First road bike £500 - £1000

[#Chri5#]

The difference between 105 and ultegra is pretty small, nice to have but not essential.

Pfff - everyone knows rocking Dura Ace makes you more attractive to the opposite sex and at least 10% faster

 

[Jono]

Get a CAAD 10, be like me, I'm cool y'know

Seriously good frame though

 

[Egon]

Well I just tested out a Giant Defy 1 in large, a Giant Dey 2 in med/lar and a Cannondale CAAD8 but only the Sora.

Out of the 2 Giant's the med/lar was definitely the right size for, but overall there was just something about the ride on the Cannondale I preferred. But my head still says Giant for some reason. Can't decide

 

[Calpol]

Well I just tested out a Giant Defy 1 in large, a Giant Dey 2 in med/lar and a Cannondale CAAD8 but only the Sora.

Out of the 2 Giant's the med/lar was definitely the right size for, but overall there was just something about the ride on the Cannondale I preferred. But my head still says Giant for some reason. Can't decide

Seriously, get the Caad 10, same geometry as Caad 8 AFAIK but much better frame and 5800 105 wees all over Sora. The Caad 10 will also have a good resale vale and will stand upgrades in other areas. at £900 its close to a no brainer.

 

[PermaBanned]

The CAAD8 has a little bit of a longer headtube so it's ever so slightly more relaxed, other than that i'm not sure about the differences. I've seen nothing to suggest they use any sort of different tubing or anything. But still, that CAAD10 is a fantastic deal.

 

[Egon]

I've heard the CAADs are more "racey" than the Giants, so position maybe not as comfortable for a first bike?

 

[PermaBanned]

Well you've ridden them, you tell us what you prefer

 

[Egon]

Lol, good point. I preferred the Cannondale...

But that was on a 5 minute test ride, what about a 20-30 mile ride. Its frustrating, I don't want to end up regretting my purchase.

Edit: Am I thinking too much about this, isn't the likelihood that whatever I buy, I'll ride it, get used to it and it'll all be fine?

 

[FrenchTart]

To some degree, yes you are. You've already got things pretty much nailed down so now personally I'd go for the more expensive option (as above, 105 is a lot nicer than Sora) and start to worry about the frame size instead

 

[Egon]

To some degree, yes you are. You've already got things pretty much nailed down so now personally I'd go for the more expensive option (as above, 105 is a lot nicer than Sora) and start to worry about the frame size instead

Think you read my mind, I'm currently looking at a Cannondale size charts

Pretty sure I tried out a 54 today, charts suggest a 56 would be more suitable. Any Cannondale riders with similar measurements to me 5'11 and 32 inside leg?

 

[PermaBanned]

I think reach is the most important measurement as it's one of the hardest to adjust, but if you really want to make sure you get it right this can be a useful resource:

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/Store/catalog/fitCalculatorBike.jsp

 

[DanF]

CycleSurgery extra 10% off for bikes using code BIKEEXTRA10.

puts the kona zing at £585

http://www.cyclesurgery.com/pws/ProductDetails.ice?ProductID=61647

meh, just blow your budget and get the new 2016 CAAD12 25 podium points with this one will get you about £250 worth of kit making the bike more like £1k

http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/cannondale-caad12-105.html

 

[DanF]

Pretty sure I tried out a 54 today, charts suggest a 56 would be more suitable. Any Cannondale riders with similar measurements to me 5'11 and 32 inside leg?

The 54 might be slightly small for you. I'm 6" and 32/33 inside leg and currently riding a Cannondale Synapse in 56cm. It's almost perfect for me. The geometry is a bit different, Synapse default handlebar position is slightly up and back to make it more relaxed.

 

[Egon]

CycleSurgery extra 10% off for bikes using code BIKEEXTRA10.

puts the kona zing at £585

http://www.cyclesurgery.com/pws/ProductDetails.ice?ProductID=61647

meh, just blow your budget and get the new 2016 CAAD12 25 podium points with this one will get you about £250 worth of kit making the bike more like £1k

http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/cannondale-caad12-105.html

I'd love to get the 2016 but £1000 is my max as I'm purchasing on the C2W scheme. Plus the 2015 at £799 is such a good buy

 

[Egon]

The 54 might be slightly small for you. I'm 6" and 32/33 inside leg and currently riding a Cannondale Synapse in 56cm. It's almost perfect for me. The geometry is a bit different, Synapse default handlebar position is slightly up and back to make it more relaxed.

After plenty of reading last night and speaking to the guy on the phone at wheelbase, a 56 definitely sounds like the better option.

What I've found really hard as a first time road bike buyer and someone who is relatively inexperienced anyway, is that I have no point of reference. When I sat on those bikes yesterday I thought to myself, yeah this feels different, but had no idea if it felt right!

 

[FrenchTart]

You can usually top-up the c2w scheme with more cash but I think you're making the right choice sticking to your budget. Otherwise you'll suddenly find yourself with a 4 grand bike and a smoking hole where you wallet used to be.

 

[Jono]

FWIW I bought a CAAD 10 having not owned a road bike before. The only one I'd ridden up to that point was my dad's halfords thing that's over 35 years old, has 10 gears and they're somewhere on the downtube.

It took a little bit of getting used to, being so forward.... after being upright on MTBs... but never uncomfortable bar some neck stiffness the first couple of rides.

Do not regret purchase one iota.

I'm 5'9 with something stupid like a 28" inside leg. I ride a 54, so I reckon 56 would be good for you.

 

[helpimcrap]

Halfords Boardman Carbon road bike would be my choice. £1000 at moment?

Or Giant Defy2. Good enough to cross countries, climb mountains and do time trials...

I have one for sale. 1 careful owner.