Which would suit me best ?

JimboM

As per previous posts I've been looking at getting my first road bike through my company's cycle to work scheme but the cycling gods have thrown a bit of a spanner in the works as it doesn't look like Cannondale are doing an alloy Synapse 105 in 2012 and the new Cube Peloton Race just looks hideous. (2011 versions are not out of stock via Halfords)

So I'm reconsidering my options and may just buy a bike outright but that obviously opens up a few more choices. Given the following which bike is most likely to suit me best...

1. I'm 40 and totally unfit
2. Bike will mainly be used for a 5 mile commute and club rides at weekends
3. I'm not likely to do any high speed racing but the idea of the odd Audax does appeal
4. I live in Surrey so more hills than Norfolk but it's no Lake District

Currently considering (all 2011 models)

Cannondale CAAD10 105 - £999 (only compact crank seems to be available though)
Focus Cayo 105 - £1099
Cube Attempt - £999

Any advice much appreciated

Cheers

Jim

Irvinet

JimboM wrote:

1. I'm 40 and totally unfit
2. Bike will mainly be used for a 5 mile commute and club rides at weekends
3. I'm not likely to do any high speed racing but the idea of the odd Audax does appeal
4. I live in Surrey so more hills than Norfolk but it's no Lake District
Cannondale CAAD10 105 - £999 (only compact crank seems to be available though)

No experience with any of those bikes, but based on points 1-4 above I would have thought that a compact crankset was a pretty good idea.

No shame in having the right gears.

JimboM

Irvinet wrote:

No experience with any of those bikes, but based on points 1-4 above I would have thought that a compact crankset was a pretty good idea.

No shame in having the right gears.

My thinking was that with my lack of fitness I would need a triple ?

Irvinet

JimboM wrote:

Irvinet wrote:

No experience with any of those bikes, but based on points 1-4 above I would have thought that a compact crankset was a pretty good idea.

No shame in having the right gears.

My thinking was that with my lack of fitness I would need a triple ?

Ah! Even better. Sorry, I misunderstood.

keef66

Me too.

Yes, go for a triple if you can find one. I did and haven't regretted it for a moment.

Somebody will be along in a moment extolling the virtues of the compact double.

Fat-Boy-Roubaix

Get a compact double, so much better ratios

mouth

JimboM wrote:

Focus Cayo 105 - £1099

Either you're very lucky or I've misunderstood, but isn't the cap on a cycle to work scheme normally £1000?

JimboM

Mouth wrote:

JimboM wrote:

Focus Cayo 105 - £1099

Either you're very lucky or I've misunderstood, but isn't the cap on a cycle to work scheme normally £1000?

Yes, the cap is £1k for C2W but as I can't get the bikes I really wanted under the scheme (have to go via Halfords and they had no stock left) I'm looking at just buying the bike myself. I'll lose out on the tax saving but hopefully will pretty much make this up by buying a 2011 bike at a discount. I know the Focus is still full price but wiggle may do another special discount code

andrewlwood

JimboM wrote:

Mouth wrote:

JimboM wrote:

Focus Cayo 105 - £1099

Either you're very lucky or I've misunderstood, but isn't the cap on a cycle to work scheme normally £1000?

Yes, the cap is £1k for C2W but as I can't get the bikes I really wanted under the scheme (have to go via Halfords and they had no stock left) I'm looking at just buying the bike myself. I'll lose out on the tax saving but hopefully will pretty much make this up by buying a 2011 bike at a discount. I know the Focus is still full price but wiggle may do another special discount code

C2W saves you naff all on tax these days. You won't have any trouble with the compact in Surrey, and you won't need a triple. All other things being equal (i.e. fit), I'd get the Cannondale. Fab bike, good frame, that's a decent price for it too.

Irvinet

JimboM wrote:

Yes, the cap is £1k for C2W but as I can't get the bikes I really wanted under the scheme (have to go via Halfords and they had no stock left) I'm looking at just buying the bike myself. I'll lose out on the tax saving but hopefully will pretty much make this up by buying a 2011 bike at a discount. I know the Focus is still full price but wiggle may do another special discount code

If you are not doing C2W then have a serious look at your second hand options. As long as you have your wits about you there is a good chance to get quite a lot of bike for the sort of cash you are looking at.

Normal warnings apply but at least take a look at e-bay for everything in your frame size with a triple.

MichaelW

Do you want to fit mudguards and a luggage rack on your commuter bike; if so, get a road bike with sufficient clearance and with a set of threaded eyelets. You can clip, ziptie or velcro the bits on, but bolts are always a superior way of fitting.