Advice on bike purchase with a 3k(ish) budget

Tjgoodhew

I am new to this forum and posted this in the beginners section but it actually should be in here.

I couldn't move it so sorry for the repost

+========================================================================

Hi everyone

I just wanted some advice really on a new bike from people that have done what I am planning to do.

So the story......

I started 6 months ago and am literally hooked. I'm currently riding a Caad8 Tiagra and other than a sometimes creaking BB30 I love it.

Being quite competitive the longer term goal is to start racing (hopefully this time next year) but am planing to start with Joining a club and TT's.

I have got a budget of around 3k and would ideally look to buy a 2013 model when the 2014 models come out to get a bit more for my money.

So what to buy ??

I am really drawn to the Italian bikes so am thinking a bianchi or maybe cinelli. I could pick up a pinarello fp Quattro so would that be an option ? But then with the TT in mind would a felt AR3 be a better option. And then there are Canyons. They look like a great deal of bike for not a lot of money but that makes me nervous and I'm
Not sure about shelling out 3k without testing it first. Or is there something else I should be looking at that I haven't considered? Used cervelo maybe ??

And then there is groupset. At this level I'm looking at ultegra, maybe Di2. But bearing in mind what I'm planning on would a campy set up be worth exploring ? Or do I wait and save and hold out for dura ace?

I have read reviews of tons of bikes but would love to have the opinion who has done the same sort of thing i have.

Thanks in advance

cougie

For that much money - you can get two nice bikes.
A decent road bike for 2 grand and a full on tt bike for a thousand.
Check out the planet x bikes.

I'd not bother with pinarello. Overpriced.

sloppyschleckonds

^whs

Tjgoodhew

So from this i am guessing the difference between a 2k bike and a 3k bike is negligible ?

And would i notice a huge difference by buying a TT specific bike ?

cougie

Yep. Absolutely negligible. I reckon once you get over about a grand or so it's diminishing returns.
A 2k bike won't hold you back.

A full on tt bike is so different from a road bike with tribals on. I'd probably hold off buying that until you've actually done some tts. Start off with no tri bars. Then maybe get some clip ons.
And once you've done a few tts you will know if you want to buy the full TT rig.

Tjgoodhew

Thanks Cougie.

Any specific experience with bikes at the 2k range instead of me spending ages looking through (altho the browsing is actually quite fun).

You mentioned Planet X. I had never considered them as saw them as "cheap". Do they really compare with the big boys for a lot less cost ??

navrig

Tjgoodhew wrote:

Thanks Cougie.

Any specific experience with bikes at the 2k range instead of me spending ages looking through (altho the browsing is actually quite fun).

You mentioned Planet X. I had never considered them as saw them as "cheap". Do they really compare with the big boys for a lot less cost ??

You are confusing cheap and value for money.

Many of the sexy name brands have their frames made in the far east as do PlanetX, Ribble etc. In some cases in the same factories and to similar quality standards. The differences will be geometry of the frame and colour and sometimes quality of frame material. The components are all the same irrespective of the brand name on the frame.

cougie

Their TT bike the Stealth is the same frame that FdJ raced in the Tour de France - so if it's good enough for the Pros.... The road bikes have also been raced by their teams - if they can withstand those Northern monsters - they'll do fine for any keen amateur.

I've a couple of their bikes - the Uncle John is a great cyclocross bike and its good enough to kick the asses of various Cervelos and S-Workses on any sportive (its the rider not the bike !).

The N2A is another decent bike and they have the RT57 thats meant to be more suited for sportives.
They also do proper bike fits up at their showroom - that could be worth doing.

Bar Shaker

A typical manufacturer will likely have a range along the lines of...

£2000 is going to get you a good frame and budget components, especially the wheels.

£3000 is going to buy the same good frame and very good components.

£5000 is the same frame and the very best components.

There other manufacturers out there with good components and lower quality frames, in the same £2-3k price range. The stiffness (and power transfer efficiency) of a high quality frame will be instantly noticeable when you get to your first hill.

If you have £3000 to spend on a bike then spend it. It is way, way cheaper to buy a bike with the right quality of components at the start, than it is to decide you should have got better wheels/gears/saddle/brakes etc in six months time.

kesam

Take a look at the Dolan website it is a very good way to see the way that improvement in components increase the price of the bike. £2 to £3k will buy a superb build

simonj

Have a peek at Pauls Cycles :- http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/offers.php?cat=7 , lots of bikes on offer for the money, especially Cannondale if you say you already get on with them. Do a Synapse Dura ace for £2750 instead of £4900 or a SuperSix Ultegra Di2 for £2400 instead of £3600. Also do some big discounts on Giant too.

Calpol

Tjgoodhew wrote:

I am new to this forum and posted this in the beginners section but it actually should be in here.

I couldn't move it so sorry for the repost

+========================================================================

Hi everyone

I just wanted some advice really on a new bike from people that have done what I am planning to do.

So the story......

I started 6 months ago and am literally hooked. I'm currently riding a Caad8 Tiagra and other than a sometimes creaking BB30 I love it.



I am really drawn to the Italian bikes so am thinking a bianchi or maybe cinelli.

. But bearing in mind what I'm planning on would a campy set up be worth exploring ? Or do I wait and save and hold out for dura ace?



Thanks in advance

Given the budget and criteria here is a suggestion. It ticks all my boxes.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/basso-astra-chorus-2013/

calmx5

You miss out on wheels for that price.