Fancy getting myself a new bike for 2022. Currently running a 2019 tcr which is great but I fancy something a little more slippery for those long flat club rides I seem to be doing every other week. And also because I fancy a new shiny bike.
I’ll be keeping the tcr as the main bike, so don’t want to spend a fortune. I could get a bike to work up to 3500 and I’m looking at the giant propel 1 which looks a nice enough bit of kit within c2w budget. That said if I didn’t have the bike to work option I’d probably be looking at spending a little more given that would mean I could get something along lines of a system 6, the new orbea aero bike etc.
Given the propel will cost me around 2k in reality given the tax perks, are the like I of a system 6 worth more than double? I know the propel use to be one of the faster bikes out there, but is it now a bit dated?
I do find the modern rode biker amusing. Go out on a club ride, presumably to get fit, and then spend copious amounts of money on slippery wheels or frames to try and make it easier. If you are not the one grovelling off back desperate to hang on, ride a dog of a bike to make the effort a bit tougher so you are getting a workout nearly as good as that guy. I used to ride with a rack and panniers with extra full bottles in unless I was in exalted company and knew I was going to get a spanking anyway.
Or buy something nice and shiny that you like the look of because you want to spaff your cash. You can't ask for help with that - beauty in the eye of the beholder and all that.
Agree with last post, either get fit or buy a bike that looks nice as a nice looking bike will always be quicker (not joking either)
Go out on a club ride, presumably to get fit,
Not really, I go out on a club ride for a bit of a chat with my mates.
Plenty fit enough already tbh, And the bike would also be used for hilly tt’s and the odd race. But to be honest I really just fancy a new bike
Ribble Ultra?
I think if you're looking at aero bikes from different companies the actual speed differences are fairly minimal, I went from carbon aero to custom steel and if anything I'm faster on the non aero bike as it fits perfectly and rides nicer.
Looked at the ribble, but it’s not available until July 2022. And also not available in my bike to work scheme.
Have you not considered chopping the TCR in for one of the new breed of all-rounders like the new Supersix / TCR / Tarmac? Lots of folks I know are going back from aero bikes to these. Then you could get an additional deeper section wheelset for flatter rides / TT's etc...
Propel is great. I have two. And the aero is measurably faster. But not in a group ride. I used to think that aero means fewer watts for the same speed at the end of a race. Of course I was still out sprinted. 🤣
But Giant did their R&D. It’s a great bike.
Orro Venturi?
Fancy getting myself a new bike for 2022
hope you've already ordered it or you don't ride a popular size
There was a thread on here last year covering this
One poster had owned 3 or 4 different aero framed bikes.
One was a standout in the group, the others much of a muchness.
I cant recall the poster or the bikes, but i thimk it was a bmc speed machine that he reckoned was noticeably faster everywhere.
I have heard nothing but good things about the Canyon Aeroad if there's one in budget.
I fancy one of these one day. I currently have an 'endurance' road bike. Is it much more fun to ride the fast ones just from a satisfaction point of view? Are they much less comfortable?
I've had a system 6 for 24 months now, it's an absolute weapon, there's 3 others in my local bunch and all owners are equally amazed at how it carries speed.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/cRboMqyEKhbqKJ2M8
The problem with some aero frames, particularly when combined with deep carbon wheels is stiffness - fine if you ride on ribbon-smooth tarmac, but on rough, pot-holed roads they can transmit vibration, chatter about a bit so definitely see if you can get a test ride. Also, with some models with integrated stems and cabling it can be really difficult to adjust stem length and height - once built up an £8k Venge up for a customer for them to come back asking for 20mm spacers and a shorter stem - needed a new integrated handlebar and fork which cost another grand. Consider a bike fit just to make sure?
Confirmation bias innit. You aren't going to spunk 5k on a road bike whose entire USP is 'makes you faster' and say it made no difference.
Yeah full internal cabling is a pain, dropping 20mm spacers out if my wife's Liv involved shortening all cables and rebleeding brakes.
I’ve had Aeroad, Madone and System Six.
I would say that the Aeroad was the faster all round bike. But it was rim brake and just under 7kgs. My Aeroad was the older model (2018 purchased). Great bike and one of the few I wish I hadn’t sold.
I didn’t like the wheels on the Systensix, didn’t think they were very stable. Have said this before on here, but it was like riding a tiger down a mountain. But it was a fast bike on the flat, I wouldn’t be using it for any hilly time trials though. I’ve used it up plenty of real mountains (Spain) and it’s not quicker than a Supersix, that’s just marketing nonsense.
Madone was the same. Heavy, looked ace though. For the same rolling hilly course I’d say it was no faster than my 2021 Emonda SLR with deep wheels.
I’ve also had a TCR and wouldn’t hesitate to get another, but I would want some nice light 55-65mm wheels.
With regards to the Propel, is it possible to slam the stem? Not being an idiot, but the only ones I’ve seen they have a mass of spacers underneath. I’m sure you must be able to.
For your budget though, not sure I’d be going aero. I’d be looking for something like a Bowman Palace with deep rims or Standert. Last one is over budget, but rim brake kressiage is a beauty. The Propel is actually decent value for an aero bike, most other you do tend to pay more for. TCR is a great bike though and I’d honestly think there will be very little in it on hilly to rolling rides, maybe something like an Aeroad with 65mm wheels will be quicker, but most others in my experience won’t noticeably quicker. Didn’t they increase the aero performance of the TCR about 18 months ago?
Also the Propel sounds awesome. A couple of years ago in a crit, I was on an Emonda nice deep wheels and two guys were on Propels, sounded like a light sabre duel! Think the propel comes with a 42mm front wheel, I’d be swapping that out pronto for a v. deep rim.
From a non C2W perspective, have a look at Handsling bikes. Look ok value to me.
Something that little bit different. Seen one over the summer and really liked it.
The problem with some aero frames, particularly when combined with deep carbon wheels is stiffness – fine if you ride on ribbon-smooth tarmac, but on rough, pot-holed roads they can transmit vibration, chatter about a bit so definitely see if you can get a test ride.
This. My Madone is a joy to ride in Majorca, where the roads are like glass. Less fun in Leeds, where they are ploughed.
+1 for everything Dovebiker said. I was considering a new, fast road bike this year (having sold an endurance road bike) and the more I looked at bikes like the Tarmac, the more of a PITA they appeared, thanks to the internal routing, the integrated stem, odd-shaped seatposts etc. I like to climb and I like to travel with the bikes so if I just want a nice new bike, then something more simple makes more sense.
Confirmation bias innit.
No, I aero tested mine against my Defy SL riding 200W laps on an outdoor circuit. I also tested clothing. If you want to go faster, wear a decent skin suit and aero helmet. The bike was also worth a bit, but when you add a set of Jet 6/9's to a Propel, and compare that to a stock Defy SL, you've saved about 30 watts. It added about 1.5 km/hr for the same power.
Bowman Palace
Good luck with that, I think they've been hit hard by Covid/Brexit related supply issues, big article on Road.cc.
I contacted them ages ago about availaility and heard nothing back.