New Road Bike Approx £1500

nibbsy
nibbsy Posts: 41
edited March 2017 in Road buying advice
Hi

I am looking to buy a new road bike, and have a budget of around £1500. Can anyone suggest what sort of makes/models I should be looking at?

Ideally available from Evans, as I can then get the first £1000 from my work's Cyclescheme. I could probably stretch to £1700ish if necessary, as I will be contributing the extra myself.

So far I think I have established that I can get a carbon frame and 105 groupset for this budget. Am I on the right lines? Anything else to consider? I'm not too fussed about disc brakes but could be convinced either way.

Any advice or suggestions much appreciated.
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Comments

  • ryan_w-2
    ryan_w-2 Posts: 1,162
    Cannondale CAAD12 disc
    Specialized Allez Sprint Disc --- Specialized S-Works SL7

    IG: RhinosWorkshop
  • nibbsy
    nibbsy Posts: 41
    Ryan_W wrote:
    Cannondale CAAD12 disc

    Thanks, looks like a nice bike. Notice it's an alloy frame though, should I not be looking for carbon at this price?
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Not neccessarily. Top end alu can be better than low end carbon. Cannondale have been making CAADs for quite a while; they are clearly doing something right.

    If it's from Evans you should be able to arrange a test ride or two.
  • ryan_w-2
    ryan_w-2 Posts: 1,162
    Nibbsy wrote:
    Ryan_W wrote:
    Cannondale CAAD12 disc

    Thanks, looks like a nice bike. Notice it's an alloy frame though, should I not be looking for carbon at this price?

    It won bike of the year 2016... It's a fantastic bike. Just make sure to change out the 2kg wheelset. Transforms the bike.
    Specialized Allez Sprint Disc --- Specialized S-Works SL7

    IG: RhinosWorkshop
  • nibbsy
    nibbsy Posts: 41
    keef66 wrote:
    Not neccessarily. Top end alu can be better than low end carbon. Cannondale have been making CAADs for quite a while; they are clearly doing something right.

    If it's from Evans you should be able to arrange a test ride or two.

    Ok thanks, I just assumed carbon = better. I will definitely see if I can test ride it.
    Ryan_W wrote:
    It won bike of the year 2016... It's a fantastic bike. Just make sure to change out the 2kg wheelset. Transforms the bike.

    How much would it cost to improve the wheelset? I could probably squeeze another couple of hundred for some new wheels but wouldn't want to spend much more, would that be a significant improvement?
  • Take a look at this http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/item/Focus/ ... -2016/9TCG It's my summer ride.
  • ryan_w-2
    ryan_w-2 Posts: 1,162
    Nibbsy wrote:
    Ryan_W wrote:
    It won bike of the year 2016... It's a fantastic bike. Just make sure to change out the 2kg wheelset. Transforms the bike.

    How much would it cost to improve the wheelset? I could probably squeeze another couple of hundred for some new wheels but wouldn't want to spend much more, would that be a significant improvement?


    I'd look at Hunts offerings. Can get a decent set (Mason x Hunt) for £369 I believe. They're a great all year wheel, or you can get their Aeros for £469 which are 1430g I think.
    Specialized Allez Sprint Disc --- Specialized S-Works SL7

    IG: RhinosWorkshop
  • singleton
    singleton Posts: 2,489
    Ryan_W wrote:
    I'd look at Hunts offerings. Can get a decent set (Mason x Hunt) for £369 I believe. They're a great all year wheel, or you can get their Aeros for £469 which are 1430g I think.

    I've got both the hunt 4 season aero wheels and race aero wide wheels and for all year round use the newer v2 wide all seasons with 25mm tubeless tyres take some beating.

    You can get a CAAD12 105 for as low as £1100. These wheels and tyres will cost £450 but you can probably get £100 - £150 back for the Mavic Aksium's if you take them off and sell them as new. Total cost about £1400 - £1450 and an awesome ride for that price.
  • nibbsy
    nibbsy Posts: 41
    Take a look at this http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/item/Focus/ ... -2016/9TCG It's my summer ride.

    Thanks, looks nice but says out of stock?
    oxoman wrote:

    Cheers. Not really sure what I'm looking at though? Are those all their clearance bikes? Ideally I'd like to find last year's model discounted and buy through cycle scheme to get the extra saving. Am I hoping for too much??
  • nibbsy
    nibbsy Posts: 41
    Singleton wrote:
    Ryan_W wrote:
    I'd look at Hunts offerings. Can get a decent set (Mason x Hunt) for £369 I believe. They're a great all year wheel, or you can get their Aeros for £469 which are 1430g I think.

    I've got both the hunt 4 season aero wheels and race aero wide wheels and for all year round use the newer v2 wide all seasons with 25mm tubeless tyres take some beating.

    You can get a CAAD12 105 for as low as £1100. These wheels and tyres will cost £450 but you can probably get £100 - £150 back for the Mavic Aksium's if you take them off and sell them as new. Total cost about £1400 - £1450 and an awesome ride for that price.

    Sounds like a good plan. I'd probably just put up with the Mavics for a few months and save up for the new ones. Struggling to find a CAAD12 105 for £1100 though, do you have a link?
  • Boardman Outlet have the Endurance 9.4 SLR (Lovely carbon frame C10) Ultegra mech for £1664.00, Sunset Cycles based in Cardiff have a 2016 CAAD 12 for sale at £950, 105 groupset.
  • bmxboy10
    bmxboy10 Posts: 1,958
    oxoman wrote:
    How about the following
    https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b65s6p6 ... TEGRA-2016
    In budget but only 54s left
    Try Edinbugh Bike Coop. You need to call them for the price as they don't advertise the price on the website but its worth a try as they had Caads going very cheap a few weeks ago when I called them.
  • Giant TCR 2 and Trek Emondas can be found in that price range, but you'll be paying more for the frames rather than the kit, so you'll want to upgrade the wheels at some point.

    If you want disk brakes and the best components then the Caad12 is probably your best bet- it'll be a cracking ride for sure- although you'll definitely want to swap out those wheels to get the best out of it!
  • wotnoshoeseh
    wotnoshoeseh Posts: 531
    edited February 2017
    Take a look at this http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/item/Focus/ ... -2016/9TCG It's my summer ride.

    If I were in the market for a new best bike, this is the type of bike that I'd be looking for. Although I just noticed that they appear to be sold out....

    Cannondales too, but more likely a SuperSix....

    The GIANT TCR's too are good value from Paul's. There was an Ultegra, 2016 one for £1200
    https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p6982/GIANT-TCR-ADVANCED-1-2016
    Available in S, M, and M/L.

    Also from Paul's SS EVO 105 available for £1200...
    https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p6620/CANNONDALE-SUPERSIX-EVO-105-2016
    Available in 50,54,56,58, & 60.

    I'd be keeping the £300 for other goodies.... Garmin, and other stuff?
  • mrb123
    mrb123 Posts: 4,581
    Nibbsy wrote:
    Singleton wrote:
    Ryan_W wrote:
    I'd look at Hunts offerings. Can get a decent set (Mason x Hunt) for £369 I believe. They're a great all year wheel, or you can get their Aeros for £469 which are 1430g I think.

    I've got both the hunt 4 season aero wheels and race aero wide wheels and for all year round use the newer v2 wide all seasons with 25mm tubeless tyres take some beating.

    You can get a CAAD12 105 for as low as £1100. These wheels and tyres will cost £450 but you can probably get £100 - £150 back for the Mavic Aksium's if you take them off and sell them as new. Total cost about £1400 - £1450 and an awesome ride for that price.

    Sounds like a good plan. I'd probably just put up with the Mavics for a few months and save up for the new ones. Struggling to find a CAAD12 105 for £1100 though, do you have a link?

    Just remember though that if you plan on selling the Mavics then the best time is when they're unused!

    If you do use them for a while then you may as well keep them for winter and bad weather duties once you get the new ones.
  • Nibbsy wrote:
    I'm not too fussed about disc brakes but could be convinced either way.

    Certainly agree with that. I really don't see the need....

    You don't need to be getting discs - calliper and rim brakes should be sufficient.
  • singleton
    singleton Posts: 2,489
    Nibbsy wrote:
    Sounds like a good plan. I'd probably just put up with the Mavics for a few months and save up for the new ones. Struggling to find a CAAD12 105 for £1100 though, do you have a link?

    https://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/6169/ ... Gwod_n4PRg
    Size 56 as available.

    http://www.sunsetmtb.co.uk/shop/index.p ... ory_id=149
    Size 52 available

    I bought my CAAD12 from these people as well - as they had Black which wasn't available in the UK at the time - and had no problems at all.

    http://www.bunnyhop.de/en/bikes/road/ca ... -prm-20168
    http://www.bunnyhop.de/en/bikes/road/ca ... -rep-20168
    About 1210 euros with shipping costs which is about £1,025.
  • nibbsy
    nibbsy Posts: 41
    Thanks for all the tips and suggestions everyone, certainly given me a lot to think about...

    What are the main differences between for example the Giant TCR Advanced and the CAAD 12? What sort of things should I be looking out for when I'm test riding them?

    Quite a few links to Pauls Bikes - is that because they generally have good deals? The thing is it looks like they're in Norfol, so not very convenient for test rides...

    I think I'm going to go to Evans and get properly measured up, and then order a few in for some test rides - maybe a CAAD 12 and a full carbon, e.g. Supersix. See which one I like the feel of and then try and find a good deal on last year's model in my size.

    Sound like a good plan? Any other tips or suggestions?
  • mrb123
    mrb123 Posts: 4,581
    Nibbsy wrote:
    Thanks for all the tips and suggestions everyone, certainly given me a lot to think about...

    What are the main differences between for example the Giant TCR Advanced and the CAAD 12? What sort of things should I be looking out for when I'm test riding them?

    Quite a few links to Pauls Bikes - is that because they generally have good deals? The thing is it looks like they're in Norfol, so not very convenient for test rides...

    I think I'm going to go to Evans and get properly measured up, and then order a few in for some test rides - maybe a CAAD 12 and a full carbon, e.g. Supersix. See which one I like the feel of and then try and find a good deal on last year's model in my size.

    Sound like a good plan? Any other tips or suggestions?

    Sounds like a plan.
  • nibbsy
    nibbsy Posts: 41
    So I popped into Evans yesterday and got measured up etc. They thought I'd be a 52 on the CAAD 12, and 54 in other makes. Does that sound right?

    So I ordered a CAAD 12 for a test ride which I'll hopefully be doing this evening. I might order a Supersix Evo while I'm there to test later in the week, so I can feel the difference between carbon and alloy. It's quite annoying that they will only allow me to order one at a time, but understandable I guess.

    Any others I should consider?
  • nibbsy
    nibbsy Posts: 41
    This one looks pretty good for my price range?

    https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p66 ... TEGRA-2016
  • nibbsy
    nibbsy Posts: 41
    There's also this Giant TCR at around the same price - https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p69 ... PRO-2-2016

    How does that compare to the Supersix?
  • nibbsy
    nibbsy Posts: 41
    This Cube looks good too - https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p66 ... -RACE-2016

    Seems like there are so many options and I'm struggling to narrow them down!
  • nibbsy
    nibbsy Posts: 41
    oxoman wrote:
    Out of the 3 you've linked the supersix would be my first choice on reputation and spec alone followed by the TCR even though the spec isn't as good as the Cube. To be fair they are all good bikes the TCR and the Supersix are bikes that i see upgraded regularly but the cubes that mates have tend to be kept as original and eventually banished to winter bikes when they pick something up nicer. I nearly brought a carbon Cube attain but went for a Defy Advanced in the end just looked nicer and not as boxy as the cube.

    Thanks very much. I guess you have to expect a bike called Cube to be a bit boxy :wink:

    What makes the spec on the Cube better than the TCR? The Cube is quite a lot cheaper...
  • jme4
    jme4 Posts: 20
    Nibbsy wrote:
    This Cube looks good too - https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p66 ... -RACE-2016

    Seems like there are so many options and I'm struggling to narrow them down!

    I've got this it's a different riding position to the Caad 12s you are looking at. I tried both and for me the more relaxed geometry suited my needs better. If you want Cannondale maybe look at the Synapse.
  • ryan_w-2
    ryan_w-2 Posts: 1,162
    CAAD12 (disc or caliper)
    Supersix
    TCR

    In that order.

    The CAADs frame is just awesome, hence why it won bike of the year 2016.

    I'm a 56 in all bikes and had a 56 CAAD. Fitted me perfectly.
    Specialized Allez Sprint Disc --- Specialized S-Works SL7

    IG: RhinosWorkshop
  • nibbsy
    nibbsy Posts: 41
    Ryan_W wrote:
    CAAD12 (disc or caliper)
    Supersix
    TCR

    In that order.

    The CAADs frame is just awesome, hence why it won bike of the year 2016.

    I'm a 56 in all bikes and had a 56 CAAD. Fitted me perfectly.

    Thanks. I test rode the Supersix and CAAD back to back this evening, and have to say I loved the feel of the SS. The guy in the shop said it was about 1kg lighter too. I also loved the look of the grey & black 2017 model. I think I'm going to really struggle not to spend the extra to get it.

    Only thing I'm not sure about is £1800 seems a lot of money for 105 groupset and no disc brakes, but I guess if I like the frame I can think about upgrades later?
    oxoman wrote:
    The was Ultegra against 105 on the TCR.

    Gotcha. Seems mad that you can get Ultegra for £500 less than 105.
  • nibbsy
    nibbsy Posts: 41
    How much of a bad idea would it be to go for a size 54 frame when I've been told 52 is the right size?

    Reason I ask is that Paul's have the 2016 Supersix 105 but only in size 54 - https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p66 ... O-105-2016

    The 52 did feel about right on the test rides, but would the 54 be noticeably uncomfortable?
  • ryan_w-2
    ryan_w-2 Posts: 1,162
    Nibbsy wrote:
    How much of a bad idea would it be to go for a size 54 frame when I've been told 52 is the right size?

    Reason I ask is that Paul's have the 2016 Supersix 105 but only in size 54 - https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p66 ... O-105-2016

    The 52 did feel about right on the test rides, but would the 54 be noticeably uncomfortable?

    The thing with these bikes is that they're traditional geo (straight top tube), so sizing up isn't the best idea with regards to standover height etc.

    I ride a 56 and don't have my seatpost out much at all (maybe 170mm). So if you size up and it's a tad too big, your saddle will be sitting on your top tube.
    Specialized Allez Sprint Disc --- Specialized S-Works SL7

    IG: RhinosWorkshop
  • nibbsy
    nibbsy Posts: 41
    Ryan_W wrote:
    Nibbsy wrote:
    How much of a bad idea would it be to go for a size 54 frame when I've been told 52 is the right size?

    Reason I ask is that Paul's have the 2016 Supersix 105 but only in size 54 - https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p66 ... O-105-2016

    The 52 did feel about right on the test rides, but would the 54 be noticeably uncomfortable?

    The thing with these bikes is that they're traditional geo (straight top tube), so sizing up isn't the best idea with regards to viewtopic.php?f=40042&t=13076645&e=1&view=unread#unread height etc.

    I ride a 56 and don't have my seatpost out much at all (maybe 170mm). So if you size up and it's a tad too big, your saddle will be sitting on your top tube.

    Ok thanks. The saddle was set quite high (10cm or so) above the tube when I test rode the 52, so maybe 54 would be ok?

    Just wondering whether it's worth getting the 2016 54 for £1200 instead of the 2017 52 for £1800. Significant saving for the sake of 2cm!