Help! Road bike for about a grand - has to be Evans

B.B.

Hi all

Newbie here (be gentle with me!!)

I'm starting cycling from a marathon background, with a couple of triathlons this summer. Looking to get a road bike for riding and racing on, for around a grand. The downside is that it has to be from Evans due to Cycle to Work scheme that my work has put on. Otherwise I'd be straight in for a Focus Cayo or Planet X.

Can you experienced folk give me your views on which of these are likely to be the best to get. I guess if two or three come out most tipped I'll go down to Evans and try them out.

Trek 1.7 / 1.9
Trek XO 1
Spec Allez Elite
Spec Roubaix Elite
Bianchi 1885 105 / Veloce
Bianchi C2C Via Nirone Ultegra & 105 / Veloce
Felt F75
Felt Z70

Anything else I should be considering? Of the above I have no bias at all, other than the fact the BIanchi looks like a fine machine! I like the granite/silver 1885!!

I apologise that this question probably gets asked all the time....

Paul

redddraggon

1885 with Veloce

B.B.

Ha ha!! I had a little search for 1885 on the forums before I poted that, and you sir were the biggest Bianchi fan around. Loving the quick response - cheers!!

huwy

and a fine predicament to be in, and one I had myself not so long ago. I went for the focus cayo as the spec was brilliant and the reviews everywhere were excellent but in my personal 2nd place was the Bianchi I looked at it at the evans in waterloo cut and it is loverly, BTW the waterloo cut branch seems to have nearly every road bike on the planet on display remember there could also still be some bargains to be had they are certainly advertising this.

Good luck and enjoy....

redddraggon

B.B. wrote:

Ha ha!! I had a little search for 1885 on the forums before I poted that, and you sir were the biggest Bianchi fan around. Loving the quick response - cheers!!

I wouldn't say I'm the biggest Bianchi fan, I don't own one, nearly did once, went with a self built in the end to maximise my budget, unfortunately something you can't do with a shop built bike.

Bianchi, to me at least, seem to give the best range of options over the other brands. With other brands you seem to choose a frame and have no option over the groupset, but with Bianchi you do e.g. you can get the 1885 in 105 (double or triple), Ultegra (standard or compact), Veloce, Centaur, are there many other brands that do that?

giant_man

B.B. wrote:

Hi all

Newbie here (be gentle with me!!)

I'm starting cycling from a marathon background, with a couple of triathlons this summer. Looking to get a road bike for riding and racing on, for around a grand. The downside is that it has to be from Evans due to Cycle to Work scheme that my work has put on. Otherwise I'd be straight in for a Focus Cayo or Planet X.

Can you experienced folk give me your views on which of these are likely to be the best to get. I guess if two or three come out most tipped I'll go down to Evans and try them out.

Trek 1.7 / 1.9
Trek XO 1
Spec Allez Elite
Spec Roubaix Elite
Bianchi 1885 105 / Veloce
Bianchi C2C Via Nirone Ultegra & 105 / Veloce
Felt F75
Felt Z70

Anything else I should be considering? Of the above I have no bias at all, other than the fact the BIanchi looks like a fine machine! I like the granite/silver 1885!!

I apologise that this question probably gets asked all the time....

Paul

Hmm kinda limited choice you got there. I guess one of the Felts or Specs imo.

alanmcn1

They are doing some great deals on Scott machines at the moment too (or at least the one in nottingham is). Thinking of taking plunge for a scott with 105 at moment (am in same predicament as you)

morrisje

I know there will be snorts of laughter at this one but the best value bikes in Evans for £1000 are their own Pinnacle brand. I know Pinnacle versus Bianchi - not quite the same but then it's just a name.

However this one for £999 has Ultegra and reasonable wheels

http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70739

B.B.

Thanks guys.

After a bit more digging I think it's one of this lot:

Trek 1.9
Spec Roubaix Elite
Bianchi 1885 105 / Veloce
Felt F75

That feels like a nice list to take to Evans. I'm in London and have heard from a few folk that Waterloo Cut is the best one for range and advice, so I'll head there. If they've got any other bikes to recommend I'll take a look at those too. They're all £1000-1100, so should come down to which feels best and (maybe) looks best

Cheers, and I'll let you know how I get on
Paul

huwy

The Pinnacle looks nice, I'm sure most of the frames come from the same factory somewhere ( < Getting ready for the arguments)...

Did you know that Merida owns a 49% share in Specialized for example ?

gwt1974

Hi BB

funnily enough I also MUST spend £1k at Evans, and earlier today (before reading this post) ordered the Bianchi 1885 Veloce, should be picking it up within a few days.

I've been looking around for ages, and on balance think this is a good value bike that looks smart - tho I also agree that Pinnacle prob represents better value, tho no Campag option of course (in fact if you want Campag and are buying through Evans, the Bianchis are about the only option).

anyway, I'd be interested to know what you decided to go for in the end BB.

PS. I noticed that the Centaur equipped 1885 is a whopping £300 more than the Veloce version - which seems strange because it's basically the same bike/wheels/finishing kit, and if bought separately then the groupsets would only be about £90 apart in price... even the guy in Evans was at a loss to explain this. any ideas anyone?

cheers

GWT

B.B.

Hi

Went to Evans on Friday. He put me off the Spec Roub Elite (consistent with a review I read, he said it wasn't a particularly good entry level carbon), and we've ordered the Bianchi 1885 Veloce, Felt F75 and Trek 1.9 in my size to try out next weekend.

Leaning towards the Bianchi at the moment... although I'm not sure about the Celeste (cue abuse from experienced cyclists about Bianchi's heritage etc!!). I could go for the 105 version which comes in Graphite / black. That would probably look better with tri bars when I get round to putting them on.

Any thoughts on whether the celeste would look good or drap with tri bars?!

The guy also steered me towards the Scott CR1 Team as a good entry level carbon bike. I liked the idea, but then thought at £1400 probably wasn't worth the extra for me at this stage.

Anyone think it's worth going to carbon? If so, which are the best entry level bikes?

thexvw

I know I am biased because I have one, but the Roubaix is a great bike and I would recommend you try one yourself. Some shop assistants don't always give the best advise, can depend on their commission, stock levels, availability etc etc.

dombo6

Best value is something that is on SALE at £1k that has a chunk knocked off the RRP. As for the choice, you should try them all for fit. I was looking at the Bianchi 928 last year versus a Lemond and although both the same size, 55cm, and both at £1k down from £1600 the Lemond fitted better as I have a longish torso.
FWIW Treks have a lifetime guarantee on the frame.
So, bottom line, try them all and get the best fitting one.

salsarider79

How can the shop sales assisstant say the Roubaix is a bad starter bike??? As a bike there're fantastic to ride and very comfortable. However they are are very upright at the front, so they'd be no good for triathlons. You'd be better off with the tarmac if your going spec.

scotchio3

The Roubaix is a fantastic bike if you aren't as flexible as other people, however it has a high front end which won't help when getting 'aero' with clip on bars.

The Felt is a full on race bike, aggressive and stiff, but some people find it too harsh. It will be excellent as a TT bike as well though.

DO NOT GO FOR THE PINNACLE, these aren't very good for the money, they will push them though as they'll get more commission on them, but please don't buy it.


BTW. Are you sure you HAVE to use Evans??
Speak to an independant bike shop, many do take the vouchers, ask and make sure, you never know you may be able to get that Cayo

B.B.

Yeah, has to be Evans I'm afriad. The FD at my company has gone through it all and has made the decision. He's not for turning!!!

Cheers for all the advice

salsarider79

The Trek's look good, and we have a felt or two in our shop (streetlife cycles norwich), which look well made. Glad you can't get Planet X cos every one I've seen is so badly made....

B.B.

Well I tried out the Trek 1.9 and the Bianchi 1885 Veloce last night (the 1885 with 105 was still in its box as the eejits forgot to build it before I went in).

Didn't really like the Trek - wasn't all that comfortable. The Bianchi felt much better, and I must say I thought the celeste colour looks fantastic now (having previously thought it was a bit rank). The only problem was that I thought the campag shifter was uncomfortable. When on the drops trying to use the thumb shifter was not a natural movement.

So it's looking like the Bianchi with 105 is now favourite. Although maybe spending 200 quid extra on the Ultegra one might be better... plus it's a funky red rather than grey/silver! (looks are imprtant after all...)

Hmmmm...

il_principe

Evans @ the Cut is the only half decent branch. Wouldn't touch the others. Getting a Bianchi in red with 105 is just wrong though! Celeste and Campag all the way. I'd go for the Spesh Tarmac though, I just didn't get on with a Bianchi when I test rode one and I say that as the owner of an Italian bike!

blorg

Incidentally the Cayo is now back at 999 although I doubt it looks possible through Evans.

B.B.

If I could have got the Cayo I would never be having this debate :x

Bristol Exile

salsarider79 wrote:

The Trek's look good, and we have a felt or two in our shop (streetlife cycles norwich), which look well made. Glad you can't get Planet X cos every one I've seen is so badly made....

Hi Salsa, i'm really interested to know what was badly made about the planet X's you've seen. do you mean the frames themselves or the actual assembly? interested as i have one on order

thanks

combat_wombat

You are allowed to buy bikes/kit for more than £1000 in the government cycle to work scheme and you still get the discount.
Only its hard for companys to get a loan/hire set for more than £1000. Most companys will just get you to pay the excess (after the tax discount) when the purchace is made. (rather than during the following loan period)

If going thru cyclescheme.co.uk to buy bike shops won't let you buy discounted bikes (cycle scheme take 10%). Though evans own scheme will let you have the sale discounts.

B.B.

My voucher finally arrived, and I went for the Bianchi 1885 Veloce (in celeste) in the end. It was between that one or the same frame with 105 (in silver and graphite). They both felt great to ride, but then I thought that if I got the grey one with shimano on it, I would regret not getting the celeste with campag every single ride!!

Feels good so far, after 35 miles on Saturday afternoon. Very happy.

Lagavulin

Good choice. Nice looking bike that. Enjoy.