Need to order a bike within a week! Budget of £1000

rukh

Guys,

I'm sure you get these questions a lot, but I've done some trolling and can't find an answer... I want to buy a bicycle for approx 800 pounds (leaving me a bit of money for locks, lights, pedals and boots) and I have to decide by next week (I'm getting it pre-tax through work).

I am 29, 5'9", 75kg. I'm used to mountain bikes, but adapt easily. I want to go fast! But will mostly be riding around London, with the occasional day trip in Europe.

I've found the following, but have no clue which is better. Some are more expensive, but they all seem to have similar specs. Can you help me narrow it down to 2 or 3 and I'll go test ride them? Thanks!!!

Specialized Sirrus Pro - £850
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=33593

Giant FCR Alliance - £999
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-GB/...ad/1400/28828/

Pinnacle eXpede Street 1.0 - £899
http://www.pinnacle-bikes.co.uk/Bike...contentId=1273

Ridgeback r25 - £899
http://www.ridgeback.co.uk/index.php...show_bike=TRUE

Genesis Day 03 2008 - £999
http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/index....show_bike=TRUE

Genesis Day 02 2008 - £799
http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/index....show_bike=TRUE

Trek 7.6 FX - £699
http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes...road/fx/76fxz/

Kona Ph D - £899
http://www.konabikes.co.uk/2008/phd/phd.php

mrchrispy

I'll not offer my usual answer of 'Cotic RoadRat' as I doubt you'd get one in time, from that list I say the Kona - it looks fast and pretty

TheBoyBilly

Save a bit extra and go for the Specialized Sirrus Comp at £649. The saving would get you some serious lights.

redddraggon

Drops are far better than flat bars on the road (well they are always better really).

You say you're bothered about speed - don't bother with flat bars then, get a proper road bike.

Drops are always better - Just ask Dave Z

mrchrispy

Id say not for traffic, flats (for me at least) give much better handling and breaking that when on the drops

dirk_van_gently

What a Dilemma ?
The Kona is gorgeous, but white?

I would definitely go for drop bars, preferably with those frogleg brake levers on the tops.
Lot's of space to change positions

navt

I can personally recommend the Genesis Day. Fast commute. Not sure about long-haul to Europe. Most I have done on the saddle in one go is 60 miles.

redddraggon

mrchrispy wrote:

Id say not for traffic, flats (for me at least) give much better handling and breaking that when on the drops

Handling?

Drops are probably better for handling through traffic. And anyway, you get flats with drops, so I don't see the problem.

jpembroke

Get a road bike. You'll regret it if you don't, especially on those trips to Europe.

rukh

Thanks for the replies! Great feedback

TBH, I haven't tried a road bike as I thought riding through traffic I'd want to be in a more upright approach to see further? Also, whilst I want to go fast, I've decided to get 28c tyres instead of 23c - I like my testicles too much

Red dragon & Dirk, do you use drop bars in the city?

And guys, I don't want you to tell me if the bikes look shexy, I can see that :P You're meant to tell me if the components are over/under specced!

Theboybilly - is the specialised sirrus comp good enough?

jpembroke

I commuted 20 miles a day for 6 years on a drop bar fixie with 23c tyres. It was great in both rural and urban situations. Honestly, get a road bike; it'll change your life.

Matteeboy

Yes it'll change your life by making you look like a limp wristed shandy sipper.

Just to keep up the side of the MTBer, get one of these - kerbs and potholes don't cripple them, they have proper brakes and the riding position gives a much better view of psyco drivers.

TheBoyBilly

Theboybilly - is the specialised sirrus comp good enough?
....very probably rukh. Obviously not as highly specced as the Sirrus Pro but would you really notice? Okay you don't get CB Smarty pedals for example, but are these the pedals you'd fit if given the choice? A lot of bikes don't come with pedals for this reason, so with the £200 saving you can get what you want. The same goes with other kit. You can upgrade to/replace what you want (though the stock Sirrus Comp would be good enough for me but then again so would the base model :roll: ) and still have cash left over. But if you really feel you need all the bling go for the LTD. Oh no...................

redddraggon

Matteeboy wrote:

Yes it'll change your life by making you look like a limp wristed shandy sipper.

Just to keep up the side of the MTBer, get one of these - kerbs and potholes don't cripple them, they have proper brakes and the riding position gives a much better view of psyco drivers.

MTBs are good, as long as you get one like Dave Z's:

Kafka\'s Doll

Have you considered an Audax? Yes, drop bars (on which everyone in favour is right ), but a good position for traffic and will do you well in Europe too. For £800 you could get the Condor Fratello.

jpembroke

Matteeboy wrote:

Yes it'll change your life by making you look like a limp wristed shandy sipper.

Just to keep up the side of the MTBer, get one of these - kerbs and potholes don't cripple them, they have proper brakes and the riding position gives a much better view of psyco drivers.

Oi, I also ride an Inbred. And I race Cyclocross. Who are you calling limp-wristed?????

Matteeboy

jpembroke wrote:

Matteeboy wrote:

Yes it'll change your life by making you look like a limp wristed shandy sipper.

Just to keep up the side of the MTBer, get one of these - kerbs and potholes don't cripple them, they have proper brakes and the riding position gives a much better view of psyco drivers.

Oi, I also ride an Inbred. And I race Cyclocross. Who are you calling limp-wristed?????

Look this up on wikipedia.

HUMOUR

jpembroke

I thought the 'Oi' would indicate that my answer was of the jovial banterish variety, but obviously not.

Matteeboy

Oh I see - :oops:

secretsam

Kafka\'s Doll wrote:

Have you considered an Audax? Yes, drop bars (on which everyone in favour is right ), but a good position for traffic and will do you well in Europe too. For £800 you could get the Condor Fratello.

mmmmmm, Condor Fratello...nice

Of the Agio, that's OK too, anyway I'd go Condor. You could get a REALLY sweet bike, just how you like it.

And I'd go drops. I've a Sirrus on one leg of my 2 short commutes, and a ratty old 531 in London, and I much prefer riding on the hoods, and don't find any problem braking, even with pathetic old Centre pulls.

rukh

I'll test out the Fratello on the weekend. If I do go that option, I probably wont be able to afford most of the options - so what are the Campagnolo Mirage like? Is a Fratello with Mirage better than an aluminium/carbon equivalent with 105s?

secretsam

rukh wrote:

I'll test out the Fratello on the weekend. If I do go that option, I probably wont be able to afford most of the options - so what are the Campagnolo Mirage like? Is a Fratello with Mirage better than an aluminium/carbon equivalent with 105s?

I think a steel bike has a potentially longer life than alu - could be wrong - and it's more easily repairable (but not cheap).

If you get a Fratello, get a red one.

RC21

I currently have the same dilema - I've gotten it down to these 3:

Planet X SL Pro Carbon for £999: http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Carbon_Dura_Ace_Road__999_Build_13.html
Trek 1.9 - £999: http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/2008/road/1_series/19e/
Bianchi 1885 - £999: http://www.bianchi.it/en/products2008/Road_Y8B23.aspx

Pete789uk

your all going to scoff now I have a few bikes but for riding to work audax bit light touring look at Spire cycles up in yorkshire I brought a dawes audax fitted with 105 running gear and tigra.
10 speed triple comfy quite fast 650 quid excellent including guards http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php ... 1b0s21p442

Have a look they are doing them for £550 down from £900

I dont think you can go wrong with that still leaves some cash for extra bits and bobs

TheBoyBilly

In a nutshell Pete, if you are happy with your bike and it does everything you want then no, you can't go wrong.

secretsam

RC21 wrote:

I currently have the same dilema - I've gotten it down to these 3:

Planet X SL Pro Carbon for £999: http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Carbon_Dura_Ace_Road__999_Build_13.html
Trek 1.9 - £999: http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/2008/road/1_series/19e/
Bianchi 1885 - £999: http://www.bianchi.it/en/products2008/Road_Y8B23.aspx

Hmmm...what a total 6ummer that decision must be!

Pete789uk

Very true I have 5 bikes at present seem to collect them the tourer gets most use as have panniers on it
BUt the dawes audax has been good the carbon toy will be out as soon as weather improves