[Closed] What roadie for £3k

Buy the 1 remaining old stock Cervelo R3 frame CRC have for £1338, leaves plenty for groupset, wheels etc.

Then I can delete it from my wishlist with a mixture of disappointment and relief...

Edit- its a 54 so prob too small for you.

Stock bike for 3k. Cervelo s3.

it's a Canadian company .. producing it's bikes in the same factory as a few others (Ten Tech Composites) in China.

i’m not going to alter kops

No matter what your frame geometry, you're restricted/compromised by a few unavoidables. My stem length is dictated to a certain degree by my femur length. I need 130mm or I hit my knees on the bars when climbing out of the saddle.
My back would prefer 110mm, but I've just had to adapt. There's no custom frame builder on earth that can alter the length of my thighs! 😀

proportion to the rest of the bike. The R5's head tube does though, you should try one, you might like it.

You could do, it's no biggie, not really anything more than a coincidental guideline.

To be so certain of your "uncompromised" frame dimensions, you'd have to say that there is only one correct length of stem, which clearly there isn't!

well it isn’t a -16º 100cm on a frame thats too big (a condor race bike with 21.5cm HT and an ETT thats 2cm too long!)

it’s a length that gives you a good weight distribution and steering (in my case 130cm) i dont like how overlong/slack nodder bikes with stems in the air and too much weigh on the saddle handle. i appreciate this is popular for sportive riders as they all seem to have their bike set up like this, they are obviously happy but (for me) i can’t see the point in spending top money for an off the peg frame that is nearly there when i can have something thats 100% right and bespoke for the same or less money.

At £3k you're spoilt for choice 🙂

If you've not already had one, a bike fit would be a good option to narrow down your choices to bikes that have the perfect geometry for you as an individual.

Then you could id those with the spec you want.

Then narrow down further to those with the colourways you want.

You'll find 100s of options narrow down to a shortlist of 3-4 then 🙂

SHould also have added - find bikes that you can demo in your size after the fit 🙂

Not now, or at least they were in a different factory when I saw them not that long ago. A good one, if you rate factories on who they work for.

I've no idea if they're good or not, or if the new one is better, I'd heard anecotaly that Cervelo's wer enever the best finished frames?

My point was that they'd marketed this image of being unique and more aligned to the Colnago, Bianchi, Pinarello's of the market (i.e. trading on a history/image over and above the sum of the frames parts) end of the spectrum than Giant, Trek or Scott who trade on developing the best frame (stiffest, most aero, whatever). When the reality is that they've less history than even Cannondale.

The R3 is a very nice bike, and I can see why I'd buy it if I was spending £1800 on a frame, but unless you want a Cervelo then there's potentialy better bikes. I happen to really like Cannondale's, but accept that Giant may well make something better, but in the same way the image of Cervelo appeal to some people, Giant just don't do anything for me, I wouldn't look at a Deffy and want to own it for the sake of owning one. Which is important becasue the speed gain of a £3k bike over a £2k bike is going to be so hard to measure the price needs justifying somewhow.

Where does the idea come from that Cervelo have a long history? If you go to their website there is far more coverage of techy/geeky engineering than there is of historical stuff.

Tinas, not a new factory for them as such, they'd been there a few years and it was a year since I was there.

I'd heard anecotaly that Cervelo's wer enever the best finished frames?

fwiw as a brand I don't see them in the way you mention, no Euro-style history or attempt at it (there's a reason for the name, comes from Cervus/Velo 'Brain Bike') but a sound rep for well thought out, engineered bikes in the Giant / Cannondale / BMC area. There's some simple logic in their bikes that some other brands still don't seem to get. http://www.cervelo.com/en/engineering/thinking-and-processes.html I like this stuff and they've had it on the site for almost 10 years.

My 56cm Parlee Z3?

Freshly refurbished by Parlee, only been out 4 times this year. One-off paint scheme, there ain't no Parlee like this one!

Full Campag Super Record (the ones with the little red bits), well, except the cassette (which is Chorus). New Ti-Carb chainset (compact - 175mm). New Mavic Cosmic Carbone SLR'S complete with 2yr Crash Replacement Insurance (have a pair of Kysrium SLR'S if you prefer).
ENVE 2.0 forks (painted to match the frame), bars, seatpost and stem (painted to match the frame).
Chris King headset.
Arundel Mandible cages.
Prologo Scratch Nack.

It's not the deep red or blue lacquer over carbon is it? They look amazing, I heard bespoke the London dealer have them painted over here?

Freshly refurbished by Parlee, only been out 4 times this year. One-off paint scheme, there ain't no Parlee like this one!

Pics or it doesn't exist 😀

I would probably buy whatever discounted Cannondale, Canyon, Giant etc had the nicest paint job.

Not the coloured lacquer over carbon, more 'running paint' effect.

I'll sort a pic out tomorrow.

Don't discount the Scott's as being harsh without trying one out.

I built up a team issue addict from Westbrooks last year and was a bit concerned about the ride quality having heard it was stiff and harsh.

Its an amazing ride, far more comfortable than my alu commuter and the power transfer is superb. It does everything you want exactly when you want. Didnt understand what all the fuss was about high end kit until I slung my leg over one.

The idea of a parlee has thrown the cat amongst the pigeons....not sure I could justify riding such a nice bike most of the time....could I?

Who the hell needs to justify it.

With £3k I would buy a [url= http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-cherubim-piuma-45240/ ]Cherubim[/url]

Evans have BMCs discounted [url= http://http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bmc/teammachine-slr01-dura-ace-compact-2013-road-bike-ec043748 ]SLR01[/url] Back in stock in July though...

£3k is the kind of price point that you can get a whole heap of off the shelf performance, or you can start looking at something more exotic but you're going to have to compromise on the spec somewhere most likely. So it all depends whether or not you are out to make a statement, or you just want the best performing bike for the money IMO.

LOTS of high end 2013 bikes out there still that haven't yet found a buyer... I know of a Forme Flash 1.0 (850g frame, full Campag Record Build, 50mm carbon tubs, 6.5kg weight, £5k RRP) in a 54 that was for sale for only £3k recently... Might not be the most prestigious name, but on sheer bang for buck terms, that's a hell of a lot of bike for the money. Then there's the Paul's Cycles bargains... £3k currently gets you a 2013 Cannondale Super Six Hi Mod with SRAM Red and stupidly light Vision Tubs, which is probably about as light/fast as a bike is going to get at £3k. Who cares that it's only 10spd, it makes no odds anyway unless you need a very wide ranging cassette. There's also a 2013 Giant TCR advanced SL on there too, it's only the base version with Ultegra 6700, but it's not much over £2k and the frame is same as the pro's ride and the wheels that come on it are top notch too. Could be worth a punt, strip the 6700 Ultegra off if and sell it on, the put 9000 series Dura Ace on instead.

Basically, if you're happy with a mainstream manufacturers name adorning the bike (or even a relatively unknown brand as yet), then you can pick up some real high performance bargains in last years sales.

Though I can totally understand the thought process that goes for many people spending that kind of money, wanting something a little bit more exclusive even if it does mean the VFM isn't as good.

DT78 - Member

The idea of a parlee has thrown the cat amongst the pigeons....not sure I could justify riding such a nice bike most of the time....could I?

POSTED 9 HOURS AGO # REPORT-POST

if there's anyone that can't justify riding a Parlee it's me. But who cares?! It's the only bike I've ever had that makes me want to go out for a ride every time I look at it. I just need to make sure I'm wearing Rapha to complete the justification.

There is a myth abound that seems to say you're not allowed to ride a very nice bike unless you're at least a cat 2 roadie. It's nonsense.

There is however an unwritten rule that says you must not ride any bike with more passion for riding than yourself. As long as you love the bike you ride and respect its heritage and the love that went into making it you can ride anything you like.

This rule actually holds true far more than you might think. It works both ways and it is the reason why you don't have to be particularly religious about your sport when riding even very high spec mass manufacture bikes like Specialized, Giant or Scott. No one seems to get too upset about the quintessential newbie MAMIL riding an S Works Tarmac but put them on a Parlee or Seven or Colnago and all hell brakes loose.

Kinesis Aithein.

Seriously impressed with mine. I didn't think it would compare to high end carbon frames, but it does and costs a fraction, so for £3k you will get a top spec build.

£600 - frame
£1000 - DA 9000 groupset
£500 - wheels
£400 finishing kit

Should get you a sub 7kg build

£500 change to head to the Alps/Dolomites and go ride some real mountains 😀

I picked up a Cervelo R3 Ultegra from Leisure lakes yesterday - £2800 in the sale. Went for a quick 20 miles to check how I'd got it set-up and the bike felt great. Looking forward to putting some miles on it now.

If you're 6' you'll probably find you can ride 56 or 58 (depending on brand and how you like your bikes). I'm 6'1" so tend to be a 58, but some 56s will fit. You probably want to swing a leg over some bikes to be sure before laying down 3k.

it's a Canadian company faking a european image by puting an accent on the 'e

To be fair, French is one of Canada's official languages.

There is a myth abound that seems to say you're not allowed to ride a very nice bike unless you're at least a cat 2 roadie. It's nonsense.

Indeed, ride what makes you happy 🙂

Also when racing, for me the general rule of don't race what you can't afford to replace trumps the above rule!

Also when racing, for me the general rule of don't race what you can't afford to replace trumps the above rule!

Buy what you like, love what you ride. When it's hanging there it should be sending out that siren "ride me" call. I like Giant and admire their down-to-earth approach and their hi-end bikes are very good indeed. And of course, the most successful cyclist of the present time rides my race bike 😀 ([url= http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/cycling/10808929/Womens-Tour-2014-All-conquering-Cannibal-Marianne-Vos-is-still-hungry-for-success.html ]not who you might think[/url]). Other high end bikes will be just as good.

geetee1972 - Member

Freshly refurbished by Parlee, only been out 4 times this year. One-off paint scheme, there ain't no Parlee like this one!

Pics or it doesn't exist 🙂

Sorry, forgot to put a pic up.

So here you go, Parlee Z3 with one-of-a-kind 'Running Paint' paint scheme:-

[IMG] [/IMG]
[IMG] [/IMG]
[IMG] [/IMG]
[IMG] [/IMG]

And a just a little touch for a nod to the climbers, something I would love to be able to do, guys I'm in awe of..............

[IMG] [/IMG]

My, that is lovely

My, that is lovely

+1000

Sexy as ****!

LardLover almost missed that! Very nice indeed.