New bike advice.
Discussion
Hello cyclists of PH!
I'm after a bit of advice about my next bike, I've narrowed it down to 2 options, budget about the 1500 area (although I am of course open to any other suggestions). I'll give a bit of background first so you don't go in blind.
Got back into cycling again last year after being able to ride to work for the first time in ages (various reasons, nobody cares etc). Decided to not go crazy and got myself a Giant Rapid 2 for zipping to work on, this is a pretty good bike for commuting duties but obviously not the best for longer distances etc.
I'll be using it as my 'posh bike' for longer rides and sportive type stuff. So I'll get to the 2 bikes I was thinking of , sorry for blabbing on.
Cannondale Synapse 105 in that 'look at me!' reddish orange colour. This is 1600
Trek Emonda ALR 6 in sombre manly black. This is 1400
Now I know that one is Carbon and one is Aluminium, I don't have any personal preference/snobbishness about either material. Both bikes have very good reviews from a wide array of places so it doesn't seem obvious which to choose. I know people get all tumescent about Carbon but my current bike is Al and it's fine (it isn't like driving a run-flat BMW over cobbles or anything) and a friend at work has a CAAD and he is an absolute weapon so it doesn't seem to slow him down! The Trek comes with full Ultegra for less money so looks good value at its price point but I know it's not the be all end all.
So, I'm after any pointers, tips advice and experiences you might want to share, I'm also fully open to abuse on my choices etc.
Some caveats to the choice (always some)
Budget about 1500 give or take
Compact chain-set preferably (sorry)
Not bothered about disc brakes, if I was to get them I'd want hydraulic on my 'posh bike' and that is probably out of my price range.
Prefer not to do mail order, I like to go into a shop and poke about/try things.
Can't think of much else.
Thanks in advance!
Apologies for the text wall.
I'm after a bit of advice about my next bike, I've narrowed it down to 2 options, budget about the 1500 area (although I am of course open to any other suggestions). I'll give a bit of background first so you don't go in blind.
Got back into cycling again last year after being able to ride to work for the first time in ages (various reasons, nobody cares etc). Decided to not go crazy and got myself a Giant Rapid 2 for zipping to work on, this is a pretty good bike for commuting duties but obviously not the best for longer distances etc.
I'll be using it as my 'posh bike' for longer rides and sportive type stuff. So I'll get to the 2 bikes I was thinking of , sorry for blabbing on.
Cannondale Synapse 105 in that 'look at me!' reddish orange colour. This is 1600
Trek Emonda ALR 6 in sombre manly black. This is 1400
Now I know that one is Carbon and one is Aluminium, I don't have any personal preference/snobbishness about either material. Both bikes have very good reviews from a wide array of places so it doesn't seem obvious which to choose. I know people get all tumescent about Carbon but my current bike is Al and it's fine (it isn't like driving a run-flat BMW over cobbles or anything) and a friend at work has a CAAD and he is an absolute weapon so it doesn't seem to slow him down! The Trek comes with full Ultegra for less money so looks good value at its price point but I know it's not the be all end all.
So, I'm after any pointers, tips advice and experiences you might want to share, I'm also fully open to abuse on my choices etc.
Some caveats to the choice (always some)
Budget about 1500 give or take
Compact chain-set preferably (sorry)
Not bothered about disc brakes, if I was to get them I'd want hydraulic on my 'posh bike' and that is probably out of my price range.
Prefer not to do mail order, I like to go into a shop and poke about/try things.
Can't think of much else.
Thanks in advance!
Apologies for the text wall.
Does the Trek come with 'full' Ultegra as some of the manufacturers advertise a bike as ultra or 105 but when you look at the individual spec some components are swapped to a cheaper item (e.g. brakes or crank). For me Ultegra beats 105 hands down and I have both, 105 on a winter Ribble and Ultegra on a summer Pinerello. Ribble bikes are a good choice as when you choose the groupset, you will get the Full group set all way down to the chain and cassette. A few of my mates went for the Gran Fondo and are very pleased with how they specced them. Internet I know but you can visit the shop (think it's Preston) . Happy shopping 
Cannondale's CAAD 12 won bike of the year last week on one of the sites/magazines, I'd have a look at that first and then compare as many as you can to that.
Don't get hung up on the groupset, spend your money on the frame then the wheels then the groupset. Parts of the groupset (chain and cassette) will wear out and need replacing, and you might even break bits too; the frame and wheels should be good for years. And 105 is almost as good as Ultegra these days.
Evans have a good try before you buy scheme, you have to pay a deposit and book in advance but they let you out on actual bikes you can afford, unlike a lot of shops who have demo bikes that are double your budget.
Here's some contenders - http://road.cc/content/buyers-guide/183533-buyers-...
Don't get hung up on the groupset, spend your money on the frame then the wheels then the groupset. Parts of the groupset (chain and cassette) will wear out and need replacing, and you might even break bits too; the frame and wheels should be good for years. And 105 is almost as good as Ultegra these days.
Evans have a good try before you buy scheme, you have to pay a deposit and book in advance but they let you out on actual bikes you can afford, unlike a lot of shops who have demo bikes that are double your budget.
Here's some contenders - http://road.cc/content/buyers-guide/183533-buyers-...
Edited by Daveyraveygravey on Saturday 2nd April 07:46
I agree with DRG on the frame before groupset order of importance but would steer you away from a CAAD12 for your stated purposes. It'd be a fantastic bike for racing by all accounts, stiff and responsive, but for the long distance and sportive rides you mention I think you're right on the money with a Synapse. Or similar. I have both carbon and aluminium Synapses (having upgraded at the end of last season and not gotten around to selling the original yet). Let me know if there's anything I could tell you about the Synapse that would help you decide.
The Emonda I haven't ridden, but at least a couple on here have them and seem pleased with them. I wouldn't have thought it was a competitor for the Synapse though. Trek's Domane would be the better choice I'd have thought if you wanted to compare like with like.
The Emonda I haven't ridden, but at least a couple on here have them and seem pleased with them. I wouldn't have thought it was a competitor for the Synapse though. Trek's Domane would be the better choice I'd have thought if you wanted to compare like with like.
Can't help with current (2016) bikes, but my "Viper red" 2015 Emonda SL 6 came with a full Ultegra groupset, less the press fit bottom bracket adapter or whatever they used in place of the threaded Shimano unit.
I did 102 miles on mine on Thursday, after at least two months off it (due to weather/MTBing). Comfy as you like, no ill effects other than some irksome leg fatigue caused by lack of time on the bike and training to shorter distances/durations.
It's carbon fibre, and pretty light too. I certainly can't recommend it enough. I came from a position of not being a fan of Trek, but a local shop persuaded me to test ride it (I went in to look at Scott and Cannondale offerings). The damned thing sold itself, where I'd set my heart on a Cervelo but couldn't get on with the R2 after several test rides and adjustments.
So I can't advise on what the aluminium Emonda is like to ride or live with, but I'm well happy that I bought the carbon Emonda.
It may be worth having a trawl round to see if there are any 2015 bikes knocking about in shop floor stock, as they will likely be reduced in price now. It'll be a bargain if you can find a '15 carbon Emonda. I recently bought a Giant Anthem MTB for £899, reduced from last years 'SRP' of £1499. Savings are there, if you can find an older (new) bike in your size.
I did 102 miles on mine on Thursday, after at least two months off it (due to weather/MTBing). Comfy as you like, no ill effects other than some irksome leg fatigue caused by lack of time on the bike and training to shorter distances/durations.
It's carbon fibre, and pretty light too. I certainly can't recommend it enough. I came from a position of not being a fan of Trek, but a local shop persuaded me to test ride it (I went in to look at Scott and Cannondale offerings). The damned thing sold itself, where I'd set my heart on a Cervelo but couldn't get on with the R2 after several test rides and adjustments.
So I can't advise on what the aluminium Emonda is like to ride or live with, but I'm well happy that I bought the carbon Emonda.
It may be worth having a trawl round to see if there are any 2015 bikes knocking about in shop floor stock, as they will likely be reduced in price now. It'll be a bargain if you can find a '15 carbon Emonda. I recently bought a Giant Anthem MTB for £899, reduced from last years 'SRP' of £1499. Savings are there, if you can find an older (new) bike in your size.
Thanks for the replies guys, plenty to look at and think about.
Looks like it might be good to go to a few bike shops and see what they have and test a few things!
What's peoples opinions on Alu vs Carbon at my price point to get a quality 'keeper' frame? I know that when you get more expensive carbon is the default choice for light and stiff but it seems that the lines are a little more blurred when you move down to middle/lower range.
Thanks.
Looks like it might be good to go to a few bike shops and see what they have and test a few things!
What's peoples opinions on Alu vs Carbon at my price point to get a quality 'keeper' frame? I know that when you get more expensive carbon is the default choice for light and stiff but it seems that the lines are a little more blurred when you move down to middle/lower range.
Thanks.
ScoJak said:
...What's peoples opinions on Alu vs Carbon at my price point to get a quality 'keeper' frame? I know that when you get more expensive carbon is the default choice for light and stiff but it seems that the lines are a little more blurred when you move down to middle/lower range...
It was easier for me, as my budget was more generous. I'd set it at £2000, but stretched it to £2300 in the end. With your budget I think I'd be keen to get onto a decent carbon frame and sacrifice the groupset. But then, if I were faced with the choice, and spending my own money (not notionally spending yours) then things may well be different.All I can say is that the Emonda (in "SL" guise at least) is a fabulous bike to own and ride. I'm biased, of course, and have limited experience on other machines with which to compare it, but I'd buy mine again any day of the week. No regrets except for the day I let the wind blow it over and take some paint off the seatstay.
Now I know that over budget is over budget, but this SL 5... http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/trek-emonda-sl-5... ...is *only* £400 more than the ALR 6... http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/trek-emonda-alr-... ...you mentioned, and it's full Shimano 105 down to the cassette.
Ultimately, only you can decide, and "you pays your money, you makes your choice" etc, etc. But in your position I'd be looking at the carbon fibre Emonda SL all day long. Sorry if it's not really that much help, but there doesn't seem to be a huge gulf in quality between 105 and Ultegra currently. Heck, if it hadn't been for the 2015 Emonda SL 5 only being available in green (and therefore clashing horribly with virtually every piece of cycling clothing I own - #tartboy
) I'd have bought that instead of the Ultegra equipped SL 6 for certain.ScoJak said:
Thanks for the replies guys, plenty to look at and think about.
Looks like it might be good to go to a few bike shops and see what they have and test a few things!
What's peoples opinions on Alu vs Carbon at my price point to get a quality 'keeper' frame? I know that when you get more expensive carbon is the default choice for light and stiff but it seems that the lines are a little more blurred when you move down to middle/lower range.
Thanks.
Aluminium is often derided unfairly as being harsh. Old school aluminium frames were, but a good, well designed aluminium frame can be surprisingly comfortable. Just a good, well designed carbon frame can be more comfortable still. The difference between the comfort of my aluminium and carbon Synapses on regular roads is very slight, but on broken surfaces, cobbles or over frost damage the carbon is a clear winner. Downside of carbon is the higher purchase cost like-for-like, and any doubt you'd have about trusting it after a crash. There's no wrong choice between them though, I think, but I'd go carbon again myself. Looks like it might be good to go to a few bike shops and see what they have and test a few things!
What's peoples opinions on Alu vs Carbon at my price point to get a quality 'keeper' frame? I know that when you get more expensive carbon is the default choice for light and stiff but it seems that the lines are a little more blurred when you move down to middle/lower range.
Thanks.
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