Road Bike, help needed
Discussion
i'm looking at getting a Road Bike and wanted to spend up to £1k.
everyone tells me that their brand/bike is the best one and for £1500 you get a carbon frame which is far better.
i am going to do between 10 and 50 miles at a time probably 1 or 2 times a week to start getting fit.
once fit i may increase the distances and do landsend to john og's which is 100 miles a day. i don;t want to sell a £1k bike in a year for £500 to spend another £1k to £1500 on top to get the right bike for that use.
Wilier, Cube or Merida seem to be the 3 brands that take my fancy.
HELP!!
everyone tells me that their brand/bike is the best one and for £1500 you get a carbon frame which is far better.
i am going to do between 10 and 50 miles at a time probably 1 or 2 times a week to start getting fit.
once fit i may increase the distances and do landsend to john og's which is 100 miles a day. i don;t want to sell a £1k bike in a year for £500 to spend another £1k to £1500 on top to get the right bike for that use.
Wilier, Cube or Merida seem to be the 3 brands that take my fancy.
HELP!!
Hi,
At around £1k, I hear the Boardman range of bikes from halfords are getting good press. There's also Ribble Cycles who regularly have deals below £1k for quite good spec bikes, and that will get you either a CF or Al frame as the basis. Don't assume you must buy a big name brand, like everything in life they get to be a good brand by having good products, but you pay a price for that security. Halfords might not have the ring of Bianchi, Wilier, etc, but I for one would be quite happy on the CF Boardman range.
Personally I like carbon frames because they tend to be lighter and I find them slightly more comfortable than an Al frame, but to be perfectly honest you'll find someone who will think exactly the opposite.
But rest assured that whatever you buy at £1k will be plenty good enough to do the E2E. I did it a few years ago on a very trendy Trek USPS CF bike, for which the frame alone cost well over £1k. But once in Scotland with lower traffic you tend to spot E2E'ers and I met up and rode with quite a few others who were riding bikes that varied from better than mine to something that I'd wonder about using as a winter bike. But they all got there - it's in the legs, not the bike...
At around £1k, I hear the Boardman range of bikes from halfords are getting good press. There's also Ribble Cycles who regularly have deals below £1k for quite good spec bikes, and that will get you either a CF or Al frame as the basis. Don't assume you must buy a big name brand, like everything in life they get to be a good brand by having good products, but you pay a price for that security. Halfords might not have the ring of Bianchi, Wilier, etc, but I for one would be quite happy on the CF Boardman range.
Personally I like carbon frames because they tend to be lighter and I find them slightly more comfortable than an Al frame, but to be perfectly honest you'll find someone who will think exactly the opposite.
But rest assured that whatever you buy at £1k will be plenty good enough to do the E2E. I did it a few years ago on a very trendy Trek USPS CF bike, for which the frame alone cost well over £1k. But once in Scotland with lower traffic you tend to spot E2E'ers and I met up and rode with quite a few others who were riding bikes that varied from better than mine to something that I'd wonder about using as a winter bike. But they all got there - it's in the legs, not the bike...
have you heard on Merida? they own 45% of Specialized and our sold by www.thebigadventurestore.com who were really nice guys.
I would recommend the Boardman and the Ribble Carbon Sportive as well as looking at this shop:
http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/bikes.htm - they do some excellent value Scott CR1 and Viner builds..
http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/bikes.htm - they do some excellent value Scott CR1 and Viner builds..
Im a firm believer that below 1000, full carbon bikes are not worth it.
My reccomendation would be a good alloy frame (something like a cervelo soloist team) built up nicely rather than a carbon noodle, which i have heard PX and the like can be - never ridden any of them though.
For that price, alloy frame, carbon fork and ultegra/105 is what you are after. That or second hand.
My reccomendation would be a good alloy frame (something like a cervelo soloist team) built up nicely rather than a carbon noodle, which i have heard PX and the like can be - never ridden any of them though.
For that price, alloy frame, carbon fork and ultegra/105 is what you are after. That or second hand.
as many have said, the boardman carbon team is an excellent bike and loved by the press. http://www.boardmanbikes.com/road/road_team_carbon...
the orbea onix aqua mortiolo is a lovely looking bike, not seen that often but well specced and great value for money the mortirolo is the top end ally frame, the onix vuelta is the bottom end carbon frame. the onix with 105 would be lovely!
http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/orbea.htm
the ribble sportive is a lovely bike and you can spec it how you want.http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/productdetail.asp?productcatalogue=RIBBFRAR905 this might be a good way of getting a good solid starter bike and upgrading wherever. if you specced it with the help of someone who knows what they are doing (ie, dont wastew your cash by sticking ultegra throughout on it) you can save some money and get a superb, functional bike right for you.
http://www.primera-bournemouth.co.uk/Template.aspx... and the ubiquitous cannondale caad9 105 for £1150
I have ignored specialized as i think they are poor value for money these days and far too commmon, i'm not a snob (hell i ride a Boardman) but i think the specialized bikes have no soul these days and are a product of a corporation who have lost their way.
are you seriously considering LEJOG on a race orientated bike? as others have said, this limits your options as unless you havea support crew, you will need pannier mounts, mud guard mounts and some big, burly wheels...
the orbea onix aqua mortiolo is a lovely looking bike, not seen that often but well specced and great value for money the mortirolo is the top end ally frame, the onix vuelta is the bottom end carbon frame. the onix with 105 would be lovely!
http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/orbea.htm
the ribble sportive is a lovely bike and you can spec it how you want.http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/productdetail.asp?productcatalogue=RIBBFRAR905 this might be a good way of getting a good solid starter bike and upgrading wherever. if you specced it with the help of someone who knows what they are doing (ie, dont wastew your cash by sticking ultegra throughout on it) you can save some money and get a superb, functional bike right for you.
http://www.primera-bournemouth.co.uk/Template.aspx... and the ubiquitous cannondale caad9 105 for £1150
I have ignored specialized as i think they are poor value for money these days and far too commmon, i'm not a snob (hell i ride a Boardman) but i think the specialized bikes have no soul these days and are a product of a corporation who have lost their way.
are you seriously considering LEJOG on a race orientated bike? as others have said, this limits your options as unless you havea support crew, you will need pannier mounts, mud guard mounts and some big, burly wheels...
[b]I am in a similar position, I had a look at the boardman team carbon for £999. I wasn't that impressed with the quality of some of the joints on the frame.
I appreciate there is a certain bespoke element to these, but comparing 2 frames and one was definitely better, with the ordering situation it may be luck of the draw as to which one you receive. has anyone else noticed this?
I am hoping to do a deal on one of these;
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/19-compac...
ali frame but quite a few Ultegra components for the £££.[/b]
Good luck trying to find one! Sold out pretty much everywhere (ignore the "7-10 days" on the Evans website: they're not got any!). Trek UK have sold out of the most common sizes.
The 1.9 is being replaced by the 2.5 IIRC. 2010 Ultegra groupset...and of course, £1400ish.
I appreciate there is a certain bespoke element to these, but comparing 2 frames and one was definitely better, with the ordering situation it may be luck of the draw as to which one you receive. has anyone else noticed this?
I am hoping to do a deal on one of these;
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/19-compac...
ali frame but quite a few Ultegra components for the £££.[/b]
Good luck trying to find one! Sold out pretty much everywhere (ignore the "7-10 days" on the Evans website: they're not got any!). Trek UK have sold out of the most common sizes.
The 1.9 is being replaced by the 2.5 IIRC. 2010 Ultegra groupset...and of course, £1400ish.
Edited by Jimbo. on Wednesday 5th August 09:46
I just recently had basically the same dilema - and was in the end a bit stumped by what you could actually get hold of in the right frame size - am 6'6" so its a bit tricky - a lot of bikes are just sold out - and the 10 bikes are all going to be a bit more expensive by all accounts.
I ended up with a Bianchi - alu frame, carbon forks, 105 and shimano wheels for 999 - I think I actually prefer looking at it to riding it......................I didn't like the look of any of the carbon frames I saw at that sort of price point - but each to their own......
I ended up with a Bianchi - alu frame, carbon forks, 105 and shimano wheels for 999 - I think I actually prefer looking at it to riding it......................I didn't like the look of any of the carbon frames I saw at that sort of price point - but each to their own......
I'm not convinced that carbon is a sensible material for an 'everyday' bike - irrespective of the quality.
Carbon frames are vulnerable to abuse and won't deal well with the kind of routine knocks and dings that an alluminium frame will absorb: rubbing panniers, racks and mudguards, being d-locked and chained to railings, having other people 'park' their bikes against it, the list is a long one.
'Upmarket' carbon frames from the major players plus brands like Cervelo will be substantially more expensive than those from the micro brands, but you need to think about what you're buying and the use to which it's going to be put: the most expensive kit is generally intended for race use - price is not an automatic indicator of durability.
For the OP's purposes I'd be looking for a touring/sportive frame, alu or steel with carbon forks and seatpost - but that can be an upgrade if needed - a full Shimano 105 build or SRAM/Campag equivalent and a full complement of lugs and eyes for mudguards and racks.
I don't think anyone makes a Ti frame in the price range.
Carbon frames are vulnerable to abuse and won't deal well with the kind of routine knocks and dings that an alluminium frame will absorb: rubbing panniers, racks and mudguards, being d-locked and chained to railings, having other people 'park' their bikes against it, the list is a long one.
'Upmarket' carbon frames from the major players plus brands like Cervelo will be substantially more expensive than those from the micro brands, but you need to think about what you're buying and the use to which it's going to be put: the most expensive kit is generally intended for race use - price is not an automatic indicator of durability.
For the OP's purposes I'd be looking for a touring/sportive frame, alu or steel with carbon forks and seatpost - but that can be an upgrade if needed - a full Shimano 105 build or SRAM/Campag equivalent and a full complement of lugs and eyes for mudguards and racks.
I don't think anyone makes a Ti frame in the price range.
Jimbo.][b said:
I am in a similar position, I had a look at the boardman team carbon for £999. I wasn't that impressed with the quality of some of the joints on the frame.
I appreciate there is a certain bespoke element to these, but comparing 2 frames and one was definitely better, with the ordering situation it may be luck of the draw as to which one you receive. has anyone else noticed this?
I am hoping to do a deal on one of these;
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/19-compac...
ali frame but quite a few Ultegra components for the £££.[/b]
Good luck trying to find one! Sold out pretty much everywhere (ignore the "7-10 days" on the Evans website: they're not got any!). Trek UK have sold out of the most common sizes.
The 1.9 is being replaced by the 2.5 IIRC. 2010 Ultegra groupset...and of course, £1400ish.
Well, Trek don't have any in stock, I have found one in the correct size 2 miles away and another 1 hour away. I usually buy my bikes in NYC, so may head over in a few weeks, ride it around the park a few times and bring it back as secondhand...trouble is, will I be tempted by something else? I appreciate there is a certain bespoke element to these, but comparing 2 frames and one was definitely better, with the ordering situation it may be luck of the draw as to which one you receive. has anyone else noticed this?
I am hoping to do a deal on one of these;
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/19-compac...
ali frame but quite a few Ultegra components for the £££.[/b]
Good luck trying to find one! Sold out pretty much everywhere (ignore the "7-10 days" on the Evans website: they're not got any!). Trek UK have sold out of the most common sizes.
The 1.9 is being replaced by the 2.5 IIRC. 2010 Ultegra groupset...and of course, £1400ish.
Edited by Jimbo. on Wednesday 5th August 09:46
I'm too tall for any of the £1000ish carbon bikes, but I'm not sure that I'd touch them anyway. I can't help thinking that they're cheap for a good reason...
Anyway I'm very pleased with my £925 Trek 1.7. Great frame, full 105, Bontrager kit. The Bianchi at £1k looks to be very good too.
Anyway I'm very pleased with my £925 Trek 1.7. Great frame, full 105, Bontrager kit. The Bianchi at £1k looks to be very good too.
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