£2500 on a road bike? The misses went mad!

zedders

Hi all.
Am new to this bikeradar / forum business, but I can see its the future, so pls be kind and post a few replies - make me feel welcome! Everyone has to start somewhere.

I've only been riding for the past 18 months or so, and love it. I ride a entry level Bianchi, which is fine, but now I want more. I have just had the all clear from the misses for a new 'dream' bike, while I'm still yound enough, and she thinks am mad and is NOT happy. But am going to do it anyway.

Having looking around on the net my head is a shed! However I've finally decided what I want is a light Carbon frame, Ultegra SL groupset & 'daddy' wheels, with possibly an intergrated seatpost?

Come good people out there, take me under your wings and give some much needed advice, before my LBS spanks me (again)! (ps I'm not to impressed with my LBS, but still want to use them, but that's another story).
cheers
Zedders

JohnnyAllez

Why use a crap outfit? If you are thinking of spending that amount of cash then I`d be looking for a decent shop to spend it in, even if it means travelling twice as far. My local shop is a poor outfit (big well-known shop as well, not one of the chains) and I`ll never spend another penny (!) in there, arrogant, ridiculously over-priced and very unhelpful) and plenty of people I know have had the same treatment, so it`s not just me. I think they work on the "60 million people in the UK, we can rip off / piss off anyone as there are plenty more to come"

Buy on-line, save a mint and learn to service your machine yourself, if you can`t clean, adjust things and fix a puncture yourself it`s a bad do! You will be stranded at the side of the road one day! There`s nothing much simpler than a bicycle, no matter what it costs, and with all the info available on the `net it`s easy.

Park Tools website, Sheldon Brown website, all easy to follow info and advice.

markos1963

Hi Zedders and welcome. With your budget the world is your oyster so you need to start asking yourself some serious questions.

1. What do I want to achieve with my cycling

2. Can I devote enough time to reach those goals

3. Am i young/good enough to get there

4. Is the bike being bought to achieve something(sportive,racing,tt's or leisure)

5. Am I happy spending £2500 with a LBS I am not entirely happy with.

Once you've answered some of these questions then you can start to look at bikes. At your level of budget you're not going to get a dog of a bike but you might end up with on that is unsuitable. You really are best going to one of the well known shops like Paul Hewitt, Fatbirds or Epic and discussing with them you're requirements.

Best of luck I wish I had that sort of money to spend and i wasn't so afraid of the missus

acorn_user

I think you should spend some serious time considering how to win over your missus, or at least cushioning the blow. You should also consider whether you can get a suitable bike for you for less money; it seems you've only had one bike so far, so your interests/ideas of what a dream bike should be might change.

zedders

markos1963,
I just enjoy going out with a couple of mates at the weekends. We normally do 25 to 30 miles, but we are going to do some longer rides this year. I'm also putting my name down for my first 60-100 mile sportive, depending on how fit I feel.
I will also ride the 'dream machine' this summer (having checked weather reports) to & from work (round trip 30miles) a couple of times a week. I did it last summer on the Bianchi. If its raining etc I'll get back on the Bianchi.
Am I fit enough? Young enough? Well there's a question! 33yrs. Use to play a lot of footy until the achillies went snap. Fully fit now though, and have been turbo training in the garage since xmas.
It's interseting you mention Fat birds & Epic, they are two sites I have looked at alot. I even emailed Epic a few days ago, and am still waiting a reply.
The misses! Her bark is louder than her bite! She's been fleacing me for years so she can't complain too much.
Zedders

dag_on_a_bike

I bought my Specialized Roubaix Expert online. No regrets.

My LBS poo-poo Specialized - they're Trek dealers, but I still use them for all sorts of stuff.

Zedders, post your location. There's bound to be plenty on here who can suggest a good LBS near to you, or at least not too far away

jellikins

Look no further than this model, bought it last sept and a dream.

08 models now 1700 quid, 09 bout 2500.




http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/trek-mad ... 39171.html[url][/url]

Frank the tank

Welcome Zedders.

Look at the Kuota range, they are the dogs doo-dahs at a reasonable price (relatively speaking).

markmod

Hi Zedders,

I ahve just been through exactly the same thing (bike buying) with my partner... I have been riding a Giant MTB to work (hard work on Knobbly off road tyres)

I decided that I wanted to get my dream road bike... A Scott cr1 pro frame with Campag 11 speed Chorus. I decided as I wanted a 'specialised' (no pun intended) road bike that I needed some good advice, guidance and test rides on a number of other similar models by other manufacturers, and this thing was going to be bigger than my LBS (although I did have a peak in and talked Scott Cr1 to them, but they apparently must thought I was a time waster- as the bike in the show room never came off the 'display hook' on the wall for me to even throw a leg over- their loss!!)

To this end I decided to visit Epic Cycles in Worcestershire http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/. These guys really know their stuff. They have very keen prices (so don't expect freebies, and throw-ins) Chris, Ben and the guys will give you unbiased advice (they won't move you up market just for a higher ticket price sale, as I looked at a Scott Addict but they correctly guided me to the more relaxed geometry of the CR1, which is closer to my requirements at the moment) I looked at a number of their bikes and finally came down to choice between a Viner and the Scott... and the Scott eventually won the day (mainly down to it's more lively feel)

I say give them a ring and go and look at the shiny things at Epic, if you are close enough (you haven't said in your profile where you are?)

As regards the other half, perhaps if you wanted a 1300cc Superbike, Jet-ski, Powerboat, or Racing sailing dinghy, then the cash layout would be far higher. The road bike is by far safer (on the right roads obviously) and will keep you fitter, healthier and feeling younger for longer.

Shezzer

I was recently in the market for a similar bike with a similar budget. Narrowed it down to 2 bikes which I was impressed with ... Bianchi 928 C2C and Specialized Roubaix Expert. Ended up going for the Specialized but I know I would have been happy with either bike.

If you're spending that much then just make sure you go see, touch, sit on the bike first ... ideally take one out for a spin too.

zedders

cheers for the replies so far gents.

Am in sunny Leicestershire! And would be happy to go to North, South East or West for a good LBS.

''Frank the Tank'' mentions the Kuota range. I've seen the KOM? in Cycling+ and must admit its the type of bike I like the look of. Anyone know where I can look with some prices? I did try the other day but struggled to find somehwere that has a good range. I saw the odd one or two with ''ring for quotes'' or ''call for details'', ''out of stock'' etc. But no joy in the 2.5k range.
I would be also interested in what you gents think of the Dohan Aurora Ultegra SL? (Formby cycles) as its right up there on my long and ever increasing list of possibles at the mo. One or two mates with limited knowledge say Dohan are good machines?

AssOs

I used my lbs a lot when i first started out and found them very helpful in the beginning when i struggled with things like gear tuning and basic stuff, but after gaining knowledge from the net, magazines and other riders, i realised they were taking me for a ride with some of the crap they would tell me just to buy a product they stocked.

Their prices were always the full RRP and the final straw came when they charged me over £120 for a 12 mth service which did include a 105 chain and cassette. that's more expensive than a full service on the g/f's corsa!!!

I went on amazon and ordered a couple of bike maintainance books and bought some tools and do all my servicing, repairs and upgrades myself. Never looked back and never been back to my lbs.

Back on topic.

i would consider buying a bike which is last last years model rather than pay full whack on the current one. More bang for you buck if you like.

markmod

Hey Zedders i'm in sunny Leicestershire too!!

Yes the last years model is a good tip...although you may have missed the boat with most bike shops ranges on this at the moment (although there may be a few choice 07/08 bikes still knocking about unsold due to the credit crunch)

I buy shoes/ clothing/ gear etc on sale mostly from last years (or even the year before!) range and find this is a big saving over the cycling 'fashionista' product current prices.

inseine

Zedders, you mean Dolan. Dohan make folding bikes.........

alfablue

inseine wrote:

Zedders, you mean Dolan. Dohan make folding bikes.........

Inseine, you mean Dahon; Dohan is a small village belonging to the municipality of Bouillon in the Belgian province of Luxembourg

chuckcork

I'd find a bit tricky riding my daughter down to her creche on a village....my Dahon with a child seat I find very stable for the purpose, more so than my Sirrus.

Something to do with how the weight is distributed (Sirrus has carbon bars and forks which makes the front a bit light) or maybe the Dahon Speed TR is just better designed for carrying loads??

inseine

alfablue, either you've been googling or you know far too much about Luxembourg! Though I always thought it was a country, not a province, but I'm sure you're right.

alfablue

I should correct myself, Dohan is in the Belgian province of Luxemburg, which is close to the Luxembourg border, but is in Belgium - see here.



Yes, I've been googling! I know more about Dahon bikes than geograpghy :oops:

cougie

I dont think you need to spend 2500 to get the bike.

You're relatively new to cycling - so you may not be 100% of the way you want to head.
(why else would you ask for help here ?)

For about a grand - you can get a carbon fibre Ultegra bike from somewhere like Planet X.

Dont get the integrated seatpost - if you want to do the Alps (and you really really should) then it makes flying tricky.

In a year or two you'll be after another bike anyway - maybe a winter one - as you dont want to ride the best bike all year round.

So spend about half your budget, and keep the rest in reserve - to keep the wife sweet - or to buy nice kit to go with your bike.

inseine

Luxembourg, Luxemburg, Dohan, Dahon, who cares?!
I know nothing about geography or folding bikes.

robmanic1

Ooooooooh, you could buy a car for that!!! :shock:

You could have not told her, pulled it out of the garage one day and said "what this? Oh no I've had it ages", like they do with shoes.

alfablue

Both folding bikes and geography are fascinating!

zedders

Sorry about the 'dohan' 'dolan' thing. Shows how little I know. But I'm here to learn.
I take the point about the intergated seatpost.
Anyone else with views on intergrated seatposts? It could help me narrow the field down a bit.

cougie

It would also slash the resale value as well - you'd need someone almost exactly your leg length to buy it off you.

DaSy

Yeah, the shipping it abroad thing is a very good point. Integrated seatposts aren't really a lot of help to the everyday cyclist, and would make finding a bike case to fit it very difficult.

edhornby

make sure there is a bunch of flowers arriving the same day as the bike (but not cheap crappy ones from Texaco if you 're mullering £2.5k on a bike...)

kingrollo

Your all missing a easy trick here guys - I am priming my wife that my next bike will be £2k - so when I unveil my new bike at £1500 - she will say 'oh thats not so bad' !!!!!!

Have a look at the wilier bikes - the izoard to me me is the best value bike for for around £1800 - you have to see it in the flesh. I certainly wouldn't buy a bike of a shop i didn't like , provided of course I could get from somewhere else.

Justpush

Zedders, sent you a PM if you know how to read it

sampras38

markmod wrote:

Hi Zedders,

I ahve just been through exactly the same thing (bike buying) with my partner... I have been riding a Giant MTB to work (hard work on Knobbly off road tyres)

I decided that I wanted to get my dream road bike... A Scott cr1 pro frame with Campag 11 speed Chorus. I decided as I wanted a 'specialised' (no pun intended) road bike that I needed some good advice, guidance and test rides on a number of other similar models by other manufacturers, and this thing was going to be bigger than my LBS (although I did have a peak in and talked Scott Cr1 to them, but they apparently must thought I was a time waster- as the bike in the show room never came off the 'display hook' on the wall for me to even throw a leg over- their loss!!)

To this end I decided to visit Epic Cycles in Worcestershire http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/. These guys really know their stuff. They have very keen prices (so don't expect freebies, and throw-ins) Chris, Ben and the guys will give you unbiased advice (they won't move you up market just for a higher ticket price sale, as I looked at a Scott Addict but they correctly guided me to the more relaxed geometry of the CR1, which is closer to my requirements at the moment) I looked at a number of their bikes and finally came down to choice between a Viner and the Scott... and the Scott eventually won the day (mainly down to it's more lively feel)

I say give them a ring and go and look at the shiny things at Epic, if you are close enough (you haven't said in your profile where you are?)

As regards the other half, perhaps if you wanted a 1300cc Superbike, Jet-ski, Powerboat, or Racing sailing dinghy, then the cash layout would be far higher. The road bike is by far safer (on the right roads obviously) and will keep you fitter, healthier and feeling younger for longer.

Hi Zedders, and welcome to the forum. I'm also a relatively new poster after browsing for ages, and I too have a Scott CR1 Pro. Had it about 6 months now and it's a great machine. I'm also a bit like you in the fact that I'm fairly new to riding...at least the more serious kind, and have only been training hard about a year. I upgraded the Scott recently to a 12/27 and an ultegra compact, new saddle and slightly wider bars. This was to help with my first 125 mile sportive in June. Then 4 weeks later I'm off to france to have a crack at the Joux Plane and Cole du Columbiere.

I also have a black Trek 1.2 that I use in the winter.

shaw8670

£2500= less than 18months of smoking 20 per day!! You can't put a price on a fit husband. There are lots of men doing things much less healthy and edifying than cycling! A lot of ladies would like to have a fit husband!

wjws

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