Upgrade advice please!

barry_badrinath

Hello all - have just joined the forum, as I'm after some advice for a new bike...

I currently ride a Boardman Comp, that I got almost 3 years ago on the c2w from an old job. It's served me really well over this time, but I've made the decision recently to upgrade.

I'd say (with my severe lack of knowledge) that the Boardman is a just above entry level road bike, so would like to see a noticable step up, with the new bike. I'm looking at a budget of around £1500 - £1700. I'd prefer to buy from a shop, so that I can test ride. I know that there are great bargains online, but want to be sure when parting with that sum of money!

A guy on a football forum I go on (who I think may frequent this place) recommended a few bikes below, and said that it's a good time to be looking due to the 2013 model sales.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bia ... e-ec048865
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bmc ... e-ec043699
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/tre ... e-ec040348
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/edd ... e-ec043540
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/can ... e-ec042923

Be interested to hear your thoughts, or if you have any other recommendations - thanks!

supermurph09

If you can get hold of the April edition of Cycling Plus it had the bike of the year awards with lots to choose from in your price bracket. That might give you a head start.

Calpol

They are all great bikes. I'd be happy with any of those (except the BMC) and they look evenly matched spec wise. Check carefully the geometries vs your Boardman as that might have a bearing on your shortlist. I saw a guy on the bianchi at Ride London and it was a horny bike imo but the wheels let it down.

At £1500 the Supersix with 105 looks decent value and it would leave you £200 to upgrade the wheels. all those frames deserve better hoops. The only thing I don't like about the Supersix is the picture does not illustrate just how massive the down tube is. Its really fat but that may not be a concern for you. Also the colour way on the Cannodale will date quicker. It already looks like 2 years ago's style whereas the Sempre looks pretty contemporary to me even when comparing to the road porn on display at Eurobike.

barry_badrinath

Cheers for that man - much appreciated!

I was leaning towards the BMC or the Bianchi actually. For what reason do you not like the BMC?

diamonddog

Welcome to the forum.
They all look nice bikes, personal favourite the Bianchi, just looks right to me
Good luck

paul_mck

http://www.primera-sports.com/products/ ... 18902.aspx

more frame than components but what a base to start from. bargain of the century that imo.

or the Dolan Ares is a cracker at 2k with sram red. cheaper on a lower groupset Id imagine. Real nice frame my friend bought one a few months ago

http://www.dolan-bikes.com/road/road-bi ... arbon.html

Calpol

Barry Badrinath wrote:

Cheers for that man - much appreciated!

I was leaning towards the BMC or the Bianchi actually. For what reason do you not like the BMC?

Its purely aesthetics for me. I don't like the frame design or the colour scheme. Nothing wrong with the spec. I just prefer Campagnolo and Italian things.

Calpol

paul_mck wrote:

http://www.primera-sports.com/products/cervelo-road-bikes-808/cervelo-r3-dark-edition-18902.aspx

more frame than components but what a base to start from. bargain of the century that imo.

or the Dolan Ares is a cracker at 2k with sram red. cheaper on a lower groupset Id imagine. Real nice frame my friend bought one a few months ago

http://www.dolan-bikes.com/road/road-bi ... arbon.html

OP says his budget is £1500-£1700. The Cervelo is £2000 and has shoot wheels. It only the frame resale value is in its favour at that pricepoint.

barry_badrinath

Calpol wrote:

paul_mck wrote:

http://www.primera-sports.com/products/cervelo-road-bikes-808/cervelo-r3-dark-edition-18902.aspx

more frame than components but what a base to start from. bargain of the century that imo.

or the Dolan Ares is a cracker at 2k with sram red. cheaper on a lower groupset Id imagine. Real nice frame my friend bought one a few months ago

http://www.dolan-bikes.com/road/road-bi ... arbon.html

OP says his budget is £1500-£1700. The Cervelo is £2000 and has shoot wheels. It only the frame resale value is in its favour at that pricepoint.

Yeah probably not one for me - cheers though!

I had looked at the Dolan site actually, but living in Edinburgh, it would have to be mail order with no test ride, which I'm not that keen on at the moment.

markhewitt1978

Trek Domane 4.3 is £1,600 on Evans at the moment.

paul_mck

Calpol wrote:

paul_mck wrote:

http://www.primera-sports.com/products/cervelo-road-bikes-808/cervelo-r3-dark-edition-18902.aspx

more frame than components but what a base to start from. bargain of the century that imo.

or the Dolan Ares is a cracker at 2k with sram red. cheaper on a lower groupset Id imagine. Real nice frame my friend bought one a few months ago

http://www.dolan-bikes.com/road/road-bi ... arbon.html

OP says his budget is £1500-£1700. The Cervelo is £2000 and has shoot wheels. It only the frame resale value is in its favour at that pricepoint.

its a cervelo tho and 1700 to 2000 isnt a massive leap. yeah the wheels are dung but they wont be making that much difference and make a nice upgrade later. was just a thought as if it were me Id be finding the extra cash!

mfin

paul_mck wrote:

its a cervelo tho and 1700 to 2000 isnt a massive leap. yeah the wheels are dung but they wont be making that much difference and make a nice upgrade later.

A nice second upgrade after you take all that 105 fishing tackle sh1t off it and buy something proper

Calpol

paul_mck wrote:

Calpol wrote:

paul_mck wrote:

http://www.primera-sports.com/products/cervelo-road-bikes-808/cervelo-r3-dark-edition-18902.aspx

more frame than components but what a base to start from. bargain of the century that imo.

or the Dolan Ares is a cracker at 2k with sram red. cheaper on a lower groupset Id imagine. Real nice frame my friend bought one a few months ago

http://www.dolan-bikes.com/road/road-bi ... arbon.html

OP says his budget is £1500-£1700. The Cervelo is £2000 and has shoot wheels. It only the frame resale value is in its favour at that pricepoint.

its a cervelo tho and 1700 to 2000 isnt a massive leap. yeah the wheels are dung but they wont be making that much difference and make a nice upgrade later. was just a thought as if it were me Id be finding the extra cash!

you are right - its a Cervelo and its bloody gorgeous but for a keen amateur thats been on an entry level Boardman
I think the better value will be at the £1500 level and then upgrade wheels. That R3 would be wasted on me Although I would feel like Ryder Hesjedal on it but I would be forced to spend even more on new wheels and ditching the japanese gears!

The OP is going to have a massive step up with any of the bikes shortlisted plus he can physically go and try them which for him is important.

paul_mck

Nah fair points alright.

mfin

Mine wasn't, mine was an unfair point

mfin

I'd consider trying to ascertain sizing from existing bike and try something like this http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3240 ...better Campag groupset than the bianchi, and better wheels in the Ksyrium Elites

barry_badrinath

Eesh that is lovely. May make me revise my test ride policy! Cheers for the help so far folks...

barry_badrinath

How much difference is there between the Canyon up there, with the next model down?

In terms of comparison the 7.0 has Mavic Aksium wheels, and 105 groupset, and the 8.0 has Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels and Campag Athena groupset. Would I, as a relative noob, notice much of a difference? £350 cheaper...

Calpol

Barry Badrinath wrote:

How much difference is there between the Canyon up there, with the next model down?

In terms of comparison the 7.0 has Mavic Aksium wheels, and 105 groupset, and the 8.0 has Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels and Campag Athena groupset. Would I, as a relative noob, notice much of a difference? £350 cheaper...

Athena is 11 speed. Opinion on here seems to rate the Ksyrium elites quite highly. The aksiums are entry level and you will want to upgrade them later for sure. Is it worth £350 - for a relative noob then probably not. Personally I don't prefer the Shimano lever design and shifting feel. Campagnolo hood and lever shape has better ergonomics for me and I like the feel of the gear change.

barry_badrinath

Calpol wrote:

Barry Badrinath wrote:

How much difference is there between the Canyon up there, with the next model down?

In terms of comparison the 7.0 has Mavic Aksium wheels, and 105 groupset, and the 8.0 has Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels and Campag Athena groupset. Would I, as a relative noob, notice much of a difference? £350 cheaper...

Athena is 11 speed. Opinion on here seems to rate the Ksyrium elites quite highly. The aksiums are entry level and you will want to upgrade them later for sure. Is it worth £350 - for a relative noob then probably not. Personally I don't prefer the Shimano lever design and shifting feel. Campagnolo hood and lever shape has better ergonomics for me and I like the feel of the gear change.

Cheers Calpol - is appreciated. Have done a wee bit of investigation, and it seem that Canyon don't seem to have the best reputation in terms of delivery and service - may stick to the original plan. This is hard!

Calpol

Barry Badrinath wrote:

Calpol wrote:

Barry Badrinath wrote:

How much difference is there between the Canyon up there, with the next model down?

In terms of comparison the 7.0 has Mavic Aksium wheels, and 105 groupset, and the 8.0 has Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels and Campag Athena groupset. Would I, as a relative noob, notice much of a difference? £350 cheaper...

Athena is 11 speed. Opinion on here seems to rate the Ksyrium elites quite highly. The aksiums are entry level and you will want to upgrade them later for sure. Is it worth £350 - for a relative noob then probably not. Personally I don't prefer the Shimano lever design and shifting feel. Campagnolo hood and lever shape has better ergonomics for me and I like the feel of the gear change.

Cheers Calpol - is appreciated. Have done a wee bit of investigation, and it seem that Canyon don't seem to have the best reputation in terms of delivery and service - may stick to the original plan. This is hard!

Canyon have become very popular. There have been a lot of delays in certain model lines but the vast majority of people seem happy with their bike and experience. I think if you order a bike thats in stock then you have no issues. In terms of VFM I don't think they can be beaten.

barry_badrinath

Going to buy the Bianchi tomorrow. Can't wait!

Calpol

Good man - you wont regret it. Make sure you post a pic in the Your Road Bikes forum

diamonddog

Good choice, enjoy it.