Yet another "what bike" - approx £1,500
the_hundredth_idiot
Posts: 813
I couldn’t see a what bike question on the first page so decided to rectify that anomaly!
I’ve had a Condor Fratello with Campag Veloce for about 8 years now. It’s a great all-round bike and I love it in many ways but I’ve got the itch for something else – something which will be perfect for the Sunday rides with my mates and bit lighter/sportier than the Fratello.
Budget is no more than about £1,500 as, realistically, I’m not fit enough or competitive enough to make the most of anything exotic. I do like the idea of something a bit different – nothing against Trek, Specialized, Cannondale, etc but I’d prefer something less common. Conversely, although I have Campag on my current road bike, I’m not that hung up on having it on my next one as I appreciate it restricts the choice a lot (and 105 feels like it's well ahead of Veloce now). A “sportive” style of bike is probably a better bet for me than anything too aggressively racy.
From a bit of a browse in shops and on the internet, I’ve got a list which looks like this. I’m leaning towards the last three on the list as they have the advantage of being able to buy from a physical shop (Pearson and Orro) and being uber-cheap (Merlin).
Norco Valence
Specialized Roubaix
Cannondale Synapse
Pinnarello Razha Easy Fit 105 Mix £1,450 (RRP £2,299) 8.4kg
Pinnarello Razha K 105 £1,450 8.5kg
Pinnarello Razha Veloce £1,500 (RRP £2,399) 8.6kg
Boardman Road Pro Carbon £1,499 Hydraulic discs 8.3kg
Cinelli Saetta Veloce
Rose £1,349
Canyon Endurace £1,150
Orro Pyro £1,349
Pearson imnotanumber £1,400
Merlin Fuse 105 £949
Any thoughts? The Merlin seems a lot of bike for the money so what’s the downsides compared with the Pearson and the Orro?
The only other thing I need to do is to sell a bike or two – wife’s instructions that one in is only if there is also one out.
I’ve had a Condor Fratello with Campag Veloce for about 8 years now. It’s a great all-round bike and I love it in many ways but I’ve got the itch for something else – something which will be perfect for the Sunday rides with my mates and bit lighter/sportier than the Fratello.
Budget is no more than about £1,500 as, realistically, I’m not fit enough or competitive enough to make the most of anything exotic. I do like the idea of something a bit different – nothing against Trek, Specialized, Cannondale, etc but I’d prefer something less common. Conversely, although I have Campag on my current road bike, I’m not that hung up on having it on my next one as I appreciate it restricts the choice a lot (and 105 feels like it's well ahead of Veloce now). A “sportive” style of bike is probably a better bet for me than anything too aggressively racy.
From a bit of a browse in shops and on the internet, I’ve got a list which looks like this. I’m leaning towards the last three on the list as they have the advantage of being able to buy from a physical shop (Pearson and Orro) and being uber-cheap (Merlin).
Norco Valence
Specialized Roubaix
Cannondale Synapse
Pinnarello Razha Easy Fit 105 Mix £1,450 (RRP £2,299) 8.4kg
Pinnarello Razha K 105 £1,450 8.5kg
Pinnarello Razha Veloce £1,500 (RRP £2,399) 8.6kg
Boardman Road Pro Carbon £1,499 Hydraulic discs 8.3kg
Cinelli Saetta Veloce
Rose £1,349
Canyon Endurace £1,150
Orro Pyro £1,349
Pearson imnotanumber £1,400
Merlin Fuse 105 £949
Any thoughts? The Merlin seems a lot of bike for the money so what’s the downsides compared with the Pearson and the Orro?
The only other thing I need to do is to sell a bike or two – wife’s instructions that one in is only if there is also one out.
Never be tempted to race against a Barclays Cycle Hire bike. If you do, there are only two outcomes. Of these, by far the better is that you now have the scalp of a Boris Bike.
0
Comments
-
Have a look at Dolan too (online, unless you're up by liverpool, but impeccable service). Several models well within a 1500 budget with full ultegra.0
-
Good point re Dolan (and Planet X, Ribble, etc). But I'm leaning towards the Pearson and the Orro because I can buy from a LBS rather than online, with the Merlin thrown in because it seems such outstanding value.Never be tempted to race against a Barclays Cycle Hire bike. If you do, there are only two outcomes. Of these, by far the better is that you now have the scalp of a Boris Bike.0
