Has anyone experience with Sensa bikes?

NeilDdiamond
NeilDdiamond Posts: 7
edited October 2012 in Road beginners
Hi all,

I posted on another thread about my newbie-ness and the charity ride that myself and a group of friends are embarking on next summer.

We are riding across/through 25 counties in a week and the new mile tally is 556 miles, a quick calculator visit tells me that that is nearly 80 miles day.

Now my riding experience over my lifetime amounts to a touch of BMX racing in my youth and hybrid riding in recent times. As I enter my new life as a road rider ;) I need to approach a few things to set me on my journey.

As I have quite a restrictive budget of £750 I have got my bike wish list down to a few now. As I want to ride a lot after the charity ride (and of course before!) I would like to have a ride that is quick and comfy if possible, while still looking pretty special!

My heart is telling me to go for a 2012 Bianchi Via Nirone Xenon (love the styling and classic celeste, sorry!) but my other sensible side is pushing me towards either a http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/roa ... librium-10 (which I can get for a price within my range) for the comfort of the steel ride .

My third side (never good at maths me ;) is looking at the Sensa Romagna http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/b ... -2013.html which would come in at a friendly price of £709.48 after discounts. Even though I have never heard of them the spec looks really great for a bike in this range with Shimano 105 etc. Would it be a good beginners bike for long miles in the saddle? Will any of these do the job?

I guess I'm asking for anyone who has experience in these bikes to step forward and big them up!

I love all the other mentioned bikes and my heart is still looking towards the Bianchi which I would eventually upgrade on the Campag side of things.

My aim is to get fitted this week and possibly even ride the Bianchi (if in Stock at Bristol's Evans).

Any advice will gladly received before I pull the trigger on my first road bike purchase.

Thanks,

N.

Comments

  • kayo74
    kayo74 Posts: 299
    Not experienced with Sensa bikes but I have read very good reviews the lastest being in Oct cycling plus, got best of the bunch, plus look good too!!
  • fgaffney
    fgaffney Posts: 49
    I own a Malt RS which is basically the Sensa Romagna frame but with Deda & Tiagra components rather than Sensa & 105.

    I really like my Malt and would highly recommend it... especially for the discounted price I paid which was only £608 reduced from £900.

    The black Romagna looks a really nice bike and you definitely get plenty bang for your buck!
  • fgaffney
    fgaffney Posts: 49
    I own a Malt RS which is basically the Sensa Romagna frame but with Deda & Tiagra components rather than Sensa & 105.

    I really like my Malt and would highly recommend it... especially for the discounted price I paid which was only £608 reduced from £900.

    The black Romagna looks a really nice bike and you definitely get plenty bang for your buck!
  • bamboy74
    bamboy74 Posts: 30
    I've also just bought a Malt RS recently and love it. As mentioned above it is the same frame as the Sensa Romagna which won this months group test in Cycling Plus. Maybe worth picking up a copy and checking out the review.
    Genesis Core 20
  • boogi11
    boogi11 Posts: 354
    Hi, I have the bianchi, and I love it, it shifts so smooth, I've done 2k on it in 3 months and it has not missed a beat, excellent bike
  • richyharv
    richyharv Posts: 8
    Thumbs up for the Merlin Malt RS. It really is a lovely bike for the money. Like already said the sensa frame is the same but with the 105 groupset. Dont think it can be beat for the money.
  • NeilDdiamond
    NeilDdiamond Posts: 7
    Thanks all.

    I think I am heavily leaning towards the Sensa. Just waiting on the Genesis bike info from my friend. Is the 105 group better than the Tiagra?

    Will I notice at all?!
  • The Riddler
    The Riddler Posts: 1
    I also have a Merlin Malt RS. I can only confirm what the others have said about it, that it's a great bike and uses the Sensa Romagna frame but with a full Tiagra group and not 105. They are also building these up with Shimano RS10 wheels as opposed to the R501's advertised. I really can't fault it at all to be honest and great value for money at £608 after discount.
  • fgaffney
    fgaffney Posts: 49
    The Riddler wrote:
    They are also building these up with Shimano RS10 wheels as opposed to the R501's advertised. I really can't fault it at all to be honest and great value for money at £608 after discount.
    And if you're lucky like me you may even end up with a set of RS20 wheels!!!

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