Which Carbon for £1500

stn5

I've had my cycle scheme voucher for a little while now, and I'm really struggling to decide between the options. I have been cycling my hybrid for too long on the road and wish to get on something faster and more suitable!

I have narrowed my list down to the following bikes:

Focus Cayo 7.0
http://www.focus-bikes.com/gb/en/bikes/2015/road/performance-cayo/cayo-70.html

Specialized Tarmac Sport
http://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/bikes/road/tarmac/tarmac-sport

Trek Emonda S 5
http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/road/performance_race/emonda/emonda_s_5/

Cannondale SuperSix Evo 105 5
http://www.cannondale.com/nam_en/2015/bikes/road/elite-road/supersix-evo/supersix-evo-5-105

Cube Agree GTC Race
http://www.cube.eu/uk/bikes/road-race/agree/cube-agree-gtc-race-carbonnwhitenred-2015/

All bar the Cube are available from a local place where I had measurements done. They say to narrow my choices down and then they'll chuck me on a turbo trainer to take proper measurements regarding saddle height, stem etc before building. Seems like they'll provide a good service! However, it's hard to ignore the Cube's value.. just I don't think CycleSurgery are likely to offer the same level of fitting service.

Anyway, how can I make a decision from the options?

cedargreen

Hi and welcome.

If what I'm about to say comes across as a bit harsh I apologise- it's not intended to be critical.

I think the problem is that, like many others you're looking through the wrong end of the telescope. It's the curse of the internet striking again so that when looking for a bike the first thing folks do is trawl the web making ever longer lists of possible bikes from the ever greater choice available, then they try and 'narrow it down', presumably by spending hours reading reviews and comparing detailed specifications in the belief that this process will somehow lead to the right choice. But instead it just leads to confusion and paralysis.

It sounds like you have found a decent bike shop with a reasonable selection of bikes. I would go there and have a chat with them. The first question when buying road bike is 'does it fit me?' This trumps all other considerations including specification, brand, groupset etc. Apart from that you probably want to think about geometry/position- a more upright 'sportive' bike or a traditional lower 'racing' one, and what sort of gearing you want- compact double or triple versus standard double depending on your level of fitness, climbing ability and terrain. And things like colour and aesthetics are quite important since a nice looking bike is one you will want to ride and maintain.

As long as the bike fits you, it's pretty hard to buy a bad bike for £1500. Good luck and enjoy.

cadseen

Good advice above on bike choice, the fit and how it feels to you is important. I thought the ride to work scheme was £1000 max but maybe its changed.

Ribble has a good selection of Carbon bikes for under £1000 @ http://tidd.ly/da15e121

keef66

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19630923#p19630923]cadseen[/url] wrote:

Good advice above on bike choice, the fit and how it feels to you is important. I thought the ride to work scheme was £1000 max but maybe its changed.

Ribble has a good selection of Carbon bikes for under £1000 @ http://tidd.ly/da15e121

+2. My first road bike I went to Epic Cycles and talked about my requirements. I'd gone there thinking I wanted a carbon Orbea of some description. Onyx I think. Came away having ordered an alloy Racelight Tk (after test rides and fitting) and it's been a brilliant bike I can ride comfortably all year round and with the protection of proper mudguards. The other advantage being I got to choose every component for the build, so there's been no money wasted on replacing parts before they wear out.

Some firms offer more than the £1000 limit; think I've read that means they have to be licenced credit brokers? My blue chip employer despite spouting all kinds of eco-nonsense, resolutely refuses to offer any cycling to work scheme

alex222

I was able to go over the £1k limit with no issues. I don't think the licensed credit broker requirement is an issue if you pay the difference directly to the bike vendor.