to drop that amount of money on something I'd never ridden. Had a decent fit in the shop and the bars and stem were swapped out to give a better fit. So far its pretty comfortable, but jury's out on the saddle.

Spec is relatively basic but good enough for me for now...

Maybe the next bike will be a Rose