New Bike Advice (Pinarello FP2 Carbon 105 vs bTwin FC700)

deetee7101
deetee7101 Posts: 5
edited October 2010 in Road beginners
Hi all,

I'm kind of new to cycling, recently purchasing a hybrid bike for taking away on camping trips etc so I could go cycling with the kids. What seems to have happened though is I have become totally addicted and have decided to buy myself a proper road bike. I have been looking about and have a budget of around £1500. Two bikes that caught my eye and see to be good value for money are the Pinarello FP2 Carbon 105 and the bTwin FC700 (which I really like the look of!). I don’t seem to be able to find much information on the FC700 but apparently some pro team do use them. The FC700 has recently been reduced from £1499 to £1199 which I consider a bargain as it has a complete carbon frame, forks and seat post and comes complete with Look Keo classic pedals and shimano 105 groupset which is consider to be quiet good I'm told!

Can anyone offer and additional information as to which would be the better bike. I'm particularly interested in hearing from anyone who has bought and rides the FC700 as I am swaying towards it at the moment!!

Thanks,

Dave.

Comments

  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,463
    FP2 for me but only because I love the styling of the FP bikes.
  • deetee7101
    deetee7101 Posts: 5
    Yeah the FP2 bike does look the business, especially the Sky Team replica im my opinion. The FC700 aint bad looking either though:

    asset_15268931.jpg
  • petemadoc
    petemadoc Posts: 2,331
    pinarello-fp2-sky-med.jpg

    Looks better and from a dedicated race bike brand. You will look and feel better on the Pinarello. I'm assuming your looking at buying from Wiggle? If so test ride it first, you get 30 days to make your mind up. Can you test ride the btwin anywhere beforehand? Best buying the one that fits best.
  • gtitim
    gtitim Posts: 225
    its the pinarello all day long for me. Let us know which you go for.
  • deetee7101
    deetee7101 Posts: 5
    PeteMadoc wrote:

    Looks better and from a dedicated race bike brand. You will look and feel better on the Pinarello. I'm assuming your looking at buying from Wiggle? If so test ride it first, you get 30 days to make your mind up. Can you test ride the btwin anywhere beforehand? Best buying the one that fits best.

    I will most likely end up buying it from CRC if I go for the Pinarello as I live near their showroom in Northern Ireland. I popped round the other night and tried out a FP3 56cm which I felt very stretched out on so they are building a 55cm FP2 for me to try early next week. I have read that the Pinarello has a very sporty riding position which was another concern. I have just recovered from two buldging discs in my neck and would prefer a slightly more upright position when riding, although I have never felt any discomfort in my neck at spinning classes. The FC700 I have had a ride on round the store! It felt quiet comfortable but the assistant was very helpfull and was able to raise the bars a little by turning the stem? which had a 6 degree angle. I suppose this would be an option on the Pinarello aswell.

    I never thought buying a bike would be so difficult to be honest!
  • petemadoc
    petemadoc Posts: 2,331
    deetee7101 wrote:
    PeteMadoc wrote:

    Looks better and from a dedicated race bike brand. You will look and feel better on the Pinarello. I'm assuming your looking at buying from Wiggle? If so test ride it first, you get 30 days to make your mind up. Can you test ride the btwin anywhere beforehand? Best buying the one that fits best.

    I will most likely end up buying it from CRC if I go for the Pinarello as I live near their showroom in Northern Ireland. I popped round the other night and tried out a FP3 56cm which I felt very stretched out on so they are building a 55cm FP2 for me to try early next week. I have read that the Pinarello has a very sporty riding position which was another concern. I have just recovered from two buldging discs in my neck and would prefer a slightly more upright position when riding, although I have never felt any discomfort in my neck at spinning classes. The FC700 I have had a ride on round the store! It felt quiet comfortable but the assistant was very helpfull and was able to raise the bars a little by turning the stem? which had a 6 degree angle. I suppose this would be an option on the Pinarello aswell.

    I never thought buying a bike would be so difficult to be honest!

    I think only you can answer the question. If you've test ridden both then you'll know which one feels best for you. Not sure if you can get a feel for something riding it around a shop though.

    Bike enthusiasts will always like the Pinarello more though
  • velvetytoast
    velvetytoast Posts: 161
    I bought the FP2 a couple of weeks ago and have decided to change the stem from 120mm to 100mm as it felt a bit long - apart from that the whole experience on it has bee awsome - FP2 you won't regret it
  • deetee7101
    deetee7101 Posts: 5
    Thanks for the replys everyone, seems like the Pinarello gets the vote! Cant wait to try it next week.

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