Specialized vs Mekk

johngti
johngti Posts: 2,508
edited April 2014 in Road buying advice
I'm looking at getting a second bike through cycle to work. Currently have a defy 1 with a full 105 groupset fitted (including brakes, chainset etc). Obviously limited to £1000. Leisure lakes have a mekk poggio 1.5 for £790 and a specialized Tarmac for 950. If I were to pull the trigger, I'd swap the 105 to the carbon frame and fit the sora to the defy 1 which would then become the winter commuting bike pretty much (complete with mud guards and panniers) but would either of the bikes highlighted represent an upgrade to the defy frame set? Or would I be better off upgrading to a really nice set of wheels?

Thanks in advance :)

Comments

  • johngti
    johngti Posts: 2,508
    And Paul's cycles have a defy composite 3 available at £879. This comes with tiagra so a better option for the winter bike. This would probably be my preferred option - still interested in alternative opinions! Particularly re the Mekk.
  • johngti
    johngti Posts: 2,508
    Cor, page 2 and no opinions! Since getting a new bike is dependent on me getting paid to step up my job for maternity cover, if that goes through the two options I'll look at will be defy comp 3 or Planet X pro carbon ultegra in matt black. Mekk and specialized can be relegated. Fingers crossed!
  • Colinthecop
    Colinthecop Posts: 996
    My opinion is, I'd go for the Specialised purely because I own Specialized branded clothing so would look out of place on anything else.

    But I accept this is pretty worthless and of no help to you and your decision making process.

    Sorry.
  • johngti
    johngti Posts: 2,508
    No, don't apologise! I appreciate the fact that you have an opinion and that you shared it. Makes me feel less unwanted ;)
  • rickeverett
    rickeverett Posts: 988
    Think its just theres so many £1000 bike threads etc that people start to get bored answering them all :)

    MEKK bikes are excellent. You can find the 105 spec poggio for under a grand.. depending on size.

    Planet X ad Ribble are a good place to look too, but its harder work for people to recommend things as you have to see if places do the CTWS.
  • agent_buchwald
    agent_buchwald Posts: 256
    I'd get a Mekk - they've got much more kudos than a Specialized and are as close to British as you can get,more or less, I think after a while you'll have more affection for it.
    If it's just a stepping stone though, the Specialized will hold onto more of it's value.
    Look 566
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  • rickeverett
    rickeverett Posts: 988
    New Mekks are coming out soon - hence why virtually everywhere has sold out and has slashed prices. They will have the same frame but full groups according to rumours.

    Theres a Tiagra version for £799 at Wiggle BTW..
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/mekk-2g-poggio-p20-tiagra-2013/

    and 105 if your small...
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/mekk-2g-poggio-p25-105-2013/
  • johngti
    johngti Posts: 2,508
    rickeverett wrote:
    Think its just theres so many £1000 bike threads etc that people start to get bored answering them all :)

    MEKK bikes are excellent. You can find the 105 spec poggio for under a grand.. depending on size.

    Planet X ad Ribble are a good place to look too, but its harder work for people to recommend things as you have to see if places do the CTWS.

    Thanks - thrown the mekk back into consideration.

    To be fair, this wasn't really a which bike for £1000 type question - it was specifically a choice of two (or three) bikes neither of which I've seen compared anywhere so I was genuinely after opinions from anyone who might know more than me. I should be finding out if my pay is going up temporarily by Wednesday so it's going to be dependent on who's got what after that. I'm pretty much decided on using the extra cash to get a bike and the defy 1 will make a wonderful commuter :)
  • johngti
    johngti Posts: 2,508
    rickeverett wrote:
    New Mekks are coming out soon - hence why virtually everywhere has sold out and has slashed prices. They will have the same frame but full groups according to rumours.

    Theres a Tiagra version for £799 at Wiggle BTW..
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/mekk-2g-poggio-p20-tiagra-2013/

    and 105 if your small...
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/mekk-2g-poggio-p25-105-2013/

    Shame wiggle don't work with cyclescheme - the 105 one would do nicely.
  • rickeverett
    rickeverett Posts: 988
    johngti wrote:
    rickeverett wrote:
    New Mekks are coming out soon - hence why virtually everywhere has sold out and has slashed prices. They will have the same frame but full groups according to rumours.

    Theres a Tiagra version for £799 at Wiggle BTW..
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/mekk-2g-poggio-p20-tiagra-2013/

    and 105 if your small...
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/mekk-2g-poggio-p25-105-2013/

    Shame wiggle don't work with cyclescheme - the 105 one would do nicely.


    Forgot about that - I thought Wiggle did.

    Have a look at these guys too - they do CTW scheme.
    http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/
  • johngti
    johngti Posts: 2,508
    Thanks for the link - I'll probably use them if I go for the mekk :)
  • johngti
    johngti Posts: 2,508
    Decision made. Staying local and getting a defy 3 composite from a LBS. But only if work give me the extra pay I'm holding out for to cover a maternity leave. Fingers continue to browsed!

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