Just tell me what to buy I'm going mad

ajmooseman
ajmooseman Posts: 32
edited August 2010 in Road buying advice
As a Dark side rider i was introduced to the London To Brighton this year, with advise that my 5.5 inch FS was not best tool for the job I borrowed a road bike.
Having an absolute fab day, the addition of the Tour de France and also being challenged to do a mini Triathlon :roll: I got the all clear from her in doors to add to my 2 wheel collection. I set a budget of grand which seems to be popular :lol: I've read and read the net, posts on here CW and now I'm lost.

Do I need 105? should I be getting carbon? do I need to get to the £1000??

One thing I like is a bargain, the other is to be different :D

The cheap option
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Road_Sale/33/ ... 360050264/

The different option
http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/gary-fis ... 58658.html

A bargain option
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop ... LT-F75.htm

The carbon option
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/specialed ... ERC&bike=1


so their you go lads fill your boots with opinions, insults and general banter :o I'm happy to take it all.

the bike will be used for general mile munching the baby triathlon, maybe another one if I finish but nothing to extreme and the odd ride with the neighbour and his club you let me borrow a bike for the L2B.

Comments

  • danowat
    danowat Posts: 2,877
    TBH, any of those would serve you well, the Felt looks good though, as does the corratec, Tiagra is fine.

    Do you NEED 105?, need?, probably not, want is a different matter, probably the same with a carbon frame, again, need vs want (although people will say they ride better)

    Best bet is to get to a shop and try some out, pick the best one that fits you, and you like the look of.
  • much as I hate to suggest it cos Im a brand whore - what about Boardman or planet x both get great reviews and offer great value
  • Phate
    Phate Posts: 121
    I'm also in a complete quandry as to what to buy!

    Have the cyclescheme limit of a grand but would like to keep 150-200 for clothing and accessories!

    Currently doing a 15mile commute on a scabby old MTB and have never ridden a drop bike so had been thinking of going with a cyclox, mostly due to the wider tyres and it being a bit sturdier for the terrible roads and cobbles in edinburgh city centre. I am now starting to think more towards a road bike because you appear to get a much better spec for the money!

    Currently stuck between 3 bikes

    Genesis Vapour £850

    Spesh Tricorss sport £850

    Ribble 7005 Winter Audax with 105 double compact £800

    What should I do?
    exercise.png
  • specialized allez always seem to be well specced started road bikes and might be worth a look.
  • Phate
    Phate Posts: 121
    specialized allez always seem to be well specced started road bikes and might be worth a look.

    Had a look but for a similar spec allez to the ribble I would be looking nearer £1200!
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  • Gazzaputt
    Gazzaputt Posts: 3,227
    Look of the Felt at that price looks great.
  • Get the ribble, their bikes are bloody bargains.

    The new Evo Pro with 6700 Ultegra is less than £1100.

    I bet none of the other bikes are as highly specced as that.

    http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/specialed ... ERC&bike=1
  • Hello?!!!!!!
    this is a frickin bargain !

    http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBP ... n-sram-red
  • jackp
    jackp Posts: 48
    Hello?!!!!!!
    this is a frickin bargain !

    http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBP ... n-sram-red
    i was looking at that the other day-thinking if it was a miss price
    gr8 bargin if dont mind waiting
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    Hello?!!!!!!
    this is a frickin bargain !

    http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBP ... n-sram-red

    I'm half tempted to stick "It's not SRAM Red," as my signature this comes up so often.
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • Thanks for all the replys guys

    I'm 99% that I'm going for the felt, found a review last night and it seems to fit perfectly for what I need. It also £150 under the grand mk which means I can get a decent set of lights for hooning though the woods on the other machine in the winter months.
  • OK I'm going to push the button on the FELT there's an extra 10% of over the bank holiday, I decided to go for a triple, just stuck on the size, I always though I need a 56cm frame, I'm 6'1", Taken a quick look at felt size guide and it suggests I need a 60cm!!!

    Advise please link to felt size guide below, it's a F75

    http://www.feltbicycles.com/United-King ... Chart.aspx
  • Have you considered steel is real? In my experience far better than cheap to manufacture aluminium coke can massed produced generic marketeering spin.
    Steel will last a lifetime, and tubes are beautifully thin like pencils (something like Tange Prestige) and is comfy, yet stiff and has a wonderful 'spring' when you ride.
    Truth is you MUST test ride everything, weather Felt, Spesh etc. A decision cannot be made on the internet or on the basis of a discount.
    Test ride this one of these at Evans if you are in London to see what i mean (fantastic discount and 105 as well):

    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cha ... e-ec020527
  • london-red
    london-red Posts: 1,266
    I'm the same height, and 58 fits me perfectly. Some would go 60, but I prefer a smaller frame with higher saddle to a larger frame. Saying that, I don't need much height added to the bars on either my commuter or Sunday best.

    I bought my bike over the internet, un tested - haven't had a problem.
  • london-red
    london-red Posts: 1,266
    Oh, and fwiw I\d go Ribble. I think. Maybe Felt.
  • Thanks LR

    I'm going 58, with the added 10% this weekend I think it's a real bargain.

    @felt so good
    did my maths wrong it will £800 not £750 but still a bargain IMO.


    Still going to tell the wife it was a grand though, gives me room for a few bits for the Turner!
    :D:D
  • Mad Roadie
    Mad Roadie Posts: 710
    A nice new Felt - post some pictures then when you have it
  • dru
    dru Posts: 1,341
    do you really need the triple?
  • Dru wrote:
    do you really need the triple?

    I hope not! but on the other hand as I'm a least a stone over weight at the moment, live in the middle of the pennines and used to sitting back on a soft sloppy MTB I'm going to go for the triple just in case!!