Advice please. Choice between a few bikes?

[Turbo]

Hi all,

After selling my Trek Madone almost 3 years ago I've decided I want to start up again but this time I'm not wanting to spent as much money.

I have a few bike makes in mind and would really appreciate your opinions and specific models which are good. I will be buying second hand. Budget 1000 give or take.

Giant
Planet X
Boardman (?????)
Focus
Ribble

Any other similar bikes please let me know. Like I say I will be buying second hand.

Thanks.

 

[Nearly there]

Why are you set on buying second hand?I understand you will get a better spec bike but for a grand a Planet x carbon bike can be had

 

[Turbo]

Because I can get a better spec, it's just something I insist on.

 

[smokeysmoo]

FWIW I wouldn't buy a second hand carbon bike for love nor money.

For £1000 you have a raft of choices of brand new unmolested machinery to choose from.

Also, most modern frames are probably made in the same Far East factory under licence, and the ones that aren't are still made in a.n.other Far East factory anyway. So there is little too choose between them IME.

Buy the one that fits, feels comfortable and floats your boat, simple.

PS: I had a 2006 Trek Madone 5.5, fantastic bike that I've always rued selling, although they do look dated nowadays

 

[mark st1]

I have a Boardman (?????) Road Team Carbon and i love it. Its comfortable and good spec IMO.

 

[Moodyman]

Giant and Merida in Taiwan make the most bikes either under their own name or for Western brands. There really isn't much in it. As Smokey says buy the one that you like the look of - I'm not too convinced by 'test rides' in the car park.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Also worth remembering when having the materials debate that all manufacturers of Aluminium and Steel bikes have to buy tubes from somebody that everyone else in the industry is buying from, Its the same tube so what can they do to manipulate that material for performance.