£1600 max budget - help

supermurph09

Aside from a TT bike, my last new bike day was when I bought my Canyon Ultimate 4.5 years ago, at the time I wanted something light and with Ultegra 6800 on it (I had a Cube Agree at the time with 6700 on). Looks were secondary, thankfully when the Canyon arrived it looked much better than the images on the website, the overall experience was great.

I wasn’t concerned with mail order, I knew Canyon made good bikes, it’s been (and still is) a very good bike, it’s time for a new one though. My budget at that time was £2k max, this time around I’ve got £1,500-£1,600 to play with but I believe I can get a bike every bit as good as the Canyon for that price. Like 4.5 years ago I have 2 main (ideal) requirements, light and with R8000 on. The Canyon weighs about 7.25kg with pedals on, under 8kg with pedals will suffice this time (I’m 67.5KG this time around).

I’ve got my mind set on 2 main choices.

Giant TCR Advanced 1 (2018). Comes with R8000 and is about 7.7kg for £1,525 and I have found one in my size (M/L at Pauls Cycles). By all accounts this is a superb bike.

Cannondale CAAD12 (2018). Comes with R8000 same weight roughly as the TCR, roughly the same price. The issue is finding one in the right size.

Alternates

Wait for the Giant TCR 2 (2019). Comes with R7000 and is £1,499. I would imagine this will still be sub 8KG, possibly even see if the shop will do a deal on the TCR 1 which is £1,799 retail.

After that I really don’t know what to look for. Rarely do rides over 50 mile, bike needs to be light (hill climbs entered) and don’t mind an aggressive geometry. I’ll be looking to buy a complete bike and want to buy new.

Not sure what else to consider?

supermurph09

I have thought about this: https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXPCEUL ... -road-bike

It's about 8KG but the wheels weigh 1,800g and tyres are terrible so there's probably about 600g that could be saved easily there with some CERO evo 24s (1400g + 200g contis).

Not sure it’ll quite be TCR / CAAD standard though.

craigus89

What is the reason for the new bike? You say you still have the canyon and it is still a great bike, will you be keeping it or selling? It's fine if it's just because you fancy a new one, but just wondering if there is something different that you want from it.

singleton

I love my CAAD12 - what size are you looking for?

supermurph09

Craigus89 wrote:

What is the reason for the new bike? You say you still have the canyon and it is still a great bike, will you be keeping it or selling? It's fine if it's just because you fancy a new one, but just wondering if there is something different that you want from it.

Good question. Keeping the Canyon, that’ll become the training bike, long term I may use the frame to create a hill climb bike with it. (Possibly).

To be fair I’d like it to do the same thing, but just wanting that new bike feel and to experience something slightly different each ride.

supermurph09

Singleton wrote:

I love my CAAD12 - what size are you looking for?

I’d need a 56cm. Would have to be R8000 with Spider ring.

Camcycle1974

I've got the Advanced 1 2018 and can confirm it's a great bike, apart from the wheels. If you have decent wheels on your Canyon then it's a no--brainer. Mine weighs 7.2kg with carbon wheels on and 7.8kg with the stock wheels.

Camcycle1974

Most Giant dealers are doing 20% off. I got mine for £1449.

Matthewfalle

caad is what you want if those are your sole choices but if you want that caad feeling how about a bowman palace with carbonzone deep rim tubs, that groupset you want and some nicd finishing kit.

#lush

helterskelter

MF is speaking sense.

craigus89

Matthewfalle wrote:

caad is what you want if those are your sole choices but if you want that caad feeling how about a bowman palace with carbonzone deep rim tubs, that groupset you want and some nicd finishing kit.

#lush

Don't suggest everyone does it! Otherwise my build is going to be common as muck.

Matthewfalle

Craigus89 wrote:

Matthewfalle wrote:

caad is what you want if those are your sole choices but if you want that caad feeling how about a bowman palace with carbonzone deep rim tubs, that groupset you want and some nicd finishing kit.

#lush

Don't suggest everyone does it! Otherwise my build is going to be common as muck.

its going to be lush, see.

get it done and post piccies

#sorted

Matthewfalle

Helterskelter wrote:

MF is speaking sense.

thank you!

#listentoSmithy

supermurph09

Camcycle1974 wrote:

I've got the Advanced 1 2018 and can confirm it's a great bike, apart from the wheels. If you have decent wheels on your Canyon then it's a no--brainer. Mine weighs 7.2kg with carbon wheels on and 7.8kg with the stock wheels.

Good intel thanks, I have some CERO wheels on the Canyon, sub 1500g, so may use those for Hill climbs if I go for the TCR.

Matthewfalle wrote:

caad is what you want if those are your sole choices but if you want that caad feeling how about a bowman palace with carbonzone deep rim tubs, that groupset you want and some nicd finishing kit.#lush

It’ll be over budget, sweet setup though.

Matthewfalle

Supermurph09 wrote:

Camcycle1974 wrote:

I've got the Advanced 1 2018 and can confirm it's a great bike, apart from the wheels. If you have decent wheels on your Canyon then it's a no--brainer. Mine weighs 7.2kg with carbon wheels on and 7.8kg with the stock wheels.

Good intel thanks, I have some CERO wheels on the Canyon, sub 1500g, so may use those for Hill climbs if I go for the TCR.

Matthewfalle wrote:

caad is what you want if those are your sole choices but if you want that caad feeling how about a bowman palace with carbonzone deep rim tubs, that groupset you want and some nicd finishing kit.#lush

It’ll be over budget, sweet setup though.

how much over? sales all the time?

#stuffthebudget
#can'ttakeitwithyou

supermurph09

Matthewfalle wrote:

Supermurph09 wrote:

Camcycle1974 wrote:

I've got the Advanced 1 2018 and can confirm it's a great bike, apart from the wheels. If you have decent wheels on your Canyon then it's a no--brainer. Mine weighs 7.2kg with carbon wheels on and 7.8kg with the stock wheels.

Good intel thanks, I have some CERO wheels on the Canyon, sub 1500g, so may use those for Hill climbs if I go for the TCR.

Matthewfalle wrote:

caad is what you want if those are your sole choices but if you want that caad feeling how about a bowman palace with carbonzone deep rim tubs, that groupset you want and some nicd finishing kit.#lush

It’ll be over budget, sweet setup though.

how much over? sales all the time?

#stuffthebudget
#can'ttakeitwithyou

Not got it to take! £675 for frame (Bowman), £575 for groupset, that’s £1,250 already.

Matthewfalle

leaving you 350 which is shedloads for bars, stem, seat post in the cleatances, espesh if you gor for something like Ritchey WCS, use those wheels you mentioned above for the time being then save up for 'Zones deep rims.

Job jobbed

#sorted

warrior4life

Hi Supermurph
Ben (from cycledivision)
Both are great bikes, I've owned them both and put lots of miles on each, currently the TCR would take it for me, its a slightly smoother bike to ride, it certainly isn't quite as loud as the Caad12. Also there's the BB, you'll find people who have no issues with Cannondale BB's but lots who do, we followed all the steps and sometimes had bikes back to Cannondale on multiple occasions and the creaking couldn't be resolved.
Personally I sold mine as I got fed up with the noise returning time and time again.

I'd try for the Advanced Pro if possible as it has the full carbon fork.
I'm currently on my 3rd TCR and I had two Caad12's, I don't think you'd be disappointed with either.
I wouldn't be adverse to the Supersix, there are some insane deals on ebay with the older and some say better version.
under £1000 for SRAM red and weighing around 6.5kg, it's where I'd look. Be careful though as some have minimal clearance at the rear and you cant fit 25mm tyres.

I worked at Planet X for a while also and although good value the bikes just weren't quite as nice as the big brands.

Camcycle1974

warrior4life wrote:

Hi Supermurph
Ben (from cycledivision)
Both are great bikes, I've owned them both and put lots of miles on each, currently the TCR would take it for me, its a slightly smoother bike to ride, it certainly isn't quite as loud as the Caad12. Also there's the BB, you'll find people who have no issues with Cannondale BB's but lots who do, we followed all the steps and sometimes had bikes back to Cannondale on multiple occasions and the creaking couldn't be resolved.
Personally I sold mine as I got fed up with the noise returning time and time again.

I'd try for the Advanced Pro if possible as it has the full carbon fork.
I'm currently on my 3rd TCR and I had two Caad12's, I don't think you'd be disappointed with either.
I wouldn't be adverse to the Supersix, there are some insane deals on ebay with the older and some say better version.
under £1000 for SRAM red and weighing around 6.5kg, it's where I'd look. Be careful though as some have minimal clearance at the rear and you cant fit 25mm tyres.

I worked at Planet X for a while also and although good value the bikes just weren't quite as nice as the big brands.

I did look at the Advanced pro but couldn't justify an extra £800 for a full carbon fork, better wheels and a cadence sensor, all other things being the same. An alu steerer makes a lot of sense and in the real world won't make one iota of difference (I Know this as I have a full carbon fork on my Enigma and it feels no different to my TCR) Unless I am missing an important point? It will be lighter probably but saving 100g on a steerer is irrelevant. TCR is the best value carbon race bike out there, even when it is not on sale. Caad is nice but stiff and less comfortable. Bowman over budget.

supermurph09

warrior4life wrote:

Hi Supermurph
Ben (from cycledivision)
Both are great bikes, I've owned them both and put lots of miles on each, currently the TCR would take it for me, its a slightly smoother bike to ride, it certainly isn't quite as loud as the Caad12. Also there's the BB, you'll find people who have no issues with Cannondale BB's but lots who do, we followed all the steps and sometimes had bikes back to Cannondale on multiple occasions and the creaking couldn't be resolved.
Personally I sold mine as I got fed up with the noise returning time and time again.

I'd try for the Advanced Pro if possible as it has the full carbon fork.
I'm currently on my 3rd TCR and I had two Caad12's, I don't think you'd be disappointed with either.
I wouldn't be adverse to the Supersix, there are some insane deals on ebay with the older and some say better version.
under £1000 for SRAM red and weighing around 6.5kg, it's where I'd look. Be careful though as some have minimal clearance at the rear and you cant fit 25mm tyres.

I worked at Planet X for a while also and although good value the bikes just weren't quite as nice as the big brands.

Hi Ben, hope you're good. Cheers for the input, the TCR is clear front runner now. Appreciate there are ebay bargains out there but I'd prefer to buy new so going to have a bit more of a look around for any more deals then if nothing comes up I'll be going ahead with the TCR. Cheers

brit66

Also there's the BB, you'll find people who have no issues with Cannondale BB's but lots who do, we followed all the steps and sometimes had bikes back to Cannondale on multiple occasions and the creaking couldn't be resolved.
Personally I sold mine as I got fed up with the noise returning time and time again.

Agree with this — am on my fourth BB replacement now for creaking.

The CAAD12 is a great bike but the BB30 is total shite technology. It would put me off getting any bike with push fit BB, which is probably most new bikes these days unfortunately.

jimmocrates

I had the same budget as you this time last year.
Was looking for comfortable bike with good frame,decent spec and looked good (lots of bland looking black bikes out there.dontlike big slope on top tube either. (So not really the same bikes you're considering)

Prices dropped in august and a little further still in sept.definitely best time to buy i thought.
Got a really good deal from Ben at cycledivision. Did me a deal over phone on a Scott Solace 10 disc for less than on website. A few people on here had recommended it.Swapped out chainset,saddle and tyres and now very happy with it.
Its a buyers market!Ring up the dealers and theres no harm in asking.
Good luck

supermurph09

Jimmocrates wrote:

I had the same budget as you this time last year.
Was looking for comfortable bike with good frame,decent spec and looked good (lots of bland looking black bikes out there.dontlike big slope on top tube either. (So not really the same bikes you're considering)

Prices dropped in august and a little further still in sept.definitely best time to buy i thought.
Got a really good deal from Ben at cycledivision. Did me a deal over phone on a Scott Solace 10 disc for less than on website. A few people on here had recommended it.Swapped out chainset,saddle and tyres and now very happy with it.
Its a buyers market!Ring up the dealers and theres no harm in asking.
Good luck

They are good guys at Cycledivision.

Apologies for wasting peoples time but I have decided against buying the TCR, something didn't feel quite right and it seemed I'd end up with 2 bikes that did the same thing. I also wasn't getting the same buzz thinking about the TCR arriving as I did when I was ordering the Canyon. Long term I'm not sure that's what I needed so I'm going to get a few new bits for the Canyon and then consider options again later in the year.

mcstumpy

(Deleted, wrong thread)