£800 Road bike - options?
Discussion
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.
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.
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?
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?
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!£829 for the Shimano special edition - so a carbon bike at your budget. Worth a look.
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!
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!
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!
itsnotarace said:
Lovely, lovely bike (as mentioned, that's one hell of a spec for the money, even the Cube equivalent is over £1k) but that'll be over £850 delivered and that's too much for me at the moment when I still have to buy pedals and shoes. Cheers for the suggestion though, and I hope someone else buys one so we can hear about how nice it is!Well, look what Postman Pat brought for me yesterday...
Unfortunately I wasn't home at the time so I had to wait patiently (translation - show the above picture to my increasingly bored colleagues) until I got home yesterday evening. This morning I immediately unpacked it and started piecing it together - but fear not, it will be going straight to Lakeside to be properly tightened and configured (I don't trust my own fists of ham!)
EXCITED!! I have taken one of the "Train for a Century" training plans and built it into my own little spreadsheet complete with all the other exercise (gym, 5-a-side) I'm doing, and am using this to track my progress. I did a 26-miler @ 14.9mph average with a headwind on my old hybrid at the weekend without too much difficulty - going to attempt my first 40-miler this weekend on the new bike, and I am excited to see how much of a difference it makes...
Unfortunately I wasn't home at the time so I had to wait patiently (translation - show the above picture to my increasingly bored colleagues) until I got home yesterday evening. This morning I immediately unpacked it and started piecing it together - but fear not, it will be going straight to Lakeside to be properly tightened and configured (I don't trust my own fists of ham!)
EXCITED!! I have taken one of the "Train for a Century" training plans and built it into my own little spreadsheet complete with all the other exercise (gym, 5-a-side) I'm doing, and am using this to track my progress. I did a 26-miler @ 14.9mph average with a headwind on my old hybrid at the weekend without too much difficulty - going to attempt my first 40-miler this weekend on the new bike, and I am excited to see how much of a difference it makes...
A few allen keys and a spanner (well, two spanners, one to do up the pedals and the other to put the bike together) later...
Things I love already:
- How light it is
- The fact it came with basic pedals and pedal straps, even though I didn't spec any - just to get me started
- The fact that the bolts (eg front brake hanger, headset clasp) were all greased from the factory
- The little alignment cross on the bars to ensure I got them central.
Off for a little spin around the block at lunchtime... I need to work out how Tiagra shifters work, as far as I can see there is only one plane of movement in them! Could be an interesting experience!
Things I love already:
- How light it is
- The fact it came with basic pedals and pedal straps, even though I didn't spec any - just to get me started
- The fact that the bolts (eg front brake hanger, headset clasp) were all greased from the factory
- The little alignment cross on the bars to ensure I got them central.
Off for a little spin around the block at lunchtime... I need to work out how Tiagra shifters work, as far as I can see there is only one plane of movement in them! Could be an interesting experience!
Edited by mig25_foxbat2003 on Saturday 21st April 08:06
Gizmo! said:
mig25_foxbat2003 said:
Off for a little spin around the block at lunchtime... I need to work out how Tiagra shifters work, as far as I can see there is only one plane of movement in them! Could be an interesting experience!
Ooooh, nice. I may very well have a similar box soon 
Tiagra uses the brake lever itself to shift up and the mini lever behind the brake lever to shift down. Both sides push inwards towards the centre line of the bike.
Cheers for info on Tiagra shifters - I sat down and RTFM in the end, so worked it out eventually. Downshifts feel very strange until you get used to them!
After a brief test run, I realised that the rear derailleur isn't set up right at all, meaning that I can't get into the last four cogs without the chain hitting the guide on the crank derailleur. I'm damned if I am going to bugger about with it and make it worse! Unfortunately, the next time my LBS can see it is next Friday, so I've tucked it up in the garage and tried to forget about it until then - my 36-miler today will have to be done on the hybrid. I'll also get them to fit SPDs and a water bottle carrier, and check all of the bolts, at the same time.
To Be Continued...
Got the bike set up properly by Cheltenham Cycles today - £22 well spent, as they tightened up and checked everything out. I will be returning there after payday (and holiday) for a set of SPDs, cycle computer, and bottle cage.
Took her out for her first proper test ride and - wow. Can't believe the difference between this and my trusty Saracen, which is not, in itself, a bad bike (light enough, semi-road tyres, but completely different geometry). The weight of the Cannondale is in a different league, and the riding position is completely different! At 56cm, the frame is slightly oversized for me - I am 6ft but I have short legs and a long body, long arms and big hands (you know what they say about guys with big hands...) I took the decision to get this over the 54cm frame as I figured I would be risking a somewhat cramped riding style on the smaller frame, and so far, with the saddle slightly low (erring on the side of caution) my decision appears to have been vindicated, as I found the riding position very comfortable.
The headline figure was an easy 38 minute lap of my 10 mile flat-ish circuit with several minutes wasted at traffic lights. I'd never bettered 45 minutes on the Saracen, even with all of the lights in my favour. Me and the Cannondale are going to get on rather well together, it seems.
One thing I am still not 100% happy with is the crankset - I think the shifter is designed for a 3-cog set, whereas my bike is fitted with a double. You definitely need to click the shifter twice to get it to move between ratios, which can get irritating. Also, when I am in top gear (large crank and smallest rear cogs) the chain click-clacks on the crank derailleur - is this normal, given that I have had the bike set up by a reputable bike shop today?
Once the teething issues have been ironed out and I have fitted my SPDs I'm going to start building up distances, starting with a 45 mile loop of Cheltenham --> Cirencester --> Stroud --> Cheltenham. Can't wait!!
Took her out for her first proper test ride and - wow. Can't believe the difference between this and my trusty Saracen, which is not, in itself, a bad bike (light enough, semi-road tyres, but completely different geometry). The weight of the Cannondale is in a different league, and the riding position is completely different! At 56cm, the frame is slightly oversized for me - I am 6ft but I have short legs and a long body, long arms and big hands (you know what they say about guys with big hands...) I took the decision to get this over the 54cm frame as I figured I would be risking a somewhat cramped riding style on the smaller frame, and so far, with the saddle slightly low (erring on the side of caution) my decision appears to have been vindicated, as I found the riding position very comfortable.
The headline figure was an easy 38 minute lap of my 10 mile flat-ish circuit with several minutes wasted at traffic lights. I'd never bettered 45 minutes on the Saracen, even with all of the lights in my favour. Me and the Cannondale are going to get on rather well together, it seems.
One thing I am still not 100% happy with is the crankset - I think the shifter is designed for a 3-cog set, whereas my bike is fitted with a double. You definitely need to click the shifter twice to get it to move between ratios, which can get irritating. Also, when I am in top gear (large crank and smallest rear cogs) the chain click-clacks on the crank derailleur - is this normal, given that I have had the bike set up by a reputable bike shop today?
Once the teething issues have been ironed out and I have fitted my SPDs I'm going to start building up distances, starting with a 45 mile loop of Cheltenham --> Cirencester --> Stroud --> Cheltenham. Can't wait!!
Ben Jk said:
Pity i've only just seen this. My 2011 Cannondale Synapse Tiagra in a 56 is for sale. It's been used briefly 3 times, its as new. You could have had it.
Although looks like you got a good deal!
Cheers for the thought, but I needed the interest free credit or it wouldn't have been a viable option for me. Why only the three uses, out of interest? Although looks like you got a good deal!
I have a speed ride planned for Friday and a distance ride for Saturday - if anyone knows anyone at the Met Office, could you ask them for a bit of sunshine and a let-up in the wind? Thanking you kindly.
Quick update - did my first long (for me) ride on this yesterday, 43 miles from Cheltenham over to Cirencester, then Stroud and back to Cheltenham again.
http://app.strava.com/rides/8370181
--Racing Driver excuses mode-- I think something went a bit belly up with Strava as it showed 3:05 as my moving time when I had finished, but posted my elapsed duration instead, with a consequent big hit to my average speed. As I popped into my Mum's for a cuppa in Cirencester and went through the McD's drive-thru for an energy boost in Stroud, I spent at least an hour not going very far. My actual average speed was somewhere just south of 15, which I was pretty content with, although it obviously needs a lot of work.
Things I was happy with
How wonderfully light the bike seems when accelerating - you genuinely can get the drop on cars away from the lights.
Stability when descending
Rolling resistance was very low from the default Schwalbe tyres
I'm getting used to the Tiagra shifters now, and wouldn't swap back.
Very very very manoeuvrable.
Things I wasn't so happy with
Clack-clack on the final ratio on the big ring is driving me bananas, and will have to be sorted out, even if it means I just move the noise to the initial ratio instead (I use that far less, obviously)
Saddle is not suited to my posterior, I was getting bum-ache after 15 miles! I will be swapping it for the one from my hybrid, which never gave me any issues.
Gearing is neither fish nor fowl - the first decent climb was a shock, given that my usual tactic on the Saracen was to sit at 2mph in "washing machine mode"! The Cannondale doesn't have a "washing machine mode", and my legs didn't approve! I suppose it's fair enough and I'll get used to it, it's just not designed for fat b
ds (shock horror). Of more note is the fact that I completely ran out of ratios on the descents - I could definitely have gone faster if I'd had another few gears to keep on pushing.
Arms were aching as I'm not used to the posture yet, and I found myself using the middle of the bars rather than the drops in the final 5 miles. I shall refer to Rule 5.
Brakes are shockingly poor, but I can live with that as it's so chuckable!
Pedals are crap as expected - SPDs are on their way once I've put a few quid aside for them, so I think they'll make a big difference.
AIR RESISTANCE was enormous on the descents - I badly need to buy some streamlined clothing and keep on the weight loss regime. Starting weight was 105kg - current weight 101kg - target weight by the end of the summer 95kg...
Whilst this may appear to be a long list of negatives and not many positives, the overwhelmingly positive point is that I LOVED IT, and am feeling comfortable with building my mileage up slowly. That was my first ride in the 40s - I'm now going to plan a 50-miler and see if I can maintain the 15mph average for that. I've definitely got the bug, and the bike has absolutely helped - I have found myself patting it gently and telling it "good job" at the end of each ride, as if it were some faithful donkey or something. Thankfully the men in white coats haven't quite caught on.
Things to do:
Swap saddles
Buy road jersey and padded shorts
Get derailleurs adjusted again
Buy SPDs and shoes
Buy and fit cycle computer.
http://app.strava.com/rides/8370181
--Racing Driver excuses mode-- I think something went a bit belly up with Strava as it showed 3:05 as my moving time when I had finished, but posted my elapsed duration instead, with a consequent big hit to my average speed. As I popped into my Mum's for a cuppa in Cirencester and went through the McD's drive-thru for an energy boost in Stroud, I spent at least an hour not going very far. My actual average speed was somewhere just south of 15, which I was pretty content with, although it obviously needs a lot of work.
Things I was happy with
How wonderfully light the bike seems when accelerating - you genuinely can get the drop on cars away from the lights.
Stability when descending
Rolling resistance was very low from the default Schwalbe tyres
I'm getting used to the Tiagra shifters now, and wouldn't swap back.
Very very very manoeuvrable.
Things I wasn't so happy with
Clack-clack on the final ratio on the big ring is driving me bananas, and will have to be sorted out, even if it means I just move the noise to the initial ratio instead (I use that far less, obviously)
Saddle is not suited to my posterior, I was getting bum-ache after 15 miles! I will be swapping it for the one from my hybrid, which never gave me any issues.
Gearing is neither fish nor fowl - the first decent climb was a shock, given that my usual tactic on the Saracen was to sit at 2mph in "washing machine mode"! The Cannondale doesn't have a "washing machine mode", and my legs didn't approve! I suppose it's fair enough and I'll get used to it, it's just not designed for fat b
ds (shock horror). Of more note is the fact that I completely ran out of ratios on the descents - I could definitely have gone faster if I'd had another few gears to keep on pushing.Arms were aching as I'm not used to the posture yet, and I found myself using the middle of the bars rather than the drops in the final 5 miles. I shall refer to Rule 5.
Brakes are shockingly poor, but I can live with that as it's so chuckable!
Pedals are crap as expected - SPDs are on their way once I've put a few quid aside for them, so I think they'll make a big difference.
AIR RESISTANCE was enormous on the descents - I badly need to buy some streamlined clothing and keep on the weight loss regime. Starting weight was 105kg - current weight 101kg - target weight by the end of the summer 95kg...
Whilst this may appear to be a long list of negatives and not many positives, the overwhelmingly positive point is that I LOVED IT, and am feeling comfortable with building my mileage up slowly. That was my first ride in the 40s - I'm now going to plan a 50-miler and see if I can maintain the 15mph average for that. I've definitely got the bug, and the bike has absolutely helped - I have found myself patting it gently and telling it "good job" at the end of each ride, as if it were some faithful donkey or something. Thankfully the men in white coats haven't quite caught on.
Things to do:
Swap saddles
Buy road jersey and padded shorts
Get derailleurs adjusted again
Buy SPDs and shoes
Buy and fit cycle computer.
Quick update!
I've covered 103 miles this week and am feeling really good - did a hilly 45 miler on Tuesday (in the wind and rain) @ 13.5mph, then smashed my hour record with 18.2 miles yesterday evening (albeit on a loop which is as level as a crossing) and then did the LINC 64k ride around Tewkesbury today - 42 miles @ 16.1mph, but only half the climbing of Tuesday's effort so the speed increase is understandable.
Feeling much fitter and climbing is definitely getting easier, which I never believed it would do at first. I've found it to be a mixture between gaining leg strength, losing weight, finding a technique and seating position, and getting your head straight. The last one is especially important - I've done a couple of decent climbs now, slow and steady (<5mph) but I've managed them, and it has given me the confidence to attempt larger ones.
Still haven't bought those pedals or jersey haha.
I've covered 103 miles this week and am feeling really good - did a hilly 45 miler on Tuesday (in the wind and rain) @ 13.5mph, then smashed my hour record with 18.2 miles yesterday evening (albeit on a loop which is as level as a crossing) and then did the LINC 64k ride around Tewkesbury today - 42 miles @ 16.1mph, but only half the climbing of Tuesday's effort so the speed increase is understandable.
Feeling much fitter and climbing is definitely getting easier, which I never believed it would do at first. I've found it to be a mixture between gaining leg strength, losing weight, finding a technique and seating position, and getting your head straight. The last one is especially important - I've done a couple of decent climbs now, slow and steady (<5mph) but I've managed them, and it has given me the confidence to attempt larger ones.
Still haven't bought those pedals or jersey haha.
JPearson said:
OP would you say it was a decent buy? Im looking at my first road bike in the region of £5-700 and had been looking at a Cannondale Synapse Alloy 7 Sora 2012
Can still be swayed by something else though, i have a cannondale sl2 '10 and am really impressed with the build quality as i use it off road, am hoping the build quality will be the same as that!
Really impressed with the build quality on the CAAD8. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a bike in this price bracket, but only for the £675 I paid - not for the £900 original price. For that money, there are some lovely bikes out there from Canyon or Ribble.Can still be swayed by something else though, i have a cannondale sl2 '10 and am really impressed with the build quality as i use it off road, am hoping the build quality will be the same as that!
If you go for the Cube Peloton Tiagra I doubt you'll be disappointed, although I never had a test ride of one, just looked at it in the shop - it appeared to be light, well-specced and well-made.
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