Sportive bike for c£600

apc1 · October 2013

Hi

Hope you can help. I'm reasonably fit mountain biker mostly but doing TDF from Leeds to Harrogate (over 1.5 days) next year plus another challenge for charity so probably 90 miles max per day bike required with compact gearing.

Not looking to spend too much because will probably sell it on end of next summer to fund next mountain bike!

Got a short list and want to know if carbon forks are more important than a higher group set or vice versa?

Which would be best:
Ribble Sportive 7005 Special Edition which has alu forks but Shimano Tiagra Groupset
or
Specialized Allez Sport 2013 which has carbon forks but sora group set
or
Mekk Pinerolo 1.0 AL which has carbon forks and sora groupset

Will probably sell on Ebay next summer and also need to consider which will get more bids- i.e. will Mekk be well known enough to sell for a good price?

Also any other suggestions?

Look forward to hearing your experienced views!

unixnerd · October 2013

I'd look more closely at the wheels they come with. I'd also suggest that 600 would get you a far nicer used bike.

arlowood · October 2013

Have a look on the Merlin website. They have several "pre stock-taking" bikes on offer with about 50% off RRP.

http://mail.virginmedia.com/mail/?AuthE ... dbd9d74acc

I particularly like the look of the Ridley models. Pretty good spec for the money if you can stretch to £600:-

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/b ... _696625_33

Nairnster · October 2013

Are you sure the Ribble had alloy forks?

elderone · October 2013

Giant defy 4,has carbon forks but runs shimano 2300 with a compact.The frame is where the money goes on this bike.I have one and it is a very good bike for £600.

sparklehedgehog · October 2013

Felt Z95 from wiggle for £454 then buy some new wheels?

sparklehedgehog · October 2013

Could get mavic aksiums to go with the z95 and have a tidy bike and wheel set for the budget?!

rickeverett · October 2013

The Ribble is a excellent bike it also has Carbon forks not ALU. That is a mistake on the Ribble description. I have one with sora as a winter bike .. Its fast and comfortable.

The Mekk has a excellent frame and Ride. It has been highly rated. but does have entry level r500 wheels. More of a bike to upgrade with over time.

Have a look at the Felt F85 on wiggle too. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-f85-tiagra ... exclusive/

northpole · October 2013

I would definitely buy used when your stated intention is to sell on after a short period of time - with a bit of patience you'll get a much better equipped bike which you can use and sell on for very little loss compared with the hit you are likely to take on a new bike.

Peter

rickeverett · October 2013

northpole wrote:

I would definitely buy used when your stated intention is to sell on after a short period of time - with a bit of patience you'll get a much better equipped bike which you can use and sell on for very little loss compared with the hit you are likely to take on a new bike.

Peter

I agree. Just noticed OP intentions.

Yeah heres quite a few second hand bikes going at the moment. Probably best.

I guess with a new bike - its fresh and efficient.

apc1 · October 2013

Thanks for all the replys everybody

Yes been looking at second hand but little concerned might need a new chain...... then you end up replacing jockey wheels, cassette, chain rings etc......... and the savings are then not as much as you thought.

If Ribble description is wrong and forks are carbon then that feels like a good option but will take a closer look at the Defy 4 too

I am looking for 50/34 and 11-28 gearing ideally so 11-25 probably has prompted to rule out some.

Thanks again

unixnerd · October 2013

I am looking for 50/34 and 11-28 gearing ideally so 11-25 probably has prompted to rule out some.

I suspect the likes of Ribble and some other stores would be happy enough to swap that out free of charge.

Jules Winnfield · October 2013

APC1 wrote:

If Ribble description is wrong and forks are carbon then that feels like a good option but will take a closer look at the Defy 4 too

I dont think Ribbles description is wrong, you just dont realise that the Sportive 7005 comes with carbon forks until you read the full spec list on bikebuilder when you are speccing one up to order.

KonkyWonky · October 2013

As you plan to sell on then it is a no brainer to look at second hand, that should get you a bike in the £1k price bracket no more than 2 years old.

Most of these bikes will have barely been ridden so replacing chains, jockey wheels, chain rings etc should be a non issue. I'd probably look for the likes of a Boardman, Specialized or Giant which were probably bought in the Bradley Wiggins Tour de France hype then chucked up the back of the garage after a few rides.

dj58 · November 2013

F.Y.I.
Spec. GIANT DEFY 4 £599.00 (New)
Sizes
XS, S, M, M/L, L, XL
Colours
White
Frame
ALUXX-Grade Aluminium
Fork
Advanced-Grade Composite, Alloy OverDrive Steerer
Handlebar
Giant Sport 26.0mm
Stem
Giant Sport
Seatpost
Giant Sport
Saddle
Giant Performance Road
Shifters
Shimano Claris 16 speed
Front Derailleur
Shimano Claris
Rear Derailleur
Shimano Claris
Brakes
Tektro TK-R312 Giant Specific, Dual Pivot
Brake Levers
Shimano Claris
Cassette
SRAM PG850 11-32
Chain
KMC Z7
Crankset
FSA Tempo 34/50
Bottom Bracket
FSA Cartridge
Rims
Giant S-Elite C Wheelset
Hubs
Giant S-Elite C Wheelset
Spokes
Giant S-Elite C Wheelset
Tires
Giant S-R4 All Condition, 700x25mm

Sportive bike for c£600

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