Insurance Claim - Bike Replacement

gell68

Hi all, hopefully I've posted this in the correct forum to get some wider advice.

Unfortunately I had my bike shed broken into a few weeks ago and three bikes were stolen. Scott CR1 Team Carbon, GT Zaskar Gold Elite and my daughters Islabike. Long and short of it is that the insurance company, after umpteen calls has agreed to replace like-for-like. The GT and Islabike are pretty straightforward. The Scott isn't as simple. The new like-for-like equivalent according to the Scott dealer is the Solace 10. Nice bike and more than happy with it. However, out of stock right now in Evans - the insurance allocated supplier and could be a few weeks.

I have the Caledonia Etape in 10 days so the insurance company have advised I can get another bike of similar value from Evans. If it cost less I don't get the difference but hey-ho and if it's more I pay the difference.

So, thoughts on Trek Domane SL6 2017 vs. BMC Roadmachine RM02 105 2017 vs. wait for the Solace or something else altogether from Evans in that price bracket?

I'm a big lump, 185cm, 95kg and no sprinter! Like any help I can get going up which given where I live is anywhere I choose to go! Prefer the longer distance sportives rather than pure road races.

Probably a can of worms I've opened here ....... any thoughts on models above. Anyone experience of one or more?

luv2ride

Here's my two pennies' worth...

I've just bought a (2016) Scott Solace 10 disc from CycleDivision. Was looking at a Trek Domane disc but couldn't justify the cost after their recent price hikes. Would also have considered the BMC but, again, feels expensive for what kit you get (though no doubt an ace frame). What drew me to the Solace was the closeness of the geometry to my Scott CR1 SL which fits me really well, alongside the promise of greater frame compliance, ability to run wider tyres than my CR1 and it just happened to have hydro brakes. It also has the R685 brifters, that look and feel a helluva lot better than the RS505 brifters many disc bikes seem to be equipped with in 2017. My 2016 model was also subject to a hefty discount which meant it was much better value than a 2017 bike IMO (I also preferred the 2016 colourway 8) )

Have just come back from a quick blast round the local lanes. The Solace is a great bike (for me), and would recommend. Comfier than the CR1, just as nimble, and responds well to out-of-the-saddle sprints, and stops on a sixpence. Ticks my boxes. Can you select a 2016 "closeout" bike from Evans and get more bang for your buck, or is that not how it works?

Edit: meant to add, the Syncros RP2.0disc wheels on my Solace come in at just over 1600g, not half bad for a stock disc wheelset (made by DT Swiss), meaning I'm not in a huge hurry to upgrade the wheels given you have to spend a fair amount to get much below that weight.

gell68

Many thanks for taking the time to reply. I managed to take a Domane SL6 out for a spin yesterday around the cobbles of Edinburgh and up and down a few hills. Nice bike and can see why they've sold so well. That said I was, like you still leaning towards the Solace. Then I saw the Trek Emonda SL6 Pro! Now really don't know where I'm going!

I've spent longer pontificating this than I did buying our last house!

luv2ride

gell68 wrote:

I've spent longer pontificating this than I did buying our last house!

...and that's the way it should be . The Emonda has a good reputation I think so certainly wouldn't be a bad choice. In fact the only bad choice would be one that didn't fit you, and whether you went for a racier position when youd be better with a more upright position due to flexibility issues. I'm being careful here though as there's a lot said about "sit up and beg" endurance bikes (slot the Domane and Solace here). However, my experience of the Solace vs the CR1 is only a 9mm increase in headtube length. Given I use a 20mm cone spacer between the headtube and stem on the CR1, I'm just using a 10mm spacer on the Solace, which makes it look slightly racier!

The Solace is comfy, and I'm certainly appreciating that over the CR1, but you really ought to ride them all to make the most informed choice.

Good luck!