Recommendation: Carbon fibre bike up to £1500

DonDaddyD

SWMBO has finally given me the green light to replace Karen (RIP*) [my Kharma Kuota]. Sadly I probably won't be able to match Karen's spec or price (Carbon fibre, Fulcrum 5, Deda finishing kit, Ultegra SL).

I've got £1500 I want carbon fibre as I'm replacing my carbon fibre bike, I've got an aluminium bike. I really want it by the 23rd March This is purely a Sunday bike to ride around the lovely Kent Countryside - I am no longer a Londoner

On my list so far I've got:

Cannondale Synapse 105 5
Giant TCR
Ribble (though I'm undecided which Ribble
Focus Cayo
Nero Corsa 105 - http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/Nero_Corsa.html

Help, useful recommendations will be appreciated.

*It still hurts so I don't want to talk about what happened to Karen.

muttley_109

if you like the the synapse but want something racier how about a supersix?

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/can ... e-ec071004

dhope

Canyon Endurace CF

It's not their ultra racy model, it's aimed at the Gran Fondo / Sportive market.
Ultegra has a lead time (shame, as it comes in at £1550). but 105 in stock in large for £1300.

https://www.canyon.com/en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3680

vimfuego

Have a look at these (lots of kit for your outlay) - I have a Venon and I bloddy love it (10% off with a BC membership also helped):

http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/bike/rose-xe ... aid:746420

http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/bike/rose-xe ... aid:745058

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitu ... prod120690

OK so Di2 costs more - but still.......

DonDaddyD

dhope wrote:

Canyon Endurace CF

It's not their ultra racy model, it's aimed at the Gran Fondo / Sportive market.
Ultegra has a lead time (shame, as it comes in at £1550). but 105 in stock in large for £1300.

https://www.canyon.com/en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3680

I'm interested to know, why did you recommend the Endurance over the Ultimate?

rick_chasey

Hi DDD, long time no see.

Hope you're all OK.

As for bikes, Dhope's advice is good.

I've never met someone who rides a canyon that doesn't bloody love it.

They're great great bikes for your money, which is why they're becoming increasingly common.

Think it was Dhope too who found a one off outlet bike which meant I got a lot more for my £1600, so take a look here: https://www.canyon.com/en/outlet/list.h ... road-bikes

dhope

DonDaddyD wrote:

dhope wrote:

Canyon Endurace CF

It's not their ultra racy model, it's aimed at the Gran Fondo / Sportive market.
Ultegra has a lead time (shame, as it comes in at £1550). but 105 in stock in large for £1300.

https://www.canyon.com/en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3680

I'm interested to know, why did you recommend the Endurance over the Ultimate?

Slightly more relaxed geometry. Seems to be aimed more at people that want to ride around the hills without getting backache rather than head down and nailing it up every incline. Not to say you couldn't ride an Endurace hard or an Ultimate easy but I think you said in the past that the days of belting around blind corners are gone now that ddd is about.

DonDaddyD

Thanks Rick,

What is the sizing like with Canyon, I'm normally a 56 so would that be a medium with Canyon?

rick_chasey

https://www.canyon.com/en/tools/pps.html

Best to check - I went for a dwarf bike as you can imagine so don't know about medium sizes.

hegyestomi

You can try Planet X: they had at least one RT-58 with Ultegra 6800 for under 1k.

DonDaddyD

I did check out Planet X... they appear to be boycotting everything but Shimano Tiagra.

Thanks dhope,

Vim, not feeling those Rose bikes.

I just phoned Ribble, their GrandFondo and R872 has made me curious, I'm unsure about sizing and having to wait 10 - 12 days.

DonDaddyD

OK Grand Fondo is off the list as that doesn't come with internal cable routing.

RC21

Different approach - build it yourself ;

http://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/scott- ... 13-p264079

Fulcrum 4s:
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-t ... ulcwhfr270

Only leaves £100 for saddle, post, handle bars, stem, etc. . . it would be a pretty awesome bike and if you could stretch a little more you'd get some decent finishing kit.

Also, have you considered a Boardman? 10% off with BC membership

DonDaddyD

Mmm I'm off to test ride a TCR tomorrow. May even give my SCR some love...

elbowloh

RC21 wrote:

Different approach - build it yourself ;

http://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/scott- ... 13-p264079

Fulcrum 4s:
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-t ... ulcwhfr270

Only leaves £100 for saddle, post, handle bars, stem, etc. . . it would be a pretty awesome bike and if you could stretch a little more you'd get some decent finishing kit.

Also, have you considered a Boardman? 10% off with BC membership

That westbrook cycles kit doesn't include chainset or brakes either.

RC21

Oh . . . scrap that then

Ian.B

Hi DDD, have you checked out menthel's thread? http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40012&t=13009201 He seems very pleased with his Aprire and I think one of those would be in your range.

@ those proposing a Canyon - DDD says he wants it by 23 March

menthel

Ian.B wrote:

Hi DDD, have you checked out menthel's thread? http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40012&t=13009201 He seems very pleased with his Aprire and I think one of those would be in your range.

@ those proposing a Canyon - DDD says he wants it by 23 March

The Celeste would be but not the Vincenza I have. The Celeste frame is made in China vs the Vincenza being made in Italy. I also didn't ride a Celeste so don't know how the ride compares.

meanredspider

Boardman seem great value - nothing at this price point that interests you?

DonDaddyD

Mmmmmm

Looks like I'll be taking delivery of one of these...

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/286805/pr ... -bike.aspx
http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/cate ... -13-47055/

elbowloh

Last minute throw of the dice, but I have two Felts, so just wanted to suggest:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-f5-2015/?lang=en&curr=GBP&dest=1&kpid=5360678638&sku=5360678638&ci_src=18615224&ci_sku=5360678638uk

or for a more comfortable ride:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-z5-2015/

DonDaddyD

Received this in the post today:



Giant TCR Advance 2 (2014)

Things have really moved on since 2009 when I bought my Kharma.

5700 vs Ultegra SL, so far any difference is marginal IMO. Being nit picky, Ultegra SL felt smoother and 5700 more reassured (a clunk as you swipe the shifter) with each shift - but that's down to the shifter design. The main difference between any version of Ultegra and 105 IMO is weight. I'd choose 105 over Ultegra and use the savings to purchase a lighter wheelset - which I'm going to do. (This rule applies to Sora vs Tiagra).

Also I tried the new 105 5800 and apart from losing count of where I was in my gears as I scrolled around all 11, I couldn't tell any difference between 105 5700 and 5800, and the latter is supposed to be last years Ultegra.

Got Shimano 105 carbon pedals for less than £50 off Wiggle. Carbon pedals! Carbon fibre, pedals, carbon! £50.

The bike! Smooth, refined, stiff, fast, comfortable, complete. It climbs well too! If this is the TCR's swansong then its a lovely frame to end on.

Rutland Cycles I gave them hell as the bike was supposed to (well estimated to) turn up yesterday (they refunded my £20 delivery charge). Given they got the order Friday, built the bike on Monday and got it to me by Wednesday I cannot recommend them enough! Gears dialed just right and the staff/customer service was superb! Literally got the bike, set the seat post, handlebars, added pedals and off I went for a long ride!

Rutland have also given me £26 reward vouchers to spend in store or online as part of the purchase.

I am happy.

Now then wheel upgrade, £300 to spend, what should I get?

rick_chasey

Looking good.

Ugo will build you some wheels, but if you want factory wheels, can't go wrong with a pair of Mavic Ksyriums.

hegyestomi

Rick Chasey wrote:

Looking good.

Ugo will build you some wheels, but if you want factory wheels, can't go wrong with a pair of Mavic Ksyriums.

They are very nice, not sure if this link still works but for £330 you may want to consider it:
http://www.athleteshop.co.uk/mavic-wiel ... rium-elite

bigmat

Nice bike, except for that stem... (OK, maybe it looks better in the flesh).

Wheels? £300 probably enough for decent handbuilts. Zondas always get rave reviews but Campag on a Shimano bike? Just doesn't sit right somehow. I guess there is a Fulcrum equivalent (3s?) but they always seem to cost more.

DonDaddyD

What's wrong with the aero stem?

itboffin

Kuota Korsa with campag 11 speed £999
Ribble R872 with campag £999

both at Ribble natch!

spasypaddy

DonDaddyD wrote:

What's wrong with the aero stem?

its white.

DonDaddyD

spasypaddy wrote:

DonDaddyD wrote:

What's wrong with the aero stem?

its white.

OK stem isn't aero, for some reason I thought seat post. I did think that about the stem - a bizarre choice by Giant, especially as the 2014 Advance 1 was white and has a black stem... perhaps white bar tape. The bar is white as well.

veronese68

looks good, glad you like it. I agree about the stem (and bars if they are white) so I think you should say the reach is all wrong and you need to change them for black ones. I mean the right size ones.

bigmat

Now I feel bad for mentioning it! It's a lovely looking bike. I suspect the white stem and bars look a lot better in the flesh, they just don't photograph well.