Spesh reviews

NickintheLakes
NickintheLakes Posts: 258
edited February 2012 in Road buying advice
These look a bit contradictory. As far as I know the frame is the same - or am I wrong?

This one rides plush and comfy plus handles well:

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-specialized-secteur-comp-10-35380

And this is a bit of a dog but suggests that it's all in the tyres:

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-specialized-secteur-elite-12-45863

Comments

  • Fat-Boy-Roubaix
    Fat-Boy-Roubaix Posts: 413
    Good review is a 2009 bike & Review

    Bad is 2012 Bike & Review.

    With material costs increasing at 10+% year on year and big brands needing to hit price points something has to give..
  • NickintheLakes
    NickintheLakes Posts: 258
    Fat-Boy-Roubaix wrote:
    Good review is a 2009 bike & Review

    Bad is 2012 Bike & Review.

    With material costs increasing at 10+% year on year and big brands needing to hit price points something has to give..

    Is the frame different then?
  • Bobbinogs
    Bobbinogs Posts: 4,841
    Different models (Comp vs Elite) but the main difference will probably be the frames. The 2010 Comp used an E5 frame whereas the 2012 Elite (and Comp now) uses an A1.

    My 2010 Elite also has the A1 frame and I find it dependable but uninspiring even with good tyres although sticking some RS80s on makes it feel a lot more zippy. Roll on spring time.
  • wishitwasallflat
    wishitwasallflat Posts: 2,927
    edited February 2012
    Betcha - it's as much to do with the two reviews having been written by different people than any real difference in the frames. Yes the spec is different (and reduced in the later model as others point out) but the reviews comment on the frames so that should only have been one sub-element of the review difference. I reckon you have to take every C+ review with a big pinch of salt and IMHO in every review, even where they present the reeivew or comaprison they are doing as considering the particular merits/qualities of that style of bike the sportier, racier bikes always comes out on top cause that's what their reviewers like!

    I love the phrase about chiropractors and chronometers though - sarcastic but true - BUT - I don't think anyone ever bought a Sectuer on speed (and if they were sold one on that basis by a Spesh authorised dealer shame on them :evil: ) it's the rider position that's the key selling point. I love my 2011 Elite APEX and I know it's never going to be a fast bike (even if I spent £++00s on upgrades) but that's irrelevant to me I ride for fitness and joy.
  • wishitwasallflat
    wishitwasallflat Posts: 2,927
    Sorry I should have added my 2011 doesn't have zerts inserts in the seatstays just the fork - the 2012 review bike does so that is defo different on those models.
  • alihisgreat
    alihisgreat Posts: 3,872
    The older model is going to have a different frame, different components (wheels etc.) and they are being compared against different bikes.

    the 2009 model may have stacked up well against 2009 competitors... but the 2012 model may struggle to keep up with 2012's new bikes.
  • jameses
    jameses Posts: 653
    ALIHISGREAT wrote:
    the 2009 model may have stacked up well against 2009 competitors... but the 2012 model may struggle to keep up with 2012's new bikes.

    This. Although it does seem like a bit of fall in just 6 months:
    http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... r-11-44235
    Odd that it should be a more comfortable ride using the same grade alu but without the carbon seatstays!
  • NickintheLakes
    NickintheLakes Posts: 258
    JamesEs wrote:
    ALIHISGREAT wrote:
    the 2009 model may have stacked up well against 2009 competitors... but the 2012 model may struggle to keep up with 2012's new bikes.

    This. Although it does seem like a bit of fall in just 6 months:
    http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... r-11-44235
    Odd that it should be a more comfortable ride using the same grade alu but without the carbon seatstays!

    I guess nothing beats getting on a bike and riding it for yourself. :)

    I have been reading the BR reviews of bikes and they are ok plus they are free so I can't complain but I don't set any great store by them.

    Looks like a bit of a lack of consistency but as someone has said - but different testers = different results.
  • alihisgreat
    alihisgreat Posts: 3,872
    JamesEs wrote:
    ALIHISGREAT wrote:
    the 2009 model may have stacked up well against 2009 competitors... but the 2012 model may struggle to keep up with 2012's new bikes.

    This. Although it does seem like a bit of fall in just 6 months:
    http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... r-11-44235
    Odd that it should be a more comfortable ride using the same grade alu but without the carbon seatstays!

    Its not odd... they are saying the frame is good for a £600 bike... but not good enough for a £1000 bike.

    there is no inconsistency there.

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