New Bike for London - Paris

grahamjenks

grahamjenks

grahamjenks

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8 Oct 2005
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I've managed to get myself roped into a charity ride next summer , doing the London to Paris ride (to see the TdF finish).

I currently have a adventure road bike (Fuji Tread 1.3) but am looking to upgrade to something more suitable for endurance road riding. Obviously lots of winter training some of which will be on existing bike but I figured now is a good time to buy a bike in the end of season sales rather than wait (and likely to use for longer training rides).

I have seen a couple of options around my budget (£1500). Both around the same weight with Ultegra Gear and hydraulic disc brakes.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/vitus-zenium-sl-pro-disc-ultegra-2017-road-bike/

And

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/eastway-zener-d1-ultegra-2017-road-bike-1/

Obviously one is Alu and the other Carbon. As the weights are the same should I be concerned? Given there is quite a big price difference is there something else I'm missing?

Any other suggestions gratefully received. Must be £1500 or less (cycle scheme).
 
PermaBanned said:
Is that the Tread with the updated Sora groupset? Just fit some slick 28c tyres to it, it'll do fine.
Click to expand...

It's actually the Tiagra (4600) groupset, so one up from Sora. It's a nice bike, but the thinking was I'd continue to use it for winter/commuting and light trails and the new Bike would be purely for the road.

To be honest its a bit of an excuse for a new bike - but you make a fair point about trying out slicks. I'm also finding the TRP Spyre's on the Fuji a bit 'fiddly' to adjust - the front tends to rub , I'm not sure if it's the QR axle or the disc itself is slightly bent (not an excuse for a new bike but something I need to sort.)

Anyway - still interested in other's thoughts on the bikes I've mentioned and the Carbon vs Aluminium question.
 
It's tough but I'd probably get the Eastway because it's carbon and looks better aesthetically IMO. It was also more expensive originally and has been reduced.

The Eastway has a semi-compact (52-36) instead of a compact (50-34) which I think is more versatile. It generally has better finishing kit (Ritchey contact points, Fizik saddle, Lizard Skins tape compared to Vitus own-brand) although the tyres are definitely better on the Vitus (Michelin Pro4 > Conti Ultra Sports). Wheelsets are much of a muchness, entry-level disc wheels.
 
Yeah , that was along my line of thinking, just making sure I'm not spending money unnecessarily with the groupsets and weights being so closely matched. Definitely prefer the Eastway's looks so maybe that clinches it for me!

Unfortunately can't find many reviews online of either...
 
There are some reviews for both on Wiggle itself. Someone notes the internal cable routing was noisy on the Eastway.

Regardless of whether carbon is better than aluminium, you'll probably find you wish you got carbon if you buy the alu.:p
 
Cheers, yeah I found some reviews of the 2016 version and they haven't changed the spec all that much.

Completely agree, one of the reasons for looking at Carbon now is because my current bike is Alu and I'd like the upgrade!

Quote requested from Wiggle!
 
Ah, Tiagra 4600 is the older version and probably a stem down from the updated Sora groupset even.

Anyway, on a new bike - spec isn't everything, and there is a lot to be said for a more refined frame. Harsh rides, flexy frames, poor handling at speed and difficult/noisy internal cabling are some of the complaints I've heard about these 'in house' carbon bikes. Your mileage may vary, of course, but it's hard to justify when you can't even test ride it first to see how well it works for you. On an endurance event like this I'd probably think about the option to fit mudguards too.

I'd at least go to a store and see if you can test ride stuff like this first, to inform your decision;

https://www.evanscycles.com/cube-attain-sl-disc-2017-road-bike-EV287830

https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-dolomite-6-2017-road-bike-EV275638

https://www.evanscycles.com/bmc-roadmachine-rm03-105-2017-road-bike-EV277890

https://www.evanscycles.com/trek-domane-alr-5-disc-2017-road-bike-EV283314
 
The Cube Attain variants are great for those that put comfort over ultimate speed, my GTC Pro Disc 2016 (which cost £900 back in May bank hol extra 10% off deal) has a higher front end than my fatbike. They do come up small though, my one is a 58cm (389mm reach, 610mm stack), I'm 5'10" with ~32.5" cycling inseam (I would normally be a ~56cm frame for a road bike).
 
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