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£1800 for a bike and what to buy????

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  • May 7, 2013 at 8:02 am #18706
    Chester Line

    I’m completely new to this site so be gentle with me. I own a 2007 Cannondale Synapse and want to upgrade to a carbon bike. The choice seems bewildering and having spoke to a number of people who work in bike shops etc I’m no nearer choosing. Perhaps that is part of the problem, at this point is there little to choose?
    If it helps, I’m 5’10, weigh around 90kg, currently on a 53cm frame. Do mainly rides on a Sunday, 45 – 80 miles with an occasional longer trip. Comfort is key, I don’t race I just love cycling. These are the bikes I’ve seen so far:
    Cannondale Supersix 105
    Specialised Roubaix
    Specialised Tarmac
    Kuota Kharma Evo
    Planet X Carbon Pro
    Cube Agree GTC
    Felt F5 105
    Focus Izalco 3.0
    Basso Laguna 105
    There are probably others I’ve missed, I’d like some unbiased advice, this will probably be a purchase that will last me some years. I have tried a few of these and liked them all. 105 is minimum groupset, that’s about the only restriction.
    Thanks for reading this, hope there’s a wealth of expertise out there. :/

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  • May 8, 2013 at 2:43 pm #732859
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    Chester Line

    Given we are of similar size
    Given we are of similar size this is very useful, will check out the top tube measurement.
    will also keep an eye out for the 2 models you’ve mentioned, may also consider another suggestion of building my own with a new frame/fork and transferring.
    What is clear, a proper bike fit is an investment I need to get done first.
    Cheers 🙂 🙂

    May 8, 2013 at 2:39 pm #732857
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    Chester Line

    Cheers, it’s clear I need to
    Cheers, it’s clear I need to get a bike fit and that’s where I will start.
    Then I may consider whether to buy a complete new machine or buy a frame and transfer components across, then I can change that saddle which has never been that comfy.
    Lots to consider, it has certainly widened my view on what to do so this forum has proved invaluable, great stuff. 🙂 🙂

    May 8, 2013 at 1:26 pm #732855
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    VeloPeo

    notfastenough – yeah you
    notfastenough – yeah you were right in your post. For once in my life I wasn’t attempting to be a smart arse 🙂

    May 8, 2013 at 12:15 pm #732853
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    notfastenough

    @Velopeo – so it is, good
    @Velopeo – so it is, good spot. Ultimately I was just trying to point out that all the bikes on the shortlist weren’t similar in nature.

    May 8, 2013 at 11:50 am #732851
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    VeloPeo

    The frame size is a bit of a
    The frame size is a bit of a red herring – you want to be looking at the actual top tube measurement

    I’m riding a Focus Cayo (105 – 2009 model) at the moment and have recently had a fitting which (amongst others) gave me a flipped, 12 degree angled stem to raise the bar height. Made a massive difference – I can spend more time in the drops and my overall ride position is so much more smooth, powerful and comfortable.

    I’m the same size as you and currently looking at the Focus Ergoride (which is their endurance model – not the Cayo) and two 2014 models that are out later this year – the Cannondale Synapse Hi Mod & Bianchi Infinito CV. Waiting full ride reviews and prices for those two with interest. I tried a Trek Domane and it didn’t blow me away as much as I was expecting. I’m allergic to Specialized 🙂

    The to-tube lengths for these on a “54” are all 530-535mm which suit my shorter upper body and have taller head tubes that suit my preferred riding style

    May 7, 2013 at 9:30 pm #732849
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    notfastenough

    Chester Line wrote:If I’m

    Chester Line wrote:
    If I’m honest I find my neck and shoulders ache after a long ride, and the usual rear end numbness!!
    Head stem spacers 3 carbon.
    I accept a bike fitting would be the best option as I bought the Cannondale purely due to the price at the time with the frame size for my height etc.
    I do prefer comfort to speed so I see the roubaix v tarmac point.
    Thanks for your help, if I do get a bike fit i’ll share the results.
    Cheers m8 :)

    Ok, so now it gets interesting – you cite a similar complaint to mine. I was expecting to need a taller frame with more spacers, but the opposite was true; removing spacers and a bit of Physio to mobilize my neck has sorted me out, increasing my comfort AND speed. The point I’m making is this: ideally you would want no spacers, which would lead you to a taller frame, such as the Roubaix. BUT what if you subsequently found that you needed *less* head tube, after you’ve blown the budget already?

    Re the sore rear – the Arione is for racing snakes only; light body weight and narrow sit bones, I really can’t see it working out for a 90kg rider. Try some others. You shouldn’t be putting up with rear end numbness, that’s where problems start, like impotence.

    Re the parts list -seems like you already have the minimum groupset, so why not? In your shoes, I would buy a Cervelo R3 and some handbuilt wheels, then transfer your components across. Unless you want the Synapse as a winter bike, which is fair enough.

    Seriously though, I realize you want to get stuck in with the cool stuff, but a bike fit is THE BEST upgrade you can buy to ensure both comfort and speed, and you’ll learn a lot about making your bike an extension of your body, rather than an awkward marriage of the two.

    Good luck and have fun, I wish I could liberate some cash at the moment! 😀

    May 7, 2013 at 8:52 pm #732847
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    spongebob

    Chester Line wrote:Mix of 105

    Chester Line wrote:
    Mix of 105 and ultegra groupset
    105 brakes
    Mavic Aksium Race wheels
    Fi’is’k Arione saddle
    Cannondale Fire finishing kit
    Interesting suggestion on the frame front, I service my own bike so building it wouldn’t be an issue, in fact I might enjoy it?? :)

    Decent kit, and you will definitely enjoy building it and it gives you a greater sense of ownership (and it will be set up better).

    With regards to the frame that’s the tough question as I have not done much research on the sportive frame front .

    Perhaps the Planet X RT-58 Comfort Sportive frame and forks? http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/FRPXRT58FAF/planet_x_rt_58_carbon_road_frame_and_fork

    May 7, 2013 at 6:15 pm #732845
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    dave atkinson

    You could do a whole lot
    You could do a whole lot worse than this: http://road.cc/content/review/82718-stevens-izoard-2013

    just to further muddy the waters 😀

    May 7, 2013 at 6:04 pm #732843
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    Chester Line

    I have had Shimano and Campag
    I have had Shimano and Campag and liked both TBH. As my Cannondale has Mavic Aksium Race wheels it rides smooth and with a 105/ultegra mix I see your point.
    Plenty for me to think about, cheers! 🙂

    May 7, 2013 at 6:02 pm #732841
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    Chester Line

    Mix of 105 and ultegra
    Mix of 105 and ultegra groupset
    105 brakes
    Mavic Aksium Race wheels
    Fi’is’k Arione saddle
    Cannondale Fire finishing kit
    Interesting suggestion on the frame front, I service my own bike so building it wouldn’t be an issue, in fact I might enjoy it?? 🙂

    May 7, 2013 at 5:40 pm #732839
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    Tom Amos

    Chester Line wrote:Not a name

    Chester Line wrote:
    Not a name I’ve heard of so will check it out, many thanks.

    If you mean the Canyon, here’s the link.

    https://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3083

    May 7, 2013 at 5:39 pm #732837
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    Raleigh

    Cervelo s2
    Cervelo s2

    May 7, 2013 at 5:28 pm #732835
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    Chester Line

    If I’m honest I find my neck
    If I’m honest I find my neck and shoulders ache after a long ride, and the usual rear end numbness!!
    Head stem spacers 3 carbon.
    I accept a bike fitting would be the best option as I bought the Cannondale purely due to the price at the time with the frame size for my height etc.
    I do prefer comfort to speed so I see the roubaix v tarmac point.
    Thanks for your help, if I do get a bike fit i’ll share the results.
    Cheers m8 🙂

    May 7, 2013 at 4:45 pm #732833
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    jasecd

    @Fringe – Agreed – I hired
    @Fringe – Agreed – I hired one this weekend in San Francisco and it’s very impressive. The decoupler thing did seem to make a difference on the badly maintained roads over here.

    If you want comfort/endurance then I would recommend it.

    May 7, 2013 at 2:27 pm #732831
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    Chester Line

    Not a name I’ve heard of so
    Not a name I’ve heard of so will check it out, many thanks.

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