Can’t make up my mind

BKing wrote:

BKing wrote:

So I visited Sigma today and they said I can build up a kinesis with them using the cycle to work Scheme. They said I can go over the budget and pay the difference, which I am happy to do, although I don’t want it to be considerable over the budget. 

So… now I need advice on build ideas. I have never build a bike before and want to know where I could compromise to save money. Sigma have said they will price match anything. This is where I am at:

Frame – Kinesis Aithein or T3

Headset – ?

Groupset – Tiagra Group Set/105  

Wheels – ? Do I buy entry level or a really decent pair. What are the Mavic Cosmic Elites like?

Finishing kit – Deda Zero

Saddle – Fabric Scoop

Any thoughts please share. I still need to do some Moreno research but it would be good to hear any recommendations.

 

 

 

T3 plus Tiagra. 10 speed cheaper, slightly easier to build, wider tolerances for getting the shifting dialled in. You can also run an 11-34 cassette, 105 only goes up to 32. If you can mix and match the 105 crankset is significantly lighter than Tiagra but other than that the two groups are pretty much identical these days, just 10-speed vs 11. I’ve gone from 105 to Tiagra and don’t notice any performance difference in the shifting.
If you’re running guards there is a new 105 low profile front mech which will improve clearance – the old long arm mechs could end up very close to the mudguard, I had to notch mine.

BKing wrote:

BKing wrote:

Frame – Kinesis Aithein or T3

No mudguard mounts on the Aithein would rule it out for me as a winter bike.

BKing wrote:

Headset – ?

No need to spend a fortune. I used an Edge Design one (£25) and cannot tell the difference between it and an expensive Cane Creek 110 on another bike.

BKing wrote:

Groupset – Tiagra Group Set/105  

They’re both excellent. Tiagra has 10 sprockets, 105 has 11. It’s up to you whether the extra sprocket and nicer finish of 105 warrants the extra £50 or so. I’d say it does.

BKing wrote:

Wheels – ? Do I buy entry level or a really decent pair. What are the Mavic Cosmic Elites like?

They’re alright, but for that sort of money I would lean towards Zondas, which have many fans here. Others will recommend a pair of hand-builts for a winter bike, but that will just further complicate things for you!

BKing wrote:

Finishing kit – Deda Zero

Nothing wrong with it and nice to have it all matching.

BKing wrote:

Saddle – Fabric Scoop

Saddles are very personal but many get on well with the Scoop.

BKing wrote:

I am, however, fairly inexperienced with bike building, but not too bad with practical things

You can build a bike. If you do go for something like a T3, with its threaded bottom bracket and integrated headset, you’ll only need a BB tool, torque wrench with allen/torx/driver bits, hacksaw (for mudguard mounts and fork steerer) and cable cutters.

Just to make life more
Just to make life more complicated for you…

May be worth looking at Merlin. The Axe7 Pro is a straight 105 groupset (hydraulic discs) at
£900. https://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-axe7-pro-disc-road-bike-2017-95581.html

The Normal Axe7 is Tiagra (so 10 speed rather than your preferred 11 and mechanical rather than hydraulic) but you can grab for £650 (also has an offer at the moment for free pedals and shoes!). https://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-axe7-disc-road-bike-shoe-pedal-offer-99311.html

Not affiliated in any way but I do own the Axe7 Pro and love it. Purists may find it a too heavy (around the 10kg mark) but considering I’m a bit heavy it’s not much of an issue 🙂

dottigirl wrote:

Woldsman wrote:

There is no shortage of T2 fans on here and the T3 is supposed to be 200gm lighter. 

Amusingly true – every winter bike thread turns into a Kinesis T2 love-in sooner or later. 

I am a fan of my T2. I would look for discs for a replacement winter bikes, but you won’t go wrong with a T3.

Woldsman wrote:

Just check whether that frame and fork bundle includes the headset bearings you’ll need.

Ah, good point.  Unlike the GF Ti and 4S, the T3 does not include a headset, and this is absent from the build kit.  I used this one, which even came with a good quality expander bung: https://www.edgesportsuk.com/store/edge-design/headset/edge-design-integrated-headset-11-8-1-5-tapered-is42-28-6-is52-40.html

I was in the same position as

I was in the same position as you a few months ago and built up a Kinesis T3 with Athena and Zondas from an older bike.  You’d sneak a full build in under a grand with 105, RS10s and, say, Deda Zero 1 finishing kit – although you wouldn’t necessarily need to if you want to spend more (put a grand’s worth of components on one order for C2W, and fund the rest yourself).

I prefer the T3 to the old Van Nicholas ti road bike that donated the drivetrain and wheels.  It’s comfier and stiffer, which is crazy when you consider the price disparity.

EDIT: Merlin will sell you a full 105/RS10 build kit with everything you need, including long-drop brakes and mudguards, for £562.50 this weekend and a T3 frame/Tracer fork package for £380, which is a complete bargain: https://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-105-5800-racelight-build-kit-103564.html

If you Google winter Road
If you Google winter Road bikes under £1000 theres an article where Road cc give 18 possibilities and some of those have discs.
If you’re going to buy on line anyway maybe look at the 2017 models as there’s some bargains to be had. Depends if you’re willing to buy without trying and if you have any lbs it may be worth seeing what they have unless you are dead set on one of these.
If you bought one without trying it and hated it what would you do?