Which Road bike from this list?

pumaz

pumaz

pumaz

Soldato
Joined
7 Oct 2003
Posts
5,693
Location
Nottingham
I've been looking for my first road bike since the end of last summer and I'm getting more and more confused!

I'm looking for something comfy with a relaxed geometry for long rides and climbs. Possibly join a local club, sportives etc. I'm looking for a minimum spec. of Tiagra, aluminium frame with carbon forks. Would also like a nice looking bike that makes me want to ride her!

Bikes I've discounted.

B'TWIN Triban 7 Road Bike £600 - Good spec. for price but bland looks does nothing for me.

Trek Madone 2.1 H2 Compact 2013 £1000. This was the one I set my mind on but when I went to my LBS it left me disappointed, It looked great on the web but not so in real life.

Boardman Bikes - Don't do it for me either!!!

Bikes on my list.

Felt Z85 2013 £925
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/felt/z85-2013-road-bike-ec046333?utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=froogle&utm_campaign=froogle&utm_content=mkwid__pcrid_17321847296_kword__match__plid_#features

Cannondale Synapse 6 Tiagra Compact 2013 £899
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/synapse-6-tiagra-compact-2013-road-bike-ec042920?utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=froogle&utm_campaign=froogle&utm_content=mkwid__pcrid_17321847296_kword__match__plid_

Cannondale Synapse Alloy 105 2013 with free upgrade to Mavic Aksium WTS wheels for £1049
http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/Cannondale_Synapse.html

Mekk 2G Poggio P2.0 105 £839 (Full Carbon)
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/mekk-2g-poggio-p20-105/

Moda Intro 2013 £700
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/moda/intro-2013-road-bike-ec043962?xid=78888&utm_source=78888&utm_medium=Awin&utm_campaign=Affiliate

Canyon Roadlite AL 6 £859
http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3073#tab-reiter2

I know I want one of these but which one?

The Only bike I've seen in the flesh from the above list is the Cannondale Synapse 6 Tiagra and it was fantastic and what made me turn my nose up at the Trek and Triban 7.

Any advice on what to go for would be really appreciated :)
 
If the Roadlite is the right geometry for you then buy it. Second choice would be the Cannondale 105 but it would be difficult to justify the extra £200.

If you aren't used to road bikes then the Felt is a good bike with pretty relaxed geometry and so should be comfortable.

As usual in these threads I can't recommend getting a bike that fits enough. It's more important that the bike fits well than anything else; it will directly affect your comfort and your ability to apply power to the pedals.
 
Last edited:
I had a Canyon RL AL 7.0 and it rode as well as other bikes I've test ridden that cost more than double.
 
Honestly after months of looking at bikes I figure Looks to be as important as fit and value for money, like uniQ said "You have to like it to want to ride it"

On the face of it the Canyon Roadlite AL 6 looks to be the best, Looks nice, full 105 and decent wheels. Two negatives though. I'm 5ft 8" with an inside leg of 31" So i'm figuring a 54cm or medium frame but it doesn't look like it will be in stock for another 3 months if I've worked there availabilty calculator out right. Also if there's anything wrong with the bike Germany is going to work out expensive to ship back to. Shame :(
 
One More Solo said:
I'd suggest putting your measurements in here: http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO

It'll suggest a decent ballpark range for your sizing. I'd really suggest putting looks third behind fit and value for money in what makes your decision.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link, Just entered my measurements and it came out "Seat tube range c-c = 53.9 - 54.4" for The French Fit.

I did have a go on the Triban 7 in Decathlon which felt really good and that was a 54 just a shame it looked so boring!
 
I loved my Cervelo S1. It was, and still is, the best bike I've owned.

Didn't fit me though. Anything over 30 miles and I was in serious back trouble to the point where getting back in the car after an event was a mission. I could put up with it for a while, but it couldn't last.
 
Just entered my correct measurements on the Canyon website and it says my size is S(53) this sounds about right to me as it's only 1cm small than the 54 triban which felt as though it fits. And the good news is they have the S(53) in stock, it's going to cost £908 including transport box and shipping Hmmm.

The only other bike that comes close to this in specs and price is the Felt Z85 at £925. All things being equal on the looks and fit, which of these is the best value for money?
 
The Canyon.

I never realised how long the head tubes were on those things; 165mm on a small; that's massive.

That's some good design. I was about to say that its not the same fit as the Felt because the Felt is 'sit up and beg' but it's actually not as relaxed as the Canyon. Jebus, they've made a damn fine job of making an audax geometry look like a full on race bike.
 
Last edited:
Vonhelmet said:
Surely it's that bigass downtube that's responsible for that.
Click to expand...

Nah, that head tube just means the down and tops tubes don't meet. The drop (saddle to bars) is going to be relatively small.

Pythagoras to the rescue; the top of the seat tube is 2.5" below the top of the head tube, without taking into account headset and stem rise. I think the drop is only going to be about an inch.
 
Last edited:
Heavily leaning towards the Canyon, Just read in a forum about someone who bought one and was told by Canyon that he needed a size S(53) and he is 5ft 10" needless to say it was too small for him and he needed a size M. I know he is 2" inches taller but it freaks me out a little that it's a size S as I've always been mr average size M in clothes etc.

I'm also leaning towards the black (Team Yellow) colour as I just like black I guess!
 
pumaz said:
Heavily leaning towards the Canyon, Just read in a forum about someone who bought one and was told by Canyon that he needed a size S(53) and he is 5ft 10" needless to say it was too small for him and he needed a size M. I know he is 2" inches taller but it freaks me out a little that it's a size S as I've always been mr average size M in clothes etc.

I'm also leaning towards the black (Team Yellow) colour as I just like black I guess!
Click to expand...

I'm 5'10 and the 53 (S) fit me like a glove. I had a white one but in hindsight If I had to do it again I would definitely go for the black.

canyon.jpg
 
Last edited:
I actually quite like the Z85 this year due to the new frame design and the addition of the tapered steerer tube.

Yes it's sportive orientated as are most of the bikes on your list but it has about an inch of spacers below the stem and the stem has a massive range of adjustment due to the shim which can be rotated.

Frame is great, gears work as they should being 105 and the brakes do the job. Wheels are heavy which is what happens at this price.

Basically try them and see what fits or you like the look of.
 
[DOD]Asprilla;24069141 said:
The Canyon.

I never realised how long the head tubes were on those things; 165mm on a small; that's massive.

That's some good design. I was about to say that its not the same fit as the Felt because the Felt is 'sit up and beg' but it's actually not as relaxed as the Canyon. Jebus, they've made a damn fine job of making an audax geometry look like a full on race bike.
Click to expand...

Indeed.

I especially like that they actually stick semi decent wheels and excellent tyres on it (GP4000S) - so many manufacturers cut corners there.
 
uniQ said:
I'm 5'10 and the 53 (S) fit me like a glove. I had a white one but in hindsight If I had to do it again I would definitely go for the black.
Click to expand...

Great, if the 53 (S) fits you it definitely won't be too small for me as I'm 2" shorter :)

Looks like I'm going to go with the Canyon (black) over the Felt simply for the slightly better spec. Including wheels unless someone persuades me not to!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom