New bike (oh no, not again!)

man2wolf
man2wolf Posts: 70
edited August 2009 in Road buying advice
I'm in the market for a new bike myself. Currently riding an entry level Scott S60. As there seems to be a general shortage of stock with the "usual" brands (Trek,Giant, etc) thought I might look further afield.
Any thoughts on Massi, Felt, BH or similar?
Budget is around £1500. Need something more comfort orientated than out and out race.
Thanks

Comments

  • love2ride
    love2ride Posts: 224
    try planet x. they do a good carbon one for around that. Or there's ribble but apparently they have dredful customer service. why oh no
  • man2wolf
    man2wolf Posts: 70
    Just because you must be sick of people asking for bike recommendations, that all :)
  • markos1963
    markos1963 Posts: 3,724
    At £1500 you're going to have a lot of choice, it probably comes down to which shop/retailler you want to deal with. If in the NW you might be close enough to someone like Paul Hewitt who has a great reputation. Looking at his website you'll have a lot of choice and you can bet he'll get the set up right.
    Norfolk, who nicked all the hills?

    http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3013/243 ... 8d.jpg?v=0
    http://img362.imageshack.us/my.php?imag ... 076tl5.jpg
    http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/3407 ... e001af.jpg
  • the_jackalcp
    the_jackalcp Posts: 276
    Does it need to be carbon?

    If not you can easily get a good Cannondale, Colnago or Pinarello in Alu form.

    As mentioned Planet x would be a good bet for carbon but Time ( the speedster) and Orbea (onix) are possibles. Having said that the BH seems pretty good value although I remeber reading a not too complimentary review about one of it's predecessors.
    https://www.bikeauthority.cc/
    IG - bikeauthority.cc
  • man2wolf
    man2wolf Posts: 70
    After a bit more research I quite like the look of the Bianchi C2C 928 carbon 105 or the Felt Z35. These are both around the £1.5k to £1.6K mark.

    However, I have seen a lot of positive comments regarding the Focus Cayo 105 from Wiggle. Seems this can be had for less than £1k. Is this a steal or am I missing something in the spec? Or is just a competitive price because it is internet only?

    Does anyone have one these bikes and whats the verdict?

    Thanks
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Focus Cayo seems to be well liked by it's owners and reviewers. You can return it to Wiggle in 7 days if you really don't like it. Being internet only they are a bit of a bargain, as are Cube bikes from CRC.

    The Cayo isn't however what i'd call relaxed geometry. For that I'd be looking at a Cannondale Synapse, the Bianchi you mentioned, or is there a Roubaix that cheap?
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Oh I forgot, Spesh are doing a Roubaix shaped but alloy framed bike for 2010. Can't remember what it's called. Probly get a well specced one of those for your budget.
  • gkerr4
    gkerr4 Posts: 3,408
    keef66 wrote:
    Focus Cayo seems to be well liked by it's owners and reviewers. You can return it to Wiggle in 7 days if you really don't like it. Being internet only they are a bit of a bargain, as are Cube bikes from CRC.

    The Cayo isn't however what i'd call relaxed geometry. For that I'd be looking at a Cannondale Synapse, the Bianchi you mentioned, or is there a Roubaix that cheap?

    Agreed - the cayo is NOT relaxed geometry! - you can't really compare it to something like the C2C 928, roubaix or even the (performance fit) Madone.

    You can get a roubaix in that price range btw - the basic elite is around £1300 I think - 105 spec gear but rather cheap wheels iirc.
  • paulieb2006
    paulieb2006 Posts: 318
    How about the Felt F4 from Wiggle
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Felt_ ... 360038949/
    Am waiting to sell mine and hope that they are still available.
    http://i870.photobucket.com/albums/ab26 ... C05883.jpg
  • skinson
    skinson Posts: 362
    Ribble don't have dreadful customer service!!
    dave
  • EdZed
    EdZed Posts: 119
    keef66 wrote:
    Oh I forgot, Spesh are doing a Roubaix shaped but alloy framed bike for 2010. Can't remember what it's called. Probly get a well specced one of those for your budget.

    It's the Secteur.

    +1 Bianchi C2C 928
  • gkerr4
    gkerr4 Posts: 3,408
    paulieb2006 wrote:
    How about the Felt F4 from Wiggle
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Felt_ ... 360038949/
    Am waiting to sell mine and hope that they are still available.

    thats a smart looking bike and good price too (although I would want different wheels on it but hey...)

    it will NOT be comfortable though!
  • man2wolf
    man2wolf Posts: 70
    keef66 wrote:
    Focus Cayo seems to be well liked by it's owners and reviewers. You can return it to Wiggle in 7 days if you really don't like it. Being internet only they are a bit of a bargain, as are Cube bikes from CRC.

    The Cayo isn't however what i'd call relaxed geometry. For that I'd be looking at a Cannondale Synapse, the Bianchi you mentioned, or is there a Roubaix that cheap?

    Must admit I'm new to this game and dont understand frame geometry. I have been trying to compare the measurements of the Focus Cayo and the Bianchi 928 from the manufacturers websites but it is all gobbledegook to me! What is it that tells you that the Focus isnt "relaxed", i.e. which particular measurements are crucial? I would really appreciate being able to understand this!
    Thanks
  • gkerr4
    gkerr4 Posts: 3,408
    man2wolf wrote:
    keef66 wrote:
    Focus Cayo seems to be well liked by it's owners and reviewers. You can return it to Wiggle in 7 days if you really don't like it. Being internet only they are a bit of a bargain, as are Cube bikes from CRC.

    The Cayo isn't however what i'd call relaxed geometry. For that I'd be looking at a Cannondale Synapse, the Bianchi you mentioned, or is there a Roubaix that cheap?

    Must admit I'm new to this game and dont understand frame geometry. I have been trying to compare the measurements of the Focus Cayo and the Bianchi 928 from the manufacturers websites but it is all gobbledegook to me! What is it that tells you that the Focus isnt "relaxed", i.e. which particular measurements are crucial? I would really appreciate being able to understand this!
    Thanks

    there are a number of factors which make a bike 'comfy' - steering angle, wheelbase, chainstay length - however as a rule of thumb - the headtube height is the giveaway!

    So find a bike you like the size of and find out it's "effective top tube length" - this is the critical size as seat-tube means nothing really as it can be altered through the seat-post - you can change the reach (top tube length) a little through stem length but not enough to correct a too small and certainly not enough to correct a 'too short' top tube.

    Once you have in mind what size top-tube you need then look at the height of the headtube - taller means more upright riding position which is generally more comfortable.

    The pro's run very big saddle height vs bar height - but then they spend all day, ever day working on their fitness and flexibility - it just isn't possible for us mere mortals.
  • Evil Laugh
    Evil Laugh Posts: 1,412
    Just put one on another thread, but have just been through the same search for a comfort road bike.

    Just bought a Cannondale Synapse 105 Compact. Westbrook cycles have them for £1199 at the moment.

    There wasn't much between the Cannondale and the Trek Madone 4.5.

    I tried the Felt Z35 at Evans and it was nice but nowhere near as buttery a ride as the Cannondale or Trek. It had 25mm tyres on and the ride was not as good as the previous 2 on 23mm.

    Coming from a Trek 7.6fx hybrid (with 28mm tyres), I was so shocked at how good the Trek and Cannondale felt on the road. Felt like I was effortlessly gliding along on a superfast marshmallow cruising over London's bumpy roads without a flinch.

    Anyway that's my input as someone who just bought their first proper road bike, no doubt more experienced peeps on here could give more specific advice.

    Can't wait for tomorrow when the Cannondale arrives. :D
  • Monkeypump
    Monkeypump Posts: 1,528
    Giant Defy Advanced 4 is bang on the money, and has rave reviews but you'll struggle to find one now in the larger sizes (you mention Giant, so may already know this!). Rumour has it there won't be a 2010 replacement for this model...

    +1 for Planet X too - £1399 SL Pro Carbon is good value.
  • Monkeypump
    Monkeypump Posts: 1,528
    Oh, not sure Planet X is really comfort oriented (?)
  • marcthehammer
    marcthehammer Posts: 126
    Just to confuse you even more, have you thought about an Orbea.The Onix bira is about £1500 or less, Great looking bike and a great ride too.
    SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES; NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    i will be boring and recommend what I brought. Kuota Kharma - £1500 with 105 - I would say it falls in between relaxed and race geometry

    Picture Below
  • Rezillo
    Rezillo Posts: 95
    +1 for the Onix. I bought mine from Elmys at Ipswich. They had some specials in from Orbea and basically I got a tour spec (ultegra sl triple , aksium wheels) for £1599, not much more than the price of a bira.

    They are still listing a 57cm version of one of these (but non-sl) on their website albeit that the picture shows a centaur spec.

    John

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