Decisions..... Advice wanted

[CooperS]

Hi guys, I'm looking to get back into riding. My attempt to get back into running has shown that I need a gateway exercise to drop some weight if I want to keep my ankles (5.8ft 100kg)

Anyway I've got a Spesh Tarmac from 2009. It's done everything with me from commuting 45 miles a day to riding events to weekend warrior stuff.

So last weekend I got on it and tbh it's tired, creeky (been that way for years despite my best efforts of new components) and you know what is far to racy geo for what I need (neck ache)....

Being a new home owner i don't have loads of spare cash however there is the cycle to work scheme which both benefits me by keeping within my made up cap of £1000 and saves me a few hundred too.

I've been looking at the Giant Contend SL and Cannondale equivalents. Because I need a medium the closet bike shop doesn't have any for me to try out.

I'm concerned that they somehow won't match my 9 year old bike, won't be as snappy or lively... This is most because they are Alu and not carbon but are my concerns unjustified the kit is tigara too but I'm coming from 8 speed 105 do not exactly cutting edge.

If what I need to spend is £1500 I'll just have to save my pennies and wait a little longer.

Any advice welcome.

Btw my riding will be a bit of commuting and weekend short 50 mile morning rides (albeit 20 seemed alot of the weekend)

[egor110]

Surely you want something less snappy less racy if your getting back ache ?

Probably worth travelling to a bigger bike shop just s you can get your leg over lots of bikes .

Running - do some around football pitches so it doesn't hammer your joints as much.

[lufbramatt]

Nowt wrong with a half decent alu frame. I prefer my CAAD8 to my dad's carbon Felt for example, and didn't think the Synapse was worth the extra £££ so spent the same on the alu framed bike and got a better groupset.

[egor110]

For a grand something has to be compromised so either poor grade carbon or mech/wheels , where as a decent alu. frame then they can splash more cash on other stuff.

Are disc brakes a requirement , be honest if it's raining will you be out on the bike ? if not save and go for rim brakes.

[lufbramatt]

Also it's interesting that in magazine group tests of more expensive bikes, the CAAD12 is still coming out on top against some pretty nice carbon framed bikes.

[Daveyraveygravey]

If there's an Evans near you, pay them a visit. They had the best demo system of any chain/store I could find when I was looking; if they don't have a specific model in that branch they can get it in the next 2-3 days. A lot of smaller stores have demo bikes but they are over £2k; not surprisingly, the £2.5k Giant I demo'd was far and away the best bike I had ever ridden, and I thought long and hard about finding the extra grand over my original budget to get it.
With Evans you will have to leave your credit card details or similar, but they were happy to let me try 3-4 different bikes for 30 minutes or more. This will also help you understand the position of a bike you prefer and whether or not alu or carbon is more suited to you.
Don't get hung up on the groupset, it sounds like whatever you get will be an improvement on your old bike, and you can expect to replace chain and cassette in a year if you do a lot of miles.

[rastapasta]

A Tiagra group is just a 6 year old Ultegra or 4 year old 105. Nothing to worry about as regards to the groupset. Cannondale invest alot into the CAAD so its not surprise it does so well in reviews. You could look also at the CAADx which is CX version which would be easier on you ride wise if you fit wide road tyres.

[youngricharduk]

Also worth noting I got a £1600 bike through the c2w scheme even though the limit is £1000. The bike shop just put a different model bike on the paperwork that was valued at a £1000 and I paid the difference. Might be worth asking if that would help you.

[smn159]

A new bike consultation at The Bike Whisperer, who will assess your needs, including current level of fitness and flexibility and make a recommendation based on that and your available budget

http://www.thebikewhisperer.co.uk

Then have a proper bike fit.

Job done.

(other bike fitters are available, I just know from personal experience that Scherrit is very good).

[CooperS]

Hey guys thanks for the feedback all very useful and in some cases reinforces what I already knew (but needed to hear again)

Think although a bike fit would be useful paying upwards of 15-20% on a bike fit doesn't scream the right thing to do. I totally agree if my bikes started with a 3 I'd be getting it done but not with a grand.

Think I've got a local Halfords to let me buy a helmet and get me into a Boardman Pro. So carbon bike with 105. So now do I go cheap carbon or half decent alu.

Ahhh the decisions.

I guess the good thing is I can't wait to get out and ride again after a long time off.

Was looking at my bibs and jerseys (mix of Rapha and Morvelo and might need some XXL tops to get into as even at L/ XL they were snug.

Btw how freaking expensive are magazines nowadays!

Thanks for advice

[R1gtr]

You could look at 2017 models, I would say both of these are fantastic value for money and as someone else mentioned you can add a bit of cash on to your C2W voucher

https://www.rutlandcycling.com/bikes/road-bikes/cu...

https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Cannondale/Synaps...

Regarding kit, Morvelo and Rapha are not cheap, have a look at the DHB stuff on Wiggle.

[rustyuk]

No point buying a carbon bike when you are 16 stone!

[smn159]

CooperS said:

Think although a bike fit would be useful paying upwards of 15-20% on a bike fit doesn't scream the right thing to do. I totally agree if my bikes started with a 3 I'd be getting it done but not with a grand.

Not sure what the value of the bike has to do with whether getting professional advice on the geo that you need and then a proper set up - unless you're implying that a grand can be written off if you get it wrong?

The cost of buying the wrong bike and / or getting your set up wrong, and this especially applies if your fitness isn't what it could be and you're overweight, will be constant aches, pains and injuries. A cheaper well fitting bike is always going to be faster and more comfortable than a more expensive ill fitting one.

[TheFungle]

rustyuk said:

No point buying a carbon bike when you are 16 stone!

For sure there is no point in buying a carbon bike unless your FTP is 5.8W/kg

[CooperS]

TheFungle said:

rustyuk said:

No point buying a carbon bike when you are 16 stone!

For sure there is no point in buying a carbon bike unless your FTP is 5.8W/kg

I get what your saying I really do but my point is when I stopped proper regular riding I've gone 13 - 16st in 3 years. Not planning to continue at 16stone but the question isn't about my weight it's about value for money.

Everything is a trade off and it usually centres around either slight better drivetrain or the frame material.

[CooperS]

Daveyraveygravey said:

If there's an Evans near you, pay them a visit. They had the best demo system of any chain/store I could find when I was looking; if they don't have a specific model in that branch they can get it in the next 2-3 days. A lot of smaller stores have demo bikes but they are over £2k; not surprisingly, the £2.5k Giant I demo'd was far and away the best bike I had ever ridden, and I thought long and hard about finding the extra grand over my original budget to get it.
With Evans you will have to leave your credit card details or similar, but they were happy to let me try 3-4 different bikes for 30 minutes or more. This will also help you understand the position of a bike you prefer and whether or not alu or carbon is more suited to you.
Don't get hung up on the groupset, it sounds like whatever you get will be an improvement on your old bike, and you can expect to replace chain and cassette in a year if you do a lot of miles.

Thanks for the advice. It's what I did with my Orange Five many years ago.

[TheFungle]

CooperS said:

I get what your saying I really do but my point is when I stopped proper regular riding I've gone 13 - 16st in 3 years. Not planning to continue at 16stone but the question isn't about my weight it's about value for money.

Everything is a trade off and it usually centres around either slight better drivetrain or the frame material.

IMO you can buy any frame material, whatever your weight

Perhaps worth a shop rebuild and nice tyres on your current bike?

[MOBB]

R1gtr said:

You could look at 2017 models, I would say both of these are fantastic value for money and as someone else mentioned you can add a bit of cash on to your C2W voucher

https://www.rutlandcycling.com/bikes/road-bikes/cu...

https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Cannondale/Synaps...

Regarding kit, Morvelo and Rapha are not cheap, have a look at the DHB stuff on Wiggle.

I recently bought one of those Cubes from Rutland and love it, it's a very nice bike, comfy and pretty fast

[CooperS]

R1gtr said:

You could look at 2017 models, I would say both of these are fantastic value for money and as someone else mentioned you can add a bit of cash on to your C2W voucher

https://www.rutlandcycling.com/bikes/road-bikes/cu...

https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Cannondale/Synaps...

Regarding kit, Morvelo and Rapha are not cheap, have a look at the DHB stuff on Wiggle.

Good spots thanks!

The mention of my existing kit was unnecessary and yer I'll be getting some DBH and anything within £50 to tide me over. Plus my wife use to go ape around the old Rapha sales as id always find 'a bargain' lol...

[CooperS]

I think although the Boardman Carbon Pro is better spec'd for just £200 more (105 all round, hydraulic discs, carbon frame) my gut is saying it's either the Cannondale or Giant Alu framed bikes with Tiagra, cable to hydraulic discs that might provide a better ride...