...that's carbon and has discs? Or to put it another way - how much do I have to spend to get carbon and discs?
I'd rather have something moderately racey rather than relaxed and upright.
Look on crc. They had a full 105 hydro vitus for 1300.
Alternatively, if you want cheap you can get a planet x pro carbon evo for 900 quid with rival
I was looking for a nicer winter road machine and was going to go with a reduced defy, saw the advanced 3 for a grand. Not full hydros, has the connect system, but still a great bike. Didn't take mudguards though (can't find many carbon roadbikes that do) so didn't go for it in the end.
Cue 'Cheapest Carbon vs Nice Aluminium' debate.
I wouldn't go for a cheap planet X carbon. That's based on the ride/design quality of their cheap alu and steel framesets. Personally I'd buy aluminium (and have...) or pay more and get possibly get carbon. Which begs the question - what is cheap? Or to put it another way - how good do you want the bike to be?
Have a look at Merlin Cycles or Pauls Cycles
I’d buy the Genesis on the classifieds at the mo (it’s not mine btw!)
TP biker, my carbon Trek Domane takes 32mm tyres with full mudguards.
No help to the OP, but may help TP...
https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/bikes/road-bikes/performance-road-bikes/domane/domane-sl/domane-sl-6/p/28313/?colorCode=black
To answer the OP, I’d be buying a Planet X Free Ranger if I only had one road bike and was on a budget.
Looks a very versatile bike, with fast light tyres I’d guess it would be as quick as my Domane.
You can always adjust bikes to a certain amount to make them “racey”. My Domane is now pretty close to my Aeroad. 110mm slammed stem helps.
Decathlon have a decent range and you can sit on them first.
Try asking on a more roadie orientated forum, singletrack should be about off road, hence the name. Not trying to be a smart arse or hater, it's a valid point.
I've had 2 bikes off Ribble cycles previously. The R872 in Carbon & Disc is £999
Great bike BTW
I’ve had one of these for the last 15 months, it’s a lovey bike with a good frame and forks (runs right through the range up to the team bike) ripe for upgrade.
Didn’t take mudguards though (can’t find many carbon roadbikes that do)
I've just fitted some SKS Raceblade Long 2 to my existing carbon road bike and they are outstanding. Having said that, if new bikes are bolt-through, that might be an issue. Is everything bolt-through these days?
I'm not sure if I am medium or large - I'm 5'11 so probably want a 56cm.
Try asking on a more roadie orientated forum, singletrack should be about off road, hence the name. Not trying to be a smart arse or hater, it’s a valid point.
There are loads of road riders on here - including me!
The R872 in Carbon & Disc is £999
That might be the one for me - in 11sp 105. The fork has guard mounts in the picture but I cannot see the frame - one would assume it also has guard mounts?
EDIT there's no top drilling for a mudguard tho.. wtf?
Regarding the bike I posted I’m 5’10” on a medium and very comfortable. No guard mounts though, although these don’t tend to be a feature of racier frames, also disc usually means bolt through axles too.
I think it has hidden mudguard mounts. Might be worth querying with Ribble.
Ah, I just checked on Ribble's "Bike Builder" and mudguards are available for it - "Includes SKS Mudguards and 2 removable Mudguard eyelets".
I'm selling a 2019 Specialized Tarmac Sl6 Sport in 54 shortly if your budget can stretch that far (the grey/fluro yellow best colour). Upgraded shifters/brakes/crank to Ultegra, cost 2250+600 in April, would sell for 1500. Robowns at Hotmail dot com if interested.
Was going to suggest Ribble, I've got their older version of the R872, and quite frankly (as a mountain biker) it's all the rodie I'll ever need. It's a great bike (road riding is dull as shit though)
Ah, I just checked on Ribble’s “Bike Builder” and mudguards are available for it – “Includes SKS Mudguards and 2 removable Mudguard eyelets”.
Fab.
(road riding is dull as shit though)
Maybe your bike is actually shit and a nice bike would make the roads come alive?
The PX pro carbon evo is a lovely ride btw.
I'd probably go with the ribble though. It looks lovely. Although it's the tiagra one that's 999 isn't it.
If the PX Pro Carbon Evo Disc frames are still £300, if you wanted a Shimano 105 build, you could source the components for ~£1200 with some decent wheels.
https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/1400/products/cube-attain-gtc-race-disc-road-bike-2018-greygreen.aspx in 56cm might work for you, a size smaller than my 58cm, but very little reach difference and a lower stack.
But check Paulscycles, Merlin, Hargroves, Wiggle, Ribble, Rutland etc. for 2019 bargains.
Define cheap . One mans cheap is anothers 'How Much!!! '
As for sizing I ride M flavour or 52cm road bikes , 5ft 11 and 31" inside leg.
2019 bikes should be on discount at most retailers , some bargains on ebay too
I know its all about the frame , but good wheels make a big difference on tarmac . nasty wheels and tyres just do not respond as well as better ones.
a nice bike would make the roads come alive?
you're probbly right, but y'know? It's a road bike, I genuinely can't be bothered to get any enthusiasm for it, at best it's a winter fitness device
SpecialiZed tarmac sport disc from Evans £1350. Currently got three in shop awaiting pick ups. Very nice for the money and very upgradeable at a later date.
Maybe your bike is actually shit and a nice bike would make the roads come alive?
It won't make the traffic go away though.
Road riding is shit compared to MTBing. But it's better training.
I’d be tempted to get the £899 planet carbon disc thing with rival 22.
The wheels could be upgraded at a later date and I like Sram double tap.
The Ribble £999 only gets tiagra and mechanical discs with a ‘level 1’ wheelset - whatever that is. Hydraulic 105 is £1399.
Road riding is shit compared to MTBing. But it’s better training.
No it isn't really shit it's just a different kind of fun. Anyway if you only want a training bike you could compromise and get a gravel bike, good on the roads but also good fun off road.
Road riding is shit compared to MTBing. But it’s better training
Hmmmn, it’s not shit per se, just different. Had my first group road ride with the local triathlon club on the weekend and it was quite enjoyable. Cover a lot of ground fast and it’s pretty sociable.
I prefer mtb but like both.
I thought about gravel bike but I already have a rigid MTB which is better for the local mixed mode riding. And if I am going on road I want to cover it as fast as possible. I'd like to know how much you give up on a gravel bike.
Having kept pace with someone on their fast road bike, and then see them struggle to keep on up on their CX bike, it'd be annoying to always be lagging behind like that.
Try asking on a more roadie orientated forum, singletrack should be about off road, hence the name. Not trying to be a smart arse or hater, it’s a valid point.
I hear they are full of people like you robbo89 so probably best avoided.:-)
Imo road riding is more fit dependant than mtbing because you spend so much time in the same position it has to be right. To that end there are brands/models I know i can't look at no matter how good value or pretty they are. If you know your numbers I'd be letting that be your main driver. Good news there are so many pretty decent bikes out there that once you know what fits you there is still a bucket load of choice.
My thought is that almost any bike, if it's roughly the right size can be made to fit with the right combination of parts.
Mols, there's a Giant Advanced 2 on Gumtree in Pontypridd for £1300 (Carbon and disc) is legit and looks never been used, still has the foam wrapping on.
My thought is that almost any bike, if it’s roughly the right size can be made to fit with the right combination of parts.
Could not agree less. It might be possible to make the numbers work but the handling (or more importantly aesthetics 😉 ) will be 'sub optimal'. Why shell out for a lovingly tuned carbon frame and then make is fit with a stubby little stem and make it a twitchy a hell or 40mm of spacers and look gopping?
To give the OP a straight answer. PX Pro Carbon Evo Disc, £900 with SRAM Rival, https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXPCEDRIV22/planet-x-pro-carbon-evo-disc-sram-rival-22-road-bike.
Sorted.
A few years ago I had a short lived road bike foray, using a cheap Declathlon Tri-Ban 3 (alloy frame-carbon fork), but built with some reasonable kit. It was awful & I just couldn’t get in to it. It was bone jarring!!! Try as I might, every time I went out on it I spent the whole ride wishing I’d built a gravel bike or just gone out on the hardtail.
I think it was a fit thing though, 54cm just felt too cramped for me at 5’9”.
I think the fit of a road bike is more critical than most mtb’ers think.
Try asking on a more roadie orientated forum, singletrack should be about off road, hence the name. Not trying to be a smart arse or hater, it’s a valid point.
Guessing you must be relatively new here...
Yep, I see this forum as a general bike forum as it covers all sort of bikes from MTB to road with electric thrown in. There is a lot of experience across the various types of bikes so a good place to ask questions.
Cheapest carbon won't be any better than than aluminium. Fit is key, go to a shop try some, worry less about kit and more about fit. Discs are nice to have but not essential or a game changer. My carbon roadbike has calipers, they work fine.
Just go to Halfords..
https://www.boardmanbikes.com/gb_en/products/2261-slr-9.2-disc.html
You should get an extra 10% off with BC membership. I've got an earlier model and I love it. Reviews really well too.
My carbon road bikes have calipers, and I can say hole heartily that when it comes to brakes ultegra is supiroir to 105. More power and to a certain degree modulation. 105 won't kill you, but ultegra gives more confidence when it gets a bit racey
I’d like to know how much you give up on a gravel bike.
Me? Nothing. I'm too slow to notice.
Saw a Boardman 8.9c in Halfords today - £1,000 for a Tiagra bike. But it's pretty light and the frame looks superb. The rest of it looked pretty cheap though, you can see where the money's gone. Rim brakes tho.
Also a Cube something for £1200 with hydro 105 in Evans - looked like it was well worth the extra.
New Tiagra is very good. The wheels will be heavy and round. Personally, for the budget, I’d be looking for rim brakes. The Boardman will be OEM not tiagra dual pivots as it’s an easy place to save money. The cube with discs is probably worth the extra but you are basically paying for the brakes and maybe the wheel upgrade.
For the budget, check the wheels carefully and throw away the tires. The first upgrade will be a decent set of non OEM tyres GP5000 plus tubes is about £70.
This is the answer you are looking for.-
£565 105 carbon disc new
