GF01 Disc - Help please - Spec choice.

[anonymous-user]

[redacted]

[ArnageWRC]

I'm another getting the 105 GF....was after the Synapse Ultegra Disc, but the better frame swung it the way of the BMC. 105 isn't that much of a difference to a plodder like me....

[Gruffy]

I'd go 105 and then consider myself justified to drop £350 on kit (blingy shoes, lid etc). Unless those wheels are worth the upgrade?

[andy-ski]

If you don't mind spending the extra £350 for the high spec wheels and group set do that, or sell the wheels on 105 and spend £450 on the most appropriate wheels for you with a wheel builder and get something special.
If you'd rather have a good weekend away with the difference take the cheaper bike...

[jamiebae]

Do they have the same brakes and shifters? It lists 105 shifters on the cheaper one but it has hydro discs which I didn't think 105 shifters worked with.

My view, buy the cheaper one and spend the difference on better wheels if you decide you need them.

[richardxjr]

105 but use the wheels & keep for winter AND buy blingy summer wheels

[numtumfutunch]

Sorry, road discy wheels are waaaay out of my comfort zone

Interestingly though the more expensive bike seems to have the cheaper wheelset after internet discounts:
http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/dt-swiss-x-1900...
Yes I know its a German site but I have used them many times

So for me go 105 and trouser the rest for some proper wheels

[yellowjack]

BR, in your position I'd definitely go for the 105 bike.

I looked at the GF01, but ended up with a Trek Emonda due to delivery time for a frame in my size. I did have to push my budget to £2,300 for the Ultegra equipped SL 6 (red) bike though, simply because I couldn't have lived with a 'GREEN!' bike, and the 105 equipped Emonda SL 5 only comes in 'Kermit Green'. So if there's no issue with colour, and everything else is the same, frame, fork, finishing kit, etc, then I'd deffo buy the 105 bike and save the difference toward later upgrades or replacement parts (worn cassettes, chains, etc). As you say that you'll likely throw new/different tyres on it anyway, you could probably loose those 200 or so grams just in lighter rubber.

[bakerstreet]

I'd go 105 and throw some extra money at a decent wheelset. Kit wheels are generally not the best.

As someone else has said, also replace tyres and if you wan''t to get anal, then you can buy some titanium bolts and save 11g per wheel. Whoop

[SixPotBelly]

The wheels on that Ultegra spec version, the DT Swiss X-1900 Spline, seem to be available retail for £125-140-ish. Unless I'm Googling for the wrong thing.

Hard to see the value in the Ultegra spec if that's the case, especially as those that know about these things say 5800 105 is almost as good.

I'm another who'd vote 105 plus more kit, nicer kit or a second, nicer wheelset.

[BristolMS]

Lovely bike :-)

Another vote for 105 here, I tested ultegra and 105 back to back and really couldn't tell the difference (although my attention was perhaps more on other differences between the bikes).

Keep the £350 back as an upgrade slush fund.

[BristolMS]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Sorry Bedford Rascal, I meant to make this MUCH clearer in my post and say that it wasn't the BMC I rode. I tested the groupsets on two different bikes - one Genesis and one Orbea - so my comments were purely about 105 vs Ultegra.

[Ballistic]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Hi BR,

I've just bought a GF01 Ultegra Di2 and would go so far as to say its the best sportive bike I've ever ridden and I've tried a few.
What you are buying into is the top notch carbon frame and fork, which result in a very comfortable ride that does a great job of absorbing the road buzz.
Before making my decision, I compared the GF01 with the Synapse Ultegra Disc. Whilst the Cannondale is a great bike in its own right, the BMC fitted me better and I preferred the ride quality.
I also have a Giant Defy Advanced SL1 which I have compared to the GF01 over the same roads. The Defy is the lighter more agile bike and has the edge on climbs but the BMC is much more stable on descents, so its horses for courses. On flat, smooth roads they both feel very similar.
IMO the weakest link on the GF01 is the DT Swiss wheels, which are much heavier than the Giant wheels (even allowing for the disc rotors) and will be the first item I will look to upgrade.

I can't really help you with comparing 105 to Ultegra as I've only once briefly ridden a 105 bike.
Whichever GF01 you decide to buy, you wont be disappointed, they are great bikes.

[yellowjack]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Good man! Exactly the way I went. Choose a bike you like, then base the specification level on the colour you like best. It's the only way. (Although I prefer the splash of red on the 105 equipped GF01, personally... )