Which Bike - 3 Options...

jlammy
jlammy Posts: 43
edited June 2018 in Road buying advice
I've finally managed to shrink the list of bike options down to these three. (Limited supplier options due to C2W scheme)

My main requirements were: Carbon Frame, at least 105 group set and disc brakes (it's just what I'm used to, coming from MTB)

1) Ribble R872 Ultegra (£1299) - Carbon, ultegra group set, but rim brakes:
https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-r872-ultegra/

2) Boardman Road Pro Carbon (£1200) - Carbon, 105 group set, hydraulic disc brakes
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/r ... 5cm-frames

3) Suggest something else that can be bought from the likes of Tredz, Halfords or any other company that accepts Halfords C2W

FYI: I'll need a medium sized frame - 5ft 9in in height.

Any help would be appreciated. Really would like to get out cycling ASAP instead of waiting around for better deals now. Missing it quite a bit!

Comments

  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Well, you've only come up with 2, one of which doesn't have the disc brakes you said you wanted.
    But of the 2, the Ribble's the one I'd get. You're getting a full Ultegra R8000 groupset and decent wheels. The only things you're likely to want to change are the saddle and the tyres.

    I'd only want disc brakes on a road bike if I was commuting on it year round, planning on doing a lot of descending in the wet, or I weighed 20 stone.
  • pippi_langsamer-2
    pippi_langsamer-2 Posts: 1,470
    Out of those two, Ribble for sure.

    Don't let yourself get caught-up in all this disc brake Klingon Mind Melding guff...
  • imafatman
    imafatman Posts: 351
    The difference between Ultegra/105 is very minimal so I wouldn't let that necessarily sway your decision.

    The Ribble does look like the better bike if you are used to disc brakes you might just find mechnical caliper brakes a bit shite, I know I did when I test road bikes last year. Coming from hydro brakes on MTB, they just feel cack. So I'd definitely test ride a bike to make sure you can live with them.
  • jlammy
    jlammy Posts: 43
    I did also look at the Ribble Gran Fondo Disc 105:
    https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-g ... sc-105-se/

    This has a carbon frame, 105 group set and hydraulic discs, but the price is £1399, so a bit more expensive than I would have liked.

    Struggling a bit to decide between getting the R872 or paying £100 more for the Gran Fondo, which meets the disc brake requirement, but a more endurance frame.
  • StillGoing
    StillGoing Posts: 5,211
    Merida Scultura 5000 with Ultegra are out there for around £1,200. You might find some 2017 4000 left lying around with 105 for under £1k. Both carbon frames with integral cabling and available as rim or disc brake.
    I ride a bike. Doesn't make me green or a tree hugger. I drive a car too.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Can't really advise about racy vs endurance frame geometry. If you've only ever ridden MTB you may find the latter a better bet. Any chance you could actually visit Ribble to sit on / look at them?

    The non-series 505 levers on the 105 bike aren't the prettiest things Shimano ever made, if that kind of thing worries you.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    https://www.rutlandcycling.com/bikes/ro ... rey_373882

    If you're the right size, Rutland still have some of these for just over a grand. Fugly STI levers notwithstanding...
  • gotwood25
    gotwood25 Posts: 314
    Trek Domane with Di2

    https://roadcycleexchange.com/collections/road-bike/products/copy-of-trek-domane-5-9-shimano-ultegra-di2-size-50-to-62cm-65-off
  • jlammy
    jlammy Posts: 43
    keef66 wrote:
    https://www.rutlandcycling.com/bikes/road-bikes/cube-attain-gtc-pro-disc-2017-carbon-road-bike-grey_373882

    If you're the right size, Rutland still have some of these for just over a grand. Fugly STI levers notwithstanding...

    I would have went for this if they had my size left. I need a 56cm frame. :cry:
  • jlammy
    jlammy Posts: 43
    keef66 wrote:
    Can't really advise about racy vs endurance frame geometry. If you've only ever ridden MTB you may find the latter a better bet. Any chance you could actually visit Ribble to sit on / look at them?

    The non-series 505 levers on the 105 bike aren't the prettiest things Shimano ever made, if that kind of thing worries you.

    Ribble is unfortunately too far from London. I did however have a Giant Defy Advanced 2, which was an endurance frame - never tried a racy frame before. Might need to visit a local shop to try a "racy" frame.
  • singleton
    singleton Posts: 2,523
    Why do you specify a carbon frame?
    Have you considered a CAAD Optimo 105 disc? Should be able to find one in budget.
    e.g. http://www.billybilslandcycles.co.uk/57 ... gJIsPD_BwE

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