Orbea Orca..any good?

[jonott]

Hi all,
Thinking of getting a road bike to get fit again after a few years of no exercise and came across this little beauty.

www.epic-cycles.co.uk/Orbea_Orca_Classic.html

Does it look good value?

My budget is anything up to about £2,000, so plenty to go at. Biggest problem seems knowing where to start.
Pinarello, Orbea, Basso, Colnago, Eddie Merckx, Specialised, Bianchi, Kuota...they all do some gorgeous looking bikes.
Decisions, decisions...

[Garlick]

I've just got an Onix T105. Literally only covered around 50 miles on it since collecting on Saturday, but so far so good.

It's a leap ahead in terms of quality, design and riding compared to my Giant.

[The Walrus]

It is a cracking bike but they have made some compromises that you could ammend over time.

VFM I would snap it up if you are after a race geo frame and likely a lively frame.

Check out bike radar for some reviews on the frame, they don't have the same wheels or groupset from what I can see but it will give you an idea and Ultegra is a decent groupset.

[itsnotarace]

Don't forget you will need to budget for pedals and shoes, helmet, clothes, lights, cycling computer etc. That could add another £500 to the total spend if you go for equivalent range products to match your bike

I don't want to sound patronising or anything but maybe consider getting a slightly cheaper bike (in the £1k - £1.5k range) to see how you get on with it as a hobby, and then consider upgrading components or wheels at a later date when you have put a whole bunch of miles on it. Dropping a level of groupset from Ultegra to 105 or equivalent will not spoil your enjoyment one bit

[NitroNick]

Have you considered a Canyon?
This one looks like good value. Ultimate CF 8.0
Haven't ridden one myself but a mate got one and he loves it.
Check out their "outlet" page which has some of last years stock at reduced rates.

[Roman]

Well worth a visit to Epic I'd say, some very nice Merckx, Bianchi & Kuota bikes to see & try for fit too.

[Justayellowbadge]

Have you looked at the Red Bull Carbon Pro?

Carbon, full Ultegra, 7.3kg - £1579.

You can have it with full Dura Ace for a little over 2 grand.

http://roseversand.com/bikes/racing-bikes/racing-b...

[The Walrus]

It is the old ultegra SL which is why it so reasoanbly priced I would imagine, plus it only has the RS20 wheels.

Good frame though

[Garlick]

The Walrus said:

plus it only has the RS20 wheels.

I'm just about to put my RS20's onto my Onix. I rather like them.

[The Walrus]

Garlick said:

The Walrus said:

plus it only has the RS20 wheels.

I'm just about to put my RS20's onto my Onix. I rather like them.

Woops they are decent wheels don't get me wrong but on that frame with that groupset they are one of the things you can see they have saved costs on rather than putting on the equivalent ultegra etc.

Like I said though still a cracking bike for the money crap wheels or not

This is not helping me save pennies, must remember not to spend savings and put aside money for bike......

Edited by The Walrus on Friday 29th October 16:39

[Garlick]

I don't mind! It's just that that RS20's I had on the Giant are slightly lighter than the R500's that my Orbea arrived with. Might as well swap them over.

.....besides the RS20's coupled with the 105 makes other cyclists wince

[jonott]

Thanks for all the advice guys...now you've given me even more to consider;)
I can well understand the advice to spend less to give me more money to spend on clothing etc. And that may well have to be the route I take.
Do love that Orca though!

Apart from the clothing/helmet, etc, what other things are considered necessities?

Shame Epic is so far away from me...may still be worth a trip though. The few LBS near me don't have much stock.

Cheers

Edited by jonott on Friday 29th October 21:04

[The Walrus]

Computer
Cages and water bottles
Under saddle bag
spares - tubes tyres
Pump you will need a decent track pump to get up to the pressure required in road tyres
Lights at this time of year.
Pedals and shoes if you have not thought of them yet

[The Walrus]

Garlick said:

I don't mind! It's just that that RS20's I had on the Giant are slightly lighter than the R500's that my Orbea arrived with. Might as well swap them over.

.....besides the RS20's coupled with the 105 makes other cyclists wince

Some people eh it's only a groupset for gods sake (says he who commented on the wheels )