Which one of these to go for? Other suggestions?

russboy
russboy Posts: 436
edited May 2013 in Road buying advice
Hi all,

I’ve been riding to & fro work for 3 years, 3 miles each way so have clocked up a few thousand miles on my Marin Nailtrail MTB, although it’s more of a hybrid so, running a larger crank, skinny tyres etc. Been temped on a road bike & currently got use of my mates 2 yr old Specialized Secteur & have got used to it & now decided to buy a road bike for the commute & turn my MTB back to an off roader.

Looking to buy new as the company I work for operate the Ride2Work scheme, basically I have to buy from Evans cycles (who price match anyway) but it gets taken out of my wages every month & I get tax & NI relief on it, basically meaning I save 32% on the purchase price so £1000 bike will cost me £56.67 from my take home pay x 12 = £680.04. Plus as they do a part ex scheme I can give them a bike I got for nothing, that is worth nothing & they knock £100 off.

My decision is what to go for? 1st use will be my commute, but next will be to look to join a local cycling club & rack up a few long rides at weekends. I’m 6’1” so have been told to go for a 58cm frame & currently these are the favourites that Evans have that I could buy. Anything over £1k I would have to pay the difference on.

Cannondale CAAD8 5 105 2013 Compact Road Bike http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/caad8-5-105-2013-compact-road-bike-ec042915 - £1049.00, so I can get it for £950, £645.96 via the scheme, but it looks a little dull to me in the looks department

Cannondale Synapse 5 105 Compact 2013 http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/synapse-5-105-compact-2013-road-bike-ec042921- £1049.00, so I can get it for £950, £645.96 via the scheme, but not as well spec’d as above

Moda Tempo 2013 Road Bike http://www.evanscycles.com/products/moda/tempo-2013-road-bike-ec044169- £1000, so I can get it for £900, £612 via the scheme, groupset not as good though.

Norco Valence A1 2013 Road Bike http://www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/valence-a1-2013-road-bike-ec041253 - £1000, so I can get it for £900, £612 via the scheme, good groupset.

Jamis Xenith Comp 2013 Road Bike http://www.evanscycles.com/products/jamis/xenith-comp-2013-road-bike-ec041457- £1290 down from £1490, so I can get it for £1190 £870.04 via the scheme with me paying an extra £190 on top. So above budget, but full carbon, spec is good & really does look good in the flesh.

So anyone with experience on the above, preferences? Once I’ve ultimately decided what I want I’m going to hunt around for it being cheaper elsewhere & see if I can get them to price match!

Comments

  • russboy
    russboy Posts: 436
    70 views so far, no thoughts? Suggestions? (Keep em clean!)
  • lostboysaint
    lostboysaint Posts: 4,250
    Sat on any of them? Ridden any of them? Which one was the most comfortable? That's the one!
    Trail fun - Transition Bandit
    Road - Wilier Izoard Centaur/Cube Agree C62 Disc
    Allround - Cotic Solaris
  • Davdandy
    Davdandy Posts: 571
    I own the 2012 Caad 8 105 and highly recommend it.Though it has to be said i am no expert on this matter.
    Cannondale CAAD 8 105
    Rockrider 8.1
  • russboy
    russboy Posts: 436
    Cool, thanks for the replies.

    Problem with sitting on them is not many if any of the shops will have the right size in stock of the shortlist, but I know what you mean. To be honest having moved from my MTB/hybrid as it is now to a Specialized road bike it felt very strange but now feels fine so I guess you adapt anyway & suspect that will be the same again with another change.

    I do like the Cannondale but it did look a bit “dull” in the shop due to it all being virtually one colour, but then I suppose that’s the vanity in me coming out as I would like it to look good/stand out. Plus my Marin MTB is the same colour so would be nice to have something different.

    I really am tempted with the Jamis as spec is good, full carbon, but of course more money, does look good in the flesh though, looks average on the website!
  • Davdandy
    Davdandy Posts: 571
    I was a mountain biker first like many others on here,then i got my Caad 8 and it felt weird.Now after a few months in the saddle it is the mountain bike that feels weird.I was on it the other day and couldn't get used to it,the saddle,the gears the whole feel.And i had ridden the mountain bike for about 6 or 7 years.So don't worry about it feeling different,you soon get used to it.
    Cannondale CAAD 8 105
    Rockrider 8.1
  • russboy
    russboy Posts: 436
    Davdandy wrote:
    I was a mountain biker first like many others on here,then i got my Caad 8 and it felt weird.Now after a few months in the saddle it is the mountain bike that feels weird.I was on it the other day and couldn't get used to it,the saddle,the gears the whole feel.And i had ridden the mountain bike for about 6 or 7 years.So don't worry about it feeling different,you soon get used to it.

    Yep, completely the same for me.

    Been commuting for 3 years on my MTB, only 6 miles a day but over 4k miles I’d say, plus charity rides & rides with mates occasionally & before that I was using it every now & then as well. Sat on my mates 2011 Specialized Sectuer 2 weeks back & didn’t feel safe at all, braking was nowhere near as good etc., but now I am settled on it & realise it’s the way forwards for what I need now.
  • t4tomo
    t4tomo Posts: 2,643
    Russboy wrote:
    Cool, thanks for the replies.

    I do like the Cannondale but it did look a bit “dull” in the shop due to it all being virtually one colour, but then I suppose that’s the vanity in me coming out as I would like it to look good/stand out.


    I give you http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/Bianchi_Via_Nirone_7.html the Bianchi Via Nirone 7 Alu Carbon Veloce Ltd Edition - just £999! One wit the carbon seat stays. Cracking bike and you certainly stand out on a Bianchi.
    Bianchi Infinito CV
    Bianchi Via Nirone 7 Ultegra
    Brompton S Type
    Carrera Vengeance Ultimate Ltd
    Gary Fisher Aquila '98
    Front half of a Viking Saratoga Tandem
  • russboy
    russboy Posts: 436
    t4tomo wrote:
    Russboy wrote:
    Cool, thanks for the replies.

    I do like the Cannondale but it did look a bit “dull” in the shop due to it all being virtually one colour, but then I suppose that’s the vanity in me coming out as I would like it to look good/stand out.


    I give you http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/Bianchi_Via_Nirone_7.html the Bianchi Via Nirone 7 Alu Carbon Veloce Ltd Edition - just £999! One wit the carbon seat stays. Cracking bike and you certainly stand out on a Bianchi.

    Saw that in Evans, if this is the same:

    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bianchi/via-nirone-7-xenon-2013-road-bike-ec045189

    I couldnt decide if I liked the look of it or not, although there is this as well:

    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bianchi/via-nirone-7-tiagra-2013-road-bike-ec045188

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