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If I was buying again I would be looking for an oversize headtube and full carbon fork on the spec.
Modern bikes seem to allow for a wide range fitment, I have two road bikes different sizes but the bars, seat and pedals are in the same place on both.
Colour and styling is importnat to me I like a bike thats pleasing to look at.
Ride handling is a difficult one, I can usually discount a bike on a short test ride due to its angles or more likely because it has a short top tube(latest tricross for example).
The frame qualities I would look for are- a stiff non flexy bottom bracket and removal of that energy sapping road chatter you get at speed on bad road surfaces which is difficult to gauge on a short ride.
Also factor in for some new wheels(basic fulcrums or mavics) as the OE ones are invariably rubbish.
Having said all that the £999 giant defy alu sl was a the best bike for buck I spotted when doing the rounds recently.
Versatile too with well hidden mounts for racks and guards which you may not want now, but never say never.
A bit sportier is a the Allex sport also in aluminium(with some fancy welding) but with a full carbon fork and 105 for £1200 very light.
If you can beg borrow or steal a bit more cash then the new Cervellos look lovely but are around 2k.
One other thing, my mate is currently clocking up 50+ mile rides at 20+mph on a croix de fer built up with 29er parts and 35mm marathons.
God help us when he gets something carbon but it does support the "its not about the bike" argument.
the new Cervellos look lovely but are around 2
I'd have to start dealing/selling drugs to afford 2k.
The trouble I had when I bought my first road bike was that I did not know what I wanted. You don't really know about fit until you've ridden for a few long rides. All I had was MTB background so I ended up with a too long TT to which I had to fit a short stem. So buy cheep, work out what you like/don't like, and then splash the cash.
One other thing, my mate is currently clocking up 50+ mile rides at 20+mph on a croix de fer built up with 29er parts and 35mm marathons.
this!
Unless you need something competitive, get something comfy and rack-up the miles! Guess a cheapish steel frame (520/525 type stuff) is only going to add a pound or 2 or so over something plastic. Nothing really that the gained fitness of many miles on something comfy won't overcome. Ribble, Genesis etc..
One other thing, my mate is currently clocking up 50+ mile rides at 20+mph on a croix de fer built up with 29er parts and 35mm marathons.
Have something very similar as a run about, but my road bikes are so much more enjoyable when it comes to lots of road miles.
Great to prove a point to people.
However what about just enjoying the best that you can buy for the job at hand and then enjoying it more?
We all can't be modern-day versions of Miyamoto Musashi who actually enjoy using lesser materials to beat everyone.
Doesn't need to be fancy. My old Trek alu winter road bike brought from a mate for about 250 quid (was about 500 quid new) is still a much better proposition for big road miles than my flat bared run about that cost about a grand to build up.
Great to prove a point to people.
Can't really see what point you'd be proving or who you'd be proving it to 🙂
At your budget you might be into 725 or 853 possibly somewhere, so would be lovely.
eg an equilibrium 20 has 725 tubing and 105. RRP is about £1300, so should be had for less somewhere.
I don't think these are the wooden swords of the road bike world 😉
Great to prove a point to people.
I dont think hes proving a point just riding what hes got.
Have fun choosing and riding your new bike.
Ribble have some good deals on road bikes. Although it might not be to every bodies liking
Take a trip over to Decathlon in Stockport and have a go on some of the road bikes there.
At the top end of your budget there doing the Btwin Mach 720, full carbon frame/fork, Full Campy Centaur groupset & Khamsin wheels.
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/btwin-mach-720-road-bike-id_8289115.html#avantages
As someone has pointed out to me, full carbon/ultegra is available at Planet-X for a grand.
IHN - Member
As someone has pointed out to me, full carbon/ultegra is available at Planet-X for a grand.
Not all carbon is the same...
Is Planet-X carbon less equal than others then?
Not all carbon is the same...
True, but not that relavent, the P-X does well in reviews so is 'good' carbon.
in the tradition of recommending your own bike, how about a cube agree pro?
£979, full carbon, mix of shimano 105 and ultegra.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cube-agree-gtc-pro-compact-road-bike-2013/rp-prod111918
I just bought one of the 2012 cannondale synapse 105s from Paul's cycles and can highly recommend it
Unless you need something competitive, get something comfy and rack-up the miles! Guess a cheapish steel frame (520/525 type stuff) is only going to add a pound or 2 or so over something plastic. Nothing really that the gained fitness of many miles on something comfy won't overcome. Ribble, Genesis etc..
don't know why this keeps getting trotted out, I've got a good steel bike and a carbon bike, the carbon probably has the edge on comfort, is stiffer, lighter. faster and the big one "more fun".
Comfort is dictated by fit not material. Old steel bikes were comfortable. Modern carbon bikes are comfortable, but lighter and stiffer; hence more efficient.
hora, If you are uncomfortable, I suggest fit is the issue. Too much weight on the arms, for example.
I have or have owned steel, titanium, carbon and alloy. All have been comfortable when correctly fitted. They didn't all start off that way.
I haven't followed the thread all the way through, but I recently bought this after having a pretty stiff alu Airborne Thunderbolt:
Bloody love it!
I'm 6' and the 58cm is bang-on. Short TT, mix of 105/Ultegra, Aksium wheels, Easton kit and a lovely 'floaty' carbon frame. Best of all was £470 to boot. No complaints whatsoever 🙂
Just get measured up properly