Willier Izoard Vs Any other!

bigrider

Hi Everyone

I have had a search through and couldn't find any threads specific to this question. Sorry if there is, and I have missed it.

I am looking at spending around the £2500 on a new machine.

At the moment the Willier Izoard is coming out tops in close contention with the Giant TCR Advanced 2. The Willier is just stunning and the reviews are also good but some others suggest that the Giant would be suitable.

I am looking for a bike that will be a good all rounder. Comfortable on long rides and be capable of racing also. So could do with some advice if anyone has any.

The more I search the more names crop up such as Cervelo R3, Bianchi C2C and Cube so please can anyone help shed some light on what I should go for. I got some hard sportives coming up and would love to be riding on a new bike, if I can decide on what I want!!!

Please help.

slunker

got an Izoard myself and do racing/training and sportives on it. Very comfortable on long rides and also lively and light for racing. Got mine built to 7kg. But most of all it looks stunning imo.

fungus_the_muffin_man

Bianchi infinito.

stunning bike with race credentials ( 2009 giro d' Italia) plus comfy enough for sportives. And bang on your price point.

DROOL!

miurasv

My brother has a 2010 Izoard and loves it. He did have a 2010 Cannondale Super Six which was as good in his opinion but preferred the look of the Wilier and he just loves Italian bikes. I was looking at it last night and it is indeed a stunning bike.

ALaPlage

You have to try the bikes for yourself to see what fits and feels right. If you are looking for other contenders for the shortlist I would recommend the Trek Madone 5.2, Pinarello FP3 and Bianchi Infinito (personal choice would be the Ultegra groupo).

I had the Izoard on my shortlist but after a test ride I didn't get on with the geometry plus it felt a bit light on the front going round corners. After trying a friends Trek Madone 4.7 I was hooked and went and found myself a Madone 5.9 which for me is just spot on - in training for AMR ride London to Paris in July and up to 4hrs and 70 miles in the saddle and comfort has been fine.

The other bike I was really impressed with was the Bianchi Infinito but availability was poor a couple of months ago. I also have ridden a friends Pinarello FP3 and that too is a confident inspiring ride - overall I am ecstatic with my Trek Madone and would recommend you take a look at least.

www.richtreen.co.uk

I test rode both the Bianchi Infinito and Willier Izoard recently when trying to make a similar decision.

Both where great bikes and a big step up from a heavy aluminum framed bike, overall the Wilier was the bike for me and I am currently awaiting delivery of my frameset which seems to be taking some time unfortunately. All the other parts for the build are here though.

As others have said you need to get some test rides, had decent length rides both which helped to make the choice. In the end I plumped for the one that I felt rode and looked the best.

Wamas

Scott CR1 or Colnago Ace are worth considering.

I love my Scott, comfortable, but also feels really fast.

huuregeil

I'd also second a test ride - I took an Izoard out for one a couple of weeks ago and found myself by being surprisingly unimpressed by it, while someone else I know loved it! For me it lacked a little something, it wasn't quite as sharp as I'd hoped, but as a compromise bike it could be just the thing.

Other suggestions:

Look 566 (having had a Look in the past, they really do hit a good compromise between race-worthiness and all day riding pleasure).
Ridley Excalibur.
Eddy Merckx EMX3

giant_man

I's such a personal thing, and a test ride is really the only way to deterimine which bike to go for. Wilier and Giant are very good at arranging demo rides, so if you contact the distributor and go from there .... whereabouts are you?

kingrollo

The Iozard is a great looking bike - and was one my shortlist last year. In the end I didn't go for it mainly due to the high cost for an ultegra version - against what I thought was a comparable bike - Kuota Kharma.

From the tone of your email - I would say your heart is with the wilier - so would go with that.....Pinarello FP3 and Colnago CLX are other good bikes

miurasv

kingrollo wrote:

The Iozard is a great looking bike - and was one my shortlist last year. In the end I didn't go for it mainly due to the high cost for an ultegra version - against what I thought was a comparable bike - Kuota Kharma.

From the tone of your email - I would say your heart is with the wilier - so would go with that.....Pinarello FP3 and Colnago CLX are other good bikes

My brother had a Kuota Kharma and according to him the Izoard he has now is definately stiffer, more responsive and more comfortable. The Izoard has a carbon steerer whereas it's alloy on the Kharma. The Kharma frame, excellent though it is and top vfm, can't be compared to the justifiably more expensive Izoard. Just my brother's opinion btw.

what brakes

I liked the Izoard so much i now have 2! one with centaur and one with Chorus.

Its such a nice responsive frame you jst have to keep going faster to test it...

I will however be selling the centaur version or even both in the next month as i really want a helix tit frame, or the Wilier Imperiele... so cant afford to keep both!

kingrollo

miurasv wrote:

kingrollo wrote:

The Iozard is a great looking bike - and was one my shortlist last year. In the end I didn't go for it mainly due to the high cost for an ultegra version - against what I thought was a comparable bike - Kuota Kharma.

From the tone of your email - I would say your heart is with the wilier - so would go with that.....Pinarello FP3 and Colnago CLX are other good bikes

My brother had a Kuota Kharma and according to him the Izoard he has now is definitely stiffer, more responsive and more comfortable. The Izoard has a carbon steerer whereas it's alloy on the Kharma. The Kharma frame, excellent though it is and top vfm, can't be compared to the justifiably more expensive Izoard. Just my brother's opinion btw.

Fair enough I couldn't get to ride both. An ultegra izoard was coming in at 2600 - where as the kuota ultegra with xero wheels was 1700 - I wasn't sure anyway - but the price difference pushed me towards the kuota. I find it very comfy - but would agree it isn't that stiff - esp compared to my old alu pinarello

miurasv

kingrollo wrote:

miurasv wrote:

kingrollo wrote:

The Iozard is a great looking bike - and was one my shortlist last year. In the end I didn't go for it mainly due to the high cost for an ultegra version - against what I thought was a comparable bike - Kuota Kharma.

From the tone of your email - I would say your heart is with the wilier - so would go with that.....Pinarello FP3 and Colnago CLX are other good bikes

My brother had a Kuota Kharma and according to him the Izoard he has now is definitely stiffer, more responsive and more comfortable. The Izoard has a carbon steerer whereas it's alloy on the Kharma. The Kharma frame, excellent though it is and top vfm, can't be compared to the justifiably more expensive Izoard. Just my brother's opinion btw.

Fair enough I couldn't get to ride both. An ultegra izoard was coming in at 2600 - where as the kuota ultegra with xero wheels was 1700 - I wasn't sure anyway - but the price difference pushed me towards the kuota. I find it very comfy - but would agree it isn't that stiff - esp compared to my old alu pinarello

There is no doubt about the Kuota Kharma being an excellent bike and really superb value.

bigrider

Thanks for all the advice guys, hopefully get out and test ride a few bikes this week!!!

Dodger747

I've literally just bought an Izoard today. Absolutely stunning in the flesh and from my test rides superb handling etc.

And now a bit of porn...

Supergoose

Izoard for me, this is my 2nd! Amazing frame. 8)

bigrider

Still not decided guys!
(
I've now been offered a Specialized Tarmac Expert 2009 @ £2150 (Ultegra)
and also the Specialized Tarma Pro 2009 @ £2600 (SRAM Red/Force mix)

Now I'm really confused. All these bikes have great reviews. I have now test rode most and feel confortable on all.

Just not sure which would be best VALUE for the money.

Anonymous

bigrider wrote:

Still not decided guys!
(
I've now been offered a Specialized Tarmac Expert 2009 @ £2150 (Ultegra)
and also the Specialized Tarma Pro 2009 @ £2600 (SRAM Red/Force mix)

Now I'm really confused. All these bikes have great reviews. I have now test rode most and feel confortable on all.

Just not sure which would be best VALUE for the money.

Mate, you have reached the point where vanity takes over!

Which one looks the best / does it for you?

bigrider

Yeh get your point NapoleonD.

The look of the bike is always in mind, but trying to be sensible and go for value here...honest!!

kingrollo

NapoleonD wrote:

bigrider wrote:

Still not decided guys!
(
I've now been offered a Specialized Tarmac Expert 2009 @ £2150 (Ultegra)
and also the Specialized Tarma Pro 2009 @ £2600 (SRAM Red/Force mix)

Now I'm really confused. All these bikes have great reviews. I have now test rode most and feel confortable on all.

Just not sure which would be best VALUE for the money.

Mate, you have reached the point where vanity takes over!

Which one looks the best / does it for you?

Couldn't agree more.

forget the spec, which one is fastest - as Napd says which one makes you go wow !

if that still doesn't separate them go for the cheapest - or ring each shop asking for there best deal