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New Bike Dilemma

by lewskisdub
Sat, May 21, 2011 00:30
7

So basically I ride around 40 miles a day back and forth work. I love cycling and possibly in the future do some small organised races/time trials. Last month I got knocked off my bike and it was a right-off. It was a Trek Madone, cant remember the exact model number but its black,blue and white and cost around £1200 new. So im going to be getting a new bike and I dont want to downgrade, if anything I was looking to get a carbon fibre frame instead of the steel frame/carbon forks on the Madone I had. Im looking at around £1500 to spend, Giant. I dont have the opportunity to test ride the bikes but I want the bike to be future proof and dont want to buy another bike in the near future. Have been looking at the new Trek Madone, Orbea and Giant just to name a few. Any tips to how to choose one over the other?

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.

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7 comments

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harrybwade | 13 years ago
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yeah thats my fear too, and through someone elses negligence i'm going to loose out, even if they have admitted it. I would be happy with the old bike back to be honest. I am not looking to "gain" as the insurance company were implying... ill keep you posted too.
good luck with it all.

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lewskisdub | 13 years ago
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so your at the same stage as me with this. My bike is worth about £1500 but I fear that they wont give me this as its a couple of years old and they are going to say its wear and tear etc. I cant imaging the insurance company coming to your house to collect the bike to make it their property so im hoping they wont so I can have some spares from the written off bike!! I will keep you posted as and when things progress with my case!!

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harrybwade | 13 years ago
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On a slight side topic, I was hit by a car and the bike was also a write-off. The driver admitted liability etc and was done for careless driving
This was just over 2 weeks ago and I am waiting on the car insurance to make a settlement offer to me. Does anyone else have experience of this and can I be sure that the offer will enable me to replace my bike – i.e. it will be a reasonable amount.
Also when the settlement is agreed the old bike legally becomes the property of the insurance company. In other peoples experience, are they likely to request this or will it be left for me to “scrap” it??

Sorry for hijacking the thread…..

H

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lewskisdub | 13 years ago
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ok...thanks for the help peeps!! Dont think I can go down the buyin a frame and forks and then just to add to it but its definatly a option. I'll leave a post when I come to buying. Thanks again!!

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matt637 | 13 years ago
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Hi there,
don't get too obsessed with carbon fibre. You may get a lot more for your cash with aluminium. What ever you end up getting for £1500 is going to be pretty good, and will last you for a very long time. Some people are obsessed with having all of the latest technology (headset, bottom bracket, internal cables etc etc) but in truth it doesn't make a jot of difference to most leisure/club riders. Up until last year i had Specialized Allez Comp aluminium frame carbon forks with Ultegra groupset which lasted me for 15 years! And still looked and performed as well as anything else out there. Good advice already given, get a good frame/forks which will last you for years, 'cause you'll always be able to change wheels/components/groupset as and when needed.

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chinchli | 13 years ago
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I'm kind of in the same position and have spent the last couple of months looking.

Best advice is buy a good frame and accept that components and wheels will have to be replaced over time.

If you are willing to go aluminium, then a cannondale CAAD10 is a good choice. There are a few options in carbon, but a specialized Roubaix might just be in your price range, is comfortable for long miles. As an outside option, you might want to think of titanium, the Van Nicholas Mistral looks good (I'm trying to sort out a test ride ion the next couple of weeks before I decide)

If you still want a carbon frame and decent kit, but don't want to spend that much, look at Focus (on wiggle), ribble cycles or Planet X.

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charliemac74 | 13 years ago
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Have a look at Planet X, I got one and have never looked back.

And forget this 'futureproof' thing. No matter what you buy it will only be a matter of time before you start looking at upgrades and thinking "Oh yes, I need one of those" no matter how well your current version is performing.

On the bright side though you eventually have enough spare parts to rebuild your original bike as a winter\clunker\hack bike!

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