best bang for your buck upto £1000

mikey2341
mikey2341 Posts: 170
edited April 2012 in Road buying advice
Having just sold my road bike as I was sold the wrong size, I'm in the market to get a new one! I've got a budget of upto £1000. Now I'm quite happy to spend less and am certainly not a brand snob! The only criteria I really have are:
Must be 10 speed shimano compatible (to swap good wheels with TT bike as required), Aluminium frame (cant get my head around carbon for some reason) and suitable for a 5.10 person!

Having looked around, I quite like the Giant Defy's 1&2 can get the 1 for 900 and the 2 for 720, not sure if the 1 is worth the extra 180 quid...

Cannondale CAAd10 105 2011 - seams a very popular bike with a very highly regarded frame.

Boardman road comp or team, can get comp for 720 and team alu for 810.

being a tight yorkshireman (although now living over in the darkside!) I think the boardman team for 810 is the most attractive option (apart from halfords alleged monkey service).
What do people think, is it aswell spending any more to get the CAAD or does the Giant offer as much? Anything I've missed?

Comments

  • mr_poll
    mr_poll Posts: 1,547
    If you are living in the darkside my guess you are living on the cultured side of the Pennines. If so is Ribble not worth a look? Their shop is just south of Preston and they will measure you up for a bike so you don't get the wrong size again. You should be able to get their racelight 7005 with 105 group set for £950, as long as your happy with the other equipment.
  • desweller
    desweller Posts: 5,175
    Planet X? They're only in Rotherham, worth a visit?
    - - - - - - - - - -
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  • mikey2341
    mikey2341 Posts: 170
    solboy10 wrote:


    the 6.0 would also suit my needs I think, good find that, cheers!


    Looked at PX, think they are just doing carbon now, Alu is still my preferred choice. Ribble could be worth a visit, they are 30 mins away
  • letap73
    letap73 Posts: 1,608
    Try before you buy. Of the two you mentionned, you will find reviews stating that the caad 10 is the best aluminium frame that you can buy which makes it sound like a no brainer. However, the Defy has a relaxed geometry, the CAAD 10 (& the Canyon) has a more aggressive race orientated geometry.
  • Yeevia
    Yeevia Posts: 4
    Their shop is just south of Preston and they will measure you up for a bike so you don't get the wrong size again. You should be able to get their racelight 7005 with 105 group set for £950, as long as your happy with the other equipment.pet.gif
  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    CAAD 10 will also make for a good climbing bike if that is important to you as Cannondale have always climbed well.

    Personally I have always liked aluminium and CAAD is regarded as the best out there for the dosh. Over 25 years experience and investment in making Aluminium bikes has to be plus.
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • bigpikle
    bigpikle Posts: 1,690
    rode a CAAD10 105 in Gran Canaria last year, climbing up and down all day, and loved it. It was comfortable, handled well, even for a total novice at mountain descending and was light enough for me to get up everywhere, even as a pretty unfit newbie - helped by the fact it had a triple of course ;)

    I have a CAAD9 CX bike that is also a joy, although different geometry, and would have a CAAD10 in a heartbeat if that was what was in my sights.

    Depending on exactly what your looking for though, there is a Forme Longcliffe that comes in at the price, with Shimano and has mudguard clearance etc as well. Good looking bike.
    Your Past is Not Your Potential...
  • gwillis
    gwillis Posts: 998
    Im a Caadx owner and prior to owning it didn't think much about cannondale this bike changed my opinion for sure. I'll be looking to another in the future . Love the Alu frame
  • SR7492
    SR7492 Posts: 190
    Another one for the CAAD10 105 2011 - top notch bike :)
  • juankerr
    juankerr Posts: 1,099
    If CAAD10 is too racey then Cannondale do the Synapse in alloy this year. I've got the old Team with SRAM and certainly rate it although the H****** spanners monkeys are a variable bunch.