new Carbon bike for around £2000 with cycle to work scheme?

EricMamet
EricMamet Posts: 7
in Road buying advice
I have been advised to buy a Ribble Endurance SL Disc because I am looking for a decent carbon bike to replace my current aliminium specialized of many years (which I do love...).

My budget is "around" £2000 and I want to purchase through a cycle to work scheme (hence no second hand bike).

I was told that I could pop in into one of their showroom to get it specified specially to my size, etc.

1) Any opinion on this?
2) Or are there better alternatives

PS: I am 62, not retired, fairly sporty, and cycle ~once a week for ~60kms (aiming to build this up)

Comments

  • joeyhalloran
    joeyhalloran Posts: 1,080
    https://www.merlincycles.com/felt-ar-advanced-105-road-bike-293232.html

    https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Cannondale/SuperSix-EVO-105-Disc-Road-Bike-2023/UTSE?utm_source=google&utm_medium=base&co=GBR&cu=GBP&glCountry=GB&id=1438289&ds_eid=700000001845766&ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=PMax:+UK_EN_Profit_Google_Shopping_All+Users_Low-Price-Bikes&ds_cid=71700000110531097&ds_ag=&ds_agid=&ds_k=&ds_kid=&ds_kids=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwn_OlBhDhARIsAG2y6zO9rX55yJbxNHrAzVH6IMaynrhf8xcXboYHZjSvTX2jFjnQGgaBOJUaAkuvEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds


    These both look like good options.
  • MidlandsGrimpeur2
    MidlandsGrimpeur2 Posts: 2,110
    There are some other threads on here about C2W and how to maximise your budget, worth searching for them.

    You will get entry to mid range carbon disc bikes from most big brands. They are all going to be similar to be honest.

    If you have the chance to go to Ribble and/or other bike stores, I would just go in, tell them your budget and requirements and see what you like the look of.

    Which Ribble is it? I have been in the Birmingham one on several occasions. Staff in there are hit and miss, a lot of them sit looking at their computers and barely acknowledge any customer that walks in. That is just my experience of the place though.
  • EricMamet
    EricMamet Posts: 7
    Is it possible/common to test bikes before buying?

    Not used to buy bikes...
    Or so far I was aiming for around £200 on ebay... which is a different sort of gamble!
  • joeyhalloran
    joeyhalloran Posts: 1,080
    Yeah, pretty common if you can get to a shop. The problem in my mind is it's not all that good a guide IME, you normally have different pedals, saddle, and fit position and are riding on different roads and all new bikes will feel a bit different and take time to get used too. When I first switched between my gravel and road bike after near exclusively riding one it takes me a while.

    What may feel twitchy on a test ride may settle down to feeling agile when using it regularly or with a longer stem for example.
  • jdee84
    jdee84 Posts: 290
    Is it a specialized allez you have currently? You'll likely be able to get a much better fit on the equivalent sized cannondale super six listed above as it'll probably have a more similar geometry to the allez. Despite the endurance name those ribbles have a more racey geometry.
  • EricMamet
    EricMamet Posts: 7
    Someone I trust (aka mad cyclist) recommended me a Cannondale Synapse
    For instance https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Cannondale/Synapse-Carbon-3-L-Disc-Road-Bike-2023/X3I6?s=1
    I quite like that idea too
    The specs look good, I trust his judment and since I am told that a test ride in a shop would not tell me that much...
  • navrig2
    navrig2 Posts: 1,851
    The Synapse is a more relaxed geometry than the Supersix and, as result, probably more suited to your age, likely flexibility and distances.

    I am 60 and would go for the Synapse before the Supersix.
  • Tashman
    Tashman Posts: 3,495
    I love my Endurance SL Disc. I didn't use the showroom service. If I had I may have sized down as I'm on the thrshold of sizes. I liked the ability to amend the components in the build rather than buying a complete bike that wasn't quite right in gearing etc. and having to spend more to get it how I wanted.
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    Ive just pulled the trigger on a merida scultura endurance 4000 - main attract was the mudguard clearance (will be my winter bike) and the 105 groupset.
  • EricMamet
    EricMamet Posts: 7
    For the record, I went for the Cannondale Synapse.
    I went to a shop first and it seems it was a good idea as they advised a size down from what I had in mind.

    Just have to ride it now.
  • pippi_langsamer-2
    pippi_langsamer-2 Posts: 1,470
    I bought a Synapse carbon 105 cpl years ago (previous model), for winter/ wet weather bike. Superb bike that I really enjoy riding.
  • EricMamet
    EricMamet Posts: 7
    I took the plunge and am also a proud owner of a Cannondale Synapse

    I like the bike but not entirely convinced about SmartSense.
    I don't have the radar bit so it looks like fancy lights with only around 3 hours of battery even in economical mode (just on in shaded areas...).
    You therefore still need a set of "proper" lights as well (~£30 should do...)

    Thanks for the feedback

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