deciding between 5k bikes

shalant
shalant Posts: 16
edited December 2018 in Road buying advice
hi all. i'm enjoying nerding out on my impending bike purchase. my local shop fitted me (for a substantial fee) to a boutique brand bike that's about 5k, with ultegra discs and ksyrium elite UST wheels. for the same price i could get a specialized tarmac with the same plus carbon wheels. the fit said i'm pretty flexible so i could ride pretty much anything. i suppose the question is what's worth another k, help with every detail at the best shop in town, or carbon wheels and less good help from a less boutiquey shop?

Comments

  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    What do you ride now ? Are you in the UK ? 5 grand for ultegra sounds very pricey. And carbon wheels - lightweight or aero ?
  • Matthewfalle
    Matthewfalle Posts: 17,380
    how much did they charge you?

    what makes them so boutique?

    are they actually any good?
    Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am

    De Sisti wrote:
    This is one of the silliest threads I've come across. :lol:

    Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honour :D
    smithy21 wrote:

    He's right you know.
  • Matthewfalle
    Matthewfalle Posts: 17,380
    what shop was it?
    Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am

    De Sisti wrote:
    This is one of the silliest threads I've come across. :lol:

    Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honour :D
    smithy21 wrote:

    He's right you know.
  • slowmart
    slowmart Posts: 4,474
    @OP get a Tarmac with ultegra, lots of great deals.

    They’re a serious peace of kit, backed up with a good dealer network and spend the rest on some great cycling holidays which will improve your fitness and provide some stunning memories.

    All in my humble opinion of course;-)
    “Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime. Teach a man to cycle and he will realize fishing is stupid and boring”

    Desmond Tutu
  • Matthewfalle
    Matthewfalle Posts: 17,380
    lots of lovely bassos available at that price......
    Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am

    De Sisti wrote:
    This is one of the silliest threads I've come across. :lol:

    Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honour :D
    smithy21 wrote:

    He's right you know.
  • what shop was it?

    Halfords
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • pottssteve
    pottssteve Posts: 4,069
    Is it your "Forever bike"?
    If so you might want to consider a titanium frame. Some options here:https://road.cc/content/feature/213004-terrific-titanium-12-loveliest-titanium-road-bikes-weve-ridden

    I ride a Van Nicholas and it's a lovely bike.

    Steve
    Head Hands Heart Lungs Legs
  • mrb123
    mrb123 Posts: 4,584
    System Six Dura Ace or the Tarmac.
  • Matthewfalle
    Matthewfalle Posts: 17,380
    what shop was it?

    Halfords

    Carrera SL-R then.

    much underrated bike made by the same guys who make the S-Works Tarmac frame using the same materials.
    Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am

    De Sisti wrote:
    This is one of the silliest threads I've come across. :lol:

    Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honour :D
    smithy21 wrote:

    He's right you know.
  • Matthewfalle
    Matthewfalle Posts: 17,380
    MrB123 wrote:
    System Six Dura Ace or the Tarmac.

    boring.

    Basso is what he wants.
    Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am

    De Sisti wrote:
    This is one of the silliest threads I've come across. :lol:

    Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honour :D
    smithy21 wrote:

    He's right you know.
  • Vino'sGhost
    Vino'sGhost Posts: 4,129
    what shop was it?

    Halfords
    :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:
  • Moonbiker
    Moonbiker Posts: 1,706
    Was looking for this carrera but halfords didn't have it in?


    AR01-gold-cromovelato-1010x758.jpg
  • Matthewfalle
    Matthewfalle Posts: 17,380
    Moonbiker wrote:
    Was looking for this carrera but halfords didn't have it in?


    AR01-gold-cromovelato-1010x758.jpg


    they have two in the Bikehut in Gosport - stealth black and a really sweet burnt orange.

    #don'tfollowtheclubbie
    Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am

    De Sisti wrote:
    This is one of the silliest threads I've come across. :lol:

    Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honour :D
    smithy21 wrote:

    He's right you know.
  • I've got a Basso Astra lovely bike and different to everything else on the road.
  • Moonbiker wrote:
    Was looking for this carrera but halfords didn't have it in?


    AR01-gold-cromovelato-1010x758.jpg
    They are still trying to get the stem on upside down.
  • Matthewfalle
    Matthewfalle Posts: 17,380
    Moonbiker wrote:
    Was looking for this carrera but halfords didn't have it in?


    AR01-gold-cromovelato-1010x758.jpg
    They are still trying to get the stem on upside down.

    no they aren't. they are fine.

    some clubbie is still trying to match his awful club kit to it.
    Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am

    De Sisti wrote:
    This is one of the silliest threads I've come across. :lol:

    Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honour :D
    smithy21 wrote:

    He's right you know.
  • Matthewfalle
    Matthewfalle Posts: 17,380
    buddy_wr11 wrote:
    I've got a Basso Astra lovely bike and different to everything else on the road.

    if you can't get a Carrera then this.

    Everything else is booooooring

    Buy a Basso.
    Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am

    De Sisti wrote:
    This is one of the silliest threads I've come across. :lol:

    Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honour :D
    smithy21 wrote:

    He's right you know.
  • bmxboy10
    bmxboy10 Posts: 1,958
    You can get the SL5 Tarmac Dura Ace for £2300!
  • Matthewfalle
    Matthewfalle Posts: 17,380
    BMXboy10 wrote:
    You can get the SL5 Tarmac Dura Ace for £2300!

    but its boring and bland.

    carrera
    basso
    Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am

    De Sisti wrote:
    This is one of the silliest threads I've come across. :lol:

    Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honour :D
    smithy21 wrote:

    He's right you know.
  • bmxboy10
    bmxboy10 Posts: 1,958
    No it’s not. I have an SL4 Comp and it’s a great bike to ride. The paint scheme on the current crop of Tarmacs also add a bit of bling. Cosmic black is really nice in the flesh.
  • the two boutique brands i was fitted to were an orbea orca and parlee altum. i am constantly tempted by big-name discounts, internet brands, and going for extreme value. plus i have young kids so a bit of idle computer time. i rented a tarmac sl6 and luuuuuuuved it. honestly enjoying the back and forth. thanks!
  • webboo
    webboo Posts: 6,087
    Orbea is hardly a boutique brand, they give them to Spanish second division teams.