Help!! Cant decide!!

TomHut

Hello All..

Been looking at purchasing my first road bike, an upgrade from a Giant rapid 4, but cant make my mind up!!! I need some help deciding!!

Im currently cycling 20-30miles on a Sunday and feel its time to get a proper road bike and start doing some real mileage.... my budget is around £900... I have been looking around and like the following bikes.......

Main Contenders are the Lapeirre Audacio 400 CP & Cannondale CAAD8 TIAGRA

Another one I've seen on a deal (£750 from £1200 supposedly!!) but know nothing about apart from the running gear is supposed to be good (Shimano 105) is the Schwinn Fastback Comp 2012 so dont know whether this is a worthy contender!!

Or do I bite the bullet and go for a cheap carbon...? Giant TCR Composite 3 2012 for £950...!! do i even need a carbon bike for the mileage im doing??

Please help me because i've been trying to make my mind up for about 3 weeks now and its doing my swede in...!!!

I shouldnt ask this :roll: but are there any other bikes that i need to look at....

Cheers

Rodders30

Cannondale CAAD8 or splash out on the CAAD10 with 105 groupset!!!

elderone

I,d go for the giant,as it wont be cheap carbon and will come with a lifetime warrentee.

TomHut

Unfortunately The CAAD10 is out of my budget... would get it if it was within it.. looks a great bike.....

declan1

As above I would go for the Giant. My dad has one (the TCR comp 1, with Ultegra) and it's brilliant. Giant make some of the best frames around and it's definitely a very good frame.

TomHut

Thanks Declan,
I really like the Giant I must be honest.. Just didn't know that although carbon, whether it was a good frame or not..

ed_j

Frame first priority, groupset second. I'd rather a good frame with 105 than a bad frame with ultegra any day!

southdownswolf

I would go for the one that either fits (if you can test) or the one that you like the look of the most.

TomHut

Ok, so frame first.. I take it everyone would go for the carbon...?

declan1

Out of those choices I would definitely go with the Giant, since I know it's a good frame and it could easily be upgraded in the future. If you get one of the alloy frames you might end up wishing you'd gone carbon and you'd have to upgrade the entire bike.