What bike for combined racing and training use? £1500 limit
samwich
Posts: 47
Some objective advice would be great please!
I am looking to get more into road racing, mainly crits plus a few day/stage races and the odd time-trial. I need a bike that will do them all with aplomb as well as cover lots of training miles as it will be my only road bike. I am fairly fit having been an XC MTB racer for a while.
I currently have a Specialized Roubaix which is a bit too upright and short in the top tube for me and I want something a little more race focused but cheap to buy and run, with a budget between 1-1.5k I need to keep my running costs as low as possible and would like to reduce any need for upgrading where possible.
I was thinking of one of the Boardman carbon bikes but some advice would be welcomed! Would I be better off buying the 1k version and upgrading the wheels or are the ones on the standard bike good enough to progress with?
The challenge is on!
Cheers,
Sam
I am looking to get more into road racing, mainly crits plus a few day/stage races and the odd time-trial. I need a bike that will do them all with aplomb as well as cover lots of training miles as it will be my only road bike. I am fairly fit having been an XC MTB racer for a while.
I currently have a Specialized Roubaix which is a bit too upright and short in the top tube for me and I want something a little more race focused but cheap to buy and run, with a budget between 1-1.5k I need to keep my running costs as low as possible and would like to reduce any need for upgrading where possible.
I was thinking of one of the Boardman carbon bikes but some advice would be welcomed! Would I be better off buying the 1k version and upgrading the wheels or are the ones on the standard bike good enough to progress with?
The challenge is on!
Cheers,
Sam
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Comments
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Boardman carbon with SRAM always gets good reviews
Planet x ultegra is another poplar choice - and has the advantage of being in stock
Ribble sportive is a very good value for money bike
Giant TCR 3 always gets good reviews might be slightly outside the 1500 budget
Kuota kharma is the bike I have ordered - might not be as racy as the others - but looks better !!!0 -
Thanks for the input. The Planet X SL Pro Carbon Dura Ace looks amazing value, anyone know of any proper reviews for that bike?
Although it will be the bike I use for everything it will need to be race focused otherwise I may as well keep my Roubaix which is too relaxed and flexy, so I presume anything Sportive focused is not ideal? Looks don't matter one jot to me, just ability to perform and value!
Keep it coming please! Any Bikeradar input would be ace...0 -
Kuota Kebell ?0
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Absolutely, unequivocally, a Cannondale CAAD9.0
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This review makes the CAAD9 sound the opposite of what I need?
http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/cate ... t-09-332600 -
Ok. You asked for opinions.
IMO the CAAD9 is an awesome frame that is great for training and is certainly no slouch for racing. In fact, it has been ridden to victory in the Giro d'Italia.
Don't let the gearing put you off, you can have a standard on there...0 -
Planet-X carbon frame, 105/veloce/rival groupset, plenty left over for better wheels than you'll get on most ready-built bikes and finishing kit.0
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I managed to get the new Ribble sportive frame with 09 Carbon Centaur, and Zonda wheels for less than 1600? Its pretty light too & and a good combo IMO.
Can't really be objective as I have one, but I would still say its fairly racey, but just as happy to plod along on / train on."I spend my petrol money on Bikes, Beer, Pizza, and Donuts "
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38256268@N04/3517156549/0 -
Last few Isaac frame and forks on Ebay going for silly money.
£300 to £550 seem to be going for, originaly cost around £1600
Plenty left for gruppo, wheel and finishing kit.
Very happy with my 2006 Impulse.25th August 2013 12hrs 37mins 52.3 seconds 238km 5500mtrs FYRM Never again.0
