Not another what bike for £1k..........

Stephent

......afraid so.

I'm looking at changing from Cube hybrid to a road bike at the above price range, could probably go to £1200 if required.

Ive been researching on here and using reviews but struggling to make a decision.

Right now I'm looking at Planet X Carbon with full Utegra 6800 group/Sensa Romagna (upgrading to 105 or 6800 group)/Rose Pro 2000 with 105 group ........the longer this goes on the more confused I get as a new bike becomes frontrunner. Im determined to buy from a direct to market manufacturer as opposed to Trek, Specialized, Giant et all.

I've no interest in racing but looking to get the mileage up and be comfortable as possible as few lower back issues from time to time although I'm working on building up core.

Quite hilly where I live, outskirts of Glasgow, so again a bit unsure on Triple, Compact, double etc

Any, and I mean any, feedback at all would be very welcome.

Cheers

Stephen

simonj

Go compact double - as a triple or mtb cassettes although may be an option, it doesn't force you to get better if you drop to stupidly low gears at a snif of a hill and as you get better you'll appreciate the smoother change and smaller gaps. An option may be a MTB / SRAM Wi-Fli 11-32 cassette with a double if you are really worried about hills as you can always swap it for something more suitable later with minimal spend (£15-40).

If you have back issues / aren't too flexible and this is your first road bike and you are not 100% sure what to go for, you may be best looking for a more relaxed bike - endurance/sportive type bikes. Problem is you really need to test them in person, else you'll just be making an exspensive mistake. Look and learn about bike geometry and perhaps look for bikes with longer / taller headtubes and longer wheelbase (Cannondale Synapse/Giant Defy) as that makes them more relaxed than an outright racer (Cannondale SuperSix/Giant TCR).

Many people who know what they are on about don't like the term Sportive bike as it's a bit of a marketing name, but if you're not sure what to go for if you mention bad back, sportive/ endurance bikes to a shop they should get the jist. If you're definately after something comfortable I'd tend to spend more time getting the right frame than worrying so much about the kit on it. If £1000 gets you a nice comfy frame with Tiagra, where as a direct sale place has a better spec bike with ultegra, but the frame works out less comfortable, in my head it's not a great buy.

Stephent

Cheers, good feedback and helps decide on group set dilemma and fully understand removing the option to drop to low gears.

Regard to a test ride, how long would a shop let you ride for, I'm thinking if it's a quick spin then obviously it'll help to an extent but never going to know until you've really pushed it on long ride.....the comfort issue brought the Sensa bike into equation based on the review. My novice thought was, I don't have anything to compare against except the Hybrid so whatever bike is bought is adjusted to suit.......more to it than that though!

Thanks again for reply

CXrider

I have the same back problem and had the same issue with changing mind on purchase and the same problems with meaningful testing..

You are never really going to get a shop to let you borrow 5 bikes for 30 miles to test it out on your body so my answer was to pick the bike that I felt was right in the middle of the geometry stakes (neither a low fronted racer or a hybrid upright style position) and then I took it to a specialist to get me fitted to it perfectly.

i think that is really the way to get the best bike for you. The saddle, frame material and gears mean a lot less for people like you and me, where the ability to stay riding without twinging the back is paramount.

I still have to sit up straight and stretch the back every 5 or 10 miles on a long ride and racing downhill or on a straight in a low tuck position is really tough but as the mileage builds up (circa 100 miles a week) my back and general body ailments are continuously improving. Ah yeah, make sure you do decent stretching and work on core strength (if down the gym)

Therefore, I would concentrate the search on bikes that people say are comfortable and don't dwell on components and weight. That Planet X does look like ridiculous value but it might be the worst bike for me and you. I don't know and that's the point. Play it safe.

Stephent

Cxrider, cheers for your advice.......what did you opt for yourself?

I think i'll have to get some test rides in and maybe ask my neighbour for a spin on his Planet X....

It may be that I have to go through to Edinburgh or down to Preston to test the PX or Sensa, meanwhile another friend has suggested Trek Domane 2.3.

Would the handling be all that different between a 1k alloy v 1k carbon frame.......?

Appreciate all the guidance from the experienced cyclists.

Rodebrecht

I live in Glasgow and I cycle a lot outwith the city and I've got a compact chainset and I've never come across a hill too steep that I just couldn't pedal. I was terrible when I started so a compact would be fine, a triple would be even greater.

Compact double is good.

janp

I've had the Planet X Pro Carbon for a month now, and I absolutely love it! Bare in mind, it's my first road bike, so I don't really have anything to compare it to.
Many people have told me it's quite an aggressive position as it's more of a racing bike. I suspect if you have back problems, then the Planet X Pro Carbon isn't for you. Personally, I'm young, pretty flexible, and exercise my core regularly. It was the perfect bike for the money I had.

I'm fairly new to road biking, but if you have any questions on the Pro Carbon I might be able to help.

Stephent

Finally, with a heavy heart ruled out the Rose bike, it makes no sense to buy from Germany without trying the bike. Same goes for Sensa Romagna.

I decided to visit a shop today and checked out a few bikes for sizing with both various of geometry and now starting to get somewhere......at last! Can trawl the web for valuable research but no substitute for seeing the bikes up close.

Bianchi Impulso Veloce was my preferred choice but they didn't have in stock and that has been ordered in for me to test along with my other choice, BMC GF02. Thinking is having no experience of road bikes that I will get a feeling for one of the bikes/gear group by test riding on same day.......thats the hope anyway.

Planet X RT58 is still in back of mind but I'm wondering of the benefit of an entry level carbon frame to me at this stage of starting out from hybrid to road........cheers gain for replies

Bovril

I know you mentioned not wanting to buy from Trek in your original post but...

I was in your position up until about a week ago, wanting my first dedicated road bike and getting back trouble on longer rides. I went to the LBS (originally wanting another Genesis) but after I sat on a Trek Domane I ended up walking out with it. Nice high front end and very comfortable frame has meant the 4 rides i've done this week a joy. Getting properly sized up and sitting on the bike was very useful after looking online so much.

So I would recommend the bike and the fitting from the LBS.

http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/road/endurance_race/domane_2_series/domane_2_0/

simonj

Yes I'd say bikes like Trek Domane, Cannondale Synapse or Giant Defy...

jasondxb

Stephent wrote:

Planet X RT58 is still in back of mind but I'm wondering of the benefit of an entry level carbon frame to me at this stage of starting out from hybrid to road........cheers gain for replies

I purchased the RT58 a couple of months ago, had not ridden for about 20 years. The bike suits my needs and I find it reasonably comftable, doing about 175k's a week at the moment, longest ride to date just under 4hrs

If you get the power down, you can feel the frame flex slightly, I've been told this is normal. The only other bike I have ridden is my mates Triban 3, and if I'm honest the the only noticeable difference was a bit more buzz through the handlebars , presumably because it does not have carbon forks

Its early days but I would definitely recommend the RT58, as I think its great value for money

Ringpeace

I'd advise going second hand or building your own, as long as you know the frame will fit you. Here's why - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191127077568?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I have this frame and it's an awesome bit of kit. Cost me around £1100 to build it up with full 105 and some decent wheels.

You can get full Ultegra 11 speed for £500 here - http://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-ultegra-6800-groupset-oem-69564.html

The only reason I would suggest a big brand over the Planet X is for resale value. From what I read they are quite naughty in their adverts. When you read the small print a lot of the time it isn't full whatever they are passing it off as.

Whatever you do you may as well look into the Cycle to Work scheme as that gives you a decent chunk of change - money that can be spend on upgrading wheels etc.

Cheers

simonj

Surely you can't use the C2W scheme to buy 2nd hand or build your own?

Ringpeace

simonj wrote:

Surely you can't use the C2W scheme to buy 2nd hand or build your own?

Eh?

Someone is missing where it said it could.

Stephent

Decision made at last and Bianchi Impulso Veloce ordered. Hopefully have it in next fortnight.

smoggysteve

Stephent wrote:

Decision made at last and Bianchi Impulso Veloce ordered. Hopefully have it in next fortnight.

Where did you test ride the Impulso?