What New Road Bike, budget £2000-2500

[jesusbuiltmycar]

I am thinking of upgrading my road bike and I have a budget of about £2000-2500 to spend.

I mainly ride on my own and usually 20-40 miles at a time (anything shorter and I ride a fixie).

I visited the LBS at lunchtime and very tempted with either of these:

Kuota Kharma
Kuota Kuraro

The LBS also recommended equivalently priced bikes by Specialized or Cannondale.

A couple of questions:

What other bikes should I consider?

Does anyone have any experience of Kuota bikes?

The Specialized bikes have a lifetime warranty on the frame whereas the Kuota frame warranty is limited to 36months, having never owned a carbon bike, how important is a lifetime frame warranty?

My current bike has a triple (granny gear) which I only use occasionally, should I go for Compact or Standard on the new bike?

What is the best way to insure the new bike, I would like to be covered for leaving the bike in the car occasionally (when staying at a B&B)

[anonymous-user]

There is a review of the Kuraro in Cyclist magazine this month and a recent review of the Kharma Evo on Bike radar...

Does the "aeroness" of the Kuota appeal? If it does, the Canyon Aeroad, Scott Foil and the Felt AR5 should be on your list to consider. The Aeroad (with Force build) is just a whiff over the 7kgs mark too.

The Cube Super Litening HPC 2 is one of the few bikes with an ultegra groupset for around £2k and also has a nod towards aero. It has fairly low-ish front end akin to the others too. The 56cm frame has a head tube of just 145mm compared to 180cm on my bike with its endurance-esque geo so it will be racy.

I'd be sure thats what you want before you go much further, if you are looking at 100 milers sportives etc, neither the Kuota or the others referenced might be quite as comfortable as you wish.

I dont know much about aero road bikes but can help with more relaxed geometry bikes if thats an avenue you are interested in?

Given your location, I'd talk to TriUK in Yeovil about a custom build personally. TriUK have a Cervelo S2 for £1300, Sram Rival groupset from Shiny bikes for £500, you can get the rest and stay under £2500 all in. At least that way you know the bulk of the money is in the frame and what a frame it is!....

Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 5th June 18:30

[Jayfish]

In true PH tradition may I be the first to stretch your budget and suggest a Moda Stretto 2013, road.cc have one in for test atm, initial report is here, a lot of my club ride moda bikes as the LBS is an agent, the owner himself rides one and I think it's a fantastic looking piece of kit to boot.
Road.cc's guide to your price range is here for a few more to consider.

edit to add the comments section can be as enlightening as the article.

Edited by Jayfish on Wednesday 5th June 19:07

[Rouleur]

Have a look at this ridiculous bargain to start you off http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Add Force/Ultegra/Chorus + £400 or so on wheels + nice finishing kit and you'll have an amazing bike.

[Disco You]

Rouleur said:

Have a look at this ridiculous bargain to start you off http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Add Force/Ultegra/Chorus + £400 or so on wheels + nice finishing kit and you'll have an amazing bike.

There's no stock unless you're tiny or massive though.

[S6PNJ]

This is available in a 54. Any good? A snip at only £1799!

[sparkyb999]

Moda Stretto! Yum! and great kit on it as well.

[JuniorD]

S6PNJ said:

This is available in a 54. Any good? A snip at only £1799!

Yeah that ^

[spongy]

I would look at a specialized venge.....the 105 model is a real nice machine my riding bud has just bought the ultegra version and he loves it.....it looks really nice in the flesh

[jesusbuiltmycar]

Thanks for the recommendations. I will probably visit a couple of bike shops on Monday to get some more ideas. That De Rosa certainly looks very cool...

[JuniorD]

Hmmm just looking at the westbrook cycles web page, sale section.

Check out the Scott Foil Team issue frame set, comes with Ultegra Di2 groupset. £2399. All you need is wheels bars and s. Saddle!

[Jimbo.]

JuniorD said:

Hmmm just looking at the westbrook cycles web page, sale section.

Check out the Scott Foil Team issue frame set, comes with Ultegra Di2 groupset. £2399. All you need is wheels bars and s. Saddle!

Both of which will see you over £3K when you also remember tyres, tubes etc, etc.

[Gargamel]

I have a semi on just looking at it.

£2800 though

[anonymous-user]

£2700 too high?



Read here: http://www.boardmanbikes.com/road/air90s.html

Or here, if you want the less aero-framed climbing version: http://www.boardmanbikes.com/road/slr90s.html

[JuniorD]

Jimbo. said:

JuniorD said:

Hmmm just looking at the westbrook cycles web page, sale section.

Check out the Scott Foil Team issue frame set, comes with Ultegra Di2 groupset. £2399. All you need is wheels bars and s. Saddle!

Both of which will see you over £3K when you also remember tyres, tubes etc, etc.

Can be taken from existing bike?

[option click]

What size frame do you need?

If by a slim chance it's a 52 / Small, get this 2012 Cento Uno Superleggera bought, sharpish:
http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/wilier-cento-uno-sl...

If that's too small and/or racey, how about a Wilier Gran Turismo?
http://wilier.it/it/wilier-gtr-promozione-di-prima...

Yes, I like Wilier bikes

Edited by option click on Friday 7th June 17:17

[jesusbuiltmycar]

I have ordered a Focus Izalco Pro 3.0 - should get it later this week - can't wait