£1000 limit

Pict

Hi all leg shavers.
I'm in the market for a road bike, I have a limit of £1000, but I'd like to get pedal and shoes in the total, if possible. I come from a background of XC MTbing, but have always loved the sport of road cycling. I'm getting a bike to improve my overall stamina and fitness, and to enter the odd sportive event.
In the short-list are ; Trek 1.7, Giant Defy 1 and the Exceedingly rare Boardman team carbon.
The Boardman is at the top of my wish list, but I'm not prepared to wait for months until one becomes available.
What's your thoughts? Do you have any other suggestions.
Many thanks.

redddraggon

What about a CAAD9?

weepiglet

I was in the same boat a month ago and ended up getting a Trek 1.9 as I decided that all the money would be better spent on the bike rather than accessories.
Others I was looking at was a Specialzed Allez Elite or a Focus Cayo 105 but my advice would be to get hands on and see what you prefer as geometry is different for everyone.

hotspur

I'm also looking at the moment and have these on a short list:

Boardman Team Carbon 09 £999.00 http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_501983_langId_-1_categoryId_165710
BeOne Storm 09 £899.00 http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?PartnerID=79&ModelID=31039
Specialized Bicycles Allez Elite 09 £979.99 http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/allez-elite-2009-road-bike-ec016880
Focus Cayo 105 £989.10 http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Focus_Cayo_105_Triple_2009/5360037592/
Trek 1.7 £924.99 http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/17-compact-2009-road-bike-ec016477
Cannondale CAAD9 £899.99 http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/caad9-tiagra-compact-2009-road-bike-ec016029
Cinelli Experience £899.00 http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/cinelli.htm
Colnago Primavera £799.00 http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/colnago.htm
Kinesis Racelight £899.00 http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/Kinesis.htm
Felt Z80 £790.00 http://www.evanscycles.com/products/felt/z80-2009-road-bike-ec017085

Now I just need to try and get hands on with a few of them.

passout

If you want Carbon then I'd think Focus Cayo, Ribble Nero Corsa or maybe Planet X.
Cannondale CAA9 would top my list for alu. but the Planet alu. road frame looks good too.

markos1963

Or if you fancy something different how about an Orbea Onix for a grand from here

http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/orbea.htm

Great bike and the frame is very upgradable.

gsk82

i got a focus cayo 3 weeks ago, apart from the front gears not changing it was superb. unfortunately the service from wiggle and their couriers has been anything but, but if the bike had worked when i got it there wouldve been no probems at all

Pict

Another thing. Would you go for a triple or compact chain set? I believe there is a bit of machismo in roadie circles, where a triple is seen as some what wimpish?

markos1963

Pict wrote:

Another thing. Would you go for a triple or compact chain set? I believe there is a bit of machismo in roadie circles, where a triple is seen as some what wimpish?

Buy what you think you'd need to do the job. A triple is good if you're going to the Alps or other mountains, a double is fine for flat/racing or if you're a particulary strong rider. A compact is a compromise between the two.

peanut1978

there is NO need for a tripple - EVER!!

gtitim

+1 for the Orbea Onix