Just tell me what to buy I'm going mad

ajmooseman

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 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

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 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.

danowat

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.

godihatehills

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

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?

waterford45

specialized allez always seem to be well specced started road bikes and might be worth a look.

Phate

waterford45 wrote:

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!

Gazzaputt

Look of the Felt at that price looks great.

MICHAELCYCLES

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

godihatehills

Hello?!!!!!!
this is a frickin bargain !

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

jackp

godihatehills wrote:

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

godihatehills wrote:

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.

ajmooseman

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.

ajmooseman

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

aloadofpants

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

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

Oh, and fwiw I\d go Ribble. I think. Maybe Felt.

ajmooseman

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!

Mad Roadie

A nice new Felt - post some pictures then when you have it

dru

do you really need the triple?

ajmooseman

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!!