197cm Buying Advice

Bucklejuice

Hi all

I have just got hold of £1000 to use on Halfords C2W and have been doing weeks of research and reading. As you will notice above, I am 197cm with an inside leg of 94cm or thereabouts. I have narrowed down my search to the following four bikes and would like some advice from fellow forum users:

1. Giant Defy 1
2. Cannondale Synapse 6 Tiagra
3. Trek Domane 2.0
4. Trek Madone 2.1

I am aware of the components and spec differences and have been studying the geometry. I have also been to see all but the Cannondale 'in the flesh'. However (and herein lies my problem), being so tall I'd be on the very biggest frame size from each manufacturer. Therefore, nowhere but nowhere has any stock in my size. I have been to my LBS (Trek stockist) and they will measure me up and be 95% certain that they would get the right frame size. All others I would be ordering blind. In all honesty, the Cannondale has always been at the top of my list although having been to my LBS at the weekend he has convinced me that I should really be looking at 105 as there would be a noticeable difference from Tiagra.

Has anyone else had this issue or been looking at similar bikes in this price point who could offer any advice? Should also mention that I am traditionally a MTB'er but really fancy getting into the road scene.

Thanks all in advance for any helpful comments!

Schobiedoo

I don't think there is enough of a difference between 105 and Tiagra to get too excited about. Yes, 105 is better, but not so much to make a massive difference. LBS is trying to up-sell. IMO you're better off upgrading the other components if you've got spare cash that you want to put towards the bike.

If you're C2W is from Halfords then you're going to be limited in the stock that they have. The Boardman bikes are always well equipped for the money and I see that's not on the list.

kajjal

I am the same height and similar proportions and last year bought a road bike after many years of mountain biking. I had the same problem with sizing and test rides. At your height you are right at the top of the normal bike ranges. I bought a Trek 1.5 62cm in the sales, it has Treks more upright H2 riding position which is available in other Trek bikes. In my experience the reach and stack were very helpful when comparing bikes.

The main change I made to my bike was to flip the stem to the upright position to reduce the drop from saddle to bars to around an inch. My bike has Tiagra which once set up properly is fine. Have a rear on bike setup as road bikes need to be more accurately setup than mountain bikes.

RideOnTime

Bucklejuice wrote:

Hi all

I have just got hold of £1000 to use on Halfords C2W and have been doing weeks of research and reading. As you will notice above, I am 197cm with an inside leg of 94cm or thereabouts. I have narrowed down my search to the following four bikes and would like some advice from fellow forum users:

1. Giant Defy 1
2. Cannondale Synapse 6 Tiagra
3. Trek Domane 2.0
4. Trek Madone 2.1

I am aware of the components and spec differences and have been studying the geometry. I have also been to see all but the Cannondale 'in the flesh'. However (and herein lies my problem), being so tall I'd be on the very biggest frame size from each manufacturer. Therefore, nowhere but nowhere has any stock in my size. I have been to my LBS (Trek stockist) and they will measure me up and be 95% certain that they would get the right frame size. All others I would be ordering blind. In all honesty, the Cannondale has always been at the top of my list although having been to my LBS at the weekend he has convinced me that I should really be looking at 105 as there would be a noticeable difference from Tiagra.

Has anyone else had this issue or been looking at similar bikes in this price point who could offer any advice? Should also mention that I am traditionally a MTB'er but really fancy getting into the road scene.

Thanks all in advance for any helpful comments!

What's that in old money? you like 8ft tall....

brownbosh

felt F75
aluminium frame, carbon fork, mostly 105 apart from the woeful chainset. Nice repairable rims and available in 61 cm. 949. simples.

Bucklejuice

Thanks very much for all the helpful comments folks. It seems that I'd be fine for the Trek 62cm which I had pretty much decided on a couple of days ago (Madone 2.1), thanks for that Kajjal.

That was until I contacted Rose and found out that their bikes are available through Halfords... so it's now pretty much looking like a Rose Pro SL 2000 with full 105 and plenty of room for a few other minor upgrades!

At least I know if that falls through I've got a sound backup in the Trek - thanks again!

Bucklejuice

Oh and yeah ROT, not quite 8ft tall but not far off! 6'5.5" to be exact and 37" inside leg!

Xommul

Rose are a good brand,
I am 200cm, 97kg and have a 63cm Rose carbon pro RS 4400. SRAM force all round.

I got 175mm cranks and a 120mm stem.

If you can get one that beats a trek for VFM.

They also get great reviews too.

Good luck.

Bucklejuice

Xommul that's really good information, thanks very much. I've taken my measurements and sent them off to Rose so hopefully I will get my hands on the new machine in the next couple of weeks!

I have to say from the research I've done over the past few weeks, the spec on offer is extremely good value for money on the Rose bikes.

Bucklejuice

Well, despite having a Rose Pro SL 2000 on order, I unfortunately had to cancel a few weeks later due to Rose and Halfords not being able to sort the paperwork out. Really disappointing and I can't understand how Rose are no good at build dates etc. when they are surely a successful mail order company, but I suspect Halfords weren't blameless either. The joys of the C2W scheme!

Anyway, I'm lucky enough to live in the NE and we have the only dedicated UK Cube store in Durham, so I am picking up my 64cm Cube Peloton Race in black and red tomorrow and I absolutely can't wait! Went to have a look and decided I had to have it, lovely looking bike.

Thanks for the help and advice received, hopefully the new steed will treat me well!