New disc winter bike advice

CantGetNoSleep
CantGetNoSleep Posts: 8
edited September 2018 in Road buying advice
I've promised to myself that I'll keep up two longer weekend rides all winter whatever the weather so want to pick up a bike and save my good bike.

My budget is around 800£ - requirements are fairly simple - hydraulic discs, 28mm tyres, ideally wheels that I won't want to change immediately, alu or steel frame, and mudguard mounts would be nice too. Under 9kg if possible.

The Vitus Zenium SL VR was top of my list at 799 but price went up to 949£ pushing it just above what I would like to spend ideally. I've also seen some of the older Cube Attain's under budget but can't find stock anymore, or the newer ones don't have the hydraulic discs (I won't compromise on that).

Anyone have any suggestions within budget? I'll be buying online

Comments

  • The new Tribans are being launched by Decathlon imminently which would tick all your boxes. Otherwise you're asking a lot for your budget, outside a sale bike you don't really ever get hydraulic discs on a road bike at £800 or less.
  • Agree that it is a tight budget - but I've seen some good specs for that price over the last few weeks, just can't find stock in my size or prices have increased now that it is time to order. The Vitus above I mentioned has a decent DT Swiss wheelset for example. So I need to shop around a bit - increasing budget starts to defeat the purpose of a cheaper winter bike.

    I'll look into the new Triban though - something like that would be what I have in mind. Or maybe the Ultra 520 drops in price when new bikes come out
  • photonic69
    photonic69 Posts: 2,960
    This: https://www.leisurewheels.co.uk/m10b0s6 ... -VR40-2018

    I bought one and it is great. Does exactly what you want


    Sometimes. Maybe. Possibly.

  • janwal
    janwal Posts: 489
    https://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-axe ... 95581.html
    What size are you,size 59 left in this one?
  • janwal
    janwal Posts: 489
    Cube attain at Paul’s cycles.various sizes.
    https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p83 ... -DISC-2017
  • singleton
    singleton Posts: 2,523
    CAAD optimo?
  • PhotoNic69 wrote:
    This: https://www.leisurewheels.co.uk/m10b0s6 ... -VR40-2018

    I bought one and it is great. Does exactly what you want

    Thanks looks good - how do you find the weight?
  • janwal wrote:
    Cube attain at Paul’s cycles.various sizes.
    https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p83 ... -DISC-2017

    They had the 105 2016 version for 829 up to last week - but this is definitely an option.
  • photonic69
    photonic69 Posts: 2,960
    PhotoNic69 wrote:
    This: https://www.leisurewheels.co.uk/m10b0s6 ... -VR40-2018

    I bought one and it is great. Does exactly what you want

    Thanks looks good - how do you find the weight?

    I think the weight is fine. It's like any winter bike - as soon as you add bottle cages, mudguards, winter tyres, saddle bag, pump, bottle of water etc etc and a 75kgs rider on top, the difference between a 9kg bike and a 10kg bike is negligable.

    On the hills its fantastic as is has lower gearing (super or sub compact) front chainrings. Not found them any slower on the flats but certainly flying up all the hills.


    Sometimes. Maybe. Possibly.

  • Singleton wrote:
    CAAD optimo?

    Love Cannondales but optimo seems to be mechanical disc in any reasonably priced set up
  • Thanks all for the advice - passed a closing down bike shop (well moving to ebikes only so no guilt about someone going out of business) and got a brand new Cannondale Synapse Disc 105 approx. 1050 GBP (I paid in euros).

    Wasn't exactly what I intended but couldn't leave it there at that price. Meets all of my criteria (even has a type of mudguard mount) - only it is a carbon frame. I guess I will just have to be careful. The only problem is it is far too close to my good bike to consider it a winter beater
  • joey54321
    joey54321 Posts: 1,297
    A winter bike isn't about riding a bad bike, it's about having a bike that is right for the conditions. Reliable, comfortable, puncture proof tyres etc... You should still be cleaning and looking after it.
  • arlowood
    arlowood Posts: 2,561
    Here's something within your budget that is alu framed and will easily be distinguishable from your "good" bike

    https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXFMAPE ... ravel-bike

    Hydraulic discs SRAM Apex x 1 drivetrain and plenty of room for Big tyres if that's what you want. Also has mudguard and pannier mounts
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Yes. If you don't look after it a bit of road salt will wreak havoc if left on the bike.