suggestions for a mile crunching comfy bike £2k limit

ianbar

currently riding a caad8 tiagra but feeling its time to upgrade. i don't really want a hard nosed full on racing bike but something to crunch lots of miles. I'm 6'3 if this makes any difference to suggestions. i feel something comfy to keep me in the saddle is important, but the bike still need to be sexy! i have looked so far at roubaix, mistral and synapse. so far think having a mistral built by lbs may be my route. 2k is really my uppermost limit and not to fussed about wheels as i have some aksiums which i like. hope you can help, cheers.

Wirral_paul

You'll get plenty of recommendations i'm sure - so make a big list and go from there.

Add on a Trek Madonne (3.5 maybe?) http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-trek-madone-35-12-45692

arlowood

Hi there

You've posted just about the ideal time to trawl the net for sale bargains. The new 2013 models are about to hit the shelves (some already have I believe) so there are plenty of 2012 models being offloaded currently or in the very near future.

+1 to Wirral-Paul's suggetion of a Trek Madone. With the sales your budget would stretch to a 4.7 or possibly higher.

http://www.hargreaves-cycles.co.uk/prod ... b&vid=6068

PS Sorry just noticed that the above bike is only a 56cm which fits me fine but I'm only 6ft tall. You would probably need a 58 so keep searching.

Ringo 68

I saw the 2013 Madone 3.5 in action yesterday and it looks fantastic.

I would certainly put that on your list.

ShutUpLegs

^
looks dull as dishwater though

ianbar

i have seen the Madone 3.5 gets a fab review but 2 things stop me.one is yeah looks so boring that i worry id fall asleep on it! and 2 i have seen trek have 2013 range out so 2012 models reduced but most seem out of stock already so would struggle to get one, we do have a trek deal near though so next week or so may have a walk through.

Wirral_paul

Dont forget, you wont worry what it looks like at the end of a 100 mile+ ride. You might feel better for being on it though, so keep an open mind. At 6ft 3 i'd have thought you would be looking at 58 or 60cm, maybe even a 62cm depending on your proportions and the effective top tube length of your eventual short list.

rozzer32

How about a Scott CR1? Carbon frame and fork, Ultegra and Ksyrium Elite wheels.

On sale at £1899. Only 58 size left though so would have to check if the geometry suits you. Westbrook are a pleasure to deal with as well.

http://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/bikes-c5/road-bikes-c18/scott-cr1-pro-20-speed-road-bike-2012-p194576

ianbar

yeah good point, after all i drive a golf and love it...similar to a mad one i guess not all about the looks but be a fool not to have one (the golf that is). my caad is a 60. i think a trek would be above a giant on my list i liked the look of the tcr composite 1 but not so keen now.

my current short list is more a very very long list at the moment lol

ianbar

rozzer32 wrote:

How about a Scott CR1? Carbon frame and fork, Ultegra and Ksyrium Elite wheels.

that is an option that has crossed my mind, popped into a shop couple of towns up this morning they had cr1 comp which gave me an idea of the look of the frame at least and quite liked it.the ultegra and ksyrium elites tick a lot of boxes!

Barbarossa

I bought a CR1 18 months ago, really pleased with it. The shop I bought it from was a dealer for Trek and Scott and in their opinion, the CR1 had a better frame than the Madone 4.x.

ianbar

The shop I bought it from was a dealer for Trek and Scott and in their opinion, the CR1 had a better frame than the Madone 4.x.

thats interesting to know too, thank you

ianbar

another couple i have been looking at are the bianchi sempre 105 and bmc roadracher sl 01

ALaPlage

Barbarossa wrote:

I bought a CR1 18 months ago, really pleased with it. The shop I bought it from was a dealer for Trek and Scott and in their opinion, the CR1 had a better frame than the Madone 4.x.

...because?

Pretty worthless opinion unless given with reason or fact.

Gladiator

Ha.ve a really good look at the Focus Izalco Ergoride! Really comfortable, you need to sit on one to understand just how much. Reviews here

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/cate ... 4-12-46293

ianbar

i have been doing lots of research while watching olypics tonight, just need to find a local dealer for the focus. been looking at canyon too.

Canny Jock

Cannondale Synapse, I've test ridden one and it was great, but a friend has ridden one for ages and thinks it's really comfortable.

noodleman

Any reason why the sempre but not the infinito. The latter is aimed slightly more towards longer distances than the sempre. Also looks better in my opinion. Not that the sempre isn't a lovely looking bike.

dubcat

I am looking at the bianchi sempre but the comfy bike in their range is the infinito

ianbar

oh so the infinito is the comfy one? not looked in person for a while as don't like out local bianchi dealer.will be having a bit of a closer look in some shops next weekend!

dubcat

Reviews say that the Sempre is quite comfy too however infinito is the 'sportive' one. Bianchi make a couple of frame types:

B4P - born for performance
C2C - coast to coast

The infinito has a very slightly slacker geometry allowing you to sit a little bit more upright. It also has kevlar inserts in the chainstays to provide some road vibration dampening.

I am also after a long distance cruising bike however I am actually considering the Sempre as my most likely choice. The reason for this is that the geometry differences are very small (i am waiting to try them both out). Reviews say that the sempre IS very comfy as well and it is slightly cheaper than the infinito. I can get a ultegra sempre for about the same price as a 105 infinito. I wonder if a lot of this stuff is only really applicable to elite riders. For slightly overweight and not in perfect condition riders like me I bet they are much of a muchness.

ianbar

they look at a glance as if they are very similar but thank you for the info on which are meant to be which. the sempre is more in my price range.i think 105 would do me but i have been looking for ultegra really.

dubcat

wiggle have the ultegra sempre for 1600 right now - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/bianchi-sempre-ultegra/

if you will take an ex demo the discount is even bigger. good luck!

galatzo

Bargains in the giant sizes to be had now.
I'd go for a Cannondale Synapse Carbon with Sram Apex, comfy and a looker.

Oasticles

I bought a Bianchi Infinito for just the sort of riding you are talking about - It's a great bike and very comfortable over distance.

I managed to find a 2011 with Ultegra for < £2k at the start of the year so you may find that there are some bargains to be had on the 2012 stock if you phone around.

ianbar

just been out for a blast before i head back to work, a fella on an enigma past me, was very tempted to yell to ask him about it but didn't dare! will have to look out for him now again first time seen one in the flesh!
my list is coming together a bit will depend what i see at the right price on the right day i think.

lc1981

Enigmas get very good reviews on BikeRadar, and although it's very different to the type of bike you started this thread discussing, I wouldn't dismiss steel. I've recently started riding a steel-framed bike and it's very comfortable over long distances. I also hear good things about titanium from clubmates.

ianbar

i did mention the mistral (van nicholas) when i started i doubt i would have an enigma as they cost more a mistral would be more likely as a titanium option, i would probably get my lbs to build it but obviously this will end any end of season bargains.

ianbar

DUBCAT, i saw that bianchi on wiggle, shame its a only a 55 though i would need the 60 :-(

Wheelie Bin

ianbar wrote:

another couple i have been looking at are the bianchi sempre 105 and bmc roadracher sl 01

Geometry-wise, the Sempre seems like a neither-here-nor-there bike. I have an Infinito... the frame is a work of art and it's a dream ride. You'll get a Campagnolo Veloce version within budget.

If you like all the heritage that goes with road cycling, then Bianchi is something less run of the mill than Trek, BMC, Scott, Cannondale (which I also own, rebuilt with Veloce... so I'm not slagging off other people's bikes). Ditto Campagnolo vs. Shimano... I think Campag is nicer to look at and the hoods feel nicer in the hand...

... many disagree.

ianbar

yeah i like the history best way to describe it, of the bianchi.bmc is a bit cold bit like trek and even scott i won't complain about cannon dale though as i love my caad lol