Yet another what (road) bike thread....
Discussion
I visited 3 local bike shops at the weekend to some what they'd recommend for me, given that I'm planning on some sportives later this year and then London to Paris next year.
All 3 were extremely helpful and I narrowed it down to one bike from each shop - Cube, Trek and Specialized.
For my circa £1500 budget, the Cube offered the best value in terms of components, but I'm not clear whether this is at the expense of the frame quality? Also, (I might be wrong) Cube range didn't seem to offer a more comfort-oriented bike in the same way that the Specialised (Roubaix) and Trek (Domane) do.
From recollection, the Trek and Specialised bikes both came with part 105, part Tiagra components?
It looks as though I can borrow a Trek or Specialised bike to try out for a decent length of time, whereas that's not an option for the Cube.
Finally, I guess we are getting on towards the release of the 2014 bikes, so should I wait until these are released and maybe get a newer version (updated components??) for the same price or save a bit of money and get the 2013 with some money off?!
Any advice gratefully received (but I probably want to stick with one of my local bike shops, so advising on different bikes they can't get hold of isn't that useful!)
Sidicks
All 3 were extremely helpful and I narrowed it down to one bike from each shop - Cube, Trek and Specialized.
For my circa £1500 budget, the Cube offered the best value in terms of components, but I'm not clear whether this is at the expense of the frame quality? Also, (I might be wrong) Cube range didn't seem to offer a more comfort-oriented bike in the same way that the Specialised (Roubaix) and Trek (Domane) do.
From recollection, the Trek and Specialised bikes both came with part 105, part Tiagra components?
It looks as though I can borrow a Trek or Specialised bike to try out for a decent length of time, whereas that's not an option for the Cube.
Finally, I guess we are getting on towards the release of the 2014 bikes, so should I wait until these are released and maybe get a newer version (updated components??) for the same price or save a bit of money and get the 2013 with some money off?!
Any advice gratefully received (but I probably want to stick with one of my local bike shops, so advising on different bikes they can't get hold of isn't that useful!)
Sidicks
sidicks said:
I visited 3 local bike shops at the weekend to some what they'd recommend for me, given that I'm planning on some sportives later this year and then London to Paris next year.
All 3 were extremely helpful and I narrowed it down to one bike from each shop - Cube, Trek and Specialized.
For my circa £1500 budget, the Cube offered the best value in terms of components, but I'm not clear whether this is at the expense of the frame quality? Also, (I might be wrong) Cube range didn't seem to offer a more comfort-oriented bike in the same way that the Specialised (Roubaix) and Trek (Domane) do.
From recollection, the Trek and Specialised bikes both came with part 105, part Tiagra components?
It looks as though I can borrow a Trek or Specialised bike to try out for a decent length of time, whereas that's not an option for the Cube.
Finally, I guess we are getting on towards the release of the 2014 bikes, so should I wait until these are released and maybe get a newer version (updated components??) for the same price or save a bit of money and get the 2013 with some money off?!
Any advice gratefully received (but I probably want to stick with one of my local bike shops, so advising on different bikes they can't get hold of isn't that useful!)
Sidicks
At £1500, I'd want full 105 and no Tiagra. You would certainly get that if you went down the Ribble or Panet-X route.All 3 were extremely helpful and I narrowed it down to one bike from each shop - Cube, Trek and Specialized.
For my circa £1500 budget, the Cube offered the best value in terms of components, but I'm not clear whether this is at the expense of the frame quality? Also, (I might be wrong) Cube range didn't seem to offer a more comfort-oriented bike in the same way that the Specialised (Roubaix) and Trek (Domane) do.
From recollection, the Trek and Specialised bikes both came with part 105, part Tiagra components?
It looks as though I can borrow a Trek or Specialised bike to try out for a decent length of time, whereas that's not an option for the Cube.
Finally, I guess we are getting on towards the release of the 2014 bikes, so should I wait until these are released and maybe get a newer version (updated components??) for the same price or save a bit of money and get the 2013 with some money off?!
Any advice gratefully received (but I probably want to stick with one of my local bike shops, so advising on different bikes they can't get hold of isn't that useful!)
Sidicks
I have a Giant and they are worth a look for that price range. You would probably get SRAM Apex at that price range.
sidicks said:
Also, (I might be wrong) Cube range didn't seem to offer a more comfort-oriented bike in the same way that the Specialised (Roubaix) and Trek (Domane) do.
I'm not an expert on the Cube range, but I believe the Peloton range is there more comfort orientated geo as opposed to the Agree.Like what's already been said, for £1500 I would certainly be looking at full 105 and probably last years spec if you can still get it. I bought my 2012 Cannondale Supersix with full 105 for £1350 and there should be slightly more comfortable bikes out there for similar value.
bakerstreet said:
At £1500, I'd want full 105 and no Tiagra. You would certainly get that if you went down the Ribble or Panet-X route.
I have a Giant and they are worth a look for that price range. You would probably get SRAM Apex at that price range.
Given that there is no such thing as a free lunch, are the bikes that I've been looking at, not fitted with full 105 because you're paying more for a better Carbon frame, or are you simply paying more for the brand name?!I have a Giant and they are worth a look for that price range. You would probably get SRAM Apex at that price range.
Sorry to add to your confusion but give some serious consideration to the Felt Z5, cracking bike and uses the same frame as the rest of the range (apart from the range topping Z1), full 105 groupset, BB30 and Mavic Aksium wheels.
Also comes Di ready so if you ever feel the need to upgrade to electronic shifting the frame will take it......
Tredz have them on offer at just over £1,500 at the moment.
Just saying!
Also comes Di ready so if you ever feel the need to upgrade to electronic shifting the frame will take it......
Tredz have them on offer at just over £1,500 at the moment.
Just saying!
WinstonWolf said:
Lovely. Bit blue though, do the do a stealth version
Gargamel said:
WinstonWolf said:
Lovely. Bit blue though, do the do a stealth version
£1500 you say, maybe a little stretch but at 10% more you can have full carbon, full ultegra and a British bike.
http://www.dolan-bikes.com/road-bikes/Carbon/Shima...
If you are worried about fitting and local support then get it delivered to Tribeca, they set me up on mine and do all the servicing on it.
If your budget is a fixed £1500 then get it with 105 and spend the balance on having a full set up.
If my budget was £1,500 and I was buying a brand new 2013 road bike that I wanted to try out in a bike store, I'd get this:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/ta...
Boring and predictable but for good reason and who cares? It's a fantastic bike.
But, if I wanted to take a gamble and get something a bit more vintage, then this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Colnago-Steel-road-bike-...
Just look at it!
No need for any sub 105 at that price point, carbon frame or not (My £999 Scott Speedster 20 has virtually full 105 with a Tiagra cassette).
No one has mentioned Canyon yet? Maybe because you can't try it out first. If you change your mind on that and don't mind a looooong wait and terrible customer service, can't really be beaten on value for money (Full carbon with full 105 for £1,385):
https://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3...
Lastly, are you a medium frame? If so find an extra £300 quick (sub 7kg race ready bike):
http://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/bikes-c5/road-bik...
Good luck, hard not to get a fantastic bike for that money.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/ta...
Boring and predictable but for good reason and who cares? It's a fantastic bike.
But, if I wanted to take a gamble and get something a bit more vintage, then this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Colnago-Steel-road-bike-...
Just look at it!
No need for any sub 105 at that price point, carbon frame or not (My £999 Scott Speedster 20 has virtually full 105 with a Tiagra cassette).
No one has mentioned Canyon yet? Maybe because you can't try it out first. If you change your mind on that and don't mind a looooong wait and terrible customer service, can't really be beaten on value for money (Full carbon with full 105 for £1,385):
https://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3...
Lastly, are you a medium frame? If so find an extra £300 quick (sub 7kg race ready bike):
http://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/bikes-c5/road-bik...
Good luck, hard not to get a fantastic bike for that money.
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