A long term back injury is forcing a rethink of my stable. It looks as though I'm going to have to spend more time (i.e. most longer rides) on rather than off road and I am looking at new road bikes. While a return to the black stuff is not really what I want, if it means I can carry on riding as opposed to crumpling into a proto-geriatric heap then so be it.
I have a fixie with a spinny little gear for long winter base rides and a cheap alu road bike for turbo duties but I'm after a carbon framed machine (hopefully with a bit of rear end compliance) for longer rides and possible sportives.
I'm looking at about the £1k mark and have a shortlist of:
Merida Scultura Road 904 which I can get for a tad under £1,200 (105 equipped)
Planet X Carbon Road (SRAM Rival) at a similar price or
Boardman Team Carbon at £999
Let's factor Halfrauds out as I can do the spannering to get the Boardman up to spec. Any recommendations or otherwise from any of you who have ridden any of the above?
I know you said carbon, but Specialized have an alu version of the Roubaix called the Secteur for 2010, including one with carbon stays. Dunno about prices but worth a look for a sportive-type bike.
Can't you stretch (no pun intended) to a Roubaix? The geometry is more relaxed so you are in a more upright position and the Zertz inserts really do a good job of soaking up the bumps (feels a bit like you are running too little air in your tires when you first ride it).
The Roubaix is half as much again which is going a bit too far for me I'm afraid. Looks nice though. I'd have to dig very deep to afford one.
The main worry I have with carbon frames is longevity and I know Spesh and Trek have excellent warranties i.e. lifetime for original owner iirc but you pay a premium for the kit in the first place.
The Roubaix is half as much again which is going a bit too far for me I'm afraid. Looks nice though. I'd have to dig very deep to afford one.
That's why I recommended the Secteur- can't find any prices for them but would have to be less than a Roubaix.
The Secteur Elite comes in at £999 for the cycle to work gang (unfortunately that doesn't include me!) so we are in the same ballpark price wise.
I need to have a look at one and possibly a ride too but right now i am still recovering from my back injury and am off the bike (any bike) for a while which is why I can spend time researching rather than just rushing out to get a new machine!
I picked up a new Tri Cross with carbon back end and zerts for less than your budget last January. I also ride a 2K Roubaix. The Tri is shorter so more upright that might be a benefit to you. I'm hard pushed to tell the difference in comfort from the two of them on the road, the Roubaix is faster because of the kit on it (gearing, wheels etc).
I don't know the Meridia but the other two are I believe "race" geometry rather than "sportive" and would probably put more pressure on your lower back?
Have you tried Terry Dolan? I think he was doing some pretty reasonable Carbon frames built with good stuff - Dolan Mythos - £1000 gets a full carbon frame & fork & 105 groupo. Askium wheels & Deda finishing kit - great value me thinks 😉 Well worth a look!!
http://www.italian-solutions.co.uk
S/h - what size are you after?
Pretty large... I ride a 21" mtb.
I'll have a look at Terry Dolan sounds good.
Re Terry Dolan
I phoned him up once - very helpfull chap, didn't actually end up buying from him as i managed to raise extra funds & got a really good deal on a Wilier Izoard !!
Let's factor Halfrauds out as I can do the spannering to get the Boardman up to spec.
I didn't really understand that. IMO the Boardman is the best of them - certainly of all the ones I've tried (and I've tried a lot when helping people at work choose their B2W).
he means it'll be badly put together / set up as a lot of halfrauds bikes are - I had to re-adjust a front mech on a friends brand new halfords bike where there was a clear inch between the cage and the chainrings; it had been put on wonky and the limit screws were miles out.
I'm aware that some people who work there are knowledgable and helpful. A lot aren't though.
The boardman is a nice bike.
What about a Bianchi? I have a C2C Via Nirone 7 105/Ultegra mix with carbon stays and fork. So so comfy and I got it in the last years sales for about £700.
They retail for more this year (£1200?) but worth trying to find a deal.
Comes with a compact although I've fitted a racing double.
Ah well yes, that's a given 🙂 Equally the same can happen with supposedly good shops but regardless if I'm buying a new bike I'd always check it over anyway (in fact, when I got my Bianchi from Halfords through B2W I asked them not to even open the box!)
Your example above is a bit odd though. Bikes typically come with the mechs and shifting set up pretty close to right so you never normally have to adjust the front mech clamp. I guess that maybe they'd tried to 'improve' the shifting...
Just curious how a modern carbon road bike (likely with bars well below saddle height) is going to be good/better for your back?
I'm sure it was done with the best of intentions 🙂 I was equally as flummoxed as I wouldn't have expected them to be building up bikes from scratch. Still; that's definately how it was when he got it. Agree with the once-over on everything - I work on the assumption that something will have been missed / wrong and then if it's all perfect it makes you feel better 🙂
Another vote for Secteur or Roubaix.
But I would have thought that the more relaxed position of a mtb would be better for your back then a road bike.
Compliance = **** word.
TZF = **** troll 😉
Might be a long wait for the Boardman.
Dare I suggest Ribble?
[i]slowjo - Member
Pretty large... I ride a 21" mtb.
I'll have a look at Terry Dolan sounds good.[/i]
OK unable to help
thanks anyway GJP!
Daveh Has a point - Ribble do some nice carbon bikes. Worth a look!!
I know they're not glam, but have a look at the carbon Giabts with "sportive" geom. Tend to be very well made and specced with decent kit for the price - just not very [i]exciting[/i] to think about owning (a bit like a Honda Accord).
I'm increasingly of the view that the only real factor to take into account at this price level is fit and riding comfort. All the bikes are well made, and all road kit at that level is good (save for the wheels, which are all usually average). So, go for fit and comfort first and kit second.
Another vote for a Bianchi C2C Via Nirone - I have the same as Handsomedog above with carbon forks, seat stays and seat post, and a mix of 105 and Ultegra. Rides beautifully and has quite relaxed angles which might help if you have a dicky back. Most importantly it looks the Mutt's Nuts! There's still some good aluminium bikes out there at the price point you are looking at. You might also look at a Cannondale Synapse or one of the Treks (1.9 or 1.7).
ourmaninthenorth - Oh no! I have a carbon Giant TCR road bike. I'll have to get rid of it now, I thought it was 'cool' - silly me.
Coleman - sorry, old chap. 😉
If it's any consolation, I have a couple of Giants (alu winter bike and carbon nice bike). they're not glam like the Colnagos or Looks, but they do ride so well.
The Dolan looks nice but it is a lugged frame. Anyone know of any bonding issues? I'll have a peep at Giants too.