Help and advice needed!!!!

davedvd4

Hi, im in the market for a new road bike. Currently have a Trek 1.5 2008 model.

I want to get a slightly better bike, but not go to daft as i use it all year round, even in the snow and ice!!

Cant decide what to go for next! I was looking at a Trek 2.3 or Giant. But i also looked at Ribble. Thing is with ribble i dont really know what options etc to go for.

I chose a few options which i will list here, any comments, advice or recomendations welcome. Thanks in advance

Frame
Ribble 7005 Ultralite Racing Frame 60.5cm (C to Top)
Headset
Ribble Headset Unbranded 1 1/8" Hidden (ITS) 45 x 45
Groupset
Campagnolo 2012 Veloce Black 10 Spd Double Groupset
Show Groupset Data
Wheels
Campagnolo Vento Reaction Black Clincher Wheels Pair 9/10/11 Camp
Handlebars
ITM Alutech 6061 (31.8) Bars Black 38cm
Handlebar Stem
ITM Alutech 6061 (31.8) Stem Black 120mm
Headset Spacers
CSN Headset Spacer Alloy 1 1/8'' 10mm Black
Saddle
Selle Italia XO Flow Saddle White
Seatpillar
CSN Superleggera Alloy Seatpillar Black 31.6 400mm
Tyres
Continental Ultra Sport Rigid Tyre 700x23mm White/Black
Inner Tubes
Prorace Inner Tube 700x20/23 SV42mm
Handlebar Tape
ITM Cork Embossed Handlebar Tape Black
Price excluding Pedals: £882.20
Approx Weight ex Pedals: 0.000
Pedals: No Pedals currently selected.
Total Price inc Pedals: £882.20

fuzzynavel

If you are in the market for a new bike....why not get something decent fro the dry miles and use your old bike through the winter?

The-beast

fuzzynavel wrote:

If you are in the market for a new bike....why not get something decent fro the dry miles and use your old bike through the winter?

+1

ALaPlage

The Ribble won't be any better than your current Trek to be honest. I agree with the other posters here that if you are advancing your cycling and looking for a better bike then invest in the best you can afford and keep your Trek for winter training.

Assuming road cycling is your thing then a lighter bike will make some difference to your cycling experience. Obvious route is to go for a Carbon frame although this is not for everyone but in the main will give you a lighter frame.

If you like your Trek why not take a look at the Madone series. Carbon models with Ultegra from around £1600 if you shop around.

davedvd4

Hi,

Im more a mountain biker than road. I would love to keep my current bike and get a new one for the (Supposedly) dry summer. But i just dont have room to store any more bikes, hence the replacement. Dont get me wrong i do plenty of miles on the road, but i dont think a carbon frame etc would be suited to ploughing through snow and ice!

Cheers for the input on the ribble, think i might see what deals are about for a 2011 bike and take it from there

ALaPlage

I don't see why a carbon frame bike would not be suitable for winter riding but I appreciate everyone have their own views on frame preferences. They make carbon framed cyclocross bikes for ploughing through mud and crud and cyclocross race series are run through the winter so maybe you do not need to discount carbon as a material option.

Maybe a cyclocross bike such as the Ridley Crossbow may be an option to consider. You can put slightly fatter tyres on for your winter riding as it has the clearances to do this and swap over to road tyres for the spring/summer/autumn. Can be found with Shimano 105 for about £1k.

If I was wanting a newer bike than the 08 Trek 1.5 you currently ride I may also consider a Cannondale CAAD 10 105 or if you like the ride of your Trek something like the 2.3 which can both be found for about £1k.

Ribbles are good bikes from what I hear from friends who own or have owned although all those tended to have the Ribble 7005 as a secondary training bike for winter training. Still think it won't give you any better riding experience than your current bike though.

For me moving from an alloy bike to Carbon had a big difference due to the reduction in weight (went from 21lbs to 15lbs) and encouraged me to ride a lot more - hills were noticeably easier to start with and actually changed my mindset from disliking hills to enjoying them! Psychological I know but as the lighter bike made me feel my usual hills were easier I started to enjoy them more!

Whatever you decide to do ensure you get to try out your shortlist so you get a good ride feel and fit.

nochekmate

....and talking about fit, 38cm bars seem very narrow for somebody looking at a 60cm frame.