[Pisiform]

I realise there are hundreds of posts like this but I really would be grateful for people’s advice who’ve ridden the bikes I mention.

I’m currently deliberating over the choice of my first road bike having taken up cycling on a hybrid last year. I can do 40 miles or so on it but its so heavy I’m knackered afterwards and think its time for something lighter.

One of my difficulties is that I have chronic health problems which mean frankly there are times when I have little energy; and I really struggle with hills as I’m anaemic and just cannot get enough oxygen to my muscles to do intense efforts or clear lactic build up quickly. I’m never going to be speedy or doing races. I enjoy rides by myself and have entered a 60mile sportive this summer. I’m looking for a bike that is light, as I think this will be less draining for me and help me climb better, and something that is comfortable – no 14 cm headtubes for me!

My wife is encouraging me to get a Specialized Roubaix as she loves the brand and the prices dropped this week to £1400. I know this is renowned for a comfortable ride.

My heart belongs to the Genesis equilibrium as its simply beautiful. I much prefer the look of the steel bikes. The massive downtubes of the carbon bikes aren’t attractive but I could learn to live with them. But is the Genesis too heavy and how would they compare to ride?

My problem is that its impossible to find anywhere to test ride them so I’m having to make a buying decision based on written info only.

If you’ve ridden these bikes what’s the difference in the way they ride? Have I missed any other bikes which might be suitable?

Advice gratefully received!!
If you’ve ridden these bike

Topic

[Pisiform]

Just a quick update on this
Just a quick update on this to say thanks for the advice.

I test rode both the Roubaix and the genesis and was astounded to find how the genesis absorbed all the road buzz and noise compared to the carbon frame. It was so much more comfortable than the alloy bike I’m used to. The carbon by comparison felt slightly noisy and uncomfortable.
I decided that the comfort on the bike was more important to me than the slight weight penalty as I’m no racer

Anyway, I went ahead and bought the genesis and have been out on some rides and am thoroughly enjoying the bike. Can’t wait to get out some more this weekend, hurricanes allowing.

[bashthebox]

Have a look at Canyon –
Have a look at Canyon – really great bikes, not just for the money, but great bikes full stop. Will be getting cheaper and cheaper as the Euro tumbles too.

I love my second hand Planet-X. Not very glamorous, but fast, light, stiff and responsive.

[andylul]

Bedfordshire Clanger

Bedfordshire Clanger wrote:

Only buy Ribble if you like the Fawlty Towers approach to customer service.

Such as?

[paulfg42]

I really like the look of the
I really like the look of the Cube Peloton SL for my first foray into road biking. Spec looks decent. Would this be a good choice?

[trikeman]

Bedfordshire Clanger

Bedfordshire Clanger wrote:

Only buy Ribble if you like the Fawlty Towers approach to customer service.

Brilliant!!!!

🙂 😀 =)) =)) :)) :)) :))

“A satisfied customer, we should have him stuffed.”

Great images just came to mind – sorry…..

Trikeman. 😉

[russyparkin]

dave isright about the wheel
dave isright about the wheel side, you can trim kilos off a bike with the right wheels, for instance fsa vision trimax (£250 planet x 1500g) schwalbe ultremo tyres (180g each Around £20 each)

300 quid that would probably knock 1.5kg off the whole bike weight (it did for my bike) 🙂

[Pisiform]

OK I’ve managed to get a test
OK I’ve managed to get a test ride booked in through Evans of the Roubaix but they don’t have any stock of the equilibrium

Anyone know of any good shops in the North-East (Newcastle preferably) who do test rides?

I don’t know of any good local bike shops here. They’re mostly chains. The one decent bike shop only does Specialised and Trek and doesn’t do test rides.

[Pisiform]

OK I’ve managed to get a test
OK I’ve managed to get a test ride booked in through Evans of the Roubaix but they don’t have any stock of the equilibrium

Anyone know of any good shops in the North-East (Newcastle preferably) who do test rides?

I don’t know of any good local bike shops here. They’re mostly chains. The one decent bike shop only does Specialised and Trek and doesn’t do test rides.

[Super Domestique]

I’m sticking with my secteur
I’m sticking with my secteur comp recommendation. Can beat a lifetime frame warranty 😉

[Bedfordshire Clanger]

Only buy Ribble if you like
Only buy Ribble if you like the Fawlty Towers approach to customer service.

[dave atkinson]

andylul wrote:Oh Dave – how
[quote=andylul]Oh Dave – how could you not big up the Jamis Quest?

I might be tempted by the Ribble Sportive Bianco, if I wasn’t so besotted with the Stealth…

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/assets/images/SportiveBianco_Review.pdf%5B/quote%5D

quest also lovely, especially for longer rides. not quite as sportivey as the genesis

[mowatb]

Ribble are doing a deal on a
Ribble are doing a deal on a 105 specced New Carbon Sportive for £999.

Cycling weekly voted it one of the best bikes of 2012 & must be worth a shout. I have the old sportive racer specced to Ultegra groupset & love it.

[andylul]

Oh Dave – how could you not
Oh Dave – how could you not big up the Jamis Quest?

I might be tempted by the Ribble Sportive Bianco, if I wasn’t so besotted with the Stealth…

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/assets/images/SportiveBianco_Review.pdf

[pjay]

I have just bought a Condor
I have just bought a Condor Fratello. Mine is set up as a tourer/commuter, with SRAM Apex, 32-spoke wheels, rack, mudguards and 28 mm Gatorskins, but it still feels plenty fast when unloaded. The frame is great, stiff and compares very well to my Carbon Ribble Sportive Bianco. I spent last week on the Isle of WIght with panniers on and have been commuting in London this week.

If you can get to Condor (when they aren’t busy) they’ll sort you out with a bike fit etc.

[dave atkinson]

Quote:Where can you get this?

Where can you get this? At present the 105 genesis is 1300

winstanleys had it listed as £1040 but i see they don’t actually have any in stock. seems to be £1169 at http://www.southwatercycles.com/ and £1,299 most other places. they don’t tend to be heavily discounted because genesis don’t make a huge number and they sell pretty well, for obvious reasons

[Author]

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