The Wisdom of Crowds -- Please respond to my poll

Kurvenal

I have not ridden a decent road bike in over a decade as have mostly been cycling off-road. I now have a partner with a very nice road bike and we want to do some sporty self-guided tours together (with luggage transfers), so am looking for a comfortable bike for all-day riding at a price point between £1,500 and £2,000. Have had some knee issues while cycling so will want a professional fitting to get things right, so am considering buying from either Mosquito Bikes or Cyclefit (both in London). I have never ridden a carbon frame bike before, so I am tempted, but I am also mindful that steel is billed to be the best material for a comfortable ride.

I have listed some of the options that I have come across so far. Please tell me which bike you would vote for and why, or whether you would recommend another bike altogether.

I would also welcome comments if you have views on whether Mosquito Bikes or Cyclefit do a better fitting or whether you have experience with after-sales service with either of them.

Here are links for some of the bikes in the poll:

Fixie Inc Betty Leeds on special offer from Mosquito Bikes: http://www.mosquito-bikes.co.uk/htdocs/ ... em_id=1192

Salsa Caseroll from Mosquito Bikes: http://www.mosquito-bikes.co.uk/htdocs/ ... tem_id=999

Condor Baracchi RL from Condor Cycles: http://www.condorcycles.com/baracchirl.html

Many thanks for your help.

redddraggon

CAAD9 Ultegra

Slow Downcp

Something titanium

giant_man

The Betty Leeds but with campag. Rare and very nice ...... failing that the Wilier ...

STEFANOS4784

'Other'



Bianchi Infinito Veloce, based on the fact that it's what i would buy 8)

rolf_f

STEFANOS4784 wrote:

'Other'

Bianchi Infinito Veloce, based on the fact that it's what i would buy 8)

Errrrr, you just voted against the Bianchi

greasedscotsman

Wouldn't buy from Evans. There fine if you know exactly what you want and can sort out any problems once you have the bike yourself.

Other than that, I'd get what you want. Go and look at some of the bikes on your list in the flesh, so to speak, test a few and pick the one you like best

GyatsoLa

If you want a fitting and custom fit, then have a look at Enigma bikes. I have the Enigma Ethos - a very fine big mile bike, capable of carrying light loads as well. www.enigmabikes.com

STEFANOS4784

Rolf F wrote:

STEFANOS4784 wrote:

'Other'

Bianchi Infinito Veloce, based on the fact that it's what i would buy 8)

Errrrr, you just voted against the Bianchi

Oh yes, what a kn0b! Had it in my head she meant a Nirone for some reason....

Inovache

I voted for a Wilier because they look cool. Kuotas do too and a Kharma would be in budget. Re comort, I've heard the Condor Baracchi is designed for your needs, and maybe you should also consider a Specialized Roubaix.

fastercyclist

Wilier! Saw their team bikes at the start of a race last month and thought my eyes were going to pop out.

Left for the start line feeling like shit and glaring at my bike.

Brocade

Buy one of each

racingcondor

Going to have to disagree with reddragon, for all day comfort you don't want a CAAD9 (great racing bike, not so comfy and the geometry is pretty aggressive).

I'd go Carbon or Ti, both are capable of being very comfortable for longer rides (although with Carbon you need to test ride it to find out, some will be too stiff for what you want, some won't).

The Condor Barrachi would suit your needs and Condor will fit you properly (as presumably will CycleFit). I'd avoid Evans though if you want to know it's set up for you properly. I think the Madone would suit you as well (smoother ride).

redddraggon

racingcondor wrote:

Going to have to disagree with reddragon, for all day comfort you don't want a CAAD9 (great racing bike, not so comfy and the geometry is pretty aggressive).

You've obviously not ridden a CAAD9.

1. It's plenty comfy, as comfy as any Carbon frame I've ridden
2. The geometry is fairly standard and not that aggressive at all. It might seem aggressive only if you are old and infirm.


Obviously you work for Condor. Got to say I'd rather a CAAD9 than London's version of Ribble.

Kurvenal

I went for my fitting at Mosquito Bikes yesterday, and bottom line is that they did not think the Betty Leeds would be comfortable for me given its racing geometry, so recommeded a Salsa Pistola instead (see http://www.mosquito-bikes.co.uk/htdocs/ ... em_id=1000). I like the look of this, and found this review: http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... er_reviews. Since the Pistola frame is the same price as the Betty Leeds Mosquito are offering the same build options (see below). I am told the Rival build should be fine for what I need at this point, but would welcome opinions and/or suggestions, both on the frame and the build options.

Sram Rival £1650 - Mavic Aksium wheelset, Continental UltraSport tyres, Cane Creek S3 headset, Deda Big Piega bar, Deda Metal Stick seatpost, Selle Italia XO Genuine Gel saddle.

Sram Force £2000 - American Classic Victory wheelset, Continental Grand Prix tyres, Cane Creek S3 headset, Deda Big Piega bar, Deda Metal Stick seatpost, Selle Italia XO Genuine Gel saddle.

Sram Force £2380 - Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheelset, Continental Grand Prix tyres, Chris King headset, Cinelli Graphis bar, Thomson Elite seatpost, Fizik Arione saddle.

Many thanks,

leejdavies

giant mancp wrote:

The Betty Leeds but with campag. Rare and very nice ...... failing that the Wilier ...

+1
Wilier is a great bike. Love mine. (try http://www.atb-sales.co.uk some cheaper deals there if your over 6ft)