€5k to €6k but which bike

w2darren

i want to buy a new road bike but i,m not sure which make or model as most makes argue there corner very well, I will be using it for about 3 times a week for rides about 50k to about 120k and more in the summer. (not racing yet but will be doing sport ifs)Comfort is important to me, and while i have the money i want a very good bike with first rate components, i have looked at Felt, Ridley and the new LOOK frame 695 ipack frame with dura ace set up and Trek, any advice is welcomed, thanks darren

maddog 2

You're in high-end territory there.....

The LOOK would be a definite candidate I think. At that price, they'll all be good, so go with the one you like the look of, and suits what you want to do with it (and fits, obviously). You just have to be careful you don't end up with a super stiff, low, race bike when really you wanted something comfy and sportive-y. This may mean a ti bike is an option too.

wildmoustache

E6k is about £5,100 which is a nice budget to play with.

If it was me I'd avoid the latest and greatest frame and instead get a pro-level frame that costs a bit less - such as the Canyon SLX / Aeroad.

I'd spend the balance on a top-end group (SR for me, Di2 if you are a Shimano man), and top-end wheels - perhaps Lightweights or Boras, and the obviously high-end everything else.

That would i think give you a better bike than a £3k frameset e.g. 695 (which looks lovely) with average wheels

Chip \'oyler

wildmoustache wrote:

E6k is about £5,100 which is a nice budget to play with.

If it was me I'd avoid the latest and greatest frame and instead get a pro-level frame that costs a bit less - such as the Canyon SLX / Aeroad.

I'd spend the balance on a top-end group (SR for me, Di2 if you are a Shimano man), and top-end wheels - perhaps Lightweights or Boras, and the obviously high-end everything else.

That would i think give you a better bike than a £3k frameset e.g. 695 (which looks lovely) with average wheels

Would it? the heart and soul of a bike is the frame - I'd always recommend getting the best frame you can afford. After the frame the wheels and tyres are the part that can affect how a bike rides. So spend as much as you can on the frame, then the wheels. If you have to hang off a 'lower' end groupset so be it. You always end up upgrading derailleurs, cassetes etc when they wear out anyway.

I would be wiling to bet that a £3k frameset with 105 would ride better than a £1k frameset with Dura Ace

spasypaddy

im in a similar position, attempting to spend £3k on a frameset is probably the hardest decision ive ever had to make. the 695 is probably the way to go if you dont want custom geo. i dont need custom geo due to being normally shaped

wildmoustache

Chip \'oyler wrote:

wildmoustache wrote:

E6k is about £5,100 which is a nice budget to play with.

If it was me I'd avoid the latest and greatest frame and instead get a pro-level frame that costs a bit less - such as the Canyon SLX / Aeroad.

I'd spend the balance on a top-end group (SR for me, Di2 if you are a Shimano man), and top-end wheels - perhaps Lightweights or Boras, and the obviously high-end everything else.

That would i think give you a better bike than a £3k frameset e.g. 695 (which looks lovely) with average wheels

Would it? the heart and soul of a bike is the frame - I'd always recommend getting the best frame you can afford. After the frame the wheels and tyres are the part that can affect how a bike rides. So spend as much as you can on the frame, then the wheels. If you have to hang off a 'lower' end groupset so be it. You always end up upgrading derailleurs, cassetes etc when they wear out anyway.

I would be wiling to bet that a £3k frameset with 105 would ride better than a £1k frameset with Dura Ace

Any pro level proven frame will perform simlarly to any other pro level frame. It's very hard to argue something like a Canyon SLX is inferior to other pro level frames, and in fact may well be better. . FWIW I own this and own/have owned other pro level frames.

Yes, you would be mad with this budget not to go for a pro-level proven frame but some cost about 3x others.

Once you've got the right frame, wheels are the next target I agree

CamR

Last year I went through a similar exercise. I ended up going for a Ridley Helium frame buit up to my spec (SRAM Red) and custom wheels. My preference was comfort and lightweight. I went round the local shops and arranged a test ride of several contenders. With the amount you are planning to spend I would expect the dealer to go out of their way to get you a demo bike. I was fortunate and managed to get my top 2 contenders for a weekend and could do back to back rides which helped me make my choice.

Cam