Road bike commute and training - Trek 1.9, Kinesis Tk, or..?

bobbyn
bobbyn Posts: 5
edited October 2008 in Workshop
I'm looking to spend around £1,000 on a new road bike. I'm new to this forum and to proper road riding - have been riding MTBs and a fixed gear commuter/trainer up to now. Been looking at a few, like:

Trek 1.9
Kiron Scandium
Kinesis TK (or granfondo if can stretch the wallet)

It's for a daily commute as well as all year round training - i want to start going on some club rides, maybe do a sportive or 2.
The off-the-peg road bikes are around 1k and could be done on cycle to work. If i have a Kinesis built up will cost more.

Can anyone with a bit of experience of these things tell me it's really worth the extra money in order to have full mudguards rather than raceblades (i've never tried these) and more tyre clearance/comfort/versatility?
Thanks!

Comments

  • jswba
    jswba Posts: 491
    You can get the Racelight T for under a grand if you're willing to compromise a little.

    I've got a TK as my all-year bike and am extremely happy with it -- it's responsive, reasonably light, comfortable to ride for hours upon hours and just a lovely bike (although I went a few quid over your budget for some awesome wheels).

    Definitely go for mudguards over race blades -- they offer much more protection (for you and for your components). The Kinesis ones that were with my bike have a nice reflective strip on the rear, which is very handy when dark. And you can take them off when the weather is nice.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    I went for the TK because it takes full guards and I want to ride it all year round without being sprayed with filthy water. I think it's bloody marvellous, but all I have to compare it with is my rigid steel mtb.

    You should be able to get a TK for under a grand with Tiagra.
  • bobbyn
    bobbyn Posts: 5
    Thanks for the advice!
    Sounds as though full mudguards are a big plus and the TK sounds like a great bike - it'll certainly be nice (for my aging knees) to have some gears again and something to keep worst of the spray off.

    I would ideally do something similar with with a wheel upgrade - could you tell me if you got a wheel upgrade on the standard spec bike from Kinesis, otherwise i may shop around for parts and get the frame built up from scratch.

    Thanks again!
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Got mine built up by Epic Cycles. I knew more or less what I wanted. Went for Shimano RS10 wheels / 105 groupset. Only regret is I didn't go for an Arione saddle. My bum's not getting on with the cheaper Selle Italia Filante. Might ask them if I can belatedly upgrade it
  • spanielsson
    spanielsson Posts: 776
    I'm building a Kinesis Racelight T at the moment, Campag Veloce groupset with Khamsin wheels and a Kinesis Carbon fork. It's all cost around £800 so far I think........

    I'll hopefully finish it tonight so I can post some pics.......
  • bobbyn
    bobbyn Posts: 5
    Just been looking at Epic Cycles webiste - looks a good option. BTW, I have an Arione on my current bike and it's by far the best saddle i've had.

    I am to-ing and fro-ing between 105 and Veloce for mine, so will keep an eye out for your pics too, spanielsson.
  • jswba
    jswba Posts: 491
    My LBS built it up with 105 and (second hand) Dura Ace wheels. Rides like a dream
  • careful
    careful Posts: 720
    I have had a Kinesis Tk for nearly a year and have just bought a Kiron Scandium. Both are brilliant bikes, which is best depends on what you want to do. The Tk is more comfortable and has mudguard clearance ( just) and rack mounts. I use this most of the time including some light touring in the Alps last month. The Kiron is more like a race bike - a bit lighter and more responsive - great for shorter, faster blasts. Together they cover all my needs, but if I could have only one it would probably be the Kinesis for its versatility - also it is no slouch.
  • bobbyn
    bobbyn Posts: 5
    Sounds like the Tk is the one for me - I'm certainly not going to be racing at least for the timebeing, but i may do some long and multi-day rides so the versatility but still with a bit of racyness is what i'm looking for.

    Was thinking of putting 25c tyres on but sounds like 23 may be a better idea if i want to have mudguards too...
  • careful
    careful Posts: 720
    Good choice - you won't be sorry. As for the tyres, you can just get away with a 25. Actually I use a 23 on the front and 25 rear which gives a good balance. Continental ultra gatorskins are great. Not the lightest, but fast rolling and I've never had a puncture in them yet. (having said that I guess I'll spend tomorrow repairing punctures).
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Epic put 25's on my TK and there's plenty of clearance between them and the mudguards. Might even take 28's at a squeeze.

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