Cycling

[Samdy Gray]

Yeah, it's carbon fork. The only reason it really drew me was the 105 gruppo. I've been keeping an eye out for 2013 sale models in that kind of price range but most have either the (old) Sora or 2300 and I'm not a fan of the thumb shifters.

Really need to get off my arse and take a look around a few LBS to see what they've got kicking about in their sales.

[horlock07]

Yeah, it's carbon fork. The only reason it really drew me was the 105 gruppo. I've been keeping an eye out for 2013 sale models in that kind of price range but most have either the (old) Sora or 2300 and I'm not a fan of the thumb shifters.

Really need to get off my arse and take a look around a few LBS to see what they've got kicking about in their sales.

Its worth having a look round as there are some deals out there, found this on Winstanleys

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/39980/Dawes_Sportif_SL_2012_Bike

[Samdy Gray]

43cm frame though. I'm short, but not that short

[horlock07]

43cm frame though. I'm short, but not that short

Yeah noticed that after.. sorry.

Evans have some Trek and Fuji bikes going cheap, for instance if you wanted a triple http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fuji/sportif-13-triple-2013-road-bike-ec052837#features

From recollection 2013- Sora has the up shifters on the brake levers ala the high spec stuff anyway, I still have old Sora levels with the thumb shifter and they are a ball ache.

[Bewster]

Hmm... what say you, cycling aficionados of the TEF:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/corratec-dolomiti-105-limited-edition-road-bike-2013/rp-prod91544

Seems like a lot of bike for that money. Not the best wheels, but at a snip under 9kg it seems good value for money.

Not a bad bike Sam. Good spec, good price. The only thing I'd question is that with that level of group set at that price I'd wonder where they were making savings.

My view personally is that prices will start to be cut around now for next years models so there be better bargains. At that price I'd go for a better frame with  minimum of Tiagra.

[Bewster]

Yeah noticed that after.. sorry.

Evans have some Trek and Fuji bikes going cheap, for instance if you wanted a triple http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fuji/sportif-13-triple-2013-road-bike-ec052837#features

I'd go for something like this : http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/caad8-6-tiagra-2013-compact-road-bike-ec042914

[Samdy Gray]

I love the look of the CAADs (and who wouldn't want to try and look a little like Peter Sagan), but they're a tad out of my price range at the moment. All depends how generous the 'rents are feeling for my birthday.

Also I'm thinking sizing might be an issue, especially if I end up buying online. I'm fairly average height (ok, a bit short) at 5'8"ish but I'm short in the leg and long in the torso. Typical sizing suggests a 54cm frame which should give ample TT length but I might lack standover clearance and I don't want to look like a gimp with only 2 or 3 inches of seatpost showing.

My old man's the same height and proportions as me so I'll find out what size he has and use that as a guide.

[Chubbs]

really need to get my bike out again, got it two summers ago and due to the shit summer last year id didn't get used at all.

[Bewster]

I love the look of the CAADs (and who wouldn't want to try and look a little like Peter Sagan), but they're a tad out of my price range at the moment. All depends how generous the 'rents are feeling for my birthday.
Also I'm thinking sizing might be an issue, especially if I end up buying online. I'm fairly average height (ok, a bit short) at 5'8"ish but I'm short in the leg and long in the torso. Typical sizing suggests a 54cm frame which should give ample TT length but I might lack standover clearance and I don't want to look like a gimp with only 2 or 3 inches of seatpost showing.

Sam, completely agree with you. I'm 5.95 and on standard frame geometry I fall between 54 and 56 - I went 56 (Trek) and its fine with plenty of seat post. There are plenty of online calculators which take into account leg/arm length to ensure you get the best fit. Get the Mrs Sam to measure you.

As for price only you know what you are happy to spend and the only advice I can give is that when I bought mine for an extra £200 I could've got a carbon frame and I couldn't afford or justify at the time.  However despite loving my bike if I had the chance again I would spent the extra money and pay it back.  And that CAAD looks so good.

http://www.zinncycles.com/ncalroad-ulltimarev.html

[Samdy Gray]

I know what you mean about stretching the budget, if I don't then I'll only regret it later. If I had it my way I'd have no limit and whack it all on the plastic but circumstances dictate otherwise.

Turns out the old man has a compact frame so that doesn't really help me with sizing.

[Bewster]

Sizing is key to comfort and it really changes bike to bike. I sat on a 54 inch Orbea recently and it felt the same at my 56inch Trek. When you are spending that much you need to get it right.  Better to get advice. I heard the Leisure Lake Bikes in Cheltenham are quite good.

[Samdy Gray]

Gaaargh, so many choices.

Compact, double or triple?

Obviously MTB gearing is a lot lower, but on my 22x32x42 I hardly ever use the 22. It's got 11x32 on the back, so dropping down to something like 11x28 isn't going to be a huge issue.

[Bewster]

Gaaargh, so many choices.
Compact, double or triple?
Obviously MTB gearing is a lot lower, but on my 22x32x42 I hardly ever use the 22. It's got 11x32 on the back, so dropping down to something like 11x28 isn't going to be a huge issue.

Defo not double, either compact or triple. If you are a decent biker of reasonable fitness I'd go compact. Around Swindon the only time you'd need a triple is Ogbourne - Aldbourne Hill

Have you found a bike then Sam ?

[Samdy Gray]

Have you found a bike then Sam ?

Nope. Still torn.

Want to make sure I get the right one. With the budget I have it's really on the border of good frame & components/low gruppo or okay frame & poor components/good gruppo.

[Bewster]

Its a tough balancing act and a task I don't envy you.

Have you looked at Ribble ? Planet X ?

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/bbd/road-track-bike/ribble-sportive-7046?part=BB13RIBSPORTIVE7046&sub=conf_BBRA&bike=1