which bike >£1500

mkviken

hi

I'm coming from mountain bikes to road bikes but have no experience with these.

can anyone recommend a good bike for up to £1500

i would like to spend around a grand but if its worth it don't mind paying the extra if it will last me longer - i don't want to buy a bike and have to upgrade in a year or 2.

im 6ft 4 so require a large frame also.



i like the look of the trek 2.1/2.3 or possibly 3.1 if its really worth the extra £. the specialised allez seems good and is a brand i know so would consider this.

i like the look of the giant defy 1 and but are the frames big enough for my height? large is 58cm - i think i need 60cm+


any advice appreciated thanks

kentphil

I don't think you'd get a bad bike for £1000 to £1500. Trek/Giant/Specialized are all good bikes. I'd spend slightly less than £1500, but perhaps pay a bit extra to upgrade the wheels, as this is where the companies cut they're costs and would bring the biggest gain for the money.

shutt015

I was in the same possition as you untill today - I have gone for a Cube Agree Gtc carbon frame with 105 running gear - As it goes it was the best ridding possition for me out of Bianchi, Trek, Ribble ans Specialized. This to is my first bike but didnt want to upgrade next year. In a sale at LBS for 1020 from 1259. I see this a the deal of the year as at 17lb and 105 also Easton wheels - The test ride really was conformation. Rollon Sunday
Regards

Chris

mkviken

ok thanks i will look into cube

im not sure who sells them locally to me. they are beautiful looking bikes though

it makes sense to go for a bike towards the lower end of my budget and fit better wheels.

shutt015

Honest as far as I can see - This is not experiance speaking though - Cube seem to have this sector covered for all the right reasons, Good frame, Good wheels, Good running gear, ect - Escape bike shop near Ingleton yorkshire dales or Evans as a National set up. Unless you are super fit and expect to win the tour de france - you really cant go wrong at this price.
All the best
Chris

mkviken

had a look on cube website and they look the business and are very well spec'd like you say

which model did you go for?

love the look of the gtc pro but that would be top end of my budget!

shutt015

I went for the Cube agree Gtc - Not the pro - if you search this in google they come up for 1250 ish, I looked at the pro but I cant justify the extra. Maybe check paulcyles also as these have some good deals on also.

mkviken

there is a local dealer to me cycle centre uk doing them for £1133

http://www.cyclecentreuk.co.uk/m11b0s6p ... Speed-2012

or the gtc pro for £1400

i think the only real difference is the pro has lighter wheels?



do you know what the difference is between the normal and the compact versions?

shutt015

I guess the difference would be a normal set up is a triple on the front and a double meaning two cogs on the front - I was a little skeptical about a double but a test confirmed I could cope - the rear has a larger cog so I managed hill riding.

mkviken

ah right so a compact doesn't necessarily mean its a smaller bike?

I'm going to look at a few today - i saw some nice trek 2's yesterday but they look a little plain to be honest though they're well thought out with inside cable routing etc

Kingy911

Standard and compact groupsets are a whole new ball game, try searching in the topic bar, but be warned, its a minefield ;-)

Mkviken, compact means the gearing ratio, nothing to do with the frame size, compacts are set up for those who like to climb hills (why, I don't know), anyway you will soon understand the addiction of cycling and say goodbye to any spare cash in your pocket !!!!!

Graham1426

I too have a Cube Agree GTC, and can whole heartily reccommend it, i have upgraded the wheels with Shimano RS80 C24's, they really suit the bike.

ianbar

1500 could get you a van nicholas mistral, titanium silky smooth and totally classy!

TheEnglishman

Lots of manufacturers are bringing or about to bring out 2013 models so there's already starting to be discounted 2012 models in the shops.

Have a look around as I've seen manufacturers lowering next years price, along with the specification!

CrouchingPig

I got my Canondale supersix 105 for £1,500 from Westbrook.

Lovely bike.

Vouch for the Cube Agree's too, lovely looking things.

mkviken

i went to a few shops today and saw a few i like but there was some problems

like the look of the giant defy 1 but now xl frames left for 2012, same story for all the cube agree gtc except for the Di2

one shop is getting a large stock of trek in a couple of weeks.

like the look of the trek mad one 3.1 - they had a 2012 model but it was a medium

the new domane 2.3 looks god too at a good price so worth considering but i would prefer a carbon bike


the thing I'm finding is large frames are never in stock in shops so looks like my bike will have to be ordered so no deals really.

mkviken

i went to evans cycles today and saw a few decent bikes within budget but most were ally

i was advised to get a carbon bike instead, even if it meant sacrificing on some other parts.

i was told to just upgrade to 105 or ultrega over time but the carbon frame and decent wheels are something to build from



also i was told to hang on a couple of weeks until 2013 models come out as i may find a 2012 bargain but as i need an xl frame this might be tricky?


so it looks like a cube will be very hard to find, but was told to try focus and i really like the look of trek but can't decide on the model


anyone with any pointers?

thanks

stoneb09

The frame will most likely outlive the groupset anyway so make sure you go for a bike that has the best frame you can get. Specialized make some very nice frames along with Trek and Cube and, as you have noticed have some nice bikes for your budget!

Good luck in finding you first roadie

Gladiator

Get a Cube. brilliant bike for the money and the spec is always better than anything else in the price range.

Michael J

The best advice would be to make use of this very website and click on "Bikes and Gear" then "Bikes". You can filter out bikes (slightly) above your budget and get chapter and verse on all the options. I was in a similar position to you and was going to go for the Cube but then decided to spend a little bit more and went for the Wilier XP Izoard Ultegra. Light, fast and drop dead gorgeous (at least I think so!). Good luck!

mkviken

had another looka round today and think I'm set on either the trek domane 4.0 or the madone 3.1

i can get a decent deal on a 2013 version of the trek;s and a food deal on this years giant tcr

the shop said the domane is more comfortable and has a great frame but the giant is great value, a great from but is more 'racey'


anyone got any experience with either of these 3 bikes?

is the giant tar suitable for the road or is a more suited race bike?

mkviken

right;

narrowed it down to a 60cm Focus cayo 3 or a 61cm specialised roubaix

can get either for £1200



anyone know which would bet best suited?

is the cayo much more 'sporty' or uncomfortable? how much better does it handle/accelerate?


roubaix probably more comfort?
cayo 3 has a better spec (105 vs tiagra)
both have same wheels


can decide which i like the look of best but want to choose the best suited to me.


i test rode a ridley orion 105 today and it was excellent - its more a roubaix style bike. the basic wheels put me off a bit so decided on the specialized or focus

i want to get one ordered asap as I'm sick of looking now and both of these are in stock and the right size!