Which Road bike from this list?

[pumaz]

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

 

[pumaz]

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

 

[pumaz]

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.

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!

 

[pumaz]

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?

 

[pumaz]

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]

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.

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!

 

[pumaz]

Ordered the Canyon Roadlite AL 6 in Black this morning along with a over £300 worth of shoes, pedals, locks and clothing

Gone over budget on the clobber, stupidly I thought I'd get it all for £200 but in reality I struggled to come in at £300 even with extreme googling and budgeting! Still need Lights and mudguards but they'll have to wait.

Only problem is do I really want to put my Canyon in the garden shed with the my old MTB as well as the wifes and sons. Seriously considering a Asgard Metal Cycle shed but there over £500

Anyway seriously excited!!!

 

[pumaz]

Pumaz,

How did you get on with sizing? Did you go for the small frame? I just ordered a Roadlite AL 7.0 today but I'm a little concerned with the sizing. I'm 5'9" with 31" inseam.

Cheers.

Forgot all about this thread!

Sizing is great, I'm an inch smaller but have the same inseam and Size (S) fits me perfect, very comfortable ride

It really is a fantastic bike and I'm pleased as punch with it

Now for the bad.....

Canyon Originally sent me a bike without tires etc or being tested. They then arranged to replace the bike with another and give me a £100+ cycle computer by way of an apology. This arrived after allot of messing about with DHL and all was fine or at least that's what I thought!

Unknown to me they accidentally (they said) refunded me £859 of the £908 I paid, first I new of it was a letter demanding £909 within 8 days. I gave them permission to charge my card again for the £859 they refunded but they went and took £909

I'm still a £1 down! as they refunded me £49 instead of £50 yesterday but it's taken me 2 months from ordering to getting a full bike and almost proper payment sorted, I really hope I never have to make a warranty claim

Hope you have better luck than me but as good as the bike is I'll stick to LBS in future.

Here she is:

 

[pumaz]

Vortice - always happy to help

Yeah although the bike is 53 (S) it feels just as big as the 54 (M) Triban 7 i tried. The size is perfect don't worry

Mudguards - After allot of research I bought the Crud Road Racer MK2's as they're confirmed to fit and get good reviews, Not had reason to use them yet though! Got mine from Tredz for £22

 

[pumaz]

If it helps my first bike was in stock and it took just under 2 weeks to arrive (only actually took 2 days to get from DHL Germany to me), Hopefully they'll get yours right first time round