Sportive bike upgrade options

Firstly, apologies this has been asked 100 times already but some buying advice please most learned audience.
I adore my Wilier but it's about(!) 12 years old now and I want a change. Current bike is an old carbon Triestina Mortirolo (large), running on Fulcrum 3s, Campag Potenza - I am open to any brand running gear. My budget is £3000... in the knowledge that I'll have to change the wheels in the future (that's another thread, decent wheels under £800)... and what is that all about, paying £3000 for a bike with a set of £250 wheels on it??
Staying with Wilier, the Cento 10 NDR seems a good fit. I like the Garda but it seems like a lot of money for what it is.
I'm a sportive and general fitness rider (just hit 50) so I prefer a more relaxed geometry but also something that will go up hills (even if the engine struggles). I found the American brands twitchy when I thought about doing this 5 years ago but I'm open to all comers.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Comments

  • MattFalle
    MattFalle Posts: 11,644
    Synapse with a set of Prime 50s most probs hits all your requirements tbh
    .
    The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028

    but also something that will go up hills

    I'm struggling to think of a bike that *won't* go uphill....

  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 25,597
    Personally I'd go with some lush tyres, new bibs & saddle.
    Spend the rest on a cycling holiday.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • but also something that will go up hills

    I'm struggling to think of a bike that *won't* go uphill....

    Ha ha, I guess I mean not too heavy
  • singleton
    singleton Posts: 2,489
    If you want to change the wheels then I'd advise doing it immediately and not riding the bike at all on the supplied wheels. I did this with my last purchase and got a decent price for the wheels that I took off.

    Some stores will let you change wheels when you order, e.g. someone like https://epic-cycles.co.uk/2021-cannondale-synapse-carbon-disc
    https://epic-cycles.co.uk/orbea-orca
    offer wheel upgrades at time of order.

    Otherwise you can go direct and some companies will let you choose your spec in some cases - availability will be a challenge though so I'm not sure what your timelines are..

    Some of the canyon endurance models are available April/May time, e.g.:
    https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/road-bikes/endurance-bikes/endurace/cf/endurace-cf-7-etap/3085.html?dwvar_3085_pv_rahmenfarbe=BK/BK

    Going direct to Orbea might work for you - if they have availability - as you have some component choice when you order, e.g:
    https://www.orbea.com/gb-en/bicycles/road/orca/cat/orca-m20team is £2500 list or you can specify Vision 40 carbon wheels for £700 more.

    Ribble can give you build spec choices as well, but availability is May at the earliest.

    Planet-x?
    Some carbon road bikes are available and you can specify different wheels.
    They are quoting 45 days to build their Hurricane titanium bike, but you could get a Force 22 groupset (other options available) and Fulcrum Airbeat 40 carbon wheels for £2800.
  • MattFalle
    MattFalle Posts: 11,644
    This exactly re wheels.

    i took my S3 out of the box, took the stock wheels off straightaway and sold them with the tyres on the next day for a very honest price.

    if you don't need/want them get rid.

    #magtogrid
    .
    The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.