[Closed] New road bike, what would you do?

Discs make a lot of sense for winter bike, I use a CDF30 with shimano hydraulics for winter road, touring, adventure whatever riding. I have just bought a new nice summer road bike - Giant Defy Advanced Pro 2. It does however also have shimano hydraulics 😀

Over the past five years of having both a summer bike and a winter bike I've come to the conclusion that although my summer bike is ace when it's dry and sunny, I can't bear to do without the mudguards and dyno lighting of my winter bike – even in the summer.

So, for my money, the answer is essentially a winter bike that I still want to use in the summer.

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a winter bike that I still want to use in the summer.

This is correct.

However, discs will slice you arms off if you even look at them.

However, discs will slice you arms off if you even look at them.

o hai i haz solushun

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I'd buy my de rosa.....

As you asked what I'd do...

For £3k I'd get a Bianchi Infinito cv with Athena

Sod discs, sod mudguards

Safety first, Bez. I like your thinking.

Indeed. Have you ever seen a cat with toilet rolls on its legs get dismembered by a bicycle's disc rotor? No. You haven't. QED.

Which one will get most use? Choose that one, it's the one you'll get most benefit from.

Best value, that'll be Canyon but you cant use your CTW voucher.

Best you'll get from a LBS is probably a Giant TCR, they even come with decent carbon wheels or a Genesis for an actually proper top spec frame.

What your missing is a proper out and out sunny day fast bike.

Mason definition? "4 seasons" but apparently really rather great in summer!

http://road.cc/content/review/149005-mason-definition-road-bike

Genesis datum gets good reviews too

I took my good road bike out yesterday, for the first time this year and it was lovely, but the brakes (Campag Super Record) didn't give me as much confidence as the Shimano RS685's on the Whyte cross bike I've been riding all winter.
Also I kept noticing bits of bridleway and thinking "if I was on the cross bike I could explore that".

Always nice to have a winter bike but when will you have a new superbike opportunity again?

Only live once!

Ultra light superbike no doubt;)

Nothing like a 6.5-7kg race bike for performance riding.

I've had a hydro disc brake endurance bike (8kg), but have now gone for a caliper brake race bike (7kg) which just feels incredible under power.

Could highly recommend Tarmac, Super six Evo, TCR or similar.

What's wrong with your current bikes?

chop in the secteur and the roubaix, get the kinesis or something like the mason, have one that you want to get out every time

btw, next years tiagra will also have a hydro disc option so the 105 you're looking at may come down in price a little, if you have the option to wait

Trek Domane Disc will take full mudguards.
[url= https://www.evanscycles.com/trek-domane-6-2-disc-c-2016-road-bike-EV251336?esvt=894-GOUKE1226438&esvq=&esvadt=999999-0-126390-1&esvcrea=63402921416&esvplace=&esvd=c&esvo=EV251336-58-BUW&esvaid=50080&gclid=CJX49MzUtcwCFZEK0wodpKwO0g ]Domane 6.2 Disc[/url]

Don't commute

Oh so your one of these nasty tax avoiders that STW is always going on about.

First off have your lbs 100% confirmed they will let you top up your C2W voucher. I was under the impression that trick had been seriously clamped down on.

Which bike depends on what sort of rider you are. If you intend to use the bike year round whatever the weather then guards are a must, and when it's pissing down discs are a revelation on the road. If it's for dry days only then the 'superbike' every time.

Oh and you do know C2W means Cycle to Work? 😉

Me personally, id go with the all weather option, nothing beats the luxury of guards dynamo and discs.

Lightweight road bike. Discs are no reason alone to swap the Spesh, especially as you say you don't particularly head out in dismal weather.

From how you describe your riding, which is just kind mind, I'd say lightweight fast road bike.

Shop around if you can. I bought a very reduced Focus Izalco last year, over a grand off. Carbon, full DA9000, decent wheels, under 16lbs with cages and Garmin mounts. Not bad! Compared to my decent aluminium Cube before, it's a stunning ride, so fast and fun, I grin every time I'm out on it.

If you intend to use the bike year round whatever the weather then guards are a must,

No they are not

No they aren't a must, you'll get where you're going, just with varying widths of dirt stripes up your clothes.

Which if your not commuting doesn't matter. Although I have an all year around road bike with discs (PX LR) I don't use guards for my 25km ew commute.

I'd suggest the summer bike for the OP from the description of his riding which apart from the lack of commuting is pretty identical to mine.

For regular riding through 'orrible weather, discs are a no brainer for me on my hilly commute but on a decent road ride in good weather there is little benefit.

No they aren't a must, you'll get where you're going, just with varying widths of dirt stripes up your clothes.

And all the assorted crap all over your frame and drivetrain.

Maybe in a city it would be more of an issue clogging stuff up, I occasionally have to dodge lumps of horse shite or peat bog, but it's rare that I clean my bike and I run drive trains until they are dead.

I just like to use stuff and I'm not too bothered on how it looks/looking after it though 😉

Oh look. The cycle to work pendants are in. Can we get this out of the way? Once and for all? Yes, the scheme was designed to get more people cycling to work. It has worked to some extent but the scheme is being widely exploited. This exploitation is no secret to anybody. Please, can we move on from it. Other cycling forums seem to have mostly let it drop.

Back to the original question. I would go for something with discs but no rack or guard mounts. It wouldn't see a wet day on the road. At that price, I would purposefully cherish it and keep it for very best and prolong the fun of having something special.

£3k and a dilemma like this? Simples... One of each...

Spend your £1k C2W voucher on something like a Whyte Dorset which is a fantastic winter bike and a lot cheaper than speccing up your own Kinesis 4S, then drop the £2k on a nice carbon bike with rim brakes...

The one will satisfy the commuting and winter requirements nicely, the other will put a big smile on your face when the sun is shining!

Far more sensible than spending £3k on one bike in the hope that it will do it all IMO.

Thanks all for the feedback, pretty equal both ways so no help 😆

The thing that got me looking at the lightweight option is I just wasn't getting excited about the new winter bike option. This time last year whenI was buying the Roubaix I was checking every day to see if my voucher had arrived, nagging the shop to let me take the bike early etc. This year I'm just a bit meh about the whole thing which made me think I'm doing this for the wrong reason. Probably not helped by timing of buying a winter bike when the weather is meant to be improving! So it seems to be a head vs heart decision, buy sensible or buy what you really want 😀

@mboy, now thats not a bad option to be honest, given me something else to go look at 🙂

You don't really ride in bad weather, so why get a bike specifically for it?!

Nice bike all the way. Boardman frame. DA9000 group set from Germany, FarSports Carbon wheels. Whatever finishing kit you want. Job jobbed.

Get something silly and light weight, there is a rare pleasure in riding a proper fast, light road bike on a sunny day. Given we don't know what your LBS stock I'll just say you want carbon wheels with good tyres, Di2 or maybe mechanical Dura-Ace, some nice finishing kit and a frame that you fancy, be that light or aero.

I'd definitely go discs if the current weather trend is to continue... can't see it getting back to normal for a long time

If you are only having one road bike for year round UK riding, I'd choose a winter bike. Spent too long worrying about salt and road grit wrecking my carbon framed lightweight wonder. Much happier with something a bit cheaper, aluminium, and that takes mudguards.

This morning's little pootle to and from the velodrome included a trip to a bike shop who have pretty much convinced me my next road bike will be a Kinesis 4S Disc. Don't tell my wife that. Or that I'm typing this from a lovely Cafe just 1 mile from home.....

. Much happier with something a bit cheaper, aluminium, and that takes mudguards.

Or, blingy crabon fribe that takes mudguards.

Don't tell my wife that.

I'll tell her when she's finished. 😈

buy sensible or buy what you really want

£2-3K on a bicycle is not "sensible" by any objective measure. You can buy a perfectly good bike for a fraction of that.

I'd go for the lightweight/sexy summer bike. Even if you don't use it as much as the 'winter' bike it will be such a joy to ride when you do. I assume it's the same logic for people who buy sports cars, convertibles etc.

Or, blingy crabon fribe that takes mudguards.

You got something you want to [s]Diverge[/s] divulge? 😀

If you're not going to ride in the road in bad weather if go super light weight and no discs.

Personally, I do most of my riding to work and back, so I've got a £400 disc brakes mudguard shod hack as my go to and I can't imagine spending much more would get anything significantly better. Need to get some better brakes though.

Depends on how much you actually get out in the winter. If it's not that much then IMO a 'winter bike' is pretty much moot. In your position I'd get something nice-sh with dics that can take mudguards and leave it at that!

I'd go for the lightweight/sexy summer bike. Even if you don't use it as much as the 'winter' bike it will be such a joy to ride when you do. I assume it's the same logic for people who buy sports cars, convertibles etc.

It's exactly the same logic... The problem is, you're then applying that logic to Human Beings!

For example, I have a Whyte Dorset as a winter bike and it's done about 650 miles in the last 18 months since I've had it. In the same time my carbon summer bike has done about 3500 miles!

FWIW, I sold my 3 series the other week, and bought a Z4 as a replacement at the same time as getting a company van on finance... I keep finding excuses to leave the van at home and take the Z4 out for a spin (it is a 3L in my defence, M Sport pack, heated leather etc... 😛 )

Put it this way, anything designed to be comfortable and practical is a lot less likely to put a smile on your face than something sportier and more focused...

If I by the sexy light bike I'll still have the Roubaix to take guards and use when conditions are not so nice but I still want to get out so the new bike is not a do it all option. I'm in a very fortunate position of having some disposable income, having some bikes I've bought over a period of time plus the C2W voucher in hand that my LBS will allow me to top up on. They have a Boardman Elite frame that got ordered and cancelled so are willing to take a hit on it. So although it's not the best brand name I believe the Elite range are actually quite good.

Just been in there and asked them to spec it up using Ultegr Di2 groupset and S-Works finishing kit but no wheel set as for now I'll use my Campag Zonda's until I can afford something better. This way the bike is well spec'ed and I can easily change wheels later. Will see what they come back with.

You are asking about a mondeo or a ferrari for a second car.

No question, get the lightest, fastest road bike you can find in budget. Then go and ride it in the rain - they don't dissolve and they will stop (especially with alloy rims).

Sensible can wait...

Just get the one that makes you 'Tingle' inside.

Whilst I'm sure the Boardman will be a fine frame, are you buying it because its a bargain or because it fits you properly? It might just be me but the build sounds a bit bitsy, not what I'd be looking for if I was spending 2-3k.

Im of the opinion as I get older, going to be 40 this year, that an all rounder is the way to go. I have the choice of a lightweight 'summer' bike Im ashamed to say its covered less than 50 miles. Id rather use my 'winter' bike more often than not. It seen service on the Western Isles, Skye, Jura, Norn Ireland, Mull, Galloway,.....

Living in the West of Scotland kind of makes your mind up for you. Indeed, now Id rather use my fixed wheel winter bike than any of them, it cost a fraction of the other two but its simplicity and comfort if not its light weight (I believe its made from scaffold poles) make it an easy choice.

So I say hand built fixed wheel with discs a 68' gear, its the magic number and you're good to go.

Bike will be setup during a bike fit so I'm confident it will fit well. Yes it is a good deal which has made it tempting plus I get to finish it with my choice of components rather than what the manufacturer has decided.

As for the bitsy build, I thought Di2 was a good match for a high end bike, S-Works finishing kit is high quality and a nice matt carbon which suits the frame finish but could chose the Pro Vibe also. These two are stocked by the shop so makes it easier during fit to change to suit.

Agreed the wheels are not up to scratch but for now I can run with these so I can spend more on the rest and hopefully get a set of Hunt carbon's when they come back in stock 🙂

Out of curiosity is a lighter bike that much more fun to ride than something heavier ? I have a similar dilemma without the budget or C2W scheme but wonder about getting something less sensible - no Dynamo or discs but need guards!

Out of curiosity is a lighter bike that much more fun to ride than something heavier

Yes, you get out more of what you put in.

@velosam

A good quality light weight race bike is a joy to ride if you like to go quick

However, some very light bikes can be a little too flexible if you ride aggressively or are heavier. You can often find this in very light wheelsets which can feel squirrelly when pushed hard or when climbing steep hills.

I'd go for lightweight rim braked bike in your position. You won't see much advantage from discs if it's just getting ridden in nice weather and if you're anything like me then road rides in poor weather are pretty much reserved for the commute.

Cheers something more to add to the want list!

I'd get discs just to not have to worry about when my rims will fail!

So I say hand built fixed wheel with discs a 68' gear, its the magic number and you're good to go.

Carbon is an ideal material for a wet/all weather bike.
Crud racer guards will fit most nice bikes. weigh practically nothing, look better than most guards and most importantly keep most of the road spray off the steel moving parts and finish of your precious aluminium (anodized) parts.
A hose at the front door and a soft brush and it's a 2minute job washing down a roadbike after a ride even in the most horrendous weather.
Discs are heavy and pointless on a recreational roadbike. It's really not difficult to choose routes where you rarely have to brake at all.

I'd get discs just to not have to worry about when my rims will fail!

You should get a job with the Daily Mail.

£3k and a dilemma like this? Simples... One of each...

Spend your £1k C2W voucher on something like a Whyte Dorset which is a fantastic winter bike and a lot cheaper than speccing up your own Kinesis 4S, then drop the £2k on a nice carbon bike with rim brakes...

The one will satisfy the commuting and winter requirements nicely, the other will put a big smile on your face when the sun is shining!

Far more sensible than spending £3k on one bike in the hope that it will do it all IMO.

For gods sake, this is he second time in as many days my current scenario has been described, negating my everlastingly desire for N+1.

I have a Giant defy 3 which was £600 when I bought it, then when the drivetrain wore out I upgraded to 105. It's got defy specific guards and is essentially the winter bike. I also have a Bianchi Sempre Ultegra, not a super bike as such but a nice carbon bike I bought from Wiggle. I've only upgraded the wheels so far - £175 for some sale kysirium elites - and I have some £600 carbon deep sections the way for TT's.

So there you go, a winter bike, a carbon summer/sportive / TT bike in budget as mboy suggests.

HOWEVER - I might want to buy a proper TT bike next year, and as such rep,ve one of the others. As Hoke above says people are suggesting to use my carbon bike with guards and sell the Defy but I'm struggling to get my head around that.