œ1000 max bike budget

fechman

hi all
like many others have just taken up the cycle to work offer run in conjunction with halfords through my work.I am planning of purchasing a road bike up to a max of œ1000in order to helpmeget back in shape (currently appox 18 stonetoo many burgers i know) how ever i am currelty looking at the following bikes can any one advise

Bianchi C2C VIA NIRONE 7 Alu Carbon Veloce mix 10 sp Compact 2007 Road Bike

Bianchi C2C VIA NIRONE 7 Alu Carbon Ultegra/105 10 sp Double 2007 Road Bike

Wilier Evasion Mirage (2007)

ribble carbon build with mirage

rible alu/ carbo with veloce

or

plant x

help please [:I]

miffedcp

id get the bianchi with the veloce, you'll get a compact which is good for starting as its easier to spin and get a good technique, plus it looks the nuts

fechman

thanks miffed

i was looking at the focus cayo just cant decide

photojonny

As someone who took up cycling a few months ago, I'd say just get the one that fits best/is most comfy. They are all nice bikes, not a bad one among them, and the more comfortable you feel the more you'll ride.

Try 'em and get what feels good.

---

where there's two wheels, there's a way....

fechman

thanks johnny

i have also seen this below any idea ' s

www.freemanscycles.co.uk/images/bikes/O ... e_2007.jpg


too many bikes but got to make a choice[:)]

il_principe

Wilier make beautiful bikes - give the evasion a test-ride. Planet X are v well though of on this forum, as is the Focus Cayo - hard to test ride either though.

My Best Bike

fechman

thanks jash

i must admit my favorite is the willier however the groupset isnt as well specced as the others followed ribble carbon nero corsa with veloce group set however i see some people have mixed emotions about ribble ! then the orbea but as i say i cant decide and i am limited as most of the local bike shops stock the usual specialised,trek,giant and scott but these dont seem to have the value you can get on the others as i say struggling to decide

schlepcycling

I'd go with the Planet-X, full carbon frame and forks, the groupset is nearly all 105, chainset is FSA all for œ999

Unknown

Go with what's most comfortable. I've ridden a Ribble for years and my dad's had a couple over the years too. Ribble are great value but you can end up waiting quite a while for them to deliver the bike - mail order or if you buy in the shop.

Don't write off people like Specialized or Trek. My most recent purchase was a Specialized Allez Elite, which wasn't a brand even on my list of what to look at when I decided to blow a grand on a bike. However, it's proved a great buy - the spec is fine (105 with FSA triple). Specialized also put in a free 6 week and 6 month service. Not to be sniffed at.

Don't be fooled by 'full carbon' either. You'll find that all but the most expensive carbon fibre has aluminium in the seat tube and at most of the points where a steel frame would be lugged. A fact recently discovered following the discovery of an alu sleeve in a Kuota Kharma's seat tube, a conversation with a mechanic and plenty of research.

To reiterate though, go with what feels good when you sit on it.

Mad Mat

Focus Cayo,Focus Cayo,Focus Cayo,Focus Cayo,Focus Cayo,Focus Cayo,Focus Cayo,Focus Cayo,Focus Cayo,Focus Cayo,Focus Cayo. Had mine a year and it's the dogs ding dongs. Just came back from the London to Paris bike ride and have done 400 miles on it in 7 days without any discomfort and I'm 16 stone.

London to Paris 13/6/2007 sponsor me at WWW.justgiving.com/woodthorpe

ChrisTJonescp

I have the Ribble Nero carbon and its fantastic, I've had it for about 2 months now and can't fault the frame... That said (here we go...) I'm about to ride this bike from Seattle to New York (see my blog)http://seattle2newyork.blogspot.com/ and have had a couple of issues with Ribble getting ready to go. Firstly I thought I would get some spare spokes for my Askiums as they are non-standard bladed. Ribble (don't bother emailing they are terrible at replying, just phone until you get through) just plain said they couldn't help!

Bearing in mind they were quite happy to sell me the œ1k bike you would have thought they might want to do some after sales support.

Eventually i found some on ebay - the guys email is Georgehallscycle (AT) aol.com

Next while adjusting the seat height I managed to strip both bolts on the Deda seat clamp - the bolt is aluminium and I didn't force it - I think its just a bit crap. As its a non standard size (35.8m) I phoned Ribble and am now paying for another to come in time for America (this Fri) normally I would have argued the toss and tried to get it replaced due to shoddy build quality but I haven't the time. I'm going to also get a campag spare - the only other clamp I can find of that dimension.

So to sum up - great bike, truly terrible after sales.

I'll let you know how it stands up to 3500miles in 5.5 weeks (eurgh)

btw - i got a 105 tripple...

cheers

Chris

allaction

My mate has a Focus Cayo and for value for money it's hard to beat. He's a lish 12 stone so can't comment on if its ok for the bigger rider. I'm about 15 and a half and have just bought a Cannondale synapse carbon from http://bikebike.co.uk/ They are doing the 2006 model for œ999 which is œ650 off list. Just been out today and can see a divorce on the cards because I'm in love!

il_principe

Saw my first ever Cayo in the flesh last night, followed a guy over Lambeth bridge abd then passed him along Milbank. Looked better then I thought it would. A friend has just bought the 07 Focus Variado Expert and it looks rubbish comapred to my 06 model, far too many decals/extra sticker!

Wouldn't swap my Wilier for anything in the same price range, I'd love to get my grubby mitts on a Cento though.

My Best Bike

fechman

Thanks guys

checkedout teh cannondale however i had no luck as then only have 53 and 56 sizes left i need a 58. bummer it was a cracking deal
must admit still tempted by the focus cayo as well as planet x mega build and also ribble nero corsa with veloce what is the real difference between these if any [?]

was going after a wilier evasion but thats now sold! [:(!]

are there any other decent deals out there [?]

allaction

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/index.ht ... 5&brandID=

JE James cycles. Giant SCR carbon. Had a go on one before I bought my Cannondale. Lovely bike but didn't have my size left (I tried a smaller one). Be carefull with these Giant sizes because they are compact frames. I have a 50 cm (medium) SCR which is roughly the same size (little smaller perhaps) as my Cannondale which is 56cm. Best to get pro advice.

allaction

Also worth calling the number on the link I gave you about the Cannondales as they have the 2007 model down to œ1100 from œ1650. They don't have that price online and as it's a current model they may be able to get you one. Went on mine today and as I said i'm not the lightest but the ride was awesome and it's the best looking bike I've seen http://www.bikebike.co.uk/products.php? ... oad_Racing I bought the blue one.

fechman

cheers all action
they only have a 58.5 frameleft on the giant which i think would be abit big considering its a compact frame and i am 6ft 1
aslo asked about the current model cannondale but they dont have a 58 left in this either

c[:(]

allaction

Try buying cycling weekly and have a look at the ads from bike shops in there, they usually have some decent deals. Comes out Thursdays I think. Also don't despair as the 07 models will probably be reduced very soon as the 08 models usually come out June or July!