Which bike with £2500 budget

gjpollitt

Hi all,

I am looking at getting this

Cube Litening Super HPC Race Compact 2012 for £2200. It looks a good deal.

I am also on the lookout for the Cube Agree Race 2012 which I can only find size 62cm frame for £1500. If I could find a 60cm frame I would seriously consider getting that.

There are Giant and Cannondale and there is a Felt F4 for £1700 which has good reviews and I really am starting to struggle to narrow the bikes down. I don't want to fork out for the Cube Litening if I can get something for £500 - 700 less that is a good bike.

I am not racing or time trialling or even going out in a group. Purely me on my own just getting fit and aiming for my first 50miler! Fortunately money is not too much of an issue but don't want to spend more than I need to.

I want something that will last me for around 3 years and full carbon. Not sure what the groupset should be though I hear that Ultegra is preferred over 105.

thanks

EDIT - though I feel I should just get the Litening and have done with it!

YIMan

Save yourself some money and buy some biking DNA...style and heritage.....is what I would do:

http://www.bianchibikes.co.uk/store/Bianchi-Infinito/bianchi_infinito_sale

But it's not just which is the best value, it's which bike is right for you. Try a few and see which one you like/fits you the best, if you can.

thegreatdivide

For £2500 you could buy one of these

http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3089

50g over the UCI weight limit.

teisetrotter

I am with YIMan ......

or

http://www.gbcycles.co.uk/p/38868/Eddy- ... 8_2643.jpg

(and yes I do have one)

cycleclinic

Again buy wehat right for you not what gives you the best spec for a given sum of money. When you by a bike you are really buying a frame with some componetent attached. It the frame that makes a bike right for you. All the other components need to selected carefully too but if the frame is not right to begin with then the it does 't matter if the components are right or wrong.

Get the right frame and then think about what components are needed to make the bike right for you. If you don't know what frame is right for you read up and talk with different more experienced cyclists and shops that won't try to sell you something or tell you what you need. What you need need is entirley up to you.

maddog 2

my default answer would always be Giant TCR but I must admit I like the look, and value, of the latest Canyons.

maddog 2

YIMan wrote:

and buy some biking DNA...

what?

or do you mean pretend you are someone from the past?

ben16v

if you like the look of the canyons there are a few xl, l, 60 & 58 bikes well under your budget and they have great spec... and i love mine
http://www.canyon.com/_en/outlet/list.html?type=race

edhornby

I wouldn't max out that much on a first bike... as others have said, concentrate on the right frame and then get good wheels, the gears aren't that big a deal in the grand scheme of things, make sure it fits you

oooh that Merckx....

YIMan

maddog 2 wrote:

YIMan wrote:

and buy some biking DNA...

what?

or do you mean pretend you are someone from the past?

I mean buy something that has some identity and heritage.....i.e. exactly not something mass-produced in the same Taiwanese factories like a load of other things they then just stick a different brand sticker on.

nathancom

YIMan wrote:

maddog 2 wrote:

YIMan wrote:

and buy some biking DNA...

what?

or do you mean pretend you are someone from the past?

I mean buy something that has some identity and heritage.....i.e. exactly not something mass-produced in the same Taiwanese factories like a load of other things they then just stick a different brand sticker on.

Isn't the Bianchi frame, which you linked to, built in Taiwan? I don't get the anti-Taiwan comments, bikes have been mass produced from the start and I doubt that Western workers were better than Taiwanese workers.

OP, I would get something that catches your imagination, be that an old or new brand. The Canyons are a lot of bike for the money though.

cycleclinic

Some of the brand thast have heriatge have there frames made in Taiwan Think Derosa carbon frames.

thegreatdivide

nathancom wrote:

Isn't the Bianchi frame, which you linked to, built in Taiwan?

It sure is.

YIMan

After further research, you are right! I didn't realise they too had sold the soul of their brand and that "made in Italy" actually means "assembled in Italy", not "manufactured in Italy"..

So the OP might as well get even better value and buy a Boardman or a Ribble, unless he particularly likes the colours and "brand stickers" of something else.

amaferanga

I'd also recommend you spend a bit less on your first bike and then once you have a better idea of what you like and what suits you then get the bike you really want. Your first bike can then become your winter / crap weather bike.

maddog 2

YIMan wrote:

I mean buy something that has some identity and heritage.....i.e. exactly not something mass-produced in the same Taiwanese factories like a load of other things they then just stick a different brand sticker on.

I understand your concept, even if the actual words you use are somewhat irrational - that is to say, not supported by actual evidence. Bikes don't 'have DNA' obviously. Just because a bike company has been around for a while and ridden to success in the past doesn't mean the current version is either a good design, has good performance or is even well engineered. As said, your Bianchis/De Rosas/Colnagoes et al could well be built in the same factory as the bikes with cheap stickers.

A bike is just a machine. Marketing men/women would have you believe that history, or whether it is ridden by the pros (or a particular pro), or the country of origin makes a big difference but the arguments are generally weak and not supported by evidence. I'd say fit and geometry are at least as important as the sticker on the side.

northpole

Left field suggestion - take your time and check out flea bay, bike forum classifieds and get yourself a much better spec for your ££ than you'll ever manage brand new. Provided you have a bit of time and don't mind the odd dead end search....

Peter

cougie

2500 is a silly amount to spend on a first road bike. Once you get above a grand or so - its diminishing returns.

I'd go for one of the Boardman bikes if you can find a good Halfords or you know your way around a bike.

The bike is just one part of the expenditure. By the time you've kitted yourself out - you could easily be adding an extra grand with helmet, shades, shoes, pumps, clothes for all year.

You could do 50 miles on just about any bike - you don't need carbon to do that.

letap73

+1 Cougie, Cycle clinic,edhornby, amaferanga.

To add fit is very important - in my experience, a slight ill fitting superbike performs worst than a well fitted cheap carbon bike.

YIMan

maddog 2 wrote:

YIMan wrote:

I mean buy something that has some identity and heritage.....i.e. exactly not something mass-produced in the same Taiwanese factories like a load of other things they then just stick a different brand sticker on.

I understand your concept, even if the actual words you use are somewhat irrational - that is to say, not supported by actual evidence. Bikes don't 'have DNA' obviously. Just because a bike company has been around for a while and ridden to success in the past doesn't mean the current version is either a good design, has good performance or is even well engineered. As said, your Bianchis/De Rosas/Colnagoes et al could well be built in the same factory as the bikes with cheap stickers.

A bike is just a machine. Marketing men/women would have you believe that history, or whether it is ridden by the pros (or a particular pro), or the country of origin makes a big difference but the arguments are generally weak and not supported by evidence. I'd say fit and geometry are at least as important as the sticker on the side.

Your are right, DNA isn't quite the right word - I mean the mix of identity and heritage that makes one bike different from another.....the certain something that makes people think differently about owning a Colnago than they do about a Ribble.

I think I've learned in the past 24 hours that Bianchi/Colnago etc are made in the same few factories as everything else!

But it kind of feels like you might as well go to a "carbon bike builder" app, select the right frame for you then choose which paint job and brand stickers to put on.

Cheshire Celt

You must look at the focus izalco pro bike of the year in nearly every magazine last year . I've got one and its a cracking bike

gjpollitt

cougie wrote:

2500 is a silly amount to spend on a first road bike.

This isn't my first road bike. I have one already which I have been using since May. I have spent money on all the kit, lights, helmet, camera, shoes, spd pedals etc etc. I have really enjoyed being out and about after all the hours I spend sat in my car for my job.

Now I am looking at something more expensive to invest in so that I can continue my cycling experience by cycling further than the 30miles or so I have been doing regularly. I don't want to spend money on something that I will be wanting to upgrade again next year so would rather fork out the money now whilst I am fortunate enough to be able to.

Still none the wiser. May just stick to what I have and invest in a carbon skateboard instead

Thanks for replying all!

Skeleton_Sharn

Id say thats a good budget! And the parts you get at that budget will start to match the frame quality.
Those Canyons look pretty swift.

Or if you want something for leisure performance and abit different;
Trek Domane 105 and change- tyres/bar/stem/saddle and wheel eventually..
and groupset next year or two! Nice cables and good set up on the 105 and itll be right sound.. Maybe nicer cassette/chain?

Also carbon synapse Ultegra is a lovely bike all round!! Used to like selling those.
And the 2013 Hi-Mod looks like it's gona be super cool.. £2800 8)

Big brands for carbon id say. Specialized Rouibas? Tarmac?

Personally Id forget the carbon and get Caad10 and pimp it
+ carbon bar/stem/on their. Its got a full carbon fork already 8)
Change saddle/bits to your preference and Save up, change the wheels after a while.. Et voila!

cougie

What bike is it that you have at the moment ? Why can't it go past 30 miles ?

Chris James

I did my first 50 miler when I was about 13 on a Raleigh Winner. That was an awesome bike; I also used it for cyclocross, light touring and commuting. Full ‘Hi-tensile’ frame, Weinmann sidepulls, cottered cranks and 5 gears. probably about 12 or 13 kilos in weight.

Spending £2500 on a first bike is a chronic waste of money really. But if you are set on getting something with ‘identity and heritage’ but full carbon then you probably have limited options. Many / most carbon frames are made in the same Far East factories. Not that there is anything wrong with that as they are where the expertise lies. A well-made bike should last a lot longer than 3 years by the way – more like 20 years.

If you are determined to drop such a large amount of cash on a bike despite not really knowing what you want, and for just riding along rather than competing, then I would suggest you look at bespoke steel frame builders. Either UK based or an Italian marque from the likes of Racescene. Either would get lots of admiring glances and comments at a café stop. Both options would allow a fitting session to make sure your new bike is comfortable and efficient.

EKIMIKE

Skeleton_Sharn wrote:

Id say thats a good budget! And the parts you get at that budget will start to match the frame quality.
Those Canyons look pretty swift.

Or if you want something for leisure performance and abit different;
Trek Domane 105 and change- tyres/bar/stem/saddle and wheel eventually..
and groupset next year or two! Nice cables and good set up on the 105 and itll be right sound.. Maybe nicer cassette/chain?

Also carbon synapse Ultegra is a lovely bike all round!! Used to like selling those.
And the 2013 Hi-Mod looks like it's gona be super cool.. £2800 8)

Big brands for carbon id say. Specialized Rouibas? Tarmac?

Personally Id forget the carbon and get Caad10 and pimp it
+ carbon bar/stem/on their. Its got a full carbon fork already 8)
Change saddle/bits to your preference and Save up, change the wheels after a while.. Et voila!

Jesus Christ. Were you inebriated when you posted this? Franken-post of the year surely?! Maxin' out on bold and italics but i can't decide whether my favourite bit is "Nice cables" or the mysterious use of a semi-colon. Keep it up.

As for the topic - you can't go wrong with 2.5k. Simply get what you want or engage in the nebulous process of weighing desire and value-for-money, which seems to last in perpetuity.

greasedscotsman

I'd get one of these...

http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/p/23690/spe ... bike-2013/

Saw one in my LBS last Saturday and looked proper "Jack the Biscuit" to me!

gjpollitt

cougie wrote:

What bike is it that you have at the moment ? Why can't it go past 30 miles ?

I have a Viking Torino 2011. Cost me £370 brand new.

I changed the pedals for Shimano MTB SPD, swapped the 23 Kenda for 25 Gatorskins, added quick release lever to the seat, replaced the brake pads for some fancy Shimano red/white thingies and swapped the handlebar stem from 110mm to 75mm as was slightly too long for my liking. Its a good bike for my needs despite the name and I've cycled around 1500miles on it since May. That may raise the question with you all as to why I want to spend £2500 on a bike. Well I have the cash and don't drink or smoke etc, no debts except mortgage, have all the latest consoles and games (which is my other hobby) and therefore have nothing else to spend the money on so I think why the heck not?

I can do over 30 miles on any bike I suppose. I am looking forward to the new year when hopefully there won't be too much rain or ice so I can get out and start racking up the miles and therefore I would like to invest in a really good bike now. That way when I do my first 50 miler (which won't be long) I will be doing it on a better bike than the one I have now.

Appreciate all the replies btw but have now decided on the Cube Litening 2012 Compact. Tried it today at LBS and put deposit on it. Need to get time from work now to go and get bike setup correctly and bring it home. 8)

cougie

Looks a nice bike ! Have fun with it.

I'd turn the old bike into a winter one. Get some guards and you wont mind riding that in bad weather.

Wobblehead

gjpollitt wrote:

cougie wrote:

What bike is it that you have at the moment ? Why can't it go past 30 miles ?

I have a Viking Torino 2011. Cost me £370 brand new.

I changed the pedals for Shimano MTB SPD, swapped the 23 Kenda for 25 Gatorskins, added quick release lever to the seat, replaced the brake pads for some fancy Shimano red/white thingies and swapped the handlebar stem from 110mm to 75mm as was slightly too long for my liking. Its a good bike for my needs despite the name and I've cycled around 1500miles on it since May. That may raise the question with you all as to why I want to spend £2500 on a bike. Well I have the cash and don't drink or smoke etc, no debts except mortgage, have all the latest consoles and games (which is my other hobby) and therefore have nothing else to spend the money on so I think why the heck not?

I can do over 30 miles on any bike I suppose. I am looking forward to the new year when hopefully there won't be too much rain or ice so I can get out and start racking up the miles and therefore I would like to invest in a really good bike now. That way when I do my first 50 miler (which won't be long) I will be doing it on a better bike than the one I have now.

Appreciate all the replies btw but have now decided on the Cube Litening 2012 Compact. Tried it today at LBS and put deposit on it. Need to get time from work now to go and get bike setup correctly and bring it home. 8)

Well done, long time dead mate. Ride what you want,as long as it makes you happy who cares.

I too have more bike than i'll ever need, but it makes me smile when i ride it, and smile even more at the cafe stop when people admire it and think the fat tosser in the corner can't do it justice.....

Firedup9711

i'd take a look at MEKK 4g primo with ultegra Di2 you can pick them up for less than 2500 and the dealer i got mine from (bought it only last week) did me a good deal and upgraded the mvic CXP22's up to a racing fulcrum Quatro wheelset. so a deal to be had i'd say.
Just my opinion thrown into this pit of discussion.

Here's to the warmer weather!!