£1500 to spend - how many brands?!?!

Chris MB

Dear wise ones,

I have gradually been building up my miles each summer since taking up cycling 4 years ago. I mix work rides (40 mile round trip, 2/3 times a week) and a decent weekend ride 60 mile +. Afraid that other sporting commitments, becoming a father and scary roads limits my winter outings. I inherited an 2003 Giant OCR a few years back and made do with a frame that was too small and knackered chainset/cassette.

Finally made the decision to invest in something new and I am getting lost in all the brands and reviews. Of course the carbon vs. aluminum argument is causing me a headache but from reading various posts its seems to me that my budget is probably too light for carbon to be a sensible choice?

Basically looking for your advice on what might be a good choice. Tough question I know. Been to all the usual sites (Chain Reaction, Wiggle, Evans, Ribble, etc) and there are just sooooo many brands that I have never heard of. Also, is it safe to assume that the entry level bikes from classic names like Colnago (Prima, Arte 2.0) and Pinerello (FP1/2) are just not value for money? I probably already know the answer to that one!

Sorry if this has type of request has been posted a million times before but any advice would be hugely appreciated.

Cheers

solboy

The advice you will get on here is "go and test ride some bikes".

What i would say is for that money you will get a really nice bike. Opinions on frame material is one thing that seems to divide opinion. If i were you i would look at as many bikes in the flesh as possible but from a value for money perpsective some of the lesser known brands do build bikes as good as the likes of specialized and trek etc.

I would recommned the Focus range and i think Wiggle have 10% of at the moment so you could get a Focus Cayo Expert for abour £1250. I would also recommned looking at some of the Van Nicholas titanium bikes. Whatever you buy - for that money you will be getting a nice bike - just make sure it fits.

ShutUpLegs

Focus, Cannondale, Cube, Canyon all top brands to consider or shortlist

danowat

Kuota, Cube, Bianchi

A few more for the hat!

amaferanga

Planet X Nanolight

saintdracula

RALEIGH SP over your budget (4.5 stars)
Boardman Road Pro (lthough I suspect the roads will be clogged with them soon, and is 1.8k)
Bianchi Sempre also over your budget (4.5 stars


NOT giant/trek/wilier/pina

Save up a bit more then get some thing more expensive at around 1.8k

or wait to the end of season or buy 2010 bikes.


I find that the best way to enjoy a bike though is to actually be fit. I would rather be superfit and on a Carrera Virago than unfit and on a Pinarello lungavita

AND yeah, I'd test as many bikes as I could.

WAIT

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/giant-tc ... 54007.html

GIANT ACTUALLY YES

thel33ter

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBP ... ed-edition

That's what I'd go for.

Mr Dog

If you spend that much you won't end up with a polished turd. Go look at some carbon and take your pick. Don't be fooled by brand snobs.. its your cash.

58585

Personally I wouldn't think about spending this much money on a bike without knowing what I was after.

Then again if you are so lost in the choices I would honestly say don't worry, the differences are so small that you don't need to give it much thought if you aren't coming in with much experience. Buy one you like the look of

Just bear in mind tha itt's quite possible that you'll find out in 6 months that you wanted Campagnolo after all or that a standard chainset doesn't work for you.

Now, in your position I would go for a Canyon...

willy b

That 2010 tcr looks great! My mate has on and it's really nice. Stiff light and good quality. I'm a big fan of giants, and with your previous bike being a giant maybe look there.

Have you considered secondhand. You could get a storming bike for that money!

MICHAELCYCLES

Just had a quick fiddle on ribbles special editions and I built a very nice bike.

Ribble Sportive Bianco (Frame & Forks)
Full Ultegra 6700 Groupset
ITM Wheels
Deda Bars & Stem & Seatpillar
Vittoria Tyres
and Ultegra 6700 Pedals.

All for £25 under budget. One of my mates has just got a Bianco and its a crackin looking bike and got 10/10 in Cycling Weekly last month.

If someone handed me £1500, thats what I'd get!

rajMAN

Start with a proper bike fit and make the most of your money and I dont mean the Spaghetti Western Undertaker style measure up!! Thinking Cadence Sport, Bike Dynamics or Paul Hewitt (depending on your location).

roadiesean

I just never understand why everyone always looks first at new. For £1500 you could get an awesome second hand bike off here, the Bay, veloriders etc. Why give your money to the likes of Evans etc for second rate stuff when you can have legend for that sort of money.

I have a garage full of bikes that have cost me less than £1500 and they are all better than any of the ones you can buy new for the same. I'm not talking about buying Thrashed Tatt, but there are plenty of year or two old bikes that are MILES better than any of these.

Take a look on the Classifieds and if you can't see what you want all together, buy the bits and build it up, more fun that way ! My last bike cost me a total of £1400 and for that I got a brilliant superbike build with Red and sensational wheels, it just takes time.

Good luck !

markos1963

roadiesean wrote:

I just never understand why everyone always looks first at new. For £1500 you could get an awesome second hand bike off here, the Bay, veloriders etc. Why give your money to the likes of Evans etc for second rate stuff when you can have legend for that sort of money.

I have a garage full of bikes that have cost me less than £1500 and they are all better than any of the ones you can buy new for the same. I'm not talking about buying Thrashed Tatt, but there are plenty of year or two old bikes that are MILES better than any of these.

Take a look on the Classifieds and if you can't see what you want all together, buy the bits and build it up, more fun that way ! My last bike cost me a total of £1400 and for that I got a brilliant superbike build with Red and sensational wheels, it just takes time.

Good luck !

+1
I got an ex demo bike from a LBS. It had been used for a magazine test, the dealer put new tyres, chain, bar tape and pads on before sale. He gave me a years warrenty as well. I got a Orbea Onix Bira(rrp £1400) for £750 Bargain!!