Close to buying! £2000 budget, anything else to consider?

ct8282

Many of you will have read my previous thread saying I have set myself a £2k budget to buy my first roader with.

My shortlist has changed somewhat and at the moment I'm strongly leaning towards to the new BMC Granfondo Ultegra which is bang on the money at £2k, has an Alu frame but still weighs in at 7.8kg.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bmc ... e-ec043700

However, I have just landed some cash so would consider increasing the budget slightly, say up to £2300 so was wondering if you guys had any other bikes that I could consider. I'm still liking the Giant Defy Advanced 2, and the Trek Madone 4.7 C H2 is now within reach too at £2200.

Any others I should look at?

frazered

sorry to be boring but £2k seems a lot for your first ever road bike?? what if you hate riding on the road? get sick of it ? decide it is not for you?

toe in or both feet first?

sloppyschleckonds

I hope that Ultegra is Di2 for that money

ct8282

Boring!!! Lol. Thanks, appreciate your concern. Have ridden roaders before. If it helps I'm a fitness finatique and have organised a Lands End to Dover ride for next year. In 6 weeks I'm doing Tough Mudder. I train 6 times a week including weight training and running (around 10 mile runs typically). Used to be into MTB but after a couple of years got tired of having to clean all my gear down all the time. Climbing was my specialty as I have very strong legs (leg press around 240kg) so I always used to leave my riding pack behind on the inclines. I would often go out riding alone with my MTB on roads and seek out big inclines to smash. The MTB just wasn't quick enough on Tarmac for me, hence I'm after a road bike. Oh, and I have the money so why not buy the best bike I can, right??

ct8282

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

I hope that Ultegra is Di2 for that money

Well I'd love to know where you shop coz I can't find any Di2 bikes for £2k.

davidwilcock

You should consider all the extra stuff you'll be needing that isnt just the bike. Trip computer/navigation system, cages, bottles, shirt(s), proper shorts, pedals, shoes, helmet,

That stuff can add up. dont underestimate it. sure you can buy it as you go along but riding round on a 2k bike with a baggy t-shirt and some baggy shorts makes it into a £200 bike pretty quickly. similarly, cheap pedals/shoes can render your purchase a bit of a waste, im sure you'll want to get the most from the money youve spent on the bike

hope thats useful

Avit5

ct8282 wrote:

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

I hope that Ultegra is Di2 for that money

Well I'd love to know where you shop coz I can't find any Di2 bikes for £2k.

Here you go...... and lots of change from 2K
http://www.canyon.com/_en/outlet/articl ... o=A1025762

letap73

Above all make sure you test ride the bike so that you know that you really like it - £2000 regardless of whether its affordable or not is a lot of money. Of concern is that your shortlist has quite a wide difference in terms of frame and geometry for example Aluminium v Carbon being one.

davidwilcock

Thats incredible value for money. Only XL left but if the shoe fits.... buy it

With respect to OP though, I think £2k isnt a typical price for a Di2 specced bike and is more typical of mechanical ultegra.

The spec is a bit tight for 2k though for the BMC but I feel this might be opening a new can of worms....

ct8282

davidwilcock wrote:

You should consider all the extra stuff you'll be needing that isnt just the bike. Trip computer/navigation system, cages, bottles, shirt(s), proper shorts, pedals, shoes, helmet,

That stuff can add up. dont underestimate it. sure you can buy it as you go along but riding round on a 2k bike with a baggy t-shirt and some baggy shorts makes it into a £200 bike pretty quickly. similarly, cheap pedals/shoes can render your purchase a bit of a waste, im sure you'll want to get the most from the money youve spent on the bike

hope thats useful

It is indeed useful, thank you. I'm certainly aware of the cost of all the required extras from my MTB days so don't worry, i have budgeted for these items. Thanks.

ct8282

letap73 wrote:

Above all make sure you test ride the bike so that you know that you really like it - £2000 regardless of whether its affordable or not is a lot of money. Of concern is that your shortlist has quite a wide difference in terms of frame and geometry for example Aluminium v Carbon being one.

Absolutely. So far I am simply selecting bikes that a) I like the look of, b) come reasonably spec'd, c) I have read solid reviews on, and d) on paper appear to suit what I am looking for.

Regards to geometry it's hard to know what I will ultimately choose as I don't have the experience to know which bike would suit me, however my guess is that even with years of experience you could still choose a bike that on paper should suit you perfectly but when you ride it you realise it just does not. I will of course test ride these bikes before spending my very hard earned cash I can assure you.
The BMC Granfondo is of particular interest because I am not planning to do any form of racing at all, rather I will be wanting a bike that will see me for long ride outs at the weekends and that I can go and smash out some hills and clock up the miles in the evenings.

letap73

Where abouts are you based?

ct8282

letap73 wrote:

Where abouts are you based?

West Sussex....

letap73

I recommend near you:
http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/

The scott cr1 is a huge bargain and interest free credit at £2999. Component wise, wheelset wise and groupset wise it blows the BMC out of the water. However, it is only available as a 54 and I am not sure its really a beginners bike.

ct8282

letap73 wrote:

I recommend near you:
http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/

The scott cr1 is a huge bargain and interest free credit at £2999. Component wise, wheelset wise and groupset wise it blows the BMC out of the water. However, it is only available as a 54 and I am not sure its really a beginners bike.

£3k is too rich for me but thank you for your help. I have been considering the Scott CR1 Team for £1899 at Evans. It comes with full 105 and looks decent. If by 54 you mean frame size then that is probably my size as I'm 5ft8 tall.

Just checked that Scott bike out. I have to say its one of the best looking bikes I've seen, and dear lord its a serious piece of kit. If my budget was £3k I'd buy that in a heartbeat. But indeed, it is way more kit than I will ever get the best out of.

Loving this one though. What do you guys think on spec compared to the BMC?

http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/produc ... X7v1cu9KK0

Camcycle1974

ct8282 wrote:

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

I hope that Ultegra is Di2 for that money

Well I'd love to know where you shop coz I can't find any Di2 bikes for £2k.

Verenti from wiggle for one. The giant defy advanced 2 aint £2200 either. It can be had for a fair bit less than 2k.

housemunkey

The cube could be a bit racy for all day long mile crunching. Possibly better to stick to something with a bit of give.

canny_lad

If you like the CR1 Team shop about, got mine for £1599. For £1899 it came with Ksyriums.

antonyfromoz

I must admit that I have a bit of a thing for Bianchi but the Bianchi Infinito seems to fit your criteria too - good for long fast rides and it gets very good reviews: http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/Bianchi_Infinito.html

mpatts

I just got my first road bike, and spent a lot more on bits than I thought I would.....probably an extra £500. Shoes, pedals, lycra, etc etc etc....

ct8282

Canny lad wrote:

If you like the CR1 Team shop about, got mine for £1599. For £1899 it came with Ksyriums.

Pray tell. Where did you get it for that price?

galatzo

All day type bike ?
Small has a 53.2 top tube which should be spot on for your height.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/focus-izalco-te ... orce-2012/
Or a bit racier
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ridley-damocles ... -105-2012/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ridley-damocles ... taur-2012/
XS in Ridley is like small in other btands 52.5 tt, headtube is 13cm which is ok for comfort.
With Wiggle you can try it and send it back if you don't like it I think.

I'd go Ridley at that price - great frame and massive bargain.

And enough left over to get some really good wheels.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=70272
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=92960
Loads more Merckx bargains on CRC.

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p431 ... TEGRA-2012
54 may be a bit big in this but you never know.

So many good sale offers about so no need to buy a Giant, Spesh or Trek etc with 10% off.

FYI I 'm 5ft 71/2" and I ride a 52.8 frame with a 9 or 10cm stem (trying both after getting a new frame recently).

lostboysaint

I wouldn't go near Hargroves unless you want to be ignored or patronised to death, my experience of them is dreadful in just about every shop. Plenty of better shops to choose from. If you're near Chichester I'd suggest these guys: http://www.gearedbikes.co.uk/

Avit5

Galatzo wrote:

All day type bike ?
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=70272
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=92960
Loads more Merckx bargains on CRC.

Blimey this has Dura Ace 7900 for £2039 ! Admit the wheelset of Shimano RS30 let it down a bit but otherwise great price.

huuregeil

This is a deal:

http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/store/pr ... Excalibur/

Great bike for what you want it for, too.

ricky1980

that BMC does look over price for what it is.

The links above for the Synapse and Ridley will suit your needs perfectly.

Synapse is meant to be for long rides and has a very comfortable geo. the cannondale's SAVE system does work well, i have a CAAD and it works.

ct8282

So I think I'm there. Have found a bike that just feels right at the moment. Its a 2012 model at a decent price, full Ultegra spec, superb reviews everywhere you look from all the big reviewers.

Its a mail order but I'm off to test ride the 2013 version tomorrow which is pretty much the same bike, geometry is identical so I should be able to decide if it will work for me or not.

I will get pickup one I have the bike. I'm excited

Avit5

ct8282 wrote:

So I think I'm there. Have found a bike that just feels right at the moment. Its a 2012 model at a decent price, full Ultegra spec, superb reviews everywhere you look from all the big reviewers.

Its a mail order but I'm off to test ride the 2013 version tomorrow which is pretty much the same bike, geometry is identical so I should be able to decide if it will work for me or not.

I will get pickup one I have the bike. I'm excited

Which bike then ? Please tell !!

dwanes

So you are going to buy it mail order but use a local bike shop to do a test ride to make sure the size is right?

earth

My thoughts,

Jump in with both feet and buy the most expensive one your budget can afford and your heart desires.

Expect to spend in the the order of £500 on other bits. Maybe get these first and spend change on the bike.

Personally I can't much benefit to Ultegra over 105 - had both and I'd rather skip Ultegra and go straight to Dura-Ace. I find the shape of the shifters of 6700 to be boxy and uncomfortable.

Get a last year discount model assuming you can find the right size and for 2K you could easily be looking at carbon rather than alu.

TKF

Galatzo wrote:

Or a bit racier
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ridley-damocles ... -105-2012/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ridley-damocles ... taur-2012/
XS in Ridley is like small in other btands 52.5 tt, headtube is 13cm which is ok for comfort.
With Wiggle you can try it and send it back if you don't like it I think.

I'd go Ridley at that price - great frame and massive bargain.

I can confirm the Damocles is a comfortable all day frame.