Carbon and Shimano 105 for ~£1500

I've got a Canyon and love it. Bit of a pain to get it delivered, but once it arrived I couldn't be happier with it. I had a bike fit before I bought it, and the bike fitter gave me advice on the size I'd need (and suggested I get Canyon to swap out the stem), so that could be an option.

But...

I'd really think about getting a high end Alu bike instead going for carbon. My brother's got the CAAD10, as has a mate, and it's an awesome bike. I had an entry-level carbon bike (Focus Cayo), and as soon as I saw my brother's CAAD10, I realised I should have ignored the carbon craving and spent the money on a really good aluminium bike instead.

That said, I don't think there's many bad bikes around nowadays, so for £1,500 you're bound to get something pretty good whatever you go for...

Dolan, Ribble, Planet X...

What about the giant defy advanced??
Great reviews, carbon and 105, go for the advanced 1 and you get ultegra for £1649

Hi buddy,

I notice you haven't included either Canyon or Rose bikes on your list?

I would definitely recommend. My friend just received his Canyon Endurance Carbon fibre with 105 and a very impressive finishing kit, all for under £1500.

The build quality was fantastic and the ride equally as impressive. Based on this introduction to the brand I will most likely be getting a Canyon bike myself next time I upgrade.

In regards to the whole carbon/ally, for the price range you are discussing, the ally frames are just as good as the lower end carbon ones (sometimes better). My aluminium Giant frame weighs less than the Btwin Mach for example.

One thing to consider is not spending all of your budget on the main purchase. No doubt there will be something you want to change, be it the saddle or stem etc..

Let's us know what you get

Have a look at Giant Propel, similar to the Fuji Transonic. 1400 gets you 105 and 1650 gets you Ultegra.
I just bought the Ultegra version at the end of May, loving it. Test rode one and the Fuji; I thought the Fuji slightly harsher than the Propel.

I just did a 28 hour 230 mile Everesting on it so am happy it is comfy enough for me. I think it looks the biz too!

How about full carbon and Ultegra Di2 for £1500? Assuming they have your size..

http://www.bikesheduk.com/cube-agree-gtc-di2-slt-compact-2013

Ultegra, a Chinese frame and far sports wheels....
This is my plan for a sub 6kg race bike when I have the funds available.
Then a reasonable finishing kit and decent tyres et voila, a properly nice bike IMO

Hey,

I don't have any experience of riding carbon, so not sure how much this will help, but it's probably worth adding the cannondale supersix 105 if you're considering the synapse. Bit racier geometry which might be slightly better for triathlon.

I imagine most people's advice will be to go try a few out, and you should be able to with most of these brands as long as you have a few LBSs nearby.

Carbon isn't the only way to go with your budget of course. A high end alloy frame like the cannondale caad10, kinesis aithein or bowman palace will probably be stiffer than the ones in your list, could be as light, will certainly be cheaper if you have a crash and have to replace, and they're pretty comfy with 25c tyres. I went through a similar process myself and went with the bowman palace. Slightly over your budget with ultegra and ksyrium elite wheels, but you could easily do a great 105 build for £1500.

Sorry, didn't mean to suggest more options..