£1k for a roadbike?

i’ve got up to £1k for a roadbike. There seeem to be various options

Planet Pro SL carbon (probably the cheapest carbon bike, but is it crap quality carbon?) My LBS says theres a lot of bad carbon about.

Cannondale Snapse or Caad

Trek 2.1

or a Spesh.

A friend has a Spesh (albeit a more expensive one) and he had it fitted using the BG system at a cost of £120. However he thinks it was money well spent. And since the Spesh dealer who I don;t really rate as it’s a corporation opposed to a LBS charges a £120, so presumably which ever bike I buy could be fitted by them.

Trek and Cannondale seem to offer a lot for your cash, and come with the big players warranty.

Planet X – are the frames any good, a two year warranty on carbon, is it long enough? Has anybody broken a planet X frame. Also Planet X are based in the South and I’m in Scotland!!

Are there any others I should look at?

Thanks

MM

I want the bikes mainly for fitness and sportives.

I got a PX SL, great bike and amazing kit for the money. entry level carbon? entry level Ali on the big brands? make your choice

…please don’t mention “flex” (unless you have an SL and have experienced it for your self) 🙄

i’ve had a planet x sl pro carbon since 2007 and I love it.
I may be wrong but I suspect the “crap quality carbon” story is a simply a myth often trotted out by those selling carbon bikes that are expensive but without anything tangible to show for why they’re more expensive.

Planet X are based in doncaster. (Which isn’t “the south” but it is south of scotland.) I think they have also got a showroom now in rotherham.

PRetty good service in my experience.

Planet x, boardman, ribble. Look at all 3, go for the one which has the nicest spec/price at time of ordering (or just looks the nicest).

I’d look at Ribble bikes, for £1100 you can get a carbon framed bike with Shimano 105. Fairly average wheels, (most wheels are at that price), but these can be upgraded later, the frame and gearing will last some time!

Ribble frames are made by Pedal Force or Deddacciai, the later also supply to DeRosa amongst others.
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12732405&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=ribble+gran+fondo

I just got “cycling plus” and their bikes of the year for under 1K are…

Boardman team Alloy 999
Cannondale CAAD8 999
Fuji Team 10 999
Cinelli Axperience 999
Giant Defy 2 725
Verenti Millook 950
Lapierre Audacio 400 999
Rose Pro-SL 2000 900
Cube Attempt 999 (this was the overall winner and looks very nice)

I’m guessing all of the above would do you fine, just depends and what you like the look of and what fits.

I just got an ex-display Boardman Team Carbon for £900 from my local Halfords and it seems incredible for the money. Very light bike.

They are reduced to £1k on the Halfords website too, btw.

I know next-to-nothing about road bikes, but just thought I’d share that.

I have a PX SL Red. More than happy with mine.
You’re more than welcome to give it a try if you’re nearby. (Perthshire)

Genesis?

2nded.

Genesis are well worth a look.

I may be wrong but I suspect the “crap quality carbon” story is a simply a myth often trotted out by those selling carbon bikes that are expensive but without anything tangible to show for why they’re more expensive.

This is pretty much true I’d say, never heard a bad word said against a Planet X, Ribble or Boardman Carbon frame. OK, they’re likely to be not quite as light or sophisticated as something 3 times the price from one of the big brands, but how much money are you saving?!?!

I recently bought a road bike, for me it was more important that the position wasn’t quite full on head down, arse up, race position. I needed something slightly more relaxed, and also had £700 to spend not £1k. I bought a Giant Defy 2, which so far has impressed me no end, and is certainly way comfier than an ally frame has any right to be. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who’s just looking for a road bike to do a few training miles and some social rides on… That said, my mate knows people who race their Defy’s pretty successfully!

Pauls Cycles have the 2010 Defy 2 (same as the one I’ve got) in Medium for £660 (down from £825) and the 2010 Defy Alliance (same components, but Carbon fibre stays on the frame) For £880 in Large!

ahwiles… you got yours yet? Put in 50miles on mine on Saturday. Bar a snapped chain it was absolutely brilliant! 😀

I have a PX Pro Carbon (new paint style) that I use as a winter bike, its been flawless so far, I did look at the Ribble and the Boardman, but the PX was the bast value for money.

I bought the Cube Agree (its aluminium) SL and since I got last years model it’s prob not within your price range at 2011 RRP (£1500).

I’ve only ridden it once (yesterday) and after 15 odd years of ridding only mountin bikes I am simply blown away by the speed and acceleration of road bikes. Very very good (just wrap up warm).

I nearly bought the Planet X carbon. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with either

With a grand, I’d go for the Ribble Sportive Bianco Carbon

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/bikebuilder.asp?action=GenerateConstructor&part=BB11RIBSPORTIVEBIANC&sub=conf_BBRC&bike=1

get a PX mate and stick two fingers upto the badge snobs! 😈

Canyon.
Look no further for a better specced bike for the money. Try their outlet for bargain.
http://www.canyon.com

wallop, but at £1k that ribble one has some pretty basic spec, drop to an alu frame and you can get full 105, better wheels and lighter finishing kit. Anyone would think I have just spent my lunch time speccing such a bike…

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLAA/team-alu-campag-athena

how about this ali frame? looks nice

My money would be on a caad8

I’m looking to spend about the same….

But for that kind of money or cheaper I’m being draw to 90’s/early 00’s Italian steel.

Am I mad ?

But for that kind of money or cheaper I’m being draw to 90’s/early 00’s Italian steel.

Am I mad ?

Dunno about mad, stupid maybe 😀

Unless it were a second bike I don’t think I’d bother with that kind of steel bike, looks romantic but I reckon the reality would be pretty crap.

The Southern Yeti – Member

ahwiles… you got yours yet?…

I pick it up on wednesday, i’m off home to see the parents at the weekend, so hope to take it out in the Ryedale badlands…

😀

Focus Cayo is one to consider from Wiggle – I have an ’09 version and they’re awesome. They do a 30 day test ride thing where if you’re not happy or need a different size, they’ll swap it. Not many places will do that, online or LBS.

I do like the look of Cubes – no idea how they ride though.

Fit is vital on a road bike, so either pay up front for some decent consultation, and/or be prepared to spend a bit of money swapping stem length etc… till you get it right.

The Verenti mentioned above is a stunning bike but I’d go for the base alloy frame one for £750 amd stash the rest of the cash for a nicer set of wheels

The PX looks good, Tesco had sold out of cycling plus, I take the point about LBS trying to sell me more expensive carbon. I see from the PlanetX website theres various options of different length stens etc at no extra charge, it may be worth a long drive (700 mile round trip) to see the bike in the flesh and have it fitted (without paying £120!)

I had this decision last year with the Cycle to work scheme.

I went with the Trek mostly because I didn’t want a Boardman and I wanted to use my local shop to ensure a good fit.

Planet X was not available.

I’m pleased with it. The 2.1 has Trek’s top spec aluminium frame and mostly 105.

We recommend the Korsa lite from kuota and the new Ridley eos are both pretty respectable rd bikes…where in Scotland are u? I’ll try and recommend a shop to have a look in…

wallop, but at £1k that ribble one has some pretty basic spec, drop to an alu frame and you can get full 105, better wheels and lighter finishing kit. Anyone would think I have just spent my lunch time speccing such a bike…

£1098 for 105 ain’t bad 😆 It’s almost a grand!

http://www.ashcycles.com/site/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=3109&language=en

£1,000.00 £697.99
Save: 30% off

Free delivery

Ok it doesn’t look as nice as a lot of the others (IMO) – but I havent seen it in the flesh, still might be worth a look

Planet X would be my vote – 16.5lb, SRAM Red bits, £1100. Hard to beat.

but then I would say that:

(awaits abuse for using SPDs)

If you’re near a Decathlon the new B’twin Facet 3 is worth checking out. It’s carbon fibre and a 105 groupset for £899. Isn’t currently listed on the English website but it’s on the French version, it’s even cheaper in euros.
http://store.btwin.com/velos-route-competition-velos-route-b39twin-facet-3-id_DUP10897_8127608.html

I had a similar dilemma last year and I ended up getting a Giant Defy Advanced 3. Cost was £1195 reduced. Having said that I have shipped a load of cash upgrading the cheapo parts on it already, but that’s just me! I too am amazed how fast it is, but also how unfit I am. Signed up for a couple of Sportives to act as something to aim at. But was out on the FS at the weekend at Dalby and still loved it.

Nothing wrong with the Planet X Sl Pro, had one for a couple of years now, and it’s very fast & comfortable, never felt any flex with it.

Planet X are now based in Rotherham (really almost in Sheffield, just off the M1 about 5 mins from Meadowhall) now, they moved from Doncaster about a year – 18 months ago.