Sporty road bike for ~£1200-1500?

Wrath Rob
Wrath Rob Posts: 2,918
edited April 2010 in Road buying advice
Hi all, I'm over here on a sabbatical from the Commuting forum in the hope that I might get some sensible road bike advice.

My company have just started up a cycle scheme so I thought I'd take the chance to get a decent road bike for Sunday rides, I've already got a very serviceable road bike for commuting but I can no longer be bothered stripping off bits every time I want to take it out for a nice ride.

I'm looking for a sporty bike suitable for rides of less than 4 hours, so I'm happy with something with a more aggressive geometry. I've tried a few from Cyclesurgery and liked the Trek 2.5, comparing it to the Specialized Allez Comp and Secteur.

Next I'm off to Evans as their scheme lets me buy bikes in their sale so I'm looking at a Fuji Team Pro 2009, a Felt Z35 and a Scott Addict R4. I realize that these are all a step up from the Trek.

I'm after the best frame and wheels that I can get but not knowing a huge amount about carbon frames I'm not sure which option provides me with the best to build on in the future. Or if there's anything else out there that I should be looking at?

Any help is appreciated!
FCN3: Titanium Qoroz.

Comments

  • LazyLoki
    LazyLoki Posts: 127
    If you want a top quality Aluminium frame then go for the Cannondale CAAD9 - the top of the range Ultegra model comes in at about the same price as the Addict you mentioned but they do a 105 model for cheaper. Otherwise if you're thinking of spending up to that amount £1600ish then the Cannondale Six 105 has just been voted bike of the year by Cycling Plus...

    And just to show that I'm not bias towards Cannondale, you can't really go wrong with something like the Specialized Tarmac Elite.
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    the usual suspects

    Boardman
    Planet X
    Ribble

    All do an extry level carbon bike for the price you want.

    Kouta do the Kharma & The Kebel for around £1500 - £1700

    All nice bikes
  • solsurf
    solsurf Posts: 489
    I have the Z35 I think the frame is fantastic and comfortable, does everything I want. I would ask to have different tyres put on as the Zaffiros are terrible, also change the saddle (matter of choice).

    The wheels aren't too bad however I have replaced them after knackering the back one after only 3000 miles.

    It got great reviews and I would give it the thumbs up. The money is in the frame, the closest when testing was the dale synapse however it was another 700 for the same sort of kit! Anyway go try as many as possible! :D

    One thing though is the Evans cycle scheme is Ride to Work and unless your company has signed up with them it won't work :cry:
    http://www.pogu.co.uk
  • Eau Rouge
    Eau Rouge Posts: 1,118
    You might find your companies cycle scheme limits you to where you buy the bike.

    I think you can about ge a Wilier Mortirolo for that money. It might be a little pricy for a Mirage-equiped bike, but the frame is well worth future upgrades. I love mine.
  • Daimler
    Daimler Posts: 215
    The bikes there are quite different.
    The Felt would be the best all rounder bike.
    The Scott and Fuji more for racier riders with stiffer frames and more race geometries.

    Felt bikes are very underrated.
    teh Z35 is very nice.
    I myself would have the Scott......lighter frame and very upgradable.
    Planet X RT-57 custom build
  • Wrath Rob
    Wrath Rob Posts: 2,918
    Thanks for the comments so fat. Regarding the scheme, its either Cycle2Work or the Evans one, for some reason we have 2 options, not that I'm complaining! I need to decide between the 2 by EOD Friday though as we're locked in to a decision on the supplier after that.

    I'm taking the choices from Evans out later this week for a ride, might have to ask them about the Cannondale's too
    FCN3: Titanium Qoroz.
  • Chip \'oyler
    Chip \'oyler Posts: 2,323
    kingrollo wrote:
    the usual suspects

    Boardman
    Planet X
    Ribble

    All do an extry level carbon bike for the price you want.

    Kouta do the Kharma & The Kebel for around £1500 - £1700

    All nice bikes

    My LBS has started stocking the Kuota's. Very nice bikes for the money
    Expertly coached by http://www.vitessecyclecoaching.co.uk/

    http://vineristi.wordpress.com - the blog for Viner owners and lovers!
  • bazbadger
    bazbadger Posts: 553
    If you fancy a Wilier then try here - a few good deals...

    https://online.atb-sales.co.uk/m-1-wilier.aspx
    Mens agitat molem
  • Wrath Rob
    Wrath Rob Posts: 2,918
    Just had a call from Evans, the bikes have arrived so I'm off to do a test ride or 3 on Thursday. Happy days!
    FCN3: Titanium Qoroz.
  • solsurf
    solsurf Posts: 489
    what did you gofor?
    http://www.pogu.co.uk
  • tlw1
    tlw1 Posts: 22,222
    Eau Rouge wrote:
    You might find your companies cycle scheme limits you to where you buy the bike.

    I think you can about ge a Wilier Mortirolo for that money. It might be a little pricy for a Mirage-equiped bike, but the frame is well worth future upgrades. I love mine.

    me too!

    Did 450 miles over5 days last month & it was faultless and fast!

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