New Cube agree GTC Pro compact for a newbie?

Big dave 3

I have been keeping my eye on road bikes for a while. I have a few mountain bikes & have converted one by putting carbon fork & slicks on, and I am using it for rides of up to 35 miles so far.

I am thinking I might dip into road biking & get one. I don't want to buy something mediocre & then wish I had got a carbon one with better components , like I have done many times before.

I have seen a 2013 cube agree GTC pro compact for a thousand quid. I love Cubes, Me and mates have purchased many Cube mountain bikes & a hybrid between us.

I would like to do longer distance rides & be able to bike further , with less effort. Racing is not my main priority, I certainly don't intend to compete. I want something light for riding around , nothing too strenuous.

WOuld this bike be OK for what I am after?

ALso, what size would be best? I am 5' 10". If it helps, my 18" mountain bike with the seatpost up high is how I ride at the moment.

diamonddog

IMO the bike would be fine, the amount of effort you put in is up to you. You need to have a look at the manufacturers sizing guide to start with then go and look at and ride the bike.

Big dave 3

From threads on here, I believe I could go with a 56 or a 58 size frame. I don't know of any shops anywhere near me stocking the bike. I only have shops stocking Giants or Halfords with Boardmans.

I was gonna go in blind on the strength of the good reviews of the bike

diamonddog

You need to consider more than how tall you are eg leg length etc. The effective top tube length is more relevant than frame size and it's an expensive mistake if you get it and it's not right.
You need to do as much research on the bike as you can, go to the manufacturers web site and look at geometry and size guides then try some other brands that have the same geometry to see how they fit.

team47b

bear in mind that Cube measure from centre of BB to centre of top tube not the start of the seat post.

mfin

I don't think you'll want a 58, a 56 in Cube will be most likely. Lots of places stock them though, so go look, even if you end up buying from somewhere else.

The bike will be fine, in fact its a not excessive in that if you get the bug and that's your entry point, you will want something more within a year or so I would guess. So, maybe buy something less expensive like a Peloton which one day you could demote to winter bike status. Or, up the budget and look at some carbon Canyons.

defride

Similar situation to yourself and bought a GTC Race end of last month. I'm 6' and ride a cube 18" hardtail, 56 on the road bike and just the ticket, expect 58 would be ok but feel uncomfortably big.

Fantastic bike, first experience of serious carbon and very impressed. The Pro's not so different from the Race and ripe for upgrading wheels and the like. Best of luck

cavey76

Can i ask the shop you have spotted a GTC Pro compact in for £1K? I'd be very interested myself at that price.

Big dave 3

It looks like Ive been too slow & missed out! It was at Winstanleys bikes.

There are some second hand ones on ebay up for more than a grand!

Big dave 3

cheers for the feedback on the sizing! a 56 sounds good then.

cavey76

Looks like they are still there!

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... _2013_Bike

Going to see if my C2W provider will deal with Winstanley as that is an excellent deal!

Big dave 3

Id be interested to know how you get on with C2W scheme. My work are doing it again from next month I believe. But Im not sure if winstanleys bikes do the scheme.

Im even tempted to go with the race option for another 200 quid, looks quite a bit better again with ultegra shifters.

I might have to abuse my credit card, if c2w isnt an option

Big dave 3

I just rang up & if you are buying a reduced bike on c2w scheme, then they have to add 10% percent back on, which would take the cost over a grand, so voucher couldnt be used. I didnt totally understand to be honest, but the pro & race basically cannot be purchased with voucher is what woman at Winstanleys said.

RobinB2

I bought the Agree GTC race from my lbs (J E James) in Sheffield at a reduced price a couple of months ago. At the sale price at the time (1250 ish), it was the same price as the GTC pro. Apart from the Easton wheels, I have been pretty happy with it

The same shop now have the GTC Pro reduced to 999 (available to order). For a pretty decent carbon frame, 105/Ultegra and Aksium wheels, this seems like a pretty good deal

A word of warning however - I usually fit a 53/54 cm frame but ended up buying a 56 cm Agree GTC race. The relevant dimensions for the 56 cm frame are 54.5 cm effective top tube and (about) 48 cm c-c seat post. These would be 54 cm frame dimensions for most other manufacturers, so I would very carefully check geometry specs if buying online

Big dave 3

cheers for the advice Robin.

Yeah after doing a bit more research, the components on the race , especially the easton wheels, do not appear to be worth the extra 200 quid. So maybe the pro is best.

Ive heard the sizing is different. How tall are you?

RobinB2

I'm about 5' 8. However if you're not sure about the sizing, be a good idea to at least find a shop that stocks Cubes to try one. Just going on height to work out the right size could be a bit hit and miss

The differences between the Pro and Race are pretty much down to the wheels and Ultegra shifters on the Race. The Race also has a slightly different frame with a smaller diameter seat post. As you say, not really worth the extra £200.

cavey76

Winstanley wouldn't play ball. I am Belfast based so my employer in their infinite wisdom set up with www.biketowork.co.uk not to be confused with the more popular bike2work system.

I will now try JE James and see if they will accept my voucher and as a last resort go back to my lbs.

Big dave 3

Well I found an even better deal. It has 55% off RRP , full ultegra transmission including the brakes & chainset & carbon frame. for £1100! !