Spec me a second Road Bike

uniQ · 28 Dec 2011 at 12:58

I'm looking to pick up a second road bike soon preferably for under £800.

I currently have a 2010 Trek 1.1 Compact which has been a superb first road bike. I use it for everything from riding to the shops, the daily commute, training and 100+ milers.

I plan on stepping up my cycling even more in 2012 and would like to purchase a second road bike for training and longer rides keeping the Trek for the daily commute and winter riding.

The bikes I'm looking at so far are:

Specialized Allez Elite 2011
Giant Defy 2
Ribble 7005 Audax
Cube Peloton

Any feedback on these models or suggestions for others? Preferably 2011 models as there are some hefty discounts to be had ie the Allez Elite RRP £919 I have seen for £640-£700 in various online stores.

touch · 28 Dec 2011 at 13:30

I would go for a ribble sportive 7046 or ultralight racing but change the sora groupset to tiagra. Both come in under 800

Murf · 28 Dec 2011 at 16:00

My first road bike was a Cube Peloton. Loved it. Was a triple mind which was a horrendous mistake but hey, live and learn.

The 2012 Cube Peloton Pro with Tiagra gearing looks the part.

Personally though, I'd stop kidding yourself that a bike for £800 is going to be enough. You've already bought 1 bike, you're already doing 100+ mile rides and you now think you need a winter\training hack as well as a sportive bike. Do yourself a favour and just go out and buy yourself a full carbon race bike right now rather than getting an £800 bike now, a £1200 bike next year and a £1500 bike the year after. Just go all in, right now.

My second bike was this. Sod the current economic climate, buy it on credit if you have to. It's immense.

Pic here

olv · 28 Dec 2011 at 16:13

I sort of agree with Murf, I don't see what an £800 bike will offer you over what you've already got.

uniQ · 28 Dec 2011 at 16:58

I can certainly see your point, I suppose the bikes I'm looking at aren't the hugest of step ups the biggest difference is the groupset going from S2300 to Tiagra or 105 at a push.

My initial reasoning for the second bike was the Trek has taken an absolute battering in all weathers and it shows so would like something for more serious riding and for the daily commute that I don't need to worry about as much.

I popped into a couple of the LBS today as well as the nearest Specialized store. I still really like the Specialized Elite especially at the above price but do wonder if I'll just end up pining for something else lighter/faster in another year.

After talking to a chap in the Specialized store for a while he told me they were doing 20% off all bikes over £600 until the New Year which seemed like a pretty good offer going to have a look through their range in a bit.

Also grabbed some brochures for Genesis, Orbea and Wilier not particularly familiar with any of those 3 brands the LBS that sells them seemed knowledgable and they also offer free services for the life of the bike 4 a year.

I love that Cube Murf, they seem to make some of the best looking bikes imo.

Murf · 28 Dec 2011 at 17:10

To give you an idea I got into cycling with a £540 hardtail. That just had to be replaced with a £1400 full susser.

Then an £800 road bike for it to transpire I loved road cycling as well so bang, £2k on a carbon fibre bike.

If you already know you like cycling, and this isn't a fad (100 milers already?) then just decide on your ideal bike and get it. Use the Trek till then.

Nothing worse than buying a bike and pining for a bike a couple of steps further up the range.

My Cube Agree GTC SL is the 2011 model, which is the same spec as the 2012, but without the new awesome colour scheme. The 2012 is an extremely good looking bike.