New bike dilemma – as always

Just got a Genesis Zero Disc

Just got a Genesis Zero Disc – carbon fibre for the win. It’s a very racy frame and looks amazing.

I’d definitely look at Ti,
I’d definitely look at Ti, designed in/for Britain if not built here. Reilly bikes got a good write up on here a few days ago.

Hmm. Same boat, just had my

Hmm. Same boat, just had my newish bike stolen. (Angle grinder cut through a Gold Secure u bolt, with well lit CCTV footage of two men in motorbike helmets etc.)

My point being that please very sure if you buy second hand that the seller is the legitimate owner, as opposed to supporting the demand for stolen bikes.

Buying through mates probably OK, buying on line starts to get dodgy.

Frame material less significant than whether each bike actually fits you, and what’s your preference for disc v rim, as that really starts to refine your choice….

I bought a 105 R2 back end of
I bought a 105 R2 back end of last year. Love it. I don’t race but its great for (relatively) quick local loops and for longer rides – did a pain free 200km at the weekend on it. I went for it because of the excellent frame – can see myself upgrading bits (wheels were first to be changed) for a long time to come and still being really happy with it. No issue with the creak-free bottom bracket by the way. Handling is great, it’s comfortable, and I just enjoy riding it – which is the point really…

I am considering a Genesis

I am considering a Genesis Equilibrium. Would you recommend one?

Ogi wrote:

@unconstituted

Thanks for that. I never thought of Infinito CV, not because it’s not good but because it was possibly “too good” (pricey). People say it’s brilliant, albeit a bit taller headtube (nothing that can’t be fixed with -17 degree stem if I really wanted more aggressive stance).

I love Cervelos. Always did. It’s a newer one (2015 or 2016 year one). Again, I’m worried with pressfits – I have no experience other than BSA (faultless). Can you share some of your thoughts? Same applies for carbon bikes. I have a beater bike at the moment – I stole my wife’s aluminium Carrera Virtuoso Claris/Sora (frame smallish for me which I somewhat fixed with 12cm stem), but gets me to work and still flies with its 12kg portly weight.

Pressfits get a lot of bad rap, but I run them exclusively and only one that squeaked was the factory fitted one on the Infinito CV after a few months. All the ones I fitted myself (and I’m no expert wrench) have been great. They’re also dead easy to fit and pretty cheap. 

Definitely go go for a carbon bike. Best bang for buck, light, feels great and repair is affordable and easy now for the repair shops. Ti bikes by comparison are a nightmare to repair I’m told. Going from your current rides to a 105 R2 would be a pretty awesome experience. The connection to the road and the buzz dampening from the carbon layup is something you won’t have experienced before. Just totally different feel. It’ll be a buzz, every ride. I ride an S series Cervelo now and I mean it when I say I live just waiting for my next ride on it. You really don’t get that with a lot of bikes. It’s worth it to have something hype waiting for you at the weekend or evenings. You deserve it, only live once right.. 😉 

Ogi wrote:

@Vejnemojen

Thanks for the suggestion. Evo is a great bike. My only concern is BB30. Good experience? I guess I can always put in the Praxis BB thing which should silent it forever.

@unconstituted

You just ruined my life :). Haha. No you’re absolutely right, it’s just I’m really falling for all things nice – especially in the bike world.

No steel vaults at work definitely, but generally quite safe. The mentioned candidates are all used bikes – massively reduced some of which are owned by bike friends (i.e. I could never afford Colnago Master RRP frame price – 2k) and the rest is almost all aluminium (e.g. Impulso, Aluminium Teammachine etc.), with exception of two Bianchis and a Cervelo (Sempre, Infinito and Cervelo R2 which are ridiculously priced on eBay but do not smell stolen yet) – just giving you some context.

Steel: Master, Holdsworth Competition

Aluminium alloy: Bianchi Impulso, BMC ALR Teammachine, possibly Bowman in some cheapish eBay Frankenstein build

Carbon: Bianchi Sempre, Infinito CV,  Focus Cayo, Cervelo R2.

 

I love posh bikes myself. Personally, I think you should take a time out and consider buying a crappy beater bike, then grab that R2 on eBay. You’ll love it and get much more pleasure out of cycling. I have an 2000 mile Infinito CV frame that I’ll be selling shortly funnily enough. Has a ding on the rear chainstay, perfectly fine, but will repair first (£150) before listing on eBay for £950.

Wicked bike, very racing feeling for an endurance bike. The R2 looks boss (guy round my way rides a new white one and loves it to bits). What year is the R2 you’re eyeing up btw? Quite a lot of work has gone into the latest model, so would personally be looking for that (2015 on I think). R2 would be my choice, followed by the Infinito CV if I wanted something a bit comfier. That said, 25mm’s on any of these bikes will be a plush ride. 

For a long term do-it-all

For a long term do-it-all bike Ti is definitely the way to go-  if you view it as a 10 year purchase the cost of a decent Ti frame is probably less than the two carbon or alu frames you’d buy in the same period.

Kinesis GF disc or something by Engima.