£800 Road bike - options?

£800 Road bike - options?

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Discussion

mig25_foxbat2003

Original Poster:

5,426 posts

210 months

Friday 6th April 2012
quotequote all
I've always enjoyed a bit of cycling, but I've recently taken the decision that my horribly unhealthy lifestyle will almost certainly lead to a heart attack and certain death. Yep, it was one of those introspective hangovers.

Consequently, I've been out for 20 mile rides three times a week for the past month on my trusty Saracen Venturer hybrid. Nice solid old bus, which served me well down my old 15-mile commute to work (a mix of potholed country lane and dirt bridlepath) but not really equipped for proper road cycling.

So I've decided to treat myself to what you lot would refer to as an "entry level" road bike, but what I refer to as "how bloody much?!" (Not really - I do see the value in paying extra for quality components which will last - but currently I'm the equivalent of the guy who only buys £4.99 wine from Tesco, and can't possibly see how a "good" bottle of wine can be worth triple or quadruple that amount at the very least...)

I can only buy from somewhere that will offer interest free credit for six months or longer, as my commute to work is currently 120 miles each way (I'm a techie consultant) so I don't really qualify for the C2W scheme - and anyway, I've missed the signup deadline for this year. I have around £800 to spend using this method (with a bit extra put aside for pedals and shoes - I've already got shorts, jacket and helmet)

I was all set to buy a 2012 Cube Peloton Tiagra from my friendly local bike shop for £799 (they also do the base Peloton Sora for £679, but I'm told that it's worth paying the extra for the Tiagras - would you all agree?)



http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/product/cubepelot...

However, a colleague at work mentioned about stores such as Pauls, which sell off last year's model at a discount, and have consequently found a competitor in this:



http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?show=368...

Seems to be pretty much the same components, but with a different manufacturer's frame. Last year's model, but a useful £120 saving. Thoughts?

Then, having done a bit of reading, we throw Ribble into the mix with a Sportive 7005. I've never heard of these but I've heard good things about their Winter Trainer model - is the 7005 worth having?



http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/specialedition.asp?a...

Again, a £120 saving over the Peloton Pro - is it a comparable bike? Where would I spend the spare £120 - upgraded groupset (to 105s?) or wheels or something else?

Or, have I missed a trick in this price bracket? Is there a glaringly obvious option that I have missed?

I'm looking to buy in the next month, so any opinions are welcome. Cheers in advance.

Kermit power

28,635 posts

212 months

Friday 6th April 2012
quotequote all
Not relevant if you've just missed an annual cut off for C2W (I wonder if we both work for the same IT company, as I've just got by bike, again with an annual scheme that has just cut off) but for future reference and for anyone else reading, you don't have to do your full commute by bike to qualify for the scheme.

All it says is that the bike should be used primarily for travel to and from work. Specifically included within this, for example, is that you can use it to ride to the station and catch a train to work.

Of course, if you're not even going to do that, then you can just buy a signal spoofer for about a tenner on Ebay which will trick the HMRC GPS micro-transmitter fitted into C2W bike frames into thinking you're using it correctly, thus leaving you to actually use your nice, shiny new bike for whatever you want. smile

Gizmo!

18,150 posts

208 months

Friday 6th April 2012
quotequote all
Kermit power said:
Not relevant if you've just missed an annual cut off for C2W (I wonder if we both work for the same IT company, as I've just got by bike, again with an annual scheme that has just cut off) but for future reference and for anyone else reading, you don't have to do your full commute by bike to qualify for the scheme.

All it says is that the bike should be used primarily for travel to and from work. Specifically included within this, for example, is that you can use it to ride to the station and catch a train to work.

Of course, if you're not even going to do that, then you can just buy a signal spoofer for about a tenner on Ebay which will trick the HMRC GPS micro-transmitter fitted into C2W bike frames into thinking you're using it correctly, thus leaving you to actually use your nice, shiny new bike for whatever you want. smile
hehe that's how Internet Facts start, Kermit...

mig25_foxbat2003

Original Poster:

5,426 posts

210 months

Friday 6th April 2012
quotequote all
I work for a large IT company whose colour of choice is blue and whose benefits scheme seeks, somewhat incongruously, to let me know that I am a STAR. Same as you?

I did know that about the C2W thing, that you don't have to stick 100% to the rules, but it's by the by now anyway as I won't be able to do it for another year. So as I'm paying with my own hard-earned, what about the above?

castex

4,935 posts

272 months

Friday 6th April 2012
quotequote all
Any chance of your having a spin on the bikes you like? Might be worthwhile. Oh, and Edinburgh Bike Co. currently offer the Specialized Allez Elite for £100-off at £799.

clicky

Kermit power

28,635 posts

212 months

Friday 6th April 2012
quotequote all
mig25_foxbat2003 said:
I work for a large IT company whose colour of choice is blue and whose benefits scheme seeks, somewhat incongruously, to let me know that I am a STAR. Same as you?

I did know that about the C2W thing, that you don't have to stick 100% to the rules, but it's by the by now anyway as I won't be able to do it for another year. So as I'm paying with my own hard-earned, what about the above?
Snap! Can't really help on the choice of bikes though. frown

Kermit power

28,635 posts

212 months

Friday 6th April 2012
quotequote all
mig25_foxbat2003 said:
I work for a large IT company whose colour of choice is blue and whose benefits scheme seeks, somewhat incongruously, to let me know that I am a STAR. Same as you?

I did know that about the C2W thing, that you don't have to stick 100% to the rules, but it's by the by now anyway as I won't be able to do it for another year. So as I'm paying with my own hard-earned, what about the above?
Snap! Can't really help on the choice of bikes though. frown

Doofus

25,732 posts

172 months

Friday 6th April 2012
quotequote all
Cube!

I just got a 2011 Streamer, having been lookming at a Peloton Pro, and I reckon you'd be very pleased.

Leisure Lakes don't seem too keen on pushing the Cubes; if you talk to them, they'll try to get you onto a Cannondale. Whether that means they know something I didn't, I can't say.

The Cube is well built and well specced for the price. The seatpost is a bit thick though, and being ally, it makes for a firm ride, but you can always go down to a 27-odd mm and sleeve it.


Raoul Duke

929 posts

162 months

Friday 6th April 2012
quotequote all
Cant recomend this one enough:
http://www.dolan-bikes.com/road-bikes/aluminium/Sr...

You are getting a similar spec aluminium frame to the more mainstream manufacturers, but with a better groupset ( SRAM Rival ) which will drop the weight by a reasonable amount - it is noticable, especially when you get to the hills. The finishing kit is good and the ride is spot on for the money.
I speak from experience, having ran one this winter as a trainer. If it wasn't for the fact that i already have a rather nice summer bike i would have no hesitation in taking the mud guards off and running it all year. In fact i may just do that on some of the upcoming summer sportives, as turning up to sportive on a posh bike marks you out as a bit of a "target" to other riders eager to prove a point at your expense...!!
The only upgrade it would really benefit from off the peg is better wheels, but this stands for any bike at this price - for some reason they are often the area where the manufacturer makes its cutbacks.

Hackney

6,811 posts

207 months

Friday 6th April 2012
quotequote all
Just got an email saying my Ribble Evo is on its way!

£829 for the Shimano special edition - so a carbon bike at your budget. Worth a look.

mig25_foxbat2003

Original Poster:

5,426 posts

210 months

Friday 6th April 2012
quotequote all
Hackney said:
Just got an email saying my Ribble Evo is on its way!

£829 for the Shimano special edition - so a carbon bike at your budget. Worth a look.
Why did you have to do this to me. I'd just convinced myself to be sensible and look at the £679 ones (Cannondale CAAD8 and Ribble Sportive), and now look what you've done!

Bearing in mind I don't know anything about the components, what would I be sacrificing to have a carbon frame at this price? Worth it?

Cheers all for the advice so far!

Hackney

6,811 posts

207 months

Friday 6th April 2012
quotequote all
Sorry.

I was doing exactly the same as you and looking at similar bikes. I was on the phone to Ribble talking to them about bikes and budget, and they guy said, "well for £800 you can get one of the carbon bikes" A few days later I ordered.

I went for the special edition - less options to choose from but it keeps the price down.
I think the only additional cost I went for was a longer stem. Ordered two weeks ago today and the email arrived this morning to say it was being despatched so I expect it on Tuesday given holidays.

I was tempted to go and collect it tomorrow but it would have meant buying a bike rack in a hurry and the weather has been poor so I didn't fancy driving it round the country on the back of a car. Much better that it comes to London in a nice dry van.

I'll post pics and a review as soon as I can.

And it's purely coincidence that I booked next week off work

Andy OH

1,903 posts

249 months

Friday 6th April 2012
quotequote all
mig25_foxbat2003 said:
Why did you have to do this to me. I'd just convinced myself to be sensible and look at the £679 ones (Cannondale CAAD8 and Ribble Sportive), and now look what you've done!

Bearing in mind I don't know anything about the components, what would I be sacrificing to have a carbon frame at this price? Worth it?

Cheers all for the advice so far!
Here's the link to the Ribble Evo Pro Carbon Shimano http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/specialedition.asp?a...

The components are basic and the frame is carbon, it's a good package to start your road riding but you will soon get the bug and be looking at more expensive bikes. One of the guys in my club bought a carbon Ribble but spent about £1,250 on one, I think because he upgraded the groupset to Shimano 105 and the wheels which pushed the price up and he loves the bike.

Back in mid 2009 I spent £1,000 on my first road bike, that bike is now my winter training bike, then in January 2011 I then spent £3,500 on my carbon road bike and I'm looking to put a Campagnolo Record groupset or if I'm feeling flush a Super Record groupset on it next year which will be about £1,000 or £1,500 for the Super Record.

Good luck with your choice.


mig25_foxbat2003

Original Poster:

5,426 posts

210 months

Monday 9th April 2012
quotequote all
Right, I think I've decided on the CAAD8. I've read some great reviews of it from last year when it was nearly £1000, so for £690 delivered I think I'm getting a bit of a bargain. That Ribble carbon job looks beautiful, but I don't think I really need a carbon frame - for the same money I'd rather have better components than save 500g on the frame. The CAAD8 has carbon forks, that's enough for me for now.

Once I've ordered and it's arrived, I'll post a review on this thread - feel free to do the same with the Ribble Evo Pro, and we can have a bit of a twin-test!

Jimbo.

3,942 posts

188 months

Monday 9th April 2012
quotequote all
Say "No" to cheap carbon bikes, kids! It means they've cut corners with the spec and/or lobbed in a cheap cookie-cutter frame to begin with. Not cool.

Kermit power

28,635 posts

212 months

Monday 9th April 2012
quotequote all
Jimbo. said:
Say "No" to cheap carbon bikes, kids! It means they've cut corners with the spec and/or lobbed in a cheap cookie-cutter frame to begin with. Not cool.
I would've thought that until finding out that the Ribble Stealth (iirc) is apparently out of the same mould as my new De Rosa. I suppose it could be made with a completely different grade of carbon, but if it's not, then it's a serious amount of frame for the money.

okgo

37,861 posts

197 months

Monday 9th April 2012
quotequote all
Jimbo. said:
Say "No" to cheap carbon bikes, kids! It means they've cut corners with the spec and/or lobbed in a cheap cookie-cutter frame to begin with. Not cool.
Sorry but this statement is just utter st.

The vast majority of frames are made in the same moulds with the same carbon structures, just different paint jobs. And Ribble for instance will give you a far better spec for your cash than any of the main brands.

And I'd defy any recreational rider to be able to reach the limits of one of the 'cheap frames' anyway. I felt mine flex a bit, but it was still more than enough to beat 59 other blokes on all sorts of bikes ranging from £500 - £5000.

pattyg

1,329 posts

226 months

Monday 9th April 2012
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I have had my 2011 Cannondale caad8 Tiagra around a month and am very pleased with it. No idea about the other brands but my old Specialized hybrid was decent too.

Dave_ITR

834 posts

196 months

Tuesday 10th April 2012
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Watching this thread with interest as I'm looking to purchase a road bike (perhaps a CycloX) at about the same budget.

itsnotarace

4,685 posts

208 months