I need a faster bike

rumbataz

I've been happily riding my GT ZUM S2 hybrid bike for a couple of years now. It is serving me very well. However, I'm now finding it too slow on parts of my route (it's a 15Km route that I ride around 3 times a week). The route consists mostly of cycle lanes and I do have to ride on a couple of main roads at times.

On the fastest parts of my route I can ride flat out in the fastest gear and I can reach a speed of 40Km/h.

Also, I'm only using the largest front chainring these days. although I do use all of the eight rear sprockets depending on effort required.

I believe I have a triple Suntour XCC chainset with the following front chainring: 28/38/48T.

I didn't buy a road bike before as I had a bit of a belly that would have got in the way of adopting the correct position. Having lost some weight I feel I can now ride a roadbike more comfortably.

So, what I'm after is a decent roadbike that would enable to ride at a much faster pace than I can manage currently. My budget would be between £1,000 to £2,000 max.

I am short in height with short legs!

gaffer_slow

how short?

rim or disc brake preferance?

you can get some great bargains @ pauls cycles

eg
size 48
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p5237/CANNONDALE-SYNAPSE-CARBON-105-2013

for an "easy to search for bargains" options in your price bracket (on sale)

most 2015 will be reduced or about to be reduced around about now.
still plenty of knock down 2014 models available as well.

Giant Defy Advanced / Advanced Pro
Cannondale Synapse
Specialized Roubaix
Trek Domane

would all be GREAT first road bikes within your budget if you caught a bargain. That would suit your riding.

supermurph09

Canyon!

Failing that: https://www.cycledivision.co.uk/products/summer-sale/scott-solace-10-2014-dura-ace-9000-11spd

rumbataz

5' 6" in height.

Thanks for the shortlist - I'll check them out.

rafletcher

I don't know where you are, but "cycle tracks" and "40kph" aren't generally a good mix in the UK

w00dster

Without wishing to be rude thats not a great deal of mileage for a potential £2k bike. You might be overspending, if you can afford it great, but for the sake of a 15km cycle path route I wouldn't be spending that amount of money.
My commute is a similar distance and predominatly on a cycle path, as such speed isn't the essence, I go for comfort and all weather braking.
Whilst £2k will buy a very nice roadbike, lots of 2015 models on sale as 2016 models being released now. Personally for your type riding I would buy one of the new gravel/adventure bikes, similar to cycle cross. You can still get road gearing (compact chainset would be what you want), something like a GT Grade 105 would be good. The aluminum version is available for less than a grand, disc brakes and comes with 28m tyres.
If you think you will ride more in the future, increasing your mileage and riding more on the road, then there is a world of choice for you. I'm biased, I ride Trek bikes so would be suggesting a 2015 Trek Domane, a 4.3 disc (£1600) or the non disc version for £1530.
If you know your sizing and are happy using a geometry chart then buying from Rose or Canyon (German online retailers) will give you better value for your money, but you don't get to go to a shop, have a look at the bike in the flesh etc.

gaffer_slow

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19661568#p19661568]rumbataz[/url] wrote:

5' 6" in height.

Thanks for the shortlist - I'll check them out.

I would look for deals in the following sizes.

Defy - Small
Roubaix - 52
Synapse - 51

i think you would find 54s too big.

have a look around your LBSs and see what deals they can do. i would say (especially in your position as a newcomer) buying from your LBS is probably worth ~£100 in price or so.