Bike Advice Please

seagull86

Hi all,

I am after some advice from you good people. I appreciate you get these questions all the time and have tried my best to read over old threads etc. Any help or guidance is much appreciated.


Anyway so I have cycled lots of times before although mainly on my mountain bike. It has come to the point where myself and my wife want to get into something more active than the sports we play. Our ultimate goal is May 2015 when we hope to complete the John O'Groats to Lands End challenge. I'm pretty serious about making the most of the bike and clocking up the miles every week, as well as the enjoyment factor im hoping to get fitter in the process.

So what I am after is some advice regarding getting a bike that is good value for money. I have had a look around and read various forum threads regarding what to look for. My budget is £1000 - £2000. I have been to the local bike shop although they are pushing Specialised bikes as they are all they stock. I'm sure they are good bikes I just want to make sure Im getting the best possible value for money as I'm open to all makes and models, id rather not be limited to one make.

So I've tried to narrow it down to a few and here is what I've come up with

Felt AR5
Giant propel advance 3
Cannondale synapse carbon 105
Cube agree gtc sl
Trek domane 4.7 compact

If anyone has any experience of using the above mentioned or has any comments they are gratefully received.

Anyway if you have any questions for me or need more info to make a more informed recommendation then please ask. Otherwise Im very grateful for you taking the time to read and hopefully respond.



Thanks

Jules Winnfield

If you are not into brand snobbery and want value for money, then you will get more bike for your cash if you go with the likes of Dolan or Ribble where you can spec your bike to your taste, not what you get off the peg with the more mainstream brands that the LBS always pushes.

seagull86

Jules Winnfield wrote:

If you are not into brand snobbery and want value for money, then you will get more bike for your cash if you go with the likes of Dolan or Ribble where you can spec your bike to your taste, not what you get off the peg with the more mainstream brands that the LBS always pushes.

I would be more than happy to do this. Problem is I don't have enough knowledge to know what sort of spec I should go for nor what spec represents good value for money. I have no problem going for a lesser known brand, the only reason going for more 'main stream' is because I don't know enough about bikes :oops:

Jules Winnfield

Have a look on Ribbles website. Check out the Bike Builder section and have a play with what you can spec up yourself. If you don't know anything about certain group sets, wheels, tyres and finishing kits etc, then a hour searching Google with what components you find on the Bike Builder section will make your choices more straight forward.

I specced a bike up from Ribble using the Bike Builder section, but I knew the criteria it had to match. That was.....

1. I wanted an aluminium frame
2. It had to have carbon forks
3. It had to be 20 speed
4. It had to have Deda bars and stem
5. I wanted hidden gear cables
6. It obviously had to be within budget

So that resulted in me getting their Sportive 7005 with Campagnolo Veloce group set.

simona75

Out of the list you provided I like the Synapse, would be a good bike to do Jogle on as well

Tjgoodhew

Canyon and Rose are a good option if you want value for money and are usually mentioned in these sort of threads.

Canyons new Endurance range would be suitable for long touring rides and it would also mean you wouldnt have the potential headache of trying to spec a bike without really knowing what components are what

menthel

How are you planning on doing your LEJOG/JOGLE? Are you going to be supported (a car/van driven by someone else carrying your stuff) or unsupported? If it is the latter you may be better looking for a bike with rack mounts and a good low gear as you will need to carry a decent amount of stuff to keep yourself going for such a trip, espeically once up in the sparsely populated areas of Scotland.

Something that can fulfil the fast tourer role may be good or something like the new Genesis Equillibrium 2015 bikes that will have a sporty geometry for daily use but can have mudguards and racks fitted. Personally I would go and visit Condor and get one of their bikes that would suit (Fratello or an Italia) but then I am biased as I love my Italia!

HebdenBiker

All of the bikes in your list are perfectly good road bikes. Planet X, Ribble and Dolan all sell good bikes too and are usually better value than the "brands". I don't know what you think you'd be getting extra by going for a big brand, or what you think you'd be losing by not going for a big brand.

However as someone has already said, if you are going to be carrying luggage on your LEJOG than none of these bikes are suitable. You want to be looking at touring bikes.

holiver

Jules Winnfield wrote:

So that resulted in me getting their Sportive 7005 with Campagnolo Veloce group set.

Any idea on the weight of your build? Also, can the frame take 25c tyres comfortably?

Jules Winnfield

Not sure on the weight mate, it's not the lightest bike ever built obviously cos it's aluminium but it serves me well. It is a very nice ride, that I will say. I have 23mm tyres so it will take 25's with no trouble.

JayKosta

For a long distance tour ride, I suggest -
Durable tires of width suitable for the weight you will have on the bike.
Shimano 105 (or better) level of components. Compact gearing suitable for hills on the route.
Mud guards for the wheels.
A frame with longish wheelbase, and mounts for racks if you will be carrying luggage.
Lights and reflectors.
Wheels with plain spokes that would be available at bike shops along the route if you need them, and carry tools to replace spokes along with 2 or 3 spare spokes.

Jay Kosta
Endwell NY USA