What bike for sportive and relaxed club runs, £1000 to £15

ChrisFilter

Ah, the age old 'what bike?' question.

I'm looking to spend between £1000 to £1500 on a new bike for relaxed club runs and a few sportives I have lined up. Comfort is important but so is speed, so looking for a relaxed geometry. Despite is being a much cheaper bike, my Giant SCR 3 08 has been my favourite of all that I've owned:


Bike History:
Condor Italia
Condor Acciaio
Giant SCR 3 08

And so I'm looking at the Giant TCR Alliance. What's putting me off is that although it gets fantastic reviews (or, at least, its predecessor did) it is a little underspecced compared to the likes of the Planet X Carbon Ultegra number for a grand.

What further complicates matters is that I'm limited to interest-free credit from companies using Black Horse Finance (those v12 bods decline me.. a mispent youth means my credit rating is patchy). allterraincycles.co.uk use blackhorse hence the Giant being top of my wish list.

That said, makes more sense to determine a short list of bikes first, and try and find a credit deal stockist second.

So, I'm looking for people's recommendations for a comfy but sporty bike that'll eat up the miles on a couple of centuries. Not too bothered about alu, carbon or Ti, as long as it rides nicely. In a very ideal world, and I realise this is unlikely, pannier fittings would be a plus as I might do the Lands End - John O'Groats thing in 2011.

Not too bothered about Shimano, Campag or SRAM - the ponce in me wants Campag, the contrarian in me wants SRAM, the apathetic in me is fine with Shimano. A triple would be nice, but not essential. I'm a big lad, 6ft 2 and about 15st, so can't be too spindly.

So, do you ride something that fits the bill and would you recommend it?

so far I'm thinking:

Giant TCR Alliance - love my SCR 3, but a little underspecced for the money
Specialized Roubaix or Secteur - a little bland, perhaps?
Orbea Aqua TLT CT - ultegra equipped alu, a little tame maybe?
Cinelli Dynamo - in the price range, but haven't heard much about it

Obviously I plan to test ride all in the shortlist.

Thanks all

Chris

Anonymous

I think you are way ahead for advice, just test ride them and let us know how you get on ?

ChrisFilter

dmclite wrote:

I think you are way ahead for advice, just test ride them and let us know how you get on ?

Pah! I want people calling me a muppet for even considering a Giant, because they're mass-produced and don't have a sexy Italian name. And then I want people calling them muppets, and saying it doesn't matter who makes a bike if it's good.

And then I want people saying "Yeah, the Giant is good, and a weak spec just means it's upgradeable" and then other people saying "Nonsense! For £1500 you can get the best bike in the world!"

Anonymous

ChrisFilter wrote:

Ah, the age old 'what bike?' question.

I'm looking to spend between £1000 to £1500 on a new bike for relaxed club runs and a few sportives I have lined up. Comfort is important but so is speed, so looking for a relaxed geometry. Despite is being a much cheaper bike, my Giant SCR 3 08 has been my favourite of all that I've owned:


Bike History:
Condor Italia
Condor Acciaio
Giant SCR 3 08

And so I'm looking at the Giant TCR Alliance. What's putting me off is that although it gets fantastic reviews (or, at least, its predecessor did) it is a little underspecced compared to the likes of the Planet X Carbon Ultegra number for a grand.

What further complicates matters is that I'm limited to interest-free credit from companies using Black Horse Finance (those v12 bods decline me.. a mispent youth means my credit rating is patchy). allterraincycles.co.uk use blackhorse hence the Giant being top of my wish list.

That said, makes more sense to determine a short list of bikes first, and try and find a credit deal stockist second.

So, I'm looking for people's recommendations for a comfy but sporty bike that'll eat up the miles on a couple of centuries. Not too bothered about alu, carbon or Ti, as long as it rides nicely. In a very ideal world, and I realise this is unlikely, pannier fittings would be a plus as I might do the Lands End - John O'Groats thing in 2011.

Not too bothered about Shimano, Campag or SRAM - the ponce in me wants Campag, the contrarian in me wants SRAM, the apathetic in me is fine with Shimano. A triple would be nice, but not essential. I'm a big lad, 6ft 2 and about 15st, so can't be too spindly.

So, do you ride something that fits the bill and would you recommend it?

so far I'm thinking:

Giant TCR Alliance - love my SCR 3, but a little underspecced for the money
Specialized Roubaix or Secteur - a little bland, perhaps?
Orbea Aqua TLT CT - ultegra equipped alu, a little tame maybe?
Cinelli Dynamo - in the price range, but haven't heard much about it

Obviously I plan to test ride all in the shortlist.

Thanks all

Chris

Ok...............

£1300 for a japanese specced coke can pretend racer from Spain ? Orbea ? are U 4 real ?
Specialized roubaix ? The only Roubaix about it is the name. It doesn't even have green tyres FFS.
The cinelli looks awful, the geometry is too relaxed, looks old, and over a grand for 105 0r veloce, whatever.
Now the Giant......Go for it, love 105, really solid groupset, good wheels and a cracking frame, shop around and you will get it for £1150, upgrade a few bits initially and sell the standard you got with the bike on fleabay.
was this more helpful?

Bobbinogs

You might want to stick a Cannondale Synapse on your list. I thought it was great bike and you can get a 105 spec from 2009 for about £1300 if you shop around at the moment. The Synapse broke my budget but a nice Himod version with Ultegra is on my wish list for a few years time.

I went for a Spesh Secteur Elite and don't regret it but I am fairly new to the game and still cutting my teeth (haven't done a century yet so cannot comment on how the bike holds up to that kind of work but it has been great for lesser distances, like 50). You might find the triple a bit granny-ish, what with a 30-27 bottom combo.

ChrisFilter

dmclite wrote:

Ok...............

£1300 for a japanese specced coke can pretend racer from Spain ? Orbea ? are U 4 real ?
Specialized roubaix ? The only Roubaix about it is the name. It doesn't even have green tyres FFS.
The cinelli looks awful, the geometry is too relaxed, looks old, and over a grand for 105 0r veloce, whatever.
Now the Giant......Go for it, love 105, really solid groupset, good wheels and a cracking frame, shop around and you will get it for £1150, upgrade a few bits initially and sell the standard you got with the bike on fleabay.
was this more helpful?

Much better

ChrisFilter

Bobbinogs wrote:

You might want to stick a Cannondale Synapse on your list. I thought it was great bike and you can get a 105 spec from 2009 for about £1300 if you shop around at the moment. The Synapse broke my budget but a nice Himod version with Ultegra is on my wish list for a few years time.

I went for a Spesh Secteur Elite and don't regret it but I am fairly new to the game and still cutting my teeth (haven't done a century yet so cannot comment on how the bike holds up to that kind of work but it has been great for lesser distances, like 50). You might find the triple a bit granny-ish, what with a 30-27 bottom combo.

The CAAD9 is on my list, certainly. Can't really get 09 or sale bikes with interest-free credit, unfortunately. Otherwise I would!

gabriel959

dmclite wrote:

ChrisFilter wrote:

Ah, the age old 'what bike?' question.

I'm looking to spend between £1000 to £1500 on a new bike for relaxed club runs and a few sportives I have lined up. Comfort is important but so is speed, so looking for a relaxed geometry. Despite is being a much cheaper bike, my Giant SCR 3 08 has been my favourite of all that I've owned:


Bike History:
Condor Italia
Condor Acciaio
Giant SCR 3 08

And so I'm looking at the Giant TCR Alliance. What's putting me off is that although it gets fantastic reviews (or, at least, its predecessor did) it is a little underspecced compared to the likes of the Planet X Carbon Ultegra number for a grand.

What further complicates matters is that I'm limited to interest-free credit from companies using Black Horse Finance (those v12 bods decline me.. a mispent youth means my credit rating is patchy). allterraincycles.co.uk use blackhorse hence the Giant being top of my wish list.

That said, makes more sense to determine a short list of bikes first, and try and find a credit deal stockist second.

So, I'm looking for people's recommendations for a comfy but sporty bike that'll eat up the miles on a couple of centuries. Not too bothered about alu, carbon or Ti, as long as it rides nicely. In a very ideal world, and I realise this is unlikely, pannier fittings would be a plus as I might do the Lands End - John O'Groats thing in 2011.

Not too bothered about Shimano, Campag or SRAM - the ponce in me wants Campag, the contrarian in me wants SRAM, the apathetic in me is fine with Shimano. A triple would be nice, but not essential. I'm a big lad, 6ft 2 and about 15st, so can't be too spindly.

So, do you ride something that fits the bill and would you recommend it?

so far I'm thinking:

Giant TCR Alliance - love my SCR 3, but a little underspecced for the money
Specialized Roubaix or Secteur - a little bland, perhaps?
Orbea Aqua TLT CT - ultegra equipped alu, a little tame maybe?
Cinelli Dynamo - in the price range, but haven't heard much about it

Obviously I plan to test ride all in the shortlist.

Thanks all

Chris

Ok...............

£1300 for a japanese specced coke can pretend racer from Spain ? Orbea ? are U 4 real ?
Specialized roubaix ? The only Roubaix about it is the name. It doesn't even have green tyres FFS.
The cinelli looks awful, the geometry is too relaxed, looks old, and over a grand for 105 0r veloce, whatever.
Now the Giant......Go for it, love 105, really solid groupset, good wheels and a cracking frame, shop around and you will get it for £1150, upgrade a few bits initially and sell the standard you got with the bike on fleabay.
was this more helpful?

Not trying to annoy you but AFAIK the Alu orbeas are still handmade in Spain. Its the carbon ones which are made in Orbea's own Asian factory.

ChrisFilter

I'm now thinking of the Giant Defy Alliance. I love the SCR3, so keeping the same geometry makes sense. I'm not planning on racing, so not a huge problem. Comfort is important if I'm doing long distances. And I'd save £500 on the TCR.

Tiagra groupset though... hmmm.

ChrisFilter

ChrisFilter wrote:

I'm now thinking of the Giant Defy Alliance. I love the SCR3, so keeping the same geometry makes sense. I'm not planning on racing, so not a huge problem. Comfort is important if I'm doing long distances. And I'd save £500 on the TCR.

Tiagra groupset though... hmmm.

No. I'm pretty sold on the TCR Alliance.

Test riding it tonight.

tenor

Buy a really nice frame and a good pair of wheels and transfer the running/finishing gear from your current bike. Upgrade the latter over time.
This will get you a much better ride than any complete bike for circa 1000-1500.

ChrisFilter

tenor wrote:

Buy a really nice frame and a good pair of wheels and transfer the running/finishing gear from your current bike. Upgrade the latter over time.
This will get you a much better ride than any complete bike for circa 1000-1500.

Nice idea, but I'm going to keep using my existing bike for the commute. The new bike will be strictly for pleasure!

prb007

There's always this..........

http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/aca ... ve_18.html

a steal at £817, made by Lynskey.

Got mine two weeks ago - even more of a steal at £650 in Planet X's winter sale!

ScottieP

ChrisFilter wrote:

The CAAD9 is on my list, certainly. Can't really get 09 or sale bikes with interest-free credit, unfortunately. Otherwise I would!

If you want a relaxed geometry sportive bike - I'd take the CAAD9 off your list - it's a race bike by design (and a good one) - a Synapse has more of the geometry you describe.

ChrisFilter

Ah, cheers for the tip re: CAAD9.

Test rided the TCR last night. Lovely bike. Placed an order and.... no stock for 11 weeks.

Bugger.

Anonymous

gabriel959 wrote:

dmclite wrote:

ChrisFilter wrote:

Ah, the age old 'what bike?' question.

I'm looking to spend between £1000 to £1500 on a new bike for relaxed club runs and a few sportives I have lined up. Comfort is important but so is speed, so looking for a relaxed geometry. Despite is being a much cheaper bike, my Giant SCR 3 08 has been my favourite of all that I've owned:


Bike History:
Condor Italia
Condor Acciaio
Giant SCR 3 08

And so I'm looking at the Giant TCR Alliance. What's putting me off is that although it gets fantastic reviews (or, at least, its predecessor did) it is a little underspecced compared to the likes of the Planet X Carbon Ultegra number for a grand.

What further complicates matters is that I'm limited to interest-free credit from companies using Black Horse Finance (those v12 bods decline me.. a mispent youth means my credit rating is patchy). allterraincycles.co.uk use blackhorse hence the Giant being top of my wish list.

That said, makes more sense to determine a short list of bikes first, and try and find a credit deal stockist second.

So, I'm looking for people's recommendations for a comfy but sporty bike that'll eat up the miles on a couple of centuries. Not too bothered about alu, carbon or Ti, as long as it rides nicely. In a very ideal world, and I realise this is unlikely, pannier fittings would be a plus as I might do the Lands End - John O'Groats thing in 2011.

Not too bothered about Shimano, Campag or SRAM - the ponce in me wants Campag, the contrarian in me wants SRAM, the apathetic in me is fine with Shimano. A triple would be nice, but not essential. I'm a big lad, 6ft 2 and about 15st, so can't be too spindly.

So, do you ride something that fits the bill and would you recommend it?

so far I'm thinking:

Giant TCR Alliance - love my SCR 3, but a little underspecced for the money
Specialized Roubaix or Secteur - a little bland, perhaps?
Orbea Aqua TLT CT - ultegra equipped alu, a little tame maybe?
Cinelli Dynamo - in the price range, but haven't heard much about it

Obviously I plan to test ride all in the shortlist.

Thanks all

Chris

Ok...............

£1300 for a japanese specced coke can pretend racer from Spain ? Orbea ? are U 4 real ?
Specialized roubaix ? The only Roubaix about it is the name. It doesn't even have green tyres FFS.
The cinelli looks awful, the geometry is too relaxed, looks old, and over a grand for 105 0r veloce, whatever.
Now the Giant......Go for it, love 105, really solid groupset, good wheels and a cracking frame, shop around and you will get it for £1150, upgrade a few bits initially and sell the standard you got with the bike on fleabay.
was this more helpful?

Not trying to annoy you but AFAIK the Alu orbeas are still handmade in Spain. Its the carbon ones which are made in Orbea's own Asian factory.

The post was definitely yongue in cheek, I gave him a measured response first of all and he replied that he was looking for a stroppier load of responses. I stand corrected on the Orbea, I think they are all excellent bikes. Fiemly having a laugh.

ChrisFilter

ChrisFilter wrote:

Test rided the TCR last night. Lovely bike. Placed an order and.... no stock for 11 weeks.

Bugger.

Turns out it's a 9 week wait. Gonna be a long 9 weeks.

lee337

Start of April is the ideal time to get a new bike.
If you got it today you'd want to be riding it and current conditions are not exactly suitable for a nice new shiney bike.

ride_whenever

I'd swing a leg over a CR1, really nice frame to ride, and it'll give you a really good base for upgrading.

sandbag

lee337 wrote:

Start of April is the ideal time to get a new bike.
If you got it today you'd want to be riding it and current conditions are not exactly suitable for a nice new shiney bike.

Heavy rain in Spring or Summer, still ends up with the bike baked in mud and grit.

April showers?

Pross

ride_whenever wrote:

I'd swing a leg over a CR1, really nice frame to ride, and it'll give you a really good base for upgrading.

I would have added the CR1 to the list also although probably not an out and out relaxed sportive frame. The Giant is a good bike though and probably more suited to the type of riding described. Also, I wouldn't let Tiagra put me off a bike - it may be fairly basic but does the job fine.

ChrisFilter

Uh oh! Dilemma has come along.

My little used mountain bike was nicked recently, and the insurance has paid out in the form of a £550 Halfords voucher than can be used on other kit. I'm not thinking of a Boardman. More aggressive geometry, but they are nice bikes.

What to do!

ChrisFilter

ChrisFilter wrote:

Uh oh! Dilemma has come along.

My little used mountain bike was nicked recently, and the insurance has paid out in the form of a £550 Halfords voucher than can be used on other kit. I'm not thinking of a Boardman. More aggressive geometry, but they are nice bikes.

What to do![/quote

Going for the Boardman. It's so light! And the large feels about right, despite the comparitvely cramped position.

Same as every other bugger, but I won't mind that when I'm battling with a hill on a century.

kingrollo

ChrisFilter wrote:

ChrisFilter wrote:

Uh oh! Dilemma has come along.

My little used mountain bike was nicked recently, and the insurance has paid out in the form of a £550 Halfords voucher than can be used on other kit. I'm not thinking of a Boardman. More aggressive geometry, but they are nice bikes.

What to do![/quote

Going for the Boardman. It's so light! And the large feels about right, despite the comparitvely cramped position.

Same as every other bugger, but I won't mind that when I'm battling with a hill on a century.

Good value for money bike - and the best way to spend £550 at Halfords. You can always buy seatposts, stems, to get the position right
.
Only complaint I hear about boardman, is that sometimes they are not assembled brilliantly.

fortyone

Check LOOK 566.

thv3

Ribble Sportive or Gran Fondo.

Great value and a great ride. Can spec it exactly the way YOU want,,

Tempestas

Build your own? Off the peg are great, but if you end up having to change stuff it is often worth going down the self build route and getting exactly what you want.