Newbie needs a new bike !
YetiWheels
Posts: 3
Hi all. Newbie here saying hello to everyone 
I'm hoping to get a little guidance in purchasing a new lighter road bike. My retro steel tubed Carlton Criterium dates from the 80's and tips the scales at some 28lb / 12.7 kilos! Rebuilt a few times in its life it will now be my winter bike. I ride roughly four times a week - three evening hour long fitness blasts and one longer half day ride on the weekend.
So a new bike it is then? Budget of £1200 max, preferably around 1K or less, leaving change for tyre / saddle swaps. The biggest question is which frame material? I have steel, so something different perhaps? Titanium? Lovely, but too expensive. Alumnium? Possibly, but I've tried a couple of aluminium bikes and been a little underwhelmed with the ride quality - road chatter present, even with carbon forks. So I'm thinking of an entry level carbon bike. But first, a few questions spring to mind…
Any help most welcome in trying to guide me through the tricky minefield of options…! :? For ref, my LBS sell Giant, Cannondale and Trek as their higher end brands. My initial list runs like so...
1. Giant Defy Composite 3 or 2: http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bik ... 976/66541/
2. Trek Domane 4: http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/ro ... mpact_uk/#
3. Planet X Pro: http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBP ... _road_bike
4. Merlin MALT-CR: http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/b ... -2013.html
5. Ribble: Not sure which one - but they are very local to me..!
Any guidance much appreciated 8)
I'm hoping to get a little guidance in purchasing a new lighter road bike. My retro steel tubed Carlton Criterium dates from the 80's and tips the scales at some 28lb / 12.7 kilos! Rebuilt a few times in its life it will now be my winter bike. I ride roughly four times a week - three evening hour long fitness blasts and one longer half day ride on the weekend.
So a new bike it is then? Budget of £1200 max, preferably around 1K or less, leaving change for tyre / saddle swaps. The biggest question is which frame material? I have steel, so something different perhaps? Titanium? Lovely, but too expensive. Alumnium? Possibly, but I've tried a couple of aluminium bikes and been a little underwhelmed with the ride quality - road chatter present, even with carbon forks. So I'm thinking of an entry level carbon bike. But first, a few questions spring to mind…
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1. Am I better buying one of the lesser spec'd big brand bikes with a 'better' frame, then upgrade the components as they wear?
2. Would the more balanced approach of older carbon frame with a higher end group set be a better bet?
3. What are the advantages / disadvantages of buying from some of the UK smaller companies like Planet X / Ribble / Merlin etc who use the 'older' spec / design chinese carbon frames?
4. Are the so called lifetime warranties of the larger manufactures worthwhile.
Any help most welcome in trying to guide me through the tricky minefield of options…! :? For ref, my LBS sell Giant, Cannondale and Trek as their higher end brands. My initial list runs like so...
1. Giant Defy Composite 3 or 2: http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bik ... 976/66541/
2. Trek Domane 4: http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/ro ... mpact_uk/#
3. Planet X Pro: http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBP ... _road_bike
4. Merlin MALT-CR: http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/b ... -2013.html
5. Ribble: Not sure which one - but they are very local to me..!
Any guidance much appreciated 8)
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Comments
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I can recommend the Planet X SL Pro, good bike and gearing for that money and a very responsive bike to ride. TBH you need to go and have a look at them and ride them if you can to make sure you like them before you buy.0
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+1diamonddog wrote:I can recommend the Planet X SL Pro, good bike and gearing for that money and a very responsive bike to ride. TBH you need to go and have a look at them and ride them if you can to make sure you like them before you buy.
Good bike for the price. I love mine.Life isnt like a box of chocolates, its like a bag of pic n mix.0 -
Does anyone else have any suggestions? Any Italian brands / models I could be investigating?
Since the original post I've been busy testing the odd bike and have ridden an 013 Canondale Synapse 105, an 013 Trek Domane and a Merlin Malt-CR. All really a big step down in weight from my old heavy steel bike, so they felt nimble and responsive. Out of them all I think I preferred the Synapse most of all as it just felt that bit sharper than the others. So much so that I'm increasing my budget to that of the Synapse carbon base model, so now waiting for the 014 Synpase range (with the all new frame design) to hit the stores so that I can test one of those.
Since I started test riding, its really proven how important it is to try actually ride the shortlisted bikes before purchase as they certainly each have a different feel and character - surprisingly so actually.
All thoughts welcome 0
