Which one of these to go for? Other suggestions?

russboy

Hi all,

I’ve been riding to & fro work for 3 years, 3 miles each way so have clocked up a few thousand miles on my Marin Nailtrail MTB, although it’s more of a hybrid so, running a larger crank, skinny tyres etc. Been temped on a road bike & currently got use of my mates 2 yr old Specialized Secteur & have got used to it & now decided to buy a road bike for the commute & turn my MTB back to an off roader.

Looking to buy new as the company I work for operate the Ride2Work scheme, basically I have to buy from Evans cycles (who price match anyway) but it gets taken out of my wages every month & I get tax & NI relief on it, basically meaning I save 32% on the purchase price so £1000 bike will cost me £56.67 from my take home pay x 12 = £680.04. Plus as they do a part ex scheme I can give them a bike I got for nothing, that is worth nothing & they knock £100 off.

My decision is what to go for? 1st use will be my commute, but next will be to look to join a local cycling club & rack up a few long rides at weekends. I’m 6’1” so have been told to go for a 58cm frame & currently these are the favourites that Evans have that I could buy. Anything over £1k I would have to pay the difference on.

Cannondale CAAD8 5 105 2013 Compact Road Bike http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/caad8-5-105-2013-compact-road-bike-ec042915 - £1049.00, so I can get it for £950, £645.96 via the scheme, but it looks a little dull to me in the looks department

Cannondale Synapse 5 105 Compact 2013 http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/synapse-5-105-compact-2013-road-bike-ec042921- £1049.00, so I can get it for £950, £645.96 via the scheme, but not as well spec’d as above

Moda Tempo 2013 Road Bike http://www.evanscycles.com/products/moda/tempo-2013-road-bike-ec044169- £1000, so I can get it for £900, £612 via the scheme, groupset not as good though.

Norco Valence A1 2013 Road Bike http://www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/valence-a1-2013-road-bike-ec041253 - £1000, so I can get it for £900, £612 via the scheme, good groupset.

Jamis Xenith Comp 2013 Road Bike http://www.evanscycles.com/products/jamis/xenith-comp-2013-road-bike-ec041457- £1290 down from £1490, so I can get it for £1190 £870.04 via the scheme with me paying an extra £190 on top. So above budget, but full carbon, spec is good & really does look good in the flesh.

So anyone with experience on the above, preferences? Once I’ve ultimately decided what I want I’m going to hunt around for it being cheaper elsewhere & see if I can get them to price match!

russboy

70 views so far, no thoughts? Suggestions? (Keep em clean!)

lostboysaint

Sat on any of them? Ridden any of them? Which one was the most comfortable? That's the one!

Davdandy

I own the 2012 Caad 8 105 and highly recommend it.Though it has to be said i am no expert on this matter.

russboy

Cool, thanks for the replies.

Problem with sitting on them is not many if any of the shops will have the right size in stock of the shortlist, but I know what you mean. To be honest having moved from my MTB/hybrid as it is now to a Specialized road bike it felt very strange but now feels fine so I guess you adapt anyway & suspect that will be the same again with another change.

I do like the Cannondale but it did look a bit “dull” in the shop due to it all being virtually one colour, but then I suppose that’s the vanity in me coming out as I would like it to look good/stand out. Plus my Marin MTB is the same colour so would be nice to have something different.

I really am tempted with the Jamis as spec is good, full carbon, but of course more money, does look good in the flesh though, looks average on the website!

Davdandy

I was a mountain biker first like many others on here,then i got my Caad 8 and it felt weird.Now after a few months in the saddle it is the mountain bike that feels weird.I was on it the other day and couldn't get used to it,the saddle,the gears the whole feel.And i had ridden the mountain bike for about 6 or 7 years.So don't worry about it feeling different,you soon get used to it.

russboy

Davdandy wrote:

I was a mountain biker first like many others on here,then i got my Caad 8 and it felt weird.Now after a few months in the saddle it is the mountain bike that feels weird.I was on it the other day and couldn't get used to it,the saddle,the gears the whole feel.And i had ridden the mountain bike for about 6 or 7 years.So don't worry about it feeling different,you soon get used to it.

Yep, completely the same for me.

Been commuting for 3 years on my MTB, only 6 miles a day but over 4k miles I’d say, plus charity rides & rides with mates occasionally & before that I was using it every now & then as well. Sat on my mates 2011 Specialized Sectuer 2 weeks back & didn’t feel safe at all, braking was nowhere near as good etc., but now I am settled on it & realise it’s the way forwards for what I need now.

t4tomo

Russboy wrote:

Cool, thanks for the replies.

I do like the Cannondale but it did look a bit “dull” in the shop due to it all being virtually one colour, but then I suppose that’s the vanity in me coming out as I would like it to look good/stand out.

I give you http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/Bianchi_Via_Nirone_7.html the Bianchi Via Nirone 7 Alu Carbon Veloce Ltd Edition - just £999! One wit the carbon seat stays. Cracking bike and you certainly stand out on a Bianchi.

russboy

t4tomo wrote:

Russboy wrote:

Cool, thanks for the replies.

I do like the Cannondale but it did look a bit “dull” in the shop due to it all being virtually one colour, but then I suppose that’s the vanity in me coming out as I would like it to look good/stand out.

I give you http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/Bianchi_Via_Nirone_7.html the Bianchi Via Nirone 7 Alu Carbon Veloce Ltd Edition - just £999! One wit the carbon seat stays. Cracking bike and you certainly stand out on a Bianchi.

Saw that in Evans, if this is the same:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bianchi/via-nirone-7-xenon-2013-road-bike-ec045189

I couldnt decide if I liked the look of it or not, although there is this as well:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bianchi/via-nirone-7-tiagra-2013-road-bike-ec045188