First Road Bike - Stock Options!

hellarda · 6 Jun 2020 at 16:56

Hi all,

Since lockdown started (and all my work disappearing) I've been out cycling my housemates road bike (as he is furloughed and not using it to commute!) quite a bit, averaging about 120-150km a week.

Unfortunately he may well be returning to work in the coming weeks, and I'd like to keep up the cycling, so I'm in need of getting one myself!

Bit of background - I'm 6' 1" ~105kg (so seem to be between a L and XL in frame size?), pretty fit, and seem to have gotten my base fitness back from rowing at uni a couple of years ago.

The bike I've been using up to now is a 61cm 2014 Claris Cannondale AL Synapse. So its probably a bit on the large size (housemate is 6' 5"!), it hasn't felt too big, although these have been my first outings on a road bike - so I'm not sure how its meant to feel! - but haven't had any aches from riding it a lot, the only thing I'd say is it feels quite far to reach to the front of the handle bars sitting upright (if that makes sense!)

So looking for recommendations for a new bike. Looking to spend 1-1.5k, ideally would like discs for more braking confidence, and I have no idea whether to go for an aluminium frame or a carbon one - so guidance would be appreciated.

I've had a look and found a few that fit the bill, but stock seems to be really limited at the moment, so wondered if anyone had any ideas/places to look. So far I've had a look at the Vitus Zenium, Ribble R782, and a Merlin one I think, but they're all out of stock in that size (bar the ribble but that isn't offering delivery until mid July or August for XL)

Any thoughts/ideas/tips would be appreciated.

Cheers

arknor · 6 Jun 2020 at 17:25

I'm taller than you and use a 58cm frame but it really depends on the geometry of the frame
personally I would not buy a bike without at least sitting on it.

also you probably wouldn't get problems at 120-150km a week even if it wasn't that great a fit unless your spending 1-2 hours on the bike at a time and then it would likely still takes weeks before you get a weird twinge in your thigh or back

most people it's probably because they don't warm up and stretch first though

BurningHorizons · 6 Jun 2020 at 18:31

I wouldn't say you needed an XL. I'm 6'1" and ride a Giant M/L, and previous bikes have all been 56-58cm. If on the borderline between two sizes, I always go smaller. Easier to chuck about, accelerate, climb and a tad lighter.
105 groupset minimum will give you 11 speed and easy upgrade paths should you wish to in the future. Don't be put off by aluminum. Consider second hand. Yorkshire Cycling Sales FB group has many users and the bikes on offer are usually very well maintained and there are some amazing bargains to be had.

hellarda · 4 Jul 2020 at 13:32

After trying to buy a Canyon Endurance CF SL Disc in blue, with the website saying delivery between 4th and 7th August, I got my confirmation email through and it said mid-September! So I cancelled that... and also had a bit of buyers remorse reading some of the customer service reviews.

Have now ordered a Ribble Endurance SL Disc in Teal. Went for XL in the end after recommendation from the shop as I was bang on between sizes. Delivery estimated for 4th August

A little more than I wanted to spend, but I'm now doing more like 220km a week, so decided to treat myself!

Trox · 6 Jul 2020 at 11:06

BurningHorizons said:
I wouldn't say you needed an XL. I'm 6'1" and ride a Giant M/

Same, 6'1" and I ride a Giant size M/L.

Edit, sorry i just noticed how old the thread is

UTmaniac · 7 Jul 2020 at 14:52

arknor said:
I'm taller than you and use a 58cm frame but it really depends on the geometry of the frame
personally I would not buy a bike without at least sitting on it.

Just to show how geo rather than frame size is key, I'm 5'10 with short legs (~32.5" cycling, not trouser, inseam), my Cube Attain is a 58cm.

Stack and reach will give you a good guide on whether a bike will fit, once you know the ballpark stack/reach that suits you.

If you have C2W available, the new incoming https://www.halfords.com/bikes/adve...nture-bike-2021---s-m-l-xl-frames-389606.html and https://www.halfords.com/bikes/road...-road-bike-2021---s-m-l-xl-frames-346390.html look cracking buys, especially while there are so few bikes available including last season's EOL model, due to how hip and trendy bikes became during lockdown.