New bike advice please

paulb369uk

Evening all, I have almost decided on my new bike (I think !!!) I am undecided betweek the Cube Agree GTC SL (Full Ultegra) or the Dolan l'Etape also with full Ultegra. I currently have a Giant Defy 2 and would consider another giant but the wheels dont appear to be great on the bikes below £1500 (my Defy2 was my first road bike so was bought with little knowledge)

Any advice / views would be more than welcome

Thanks
Paul

paulb369uk

Any thoughts guys ?

Thanks

dombhoy

Dolan looks good and im pretty sure the wheels are better. They also sell direct so likely to be more of a bargain

dj58

I've no experience of those two bikes, like you I have an aluxx Defy.

Both would be a nice upgrade from the Defy, I would have thought and with the Dolan you can custom spec it. Have you sat on them yet, both are a similar spec. The Cube looks as if it has a shorter HT/lower bar position than the Defy, is that what you are after?

Can you test ride of each model? As has been said many times on here, buy the one that fits you best and that you prefer the look of.

paulb369uk

Thanks guys, not sat on the dolan yet, cube felt ok but more of an aggresive ride than my defy so might take a bit of getting used to !!!

supermurph09

have you thought about Canyon?
https://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3580

https://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3502

https://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3587

davoj

I would go with the Dolan, I had one and loved it!

thecm

Are you keeping your current Defy or selling? If keeping there's something to be said for having two differing bikes, one relaxed one not so relaxed so maybe the Cube? Dolan have a good name and the Etape is an updated Hercules, which reviewed well, the spec with full Ultegra is a definite plus. There are plenty on here who turn up their noses at Dolan and Ribble, as they're not at the cutting edge of frame design, which is probably true and not necessarily a reason to not buy, you are getting the cost reduction benefit of direct selling without the distributors mark up.

paulb369uk

Thanks for all your valued advice, I will be keeping my defy and using that as my winter/commuter bike, I have seen some good priced TCR's but wanted something other than a giant as I already have one.

Jules Winnfield

TheCM wrote:

There are plenty on here who turn up their noses at Dolan and Ribble, as they're not at the cutting edge of frame design

Or because the bikes are not classed as the mainstream e.g. Specialized, Trek, Giant etc and the said owners suffer with name snobbery

paulb369uk

Jules Winnfield wrote:

TheCM wrote:

There are plenty on here who turn up their noses at Dolan and Ribble, as they're not at the cutting edge of frame design

Or because the bikes are not classed as the mainstream e.g. Specialized, Trek, Giant etc and the said owners suffer with name snobbery

Surely not bike snobbery !!! :oops:

wotnoshoeseh

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cube ... prod114090

Currently available with 15% off. Insert code CUBE15 at checkout.

dyrlac

I have the l'Étape with full ultegra. Have only done about 770km on it, but am greatly pleased. V. aggressive geometry, with the biggest reach to stack ratio I could find in that price bracket (this was the key metric for me for [Reasons], although I'm sure it makes no sense at all) . The other attraction was that you don't see many of these at all (even though it is a British brand). Mine has tarty yellow highlights and it got compliments on its first ride out. Finally, the Dolan guys are very quick to answer any questions, and they delivered a good week before they promised.

minusnothing

Dyrlac wrote:

I have the l'Étape with full ultegra. Have only done about 770km on it, but am greatly pleased. V. aggressive geometry, with the biggest reach to stack ratio I could find in that price bracket (this was the key metric for me for [Reasons], although I'm sure it makes no sense at all) . The other attraction was that you don't see many of these at all (even though it is a British brand). Mine has tarty yellow highlights and it got compliments on its first ride out. Finally, the Dolan guys are very quick to answer any questions, and they delivered a good week before they promised.

Sorry to resurect the thread, but I'm thinking of getting a l'Étape but can't find the stack or reach figures anywhere.

If you don't mind me asking how tall are you and what size frame did you go for?
Do you know the stack / reach details for the frames?

Cheers,

dj58

Minus,

You might be better posting a new topic asking your specific question, if Drylac does not notice this resurrected thread you may be waiting forever for a reply. Have you tried contacting Dolan directly, as you say they don't show those measurements on the frame geo. chart.