- News
- Reviews
- Bikes
- Accessories
- Accessories - misc
- Computer mounts
- Bags
- Bar ends
- Bike bags & cases
- Bottle cages
- Bottles
- Cameras
- Car racks
- Child seats
- Computers
- Glasses
- GPS units
- Helmets
- Lights - front
- Lights - rear
- Lights - sets
- Locks
- Mirrors
- Mudguards
- Racks
- Pumps & CO2 inflators
- Puncture kits
- Reflectives
- Smart watches
- Stands and racks
- Trailers
- Clothing
- Components
- Bar tape & grips
- Bottom brackets
- Brake & gear cables
- Brake & STI levers
- Brake pads & spares
- Brakes
- Cassettes & freewheels
- Chains
- Chainsets & chainrings
- Derailleurs - front
- Derailleurs - rear
- Forks
- Gear levers & shifters
- Groupsets
- Handlebars & extensions
- Headsets
- Hubs
- Inner tubes
- Pedals
- Quick releases & skewers
- Saddles
- Seatposts
- Stems
- Wheels
- Tyres
- Health, fitness and nutrition
- Tools and workshop
- Miscellaneous
- Buyers Guides
- Features
- Forum
- Recommends
- Podcast
forum
Choosing a new bike, how hard can it be?
Hello All
New poster but long term lurker, finally got round to registering!
I will be buying myself a new bike this year, I'm due a payout from the insurance for having my bike written off last year, my winter bike is currently doing sterling service but I'm starting to get the new bike itch.
Where do I start?
I want a bike that will be universally admired, one that will float up hills, hammer the descents and be almost self-propelled on the flat.
I want the classic lines of steel, the magic of titanium and the lightweight of carbon.
Not much to ask for is it?
Perhaps I should just buy a Specialized Tarmac instead of the Enigma Esprit I'm currently lusting over..
If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.
Latest Forum Topics
Latest Comments
- Dogless 15 min 49 sec ago
It's a straw man because trying to support Israel's actions whilst attempting to remain logical and compassionate is impossible.
- essexian 19 min 20 sec ago
Got to say I looked at the comments section with some dread but.... most people on their are in support of the marathon and frankly could not...
- essexian 29 min 15 sec ago
Interesting..... but perhaps I'll wait for the LIdl or Aldi copy and save a couple of hundred quid.....
- Steve K 29 min 58 sec ago
Personally, I just have orange squash as my drink on pretty much all my rides.
- Bungle_52 33 min 54 sec ago
Surely it doesn't matter whether the sun is in your eyes or not. If it is you slow down to a speed where you can stop in the distance you can see...
- marmotte27 56 min 41 sec ago
The change in running shoes has come in the last five years or so, the TdF alanlysis goes until 2010, so before, as I pointed out above....
- hawkinspeter 7 hours 54 min ago
It's not censored if you just pirate it
- stonojnr 8 hours 59 min ago
an example of Kesgraves "best cycling infrastructure in the country" https://maps.app.goo.gl/GsCMbzDUTPdq59qS9
- wookey 9 hours 7 min ago
It turns out that that is national police policy. We found out from this process that there is national 'secured by design' policy which causes...
- mtbtomo 9 hours 47 min ago
Been available for quite a while, full GRX mechanical 12 speed. Probably around the same time as 105 mechanical 12 speed if I were to guess.
Add new comment
41 comments
Surely.
SURELY.
I was the Eighty Thousand and first contributor?
IS THAT WORTH NOTHING?
_
I had exactly the same thing, I wanted something different.
The S1 is that.
It certainly stands out on the line from all the average Dogmas and Tarmacs (Yes, people have Dogmas and tarmacs in Youth and Junior Races).
In a way, I'll be sorry that I'll probably not race on it again, but my team bike is bloody good.
Oh yeah...
Have you looked at Vo2?
After eighteen months on an Allez Elite, I picked up 2012 Tarmac SL3 in the Christmas sales for £2k (thank you Evans :D). Stiff, light, very fast and compliant.....loving it!
Might not be niche, but the fact (no pun intended) that a manufacturer is willing to issue a Whitepaper on their material selection, design & engineering etc. speaks volumes. Before I saw the Spesh on sale I thought long and hard about the new Canyon Ultimate CF SLX (not exactly niche I know, but I like "bang for my buck"), but the UK sales rep (curt, generally unhelpful) wouldn't give any information on the frame at all; that, in conjunction with rumours of poor aftersales service, was enough to put me off.
Some brands get big and retain the principles that they had from the outset..I think Spesh is one of those brands.
I hear Cav is rather pleased to be back on one.
Mine is the SL3 too. Lovely bikes to ride.
In other news, you've managed to be the 80,000th contribution to the site. So you win a pair of socks
Happy days!
If me that is, if not I'll just continue to hit the 'like' button on Facebook
What was that Dave? 'as do all those that contributed to this thread up until your announcement?' Awesome!
oh well, you can't blame a guy for trying, right?
Fair enough.
I lusted after a Pinarello before I even owned a road bike, then through my first year or so on my Allez.
When I had the money and opportunity to get one though I compared it to a Tarmac Expert (both brands in same store) then I could see I was getting more pure race bike for my money. Beyond my capability I might add.
The fact that I could get a greater deal on the Spesh was the final straw. It was also amazingly comfy for the type of bike it is, including being more comfy than the Allez.
That said, if you have a niche bike itch then get scratching.
I love my 2010 Tarmac comp.
What's wrong with a Tarmac?
Nothing at all, it's all the bike I would most likely ever need and more but for me I want something a little 'different'.
The problem being of course that being different doesn't always equate to being better!
FWIW based purely on an aesthetic point of view none of the big brands currently really do it for me, be it Spesh, Giant or Trek, if I'm spending £2.5k upwards I really have to lust over it
Its this easy:
Cervelo S1.
Pages