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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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Viewing 9 replies - 16 through 24 (of 24 total)
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  • May 7, 2013 at 2:27 pm #732829
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    Chester Line

    Cheers, it’s 1 less to
    Cheers, it’s 1 less to consider.

    May 7, 2013 at 1:42 pm #732827
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    spongebob

    What components you got on
    What components you got on the current bike? You could buy frame only if your current components are in good nick.

    May 7, 2013 at 1:25 pm #732825
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    Fringe

    Trek Domane 4.3, nice.
    Trek Domane 4.3, nice.

    May 7, 2013 at 12:05 pm #732823
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    Tom Amos

    £1800 will get you a
    £1800 will get you a phenomenal bike from Canyon. In fact, if you’re on a tight budget, you don’t even need to spend that much.

    May 7, 2013 at 10:54 am #732821
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    Simon E

    How about a Giant Defy? Top
    How about a Giant Defy? Top quality frames, whether carbon or aluminium.

    Like notfastenough, I too would steer you away from racers towards the ‘sportive’ geometry (and TBH anyone can race perfectly well on a bike with a slightly taller head tube).

    I’d go round the dealers. Sit and, if possible, ride a few. The one that is best for you is the one that fits you and like the look and feel of it. Don’t fret about spec details – bars, saddle etc – they are easy to change. Get the basics right first.

    Also, do you prefer Shimano, SRAM or Campagnolo shifting?

    I would consider spending a bit less on the bike and try to angle for a deal on some lighter wheels – either instead or as well as those supplied. Nearly all bikes, even at this point, have inexpensive OE wheels. Further to this recent discussion, I’d seriously consider some nice handbuilt wheels. Those, and good tyres, will do far more for ride quality than a fancy looking carbon stem or seat post.

    May 7, 2013 at 10:38 am #732819
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    notfastenough

    Can you confirm that you’re
    Can you confirm that you’re comfortable on the Synapse? No aches/pains after 80 miles? How many headset spacers do you currently have under the stem (if any)?

    If not, I’d suggest getting a bike fit sorted first. That will narrow your list down considerably. Admittedly this means paying cash up front (I paid £110 for mine in Manchester), but mine wasn’t tied to a shop or purchase of a particular bike, so I have an unbiased baseline from which to work, and doesn’t involve a shop trying to get me to fit the particular brands of bikes that they sell.

    From there you’ll know which ranges you can choose from, i.e. if you’re comfortable on Cannondale’s ‘endurance’ offering – the synapse – then perhaps a Focus Cayo (their endurance bike) should be on the list, and the Izalco (their race bike) scrubbed off. This may also imply that the Supersix and possibly the Kharma should be dropped. The Synapse is, however, a bit more agressive than the Roubaix, so you could probably drop the possibly-too-upright Roubaix and add a headset spacer or two to the racier-geometry Tarmac to achieve an equivalent position to the Synapse. See where this is going? It’s all based on the presumption that the position you’re trying to achieve is indeed the position you should be in. Bike fit first, then bike shortlist.

    If you can do that and come back to us with a diagram provided by the bike fitter, then together with a budget and your other info re type of riding etc, you should be able to narrow it down to list of similar bikes, then you just need to pick the one that looks fast and will make you drag yourself out of bed early to ride the knackers off it.

    May 7, 2013 at 9:51 am #732817
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    bikemadjo

    having ridden a Kuota kharma
    having ridden a Kuota kharma Ultegra at the weekend, (as i am one of the local bike shops little magazine tester)i thought it was fantastic, a bit agressive so probably not fantastic for longer rides but maybe worth a go if you think consistant speed is better than arriving home and feeling relaxed.

    The biggest chestnut is ride as many of them as you can.

    Joe

    May 7, 2013 at 8:38 am #732815
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    pdows47

    Starley bikes will give you
    Starley bikes will give you 105, a free bike fit and custom paint job for that money. They’re really nice looking bikes and have good reviews

    May 7, 2013 at 8:30 am #732813
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    andycoventry

    I have a Cube Agree GTC Pro
    I have a Cube Agree GTC Pro and although I quite like it I wouldn’t buy another one. I will be replacing it shortly.

    I would strike that one off your list.

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