Tricky Choice

GDM1

I have a couple of options for a road bike (moving over from MTB)

https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/EBPX58SO/ ... -road-bike

https://www.rutlandcycling.com/371597/p ... black.aspx

https://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-per ... 99310.html

All Similarly priced!

The Giant is the named brand here - should this clinch it due to a well known make?
Planet X has same groupset (Sora) as Giant but £70 cheaper
Merlin in only £20 more than giant but has 105 groupset (however not the crankset :-() plus get shoes and pedals!

Oh what to do - I like them all...any help will be greatly appreciated thx...

pblakeney

If I said get model Y, would you be disappointed that I hadn't said model Z?
Get model Z.

veronese68

What sort of pedals do you use on the MTB? If you use SPD see if Merlin will swap the road pedals for SPD. 105 is a couple of levels above Sora, that would sway my decision.

GDM1

oxoman wrote:

Another option from Rutland is linked below.
https://www.rutlandcycling.com/bikes/ro ... lue_378396

Rutland will be getting rid of hire fleet, demo bikes and last yrs models shortly at decent discounts. Some decent deals can be had if you wait and keep eyes open. Got my TCX and defy by keeping eyes open and waiting. Merlin offering is also worth thinking about.

Thanks for that...I guess the question is around groupset > frame

This one you've linked is now the best option I think - however does this match it:

https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/EBPX58TI/ ... -road-bike
Both Tiagara?

GDM1

Veronese68 wrote:

What sort of pedals do you use on the MTB? If you use SPD see if Merlin will swap the road pedals for SPD. 105 is a couple of levels above Sora, that would sway my decision.

Flat pedals on MTB

Yeah me too re 105 - however the crankset isn't :-(

jdee84

if you could stretch your budget a bit the contend sl2 with tiagra would be worth a look also

N0bodyOfTheGoat

Couple of other options I've spotted that are worth considering at ~£550...

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p673 ... N-PRO-2016
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/charge-plug-gri ... road-bike/

GDM1

oxoman wrote:

Both the PX and the Mekk are close spec, for me though the PX just gets it as 11/32 rear cassette so easier for beginner riders. But unless your desperate wait for the proper sales, also see whats on paulscycles website.

Hi thanks for this, so if we say the PX is best so far - then on paulscycles - even though the groupsets are only Sora are these better?

https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p67 ... N-PRO-2016

https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p69 ... EFY-3-2016


Hope this is the last question

pblakeney

Concentrate on the frame & forks.
The other components will be replaced and can be upgraded then.

GDM1

PBlakeney wrote:

Concentrate on the frame & forks.
The other components will be replaced and can be upgraded then.

So would you choose the giant or cube over PX?

If so I tempted by the giant over cube, as it's less of a racy ride - Or have I made that up?

Thx

N0bodyOfTheGoat

The Cube Attain range is almost as unaggressive as road bikes come, my 58cm frame has just 389mm reach and 610mm stack, it's one size bigger than I would normally ride (I'm 5'10" with 32.5" cycling inseam). With the pedal top to top of saddle set at 90cm, the saddle is pretty much the same level as the brake hoods.

pblakeney

GDM1 wrote:

PBlakeney wrote:

Concentrate on the frame & forks.
The other components will be replaced and can be upgraded then.

So would you choose the giant or cube over PX?

If so I tempted by the giant over cube, as it's less of a racy ride - Or have I made that up?

Thx

I couldn't say as my personal experience with aluminium bikes has not been good so I pay little attention. My personal choice. Other opinions are available.

cubedean

Just to chuck some real world use of the Sora R3000 in there, I've recently bought a Holdsworth from PX with the Sora groupset. I was reluctant at first with Sora being one of the lower end groupsets, I shouldn't have been, shifting is smooth and precise, the levers feel really good.

Eventually it will be upgraded.....but that's all in time.

StillGoing

Knowing a few people that have had bad experiences with Rutland and observed their staff attitude, I'd steer clear of them.