£1000-1500 First road bike

[Lethal`]

Still waiting after 6 weeks from ordering my cycle scheme voucher but I figure I should get some idea about what I want to buy.

At the moment I've got a Whyte Caledonian Hybrid, but I spend 95% of the time on the road. I borrowed a Giant Defy Advanced Pro 1 for a weekend and loved it, although I was looking to spend a little less.

Current shortlist is:
- Giant Defy Advanced 2
- Giant TCR Advanced 1
- Cube Agree GTC Race

It seems like the major difference is the racier geometries of the Cube and TCR as well as Disc brakes on the Advanced. I do wonder if I would find the Racier geometries that much more uncomfortable or if it's negligible.

Canyon / Rose offerings looked very nice, although as far as I know there's no way to get them through Cycle Scheme. Ribble looks okay, although a family friend said the quality is terrible and aftersales support even worse.

Which other bikes should I be considering?

 

[grudas]

Id take a look at planet x! They have a few new frame sets/builds for around 1500-2000

 

[FrenchTart]

Do you care about mudguards? That will limit your options somewhat.

Personally I love discs + drops but there are some that don't. Any disc-brake equipped bike is likely to have less racey geometry so there's also that to consider.

 

[Asprilla]

Ribble quality is good but their service is terrible.

A number of folk here have and love their frames.

 

[Vonhelmet]

Ribble quality is good but their service is terrible.

A number of folk here have and love their frames.

The same is said of Planet X. I guess the savings have to come from somewhere.

 

[FrenchTart]

My experience with PX is that the build quality isn't great.

 

[Lethal`]

Do you care about mudguards? That will limit your options somewhat.

Personally I love discs + drops but there are some that don't. Any disc-brake equipped bike is likely to have less racey geometry so there's also that to consider.

Not fussed about mudguards. I don't opt to go out in bad conditions, and if it turns out to be bad while I'm out so be it.

 

[JeffyB]

Love my Planet X N2A, turned up on the wrong size frame but they sorted it out within a few days and gave me £50 store credit as well. Got it with Sram Red/FSA SLK groupset for £1300 and absolutely love it. Couple of examples of what £1000 would get you.

Ribble R872 Shimano 105 - £1000

Ribble Evo pro Ultegra - £1000

Planet X N2A Sram Rival - £1000

 

[Thomas. PLease.]

What are you going to be doing on it? Racing at all? If not I would go with the more relaxed geometry of the Defy as a first road bike personally. Chances are you'll be much more comfortable straight away, which will mean you'll be more likely to want to ride it!

 

[Jono]

Cannondale CAAD10?
http://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/cannondale-caad-10-105-5-road-bike-2015-p258064

 

[JeffyB]

Almost forgot Merida!, The 500 with Ultegra is fantastic value.

Merida Reacto 400 £1150

Merida Reacto 500 £1300

 

[grudas]

My experience with PX is that the build quality isn't great.

I'd say my bike was well put together! of course I haven't had a chance to ride it before I ripped it apart but still, gears, brakes etc all worked as it should, no loose parts etc

 

[FrenchTart]

I had to replace the rim tape on mine due to how shoddy it was. The cables were badly done and mostly missing end caps. Brakes were set up badly too. The rest was okay I guess.

It wasn't awful but it wasn't amazing either.

 

[grudas]

I had to replace the rim tape on mine due to how shoddy it was. The cables were badly done and mostly missing end caps. Brakes were set up badly too. The rest was okay I guess.

It wasn't awful but it wasn't amazing either.

guess it depends on who gets to build the bike haha..

 

[FrenchTart]

Makes sense, and fits in with my experience with other bike shops tbh

 

[Lethal`]

What are you going to be doing on it? Racing at all? If not I would go with the more relaxed geometry of the Defy as a first road bike personally. Chances are you'll be much more comfortable straight away, which will mean you'll be more likely to want to ride it!

Most of the time I go for a couple of hours 30-40 miles with the occasional weekend 60 miles. No racing planned as yet, although I do have a great tendency to try go as fast as possible...

Almost forgot Merida!, The 500 with Ultegra is fantastic value.

Merida Reacto 400 £1150

Merida Reacto 500 £1300

What advantages/disadvantages am I going to see from the aero style?

 

[Lethal`]

Cannondale CAAD10?
http://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/cannondale-caad-10-105-5-road-bike-2015-p258064

Am I losing/gaining much in comparison to the Ultegra on the Cube?

 

[Lethal`]

What about this? http://www.bikesheduk.com/bikes/road-bikes/cube-agree-gtc-di2-slt-compact-2013

Assuming I'm a 56..

 

[JeffyB]

although I do have a great tendency to try go as fast as possible...

What advantages/disadvantages am I going to see from the aero style?

You'll go even quicker and make a lovely noise cutting through the air. There's also the aesthetic consideration. Some love the look others not. Downside, crosswinds are much less fun...

 

[Eliot]

I just ordered a Rose Xeon RS-4400,
Must admit its very good value for money, Looks like I'm in for a wait but the spec is very good.
Frame is aluminium and very light, All reviews say its very stiff as well but quit compliant.
Full Sram force 22 with red 22 brakes for £1550

I paid for it on a 0% purchases card too.

But yeah if you are dead set on a cycle to work one then its a non mover.

The Viner Mitus bike on Planet X is supposedly very good and has CHORUS :O

I wanted Aluminium and compact cranks myself though