Choices choices

ducknumber1

Hi,

I'm struggling to chose what bike to get, you would've thought they'd have a forum for this sort of oh....

Anyway, I'm moving on from a bike to work special, Carrera Virtuoso, which was my first road bike.

For my next bike I'm down to 3 choices, all 2010 models-

Trek 1.1 £450 from LBS
Pinnacle Sentinal 1.0 £375 from €van$
GT GTR Series 3 £600 from €van$

The lure of each is quite simple, Trek is LBS, better service from my previous experience, GT has a decent spec, Pinnacle is cheap for what it is.

So, any advice out there?

MIght as well stick a quick poll on too.

ducknumber1

Thanks for the vote Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms Anonymous!

giant_man

Here we go, another 'what bike should I buy' thread.

OP, the answer if the one you like best after a test ride and the one which fits you best in your size .....

Bobbinogs

Agree with giant mancp. I would also add that you have quite a range in budget (£350 - £600) yet your choice of bikes seems narrow. Why not pop along to a few bike shops and see what else there is? Bikes like the Spesh Allez/Secteur spring to mind, and a Caad 8 with Sora (or £650 for a 2010 with Tiagra, which would tempt me). In fact, looking at some 2010 models there are some good bargains to be had, particularly if you get into a shop and constructively haggle.

Once you sit on a few, you will start getting an idea for the right kind of geo you like (racing, sportive, etc.) and your choice will soon be an obvious one that you make rather than everyone chipping in with their favourites.

ducknumber1

Thanks for the constructive advice, I'd kind of hoped that the clue of I'm down to 3 would indicate I have been out there round the shops and checked the options out, apologies if this did not come across.

giant_man

But have you got your leg over all three of them and tried them out?

ducknumber1

Yes, and to be honest the trek and pinnacle were pretty similar, whereas the gt felt better.

In the end it'll depend on how many beer vouchers I can bear to part with.

jonrwg

I'm exactly in your position last month and this 3 bike are the choices I've to make so I try them out in Evans, Birmingham. Agree with you on Trek & Pinnacle were fairly similar but the GT just felt better for me. So I bought the GT with good bargain with a good spec for a 2010 model.