http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/colnago-ace-105-road-bike-2012/rp-prod70274
I'm looking for a 1st road bike, was looking at a MEKK Potenza 5.0 but they aren't in the country yet.
Saw this Colnago, looks nice but i know bugger all about it.
I'm 5'2" so looking at the 48cm i think.
TBH as a first bike I would go much cheaper less than £500 as you may not take to it.
Its also coming up to winter so that wont be the ideal choice
I also think you are paying a price for the Colgnago name [ its not a bad choice bike though]. The same spec on a Ribble or a Merlin will be sub £1000
The decathalon one for £300 got great reviews compared to £6-800 bikes iirc
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-road-bike-white-id_8239800.html
I would look there for a first one tbh or perhaps second hand if you must have a better first bike
I've sold a load of kit and collected 1.5 grand 🙂
Done plenty of road riding on my Boardman hybrid (C2C in a day, 1oo milers etc) but now want a nice carbon bike, which is why i'm looking at bikes in this price range.
Is it a decent bike for that money?
Plus, i'm looking for a sportive type bike rather than a full on race bike.
it is a decent bike for the money. It's made by giant, got sensible spec. Whats not to like.
Good review here. http://www.thewashingmachinepost.net/colnago/ace/
and here. http://m.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-colnago-ace-10-37705/
no personal experience of that particular colnago, but in general, they are really nicely presented.
Buy it.
Yes its a decent bike for that money
Looks reasonably good value.
I'm spending that amount right now on a sportive/endurance type of bike. I'm going for the Giant Defy Composite 2.
I've looked at most makes, and nearly all 'sportive' bikes seem to be stock road bikes with higher head tubes? Giant appear to have looked at all the tubes.
I don't pretend to know it all, but I like what I've seen so far and seeing one come second in the PR just about sealed it for me.
That said I do have my out and out race bike. so I can afford to go a little different.
At the end of the day it'll be a great bike, I think it's hard to find a pig these days, but rest assured you (would) have been paying a premium for that name.
This is the 2014 version I'm waiting for.
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I wouldn't pay the full whack for it, but i was ready to drop £1400 on the Mekk today til i saw the Colnago for the same price with pretty much the same kit on it.
I'm very tempted (money burning hole in wallet!) but a little worried about the bars, are they a compact design as i can't tell from the photo.
Check the sizing as they seem go down to a 42cm, which makes me think they're measuring the real seat tube length not the theoretical length. Top tube length on the 48 could well be 54-56
EDIT: just seen the geo table and the 48 has a top tube of 53
The bars are RHM ( rapid hand movement ) thats Dedas take on a compact design.
Nice bike by the way. You could save a few pounds and get a similar spec or even slightly better but you wont get that name staring back at you.
Thats almost as good as the deal I got on a Rocky Mountain road bike from CRC couple of years ago.. I also had a 10% off voucher for spending over 1k. You definitely wouldn' t be disappointed with that bike!
taxi25, just noticed that the logo isn't on the side of the downtube, not vey Colnago'esque is it.
Huws - I've been told by several bike firms/shops that 48cm is the size i should be looking at, sat on a MEKK Poggio at 47cm and that was in the ball park.
If it is a problem i can always send it back due to distance selling regs i suppose.
EDIT : Huws, can you link that geo table please, seem to have lost it 😳
Oldgit. See what you mean. Does spoil the looks a bit, pity.
Huws - I've been told by several bike firms/shops that 48cm is the size i should be looking at, sat on a MEKK Poggio at 47cm and that was in the ball park.
If it is a problem i can always send it back due to distance selling regs i suppose.EDIT : Huws, can you link that geo table please, seem to have lost it
Not all 48's are built equally. I'm 5'9" and ride a bike with a top tube 7mm longer than that (admittedly quite lovely) Colnago,
Can't link but on the right of the page level with the picture there is a link to the size chart
Found it 😳
Hmm, now not sure as my inside leg is only 26.5"
now not sure
Sorry 😳
Can you find one somewhere to sit on?
Get the reduced Scott cr1 pro frame (can't remember which shop but there is a thread on here about them) £450
Ultegra groupset and wheels £750 merlin
Leaves £300 for some nice finishing kit or £250 and £50 for lbs to pit it all together
It's what I've just done and you'd be hard pushed to find a better bike for £1500 in my opinion
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPULT2/planet_x_pro_carbon_shimano_ultegra_road_bike
Seems a bit of a bargain needs better wheels though
For £1.5k he can have better wheels Joolsb.
igm - Member
For £1.5k he can have better wheels Joolsb.
Except he wont have a bike that fits!
MD, have you had a look at Rose bikes? I seem to remember they do small frame sizes, and also womans specific frame sizes (even smaller). Plus, they're top spec!
Fair point- missed that bit. Though a small apparently fits to 5'3". I don't know where your based MD but it might be worth dropping in to their showroom if you're local. They let you choose stem length etc so maybe, just maybe.
Didn't spot no stock til end of month but they have some amazingly cheap bikes. I wonder what's wrong with them then? I mean this seems remarkable to me
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPULT/planet_x_pro_carbon_shimano_ultegra_elite_road_bike
Planet X bikes too big for me i'm afraid 🙁
Will look at Rose though
I would take a look at the trek Domane 4.5? The 2013 £1800 model can be had for £1500. Wheels not great, but the frame is a cracker. Never ridden a defy, but on paper the trek frame is in a different class.
Offer to try my 50cm still stands.
Take it for a spin, see if you like it.
I'm 5 foot 6 and this is the set up that works for me:
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As you can see, there's quite a bit of seatpost showing, but I think you'd probably have a bit of an issue with standover.
Reckon a 48 should be about right.
[url= http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/cannondale_caad10_105.html ]Cannondale caad 10[/url] comes in the right size.
Spec is a bit rubbish in comparison to some of the ones up there but horizontal top tubes are so much cooler.
Horizontal top tubes might be cooler but not if your nadgers are smashing into it at every stop!
RS - is that 50cm to the top?
Ghost bike it every time you stop?
Think it's centre to centre.
I'll check for you though.
Think I mentioned it beffore, but I'd follow oldgit and look for the best fitting bike, not the name. Son1 has a Giant Avail in XS. Measured him this morning and he is 5'1" and has the same inside leg as MD (27"). You might fit a Small too as you are probably taller. The Avail is a Defy branded Liv for women, but if you can handle the colours (no flowers), then the composite bikes are really excellent. The Small Defy composite really would be my first choice if size is right for your budget.
As for sportive, well I managed 100 miles on mine yesterday about London in a fast time (4:42), and will race it on Weds evening. Second in Paris-Roubaix too. My "race bike" only comes out for winter and crashfests.
Well, i've just dropped the money on the Colnago - i'll let you know in a few days whether it was a clever idea or not! 😆
TBH the only thing i'm worried about (as with all bikes) is the standover height. Looking at the geometry of the Colnago compared to my Boardman (yeah i know, apples and oranges etc) and the Boardman has an effective TT length of 565mm and the Ace has 528mm, the Boardman has a 90mm stem and the Ace has a 100mm stem.
According to the chap i spoke to at CRC the 48cm should be ideal for me, but we'll see.
Here's hoping 'cos i've just dropped a lot of money into an Ulster bank account!
Hello mate,
Are you sure you got the sizing correct here? I always size my bikes by Effective top tube length. It's probably the most important. So maybe i misunderstood, but you jut went from a 565 effective top tube to a 528? almost 40mm shorter. That's quite a lot shorter. How tall are you? I'm 181 cm and im riding road bikes which are 560-565 effective top tube.
Well, i'm going off the Boardman website so it could be wrong!
I don't think it's right actually as i find the Boardman to be 550mm as i've just measured it.
Remember the Boardman is a flat barred bike so i'll be reaching further to sit on the hoods of the Ace.
Medium Boardman has an ETT of 55.5cm as per Giant TCR geometry (they are the same as Merida who make them). The sloped top tube will be longer. I assume you were looking at the Small Boardman.
You want an ETT of about 52, I guess from your stature.
That's the fella.
Ive just been out in the shed measuring up my cheap and cheerful Mango singlespeed that is a small & aimed at the 5'2"-5'7" range. I can stand astride it but am firmly sat on the top tube.
It has a centre to top of 52cm and a 54cm TT. I can comfortably sit on the horns of the bullhorn bars so I'm thinking this Colnago is going to be right for me. May need a different post and stem but that's no biggie.