Relaxed Geometry Shortlist

sparkins1972

Hi,

after a great deal of prannying around, I am finally started drawing up a shortlist of bikes I plan to test ride in the near future. I have realised that a full out speed machine is not what I need -the majority of my riding is solo stuff in the sticks where I can get out for long all day rides - speed is not my major concern, although like all cyclists I like to test myself. I have a budget of £1000 max which helps shorten the shortlist - so have I missed any out that I should be looking at:

Specialized Secteur Elite 105 Compact (would love Roubaix but out of my price range)
Cannondale CAAD8 - 105 Compact
Bianchi Via Nirone 105 Compact
Ribble Sportive
Giant Defy 2

Have I made any glaring omissions that I really ought to be considering?

thanks!

vorsprung

Tifosi CK7

vorsprung

Ridley Aeron TR

keef66

Cannondale Synapse

arlowood

Hi

With your budget you should be able to push for the higher specced Specialized Secteur Comp 2010. I rode it and the Secteur Elite recently at Leisure Lakes in Long Eaton. Both were on special offer - the Elite at £799 and the Comp at £999. Since they are both outgoing models you could probably haggle a few more quid off.

I liked both but could not stretch my budget to the Comp.

For the £999 you get the same frame geometry as the Roubaix except in Alu but with Zertz inserts on the front forks and rear seat stays. Also Shimano 105 Triple groupset.

They had a 58cm Comp sat in their showroom so if that's your size there would be no problem getting a test ride.

TMR

arlowood wrote:

For the £999 you get the same frame geometry as the Roubaix except in Alu but with Zertz inserts on the front forks and rear seat stays. Also Shimano 105 Triple groupset.

Two points just to clarify:

1. It isn't Shimano 105 throughout.

2. It has carbon forks.

I am going for a spin on a Secteur Comp this afternoon, I won't buy it though - my head has been turned by an Enigma.

What did you make of the Comp out of interest?

arlowood

The Mad Rapper wrote:

arlowood wrote:

For the £999 you get the same frame geometry as the Roubaix except in Alu but with Zertz inserts on the front forks and rear seat stays. Also Shimano 105 Triple groupset.

Two points just to clarify:

1. It isn't Shimano 105 throughout.

2. It has carbon forks.

I am going for a spin on a Secteur Comp this afternoon, I won't buy it though - my head has been turned by an Enigma.

What did you make of the Comp out of interest?

Hi Mad Rapper
The Leisure Lakes shop I visited is in a fairly built up suburban area with no real hills around to speak of. Consequently my test ride did not allow me to fully examine the hill climbing capabilities and feel. Nonetheless I was impressed with the ride of both bikes and would dearly have loved to stretch to the Comp. The riding position was a bit of a change from my old Mercian Audax steely but I felt the slightly more upright position was a benefit since I am now somewaht stricken in years. My objective was to find a good all round bike for summer fitness work and also some more serious sportive riding eventually.

Sadly my budget constrained me to buying the Secteur Elite but in the few miles I have ridden so far I am more than happy.