Why buy a brand?

Slimbods

So I'm shopping for a bike to start racing on next year. My budget is 1500 tops, which I know is a bit light for racing.

It seems to boil down to something like an entry level Tarmac or Madone at a push with no upgrades, or an entry level boardman or cayo 105 with enough cash left over for race day wheels.

The spec of the 105 cayo seems to better the spec of a tarmac costing 700 quid more. What gives there? What are you actually getting for your 700 quid with the big brand?

gsk82

i paid a grand for the cayo 105 and have just spent £450 on some fuldcum racing 1 wheels for it. for the same amount my mate got a spec tarmac elite, i think i've got a lot more for my money than him. the cayo's down to £825 at the minute as well.

markos1963

Why not buy a second hand quality bike AND have money left over for wheels etc. I bought an ex demo Orbea Onix(£1400 retail) for £750 from a good LBS and it came with a years warrenty. Phone some shops up and see what they might have, you never know what might turn up.

Slimbods

I've nothing against buying used, I got lucky with my MTB and found a good quality used for half price. I'm on the Isle of Man though, and so limited on what's available.

I'm in no real rush either, racing doesn't really start until March, but that Focus Cayo 105 deal is blooming temping, and 2010 prices look several hundred quids higher. That's a lot of money off some nice wheels!

Squillinossett

cayo 105 is a craking deal at a shade over £800 - that would leave £700 for wheels!

Not Another Hill

I've a 2007 Cayo and think it's a fantastic bike. The frame and components are easily good enough for racing. Paying stacks more for a desirable brand does not always get you a bike that will be any better than a good less known brand. Premium brands charge premium prices because people are prepared to pay for the exclusivity/prestige. Most riders aren't really going to notice the difference (they claim they do, but you would if you'd forked out £4000!)

A club member has an expensive Italian Carbon framed bike that he paid a lot of money for. When he got a Ribble Carbon bike for winter he discovered it was exactly the same frame but obviously at a fraction of the price as the Italian bike.

Brakeless

The reason Focus bikes are cheaper than other brands is that Wiggle act as both importer and retailer. They are therefore able to cut out one 'profit level' in the supply chain. Most bikes go manufacturer - distributer - retailer. Focus go Manfacturer - retailer.

Anonymous

What about that Raleigh at Wiggle?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Raleigh_Avanti_U6_Comp_2009/5360045524/

If that's not the best entry level priced race bike then I don't know what is!!

Lagavulin

Is your choice carbon specific? Evans' have 10% everything until Jan 3rd (I'm going to check if it includes stuff currently not in stock tomorrow) and I'm very (very!) tempted with the idea of a CAAD9.

I personally don't know which one to go for. Tiagra, sell the groupset, wheels and buy a Veloce or Centaur groupset. Alternatively go full bananas and give this Ultegra 6700 a bash.

The 105 though would come in at £1,170. Might you be able to get some Racing 3s or Eastons for £330?

Anonymous

CAAD9 is the most mega obvious choice IMO...

Perfect racing bike this side of 1.5k...

Slimbods

Lagavulin wrote:

Is your choice carbon specific? Evans' have 10% everything until Jan 3rd (I'm going to check if it includes stuff currently not in stock tomorrow) and I'm very (very!) tempted with the idea of a CAAD9.

To both, I've got an Alu Allez currently, so I'm pretty much set for an entry level machine, I just want something nice and light to race on. A focus + some nice wheels works out at a good few pounds lighter than my current machine, and I want to upgrade to at least 105.

blackhands

Why not see if Planet X have anything suitable:

http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/aca ... STOCK.html

crimpshrine

If you are looking for a 54cm and are fairly local to Kent (or willing to pay postage) I have a Cayo Frames/Forks for sale in the sale section. You can also try before you buy if you are round this way. Regards.

disgruntledgoat

I remember the good old days, before the early 2000s onwards property boom, when most people at cat 3 and 4 races had a half decent bike and not a pro-spec machine.

The best money spent on an entry level road race bike will, as you say, be on wheels. My best year was on a Giant aluminium frame costing £200 new. I spent more than twice that on some Campagnolo Euros wheels and I was away.

Monty Dog

For starting racing you want something strong, reliable that won't break your heart if there's a 'chute'

milese

I had the same dilema with a smaller budget, either a 105 Cayo or better brand used bike.

I ended up with a mint used once Tarmac Comp for about £600.

Now to actually get some use out of it!

From what I've read, and the spec of it, I dont think you'd ever be disappointed with the Cayo.

milese

Brakeless wrote:

The reason Focus bikes are cheaper than other brands is that Wiggle act as both importer and retailer. They are therefore able to cut out one 'profit level' in the supply chain. Most bikes go manufacturer - distributer - retailer. Focus go Manfacturer - retailer.

Wiggle is probably more like manufacturer - distributor.

So a lot of the difference in price is customer service. If your the sort of person who likes to hang out at their LBS, get regular services etc then getting something from the LBS is probably best.

If you're happy to fiddle yourself and go through a bit of a palava if you get any problems then second hand or wiggle is fine.

Slimbods

Thanks for the great advice guys, it all makes perfect sense.

However, as we all know sense has no place when bling is involved, and I blew the entire budget on a 2009 Scott Addict in the sales, doh!