Recomendation for bike upgrade

yakubu22

Hi all,

First post on here for me, looking for advice on next bike. My employer is signing up to the Ride to Work scheme, and I have up to £2000 to spend on a new bike.

I currently ride a Giant Defy 4, which was my first road bike after a series of Mountain Bikes. The Giant is fine, but as I'm now 45, I do find myself aching after longer rides, particularly in the lower arm/wrist areas.

I have started doing Sportives (Cheshire Cat 100 on Sunday, fingers crossed) and would like to take advantage of the scheme to upgrade bikes. Don't really want to spend the full allowance, but would do if pushed.

So (eventually) I'm looking at a Cannondale CAAD 9 and a Cinelli Dinamo Veloce. The Cinelli looks a bit more comfy for sportives, if I'm being honest. The Cannondale can be specced with Tiagra (cheap end) up to Ultegra (top end) and I'm not sure if paying twice as much for the same bike with a better groupset and wheels is money well spent.

I have looked at the more pricey carbon framed bikes, but again, I'm not sure if the benefits are worthwhile given the extra cost?

I would appreciate any advice as to which bike to go for, and the right spec. Appreciate that there may be something more suitable out there which I haven't thought about, so any suggestions welcome.

Anonymous

A Cannondale Synapse looks like it would fit the bill nicely -

http://www.royles.biz/product/5091/Cannondale_Synapse_Carbon_Ultegra_Compact_Black_2010


Bit cheaper-

http://www.royles.biz/product/5092/Cannondale_Synapse_Carbon_105_Compact_Green_2010

Evil Laugh

Yep, synapse is a good shout. Got one here. No need for padded gloves ime, it soaks up everything and is especially kind on the hands. I suppose set up of the bike is important too but I still have mine with reasonable drop between seat and bars and have no probs at all.

yakubu22

Thanks all, I will have a look at a Synapse over the weekend, might be exactly what I need. Thanks again

yakubu22

Thanks both, after much MUCH thinking about what to get, went for the Synapse Carbon Ultegra, hoping to get it in a couple of weeks. Thanks for help, can't wait!

rich164h

How come you've got £2000 to spend? I thought all of the schemes were limited to £1000 (although I know that some shops "allow" you to top up a little bit, even though I think they're not supposed to).

Are you simply planning on adding £1000 of your own cash to the voucher?

Actually, thinking about it, I think the £1000 limit is just a consumer credit limit thing, so I guess that your employer has applied for a higher level of credit?

Evil Laugh

Mate I doubt you'll be disappointed at all. The only thing I didn't like about mine was the faulty 105 kit which I've since swapped for Force. I'll add that when it worked it was great and it was a fault common only to 105 kit.

Have fun!

That bike just makes me want to ride further and further. Back on it tomorrow after 2 months off due to an accident.

yakubu22

Spoke to guy at shop, who said the amount on the scheme is dependant on the employer. Three of the employers in my area have differing amounts from £500 to £2000. For the record, I have to wait approx 8 weeks now for delivery, backing-up many other comments on this forum about Cannondale lead times. Could have changed for another bike/brand but decided to sit it out for a few weeks.

alfablue

The employer can set a lower limit, but the upper limit is £1000 unless the employer has a Consumer Credit Licence (up to £1000 is covered under the OFT Group Licence). If the employer does have a credit licence then there is no limit other than any they might wish to apply.

yakubu22

Quick update - despite being informed I would have to wait 8 weeks, now told its being delivered on friday! Can't wait.