More learned forumers.....
Yes I could get a used bike with high spec components off classified, but that has so far proved challenging given need for a small frame. Plus I'd be happier with with new to avoid warranty or components which are perhaps worn.
So, on basis of what folks have seen, what is the absolute best bike one could buy for £1,500?
Full carbon is necessary - because I want the bling aspect.
Light - small frame and looking for built up weight of <7.5 kg if possible.
See lots of deals with decent frames but pretty low-rent wheels, so decent wheels a must.
Planet X RT 57
Ribble
One of the Sensa bikes that Merlin are now selling?
Looking for a bit of advice.
I'd be looking at Canyon or Boardman in that price bracket...
this if they have a size which fits:-
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m7b65s6p3682
and get some very pimp wheels with the change 🙂
(I ignored your must be carbon on the basis of bling-ness, in that I consider a CAAD10 to be more bling than your listed carbon options.
+1 for Canyon if you can 'settle' for an Alu frame (it will be as good or better than any CF frame at that price point). Good luck finding decent wheels on a full carbon bike under £2k to.
Planet-X are an odd one, I was musing about selling my cannondale CAAD and getting a PX carbon frame/bike and the general oppinion was they're good and you'd recomend them to anyone, but no one actualy wanted one, kind of anti-bling? So if 'bling' and other peoples oppinions matter to you then PX might not be the right choice, no ones ever looked at one and thought 'phhhwwwwoooaaarrrrrr'!
I'd say Cannondale CAAD10 Ulegra or SuperSix 105. Bling enough to make you feel good, mainstreem enough that no one can say it's got any major flaws and you're not paying for a niche name, not so cheep that you have to forgive its shortcomings with the excuse that it was cheep, gets good reviews, and both would be worth keeping and upgrading. I'm biassed, but I can't really see any need to upgrade my 8 year old CAAD4 other than it's begining to look a little tatty, which is making my 'want' for a new SuperSix105 hrd to justify!
Just be aware that at £1500 you'd probably get a lighter bike with an aluminium frame as at that price (PX excepted) the carbon frame will be the same weight or heavier than an aluminium frame, but costs more to make, hence CAAD10 frames weigh arround the same as a SuperSix frame, but you'll get ultegra rather than 105 and better wheels and finishing kit which drops over a lb.
Edit: If you want good wheels on a bike for £1500, then buy a £1200 bike and spend £300 on wheels, or £1000 on the bike and £500 on wheels, etc. £1500-£2000's the kind of price range that get's people loking for either a first nice bike or fast guys looking for a cheeper winter bike or a spare race bike. The former will want the blingest wheels they can, the latter want's the cheepest they can as they'll already have some and want the moeny spending on frame, grouspet and finishing kit. The spec'ers busget is fixed so getting Kysrium elites means you'll probably add more weight or lose functionality elswhere than you gain in the wheels.
Canyon will be your best bet i reckon, the low range cf is 2000 euro and the top of the range alu model is 1700 euro, both under 7.5kg.
I don't have one, but have a look at Giant's offerings as well as they're very competitively priced.
Now if you can hang on until Aug, the 'end of year' sales will start and you should get a decent discount off of 2012 models.
I don't have one, but have a look at Giant's offerings as well as they're very competitively priced.Now if you can hang on until Aug, the 'end of year' sales will start and you should get a decent discount off of 2012 models.
I've just bought a TCR Advanced 2 2011 for £1600, was £2250 retail 🙂
Dolan could be worth a look. Plenty of build options.
I love mine and the guys are very helpful
I sold my Boardman Team Carbon in the spring and really wish I hadnt. Lovely bike.
I ride the bike (2011 CAAD10 105) that cp linked too. I decided that I'd rather get a decent alu frame with reasonable components for my money than a cheap carbon one.
Frame is stiff and light and as suggested you'll have lots of spare pennies for upgrading the components. Stick a lighter saddle and some fancy wheels on and you would have a very quick bike. If you want to spend most of your budget on the bike rather than upgrading later then the Ultegra version can be had for around £1399 I believe. Enjoy.