New commuting bike: Should I buy Kona Haole or Focus Mares?

matchbook
matchbook Posts: 23
edited December 2009 in Commuting chat
Given the 7 day test ride thing Wiggle do now, I'm quite tempted to just go ahead and order a new bike on there; these two are in my price range & both seem to have similar quality componentry.

I'm not really familiar with judging the quality of road bikes' components etc though, due to having been riding the same old hybrid for ~10 years now..

Focus Mares 2010 (£949.05) 
Frame-New Hydroform alloy cross 
Fork-Focus carbon 
Rear Derailleur-Shimano 105 
Shifters/Triggers-Shimano 105 
Gearing-Front-48/34, rear 12-27 
Chainset-Truvativ Elita 2.2 Cross 
Brakes-Prime Canti 2C Race 
CrossTop Levers-Tektro RL721 
Bars-FSA Vero Comp RD320, black 
Stem-FSA OS190 
Front Hub-Pro Lite Como 
Rear Hub-Pro Lite Como 
Rims-Pro Lite Como 
Wheelset-Pro Lite Como 
Tyres-Continental Cyclo-Cross Race 
Saddle-Concept SL 
Seat Post-Concept Extreme

Kona Haole 2009 (£1,080.85) 
Frame Tubing-Deda Zero Replica TIG-weleded Cromoly
Fork-Dedacciai Fin Carbon
Headset-FSA Orbit C #8 
Crankarms-FSA Gossamer Compact
Chainrings-50/34
Bottom Bracket-FSA MegaExo
Chain-Shimano 105 
Cassette-Shimano 105 (12-25, 10spd) 
Front Derailleur-Shimano 105 
Rear Deraillleur-Shimano Ultegra 
Shifters-Shimano 105 
Handlebar-FSA RD305NS 
Stem-FSA OS-150XT
Grips-Kona Cork Tape
Brakes-Shimano 105 
Brake Levers-Shimano 105 
Front Hub-Mavic Aksium Wheelset 
Rear Hub-Mavic Aksium Wheelset 
Spokes-Mavic Aksium Wheelset 
Tyres-Continental UltraRace Kevlar 700x23C
Rims-Mavic Aksium Wheelset 
Saddle-Selle Italia XR Light Manganese
Seatpost-FSA SL-280

I'll be commuting daily on it, country lanes and some bridleways etc. Just wondering if anyone might have any thoughts as to which of the two mght be more suitable/better value for money?



(Apologies if there is a separate thread/subforum for buying advice where I should have posted this...)

Comments

  • tailwindhome
    tailwindhome Posts: 19,378
    Aside from the which bike decision you may want to consider the timing of your purchase, Wiggle and Chain Reactions have both been discounting quite agressively over the last couple of weeks. January could be Bargaintastic

    IIRC the Mares with disc brakes was 30% in Jan 09, they may run a similar offer this year.
    “New York has the haircuts, London has the trousers, but Belfast has the reason!

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