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New bike – focus on steel

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  • January 29, 2015 at 11:08 am #23127
    Ogi

    Hi guys,

    I am planning to get a first road bike by end of next month and these are my following candidates:

    1) Bianchi Impulso 2015 (alu)- Veloce groupset with Fulcrum 7 wheels
    2) Bianchi Vigorello 2015 (Bianch steel) – 105 Groupset with Fuclrum Sport wheels
    3) Genesis Equilibrium 2015 non disc versions (Reynolds 725 frame) – Veloce/Athena with Alex wheels
    4) Genesis Equilibrium 2015 disc versions – Tiagra/105 with TRP Spyre/Hy-Rd
    5) Condor Fratello 2015 non disc – Veloce with some potentially cheaper wheels
    6) Condor Fratello 2015 disc – Tiagra with TRP Spyre and potentially cheaper wheels
    7) Condor Italia RC – Veloce with Fulcrum Sport

    Looking at the choices, you can see my dilemmas. First dilemma is: disc or non-disc. Now, I am relatively new to road cycling and I plan to get into it a bit more (weekend rides and potential sportives). I have no plans on racing. I do commute to work in London though and this is where it will be used most + weekend rides. I know lots of guys are suggesting disc brakes are the way to go and it will be a standard in the future, but specs with disc brakes usually bring me level down in terms of groupsets and wheels – for the budget I have. Now, it might not be a bad thing – getting more modulation and reliability in brakes when it’s pouring out there, while losing slightly in weight and slightly worse groupsets.

    Dilemma 2: TRP Hy-Rd approaches hydraulic Shimano set up, while TRP Spyre is mechanical. Is there much to lose going for mechanical and wait a bit for better days when hydraulic brakes become cheaper and more affordable? Second issue is maintenance…caliper brakes I’m used to and it’s relatively easy to maintain. Although, truing wheels annoys me. How hard is disc brake maintenance. I heard it can be annoying (constant adjustments etc.), which is obviously gone in hydraulic setups.

    Thirdly, I tend to lean towards steel frames – given the comfort properties, little incentive for lightness and racing etc. However, I absolutely love the way Impulso looks + I heard it’s a very comfortable bike. Plus I would be able to get a good look frame with full on Campy/Fulcrum combo. Same applies to Condor Italia RC – beautiful and comfortable bike. The rest of the pack is pure steel (more classic looks). Steel vs. mentioned alloys? Also, is there much difference between Reynolds 725, Mjolnir (cheaper Genesis range) and Columbus Spirit (Fratello) tubing? I assume I would never feel the difference between them.

    In terms of looks, all bikes are beauties and in a way I love them all. Bianchis are old love, Genesis is super cool in British way and Condor is somewhat a mix of Italian and British style – at a price.

    Yes, I have checked the likes of Focus, Cube, Boardman, Canyon, Rose etc. – some of the bikes are pretty (Boardman), but most of them look bland and soulless (my opinion), although great respect for what they present and the package you get for the price.

    Much appreciated for all the comments!

    Ogi

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Viewing 8 replies - 16 through 23 (of 23 total)
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  • January 30, 2015 at 2:26 pm #829525
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    P3t3

    ivanovicognjen wrote:I rode

    ivanovicognjen wrote:
    I rode non-disc Equilibrium 2015 with Camp Veloce and it was super lovely. I liked it a lot, it was quite comfortable on 28mm tyres, not too aggressive. The frame material and geometry is the same for disc version – so that is more or less covered (the difference is a bit of weight and disc brakes).

    Trying out Bianchis is more difficult to organise with the local dealers. I might push them a little bit and yes this is bugging me a bit. Regarding Condor, I wanted to go and see them and potentially try out the Fratello.

    So you’ve tried a relaxed mileage machine. Why not try something more racey and see if you like that.

    For Bianchi test rides: Evans stock Bianchi and (at least in my local store) they are very obliging with a test ride (£50 deposit to get the bike in but refundable if you don’t like the bike). They may not be the “best” bike shop in the world but they do at least let you try stuff properly before parting with your cash.

    January 30, 2015 at 12:13 pm #829523
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    Rod Marton

    I ride an Equilibrium
    I ride an Equilibrium (non-disc) and whilst it’s excellent in most ways its one weak point is the brakes. Having mudguard clearances it uses long-reach calipers and these aren’t terribly good. If you want to be able to fit mudguards, go disc. If you don’t it’s less clear-cut, but on balance I’d still go with discs.

    There is a difference between the feel of the frame materials, but a lot of this can be overcome by design. Geometry is more important.

    Obviously you are very concerned about the appearance of the bike, so you’ve got to go for Campag. For a given price Shimano might work better or be more durable, but it just isn’t Campag.

    January 30, 2015 at 11:58 am #829521
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    Ogi

    I rode non-disc Equilibrium
    I rode non-disc Equilibrium 2015 with Camp Veloce and it was super lovely. I liked it a lot, it was quite comfortable on 28mm tyres, not too aggressive. The frame material and geometry is the same for disc version – so that is more or less covered (the difference is a bit of weight and disc brakes).

    Trying out Bianchis is more difficult to organise with the local dealers. I might push them a little bit and yes this is bugging me a bit. Regarding Condor, I wanted to go and see them and potentially try out the Fratello.

    Regarding bike getting nicked – don’t break my heart :(. I am aware of all the dangers (wanted to manage them and avoid dangers, as much as possible).

    January 30, 2015 at 11:30 am #829519
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    P3t3

    Why not run a cheaper machine
    Why not run a cheaper machine (or secondhand) for a year – if this is your first bike you most likely don’t know what you want. Besides – it is going to get nicked at some point if you are using it in London.

    If you are dead set on going for it then why don’t you try and test ride some of the bikes on the list, its all well and good getting the spec right but if you don’t actually like the bike then its is pointless. It will also help answer some of your questions about the type of kit on the bike, have you compared the groupsets in practice? Whatever decision you make you are going to have to live with it for a while so it is worth getting it right.

    I wouldn’t worry about frame material – this is a non issue – get the right bike. The comfort, handling etc is in the design of the bike, not the material its made of.

    January 29, 2015 at 9:03 pm #829517
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    RW

    Hi Ogi, I recently sold a De
    Hi Ogi, I recently sold a De Rosa Neo Primate (Deda steel). Stunning bike to ride. I sold it because it was too long and low for me but it convinced me that steel and titanium are my future. It weighed 2.5kg more than my carbon Ridley but was plenty quick with basic Fulcrum R7s and a sacrilegious 105 group.

    Compared to my much pricier Ridley, it absorbed bad roads more smoothly and as a result cruised with seemingly less effort. It hunkered down satisfyingly through fast corners.

    The skinny head tube and steel fork didn’t feel as solid as oversized carbon and it got a little flexy under out-of-saddle loads. I should point out though that I weigh 92kg and squat three times that.

    As for disc brakes – they’ll be on my next bike. I wince every time I brake in the wet on rim brakes, just imagining those brake tracks eroding away.

    January 29, 2015 at 8:26 pm #829515
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    Ogi

    Hi Reggie,
    I love the yellow
    Hi Reggie,

    I love the yellow one. So cool…a good mix of classic and modern.

    Are you happy with the wheels? People say the disc Aksyiums are great as well. What about brakes? Maintenance free?

    Thanks!

    January 29, 2015 at 7:13 pm #829513
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    Reg Molehusband

    Hi Ogi. I’ve got a Genesis
    Hi Ogi. I’ve got a Genesis too. It’s the Equilibrium 20 disc brake version in ‘magic yellow’. It’s a great all round bike and I’m very happy with it.

    January 29, 2015 at 6:12 pm #829511
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    mike the bike

    Hello Ogi,
    I have an
    Hello Ogi,

    I have an Equilibrium, which manages to be both affordable and wonderful, so I am biased. But I do like the Fratello, which made it onto my shortlist, only to be narrowly beaten by the Genesis.

    Mechanical discs, contrary to the fervent opinions of people who have never had them, are a doddle to adjust, service and repair. I am not especially adept at these things and yet I can do everything that’s necessary in hardly any time at all.
    Even the more complicated types, such as Shimano, with their retaining clips and springs are really simple once you have read the instructions.
    Some, like most Hayes and Tektros, even have magnets to hold the pads in position. How much easier could it be?

    So don’t be shy, step into the 21st century and buy discs.

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