another new bike/which bike question

[rsvdaz]

looking at finally upgrading my secteur triple the 2300 groupset has been the bain of my life

i'm sure I was looking at doing this last year but life/career got in the way.

At the time I narrowed it down to a 1k Boardman - with one between my legs at Halfords but apathy from the salespeople meant I never took the plunge.

Is this still a good option for the money?

also been looking at Cannondale CAAD 8 105 and also Synapse 105 both at around 1k

opinions on the above or anything else I should be looking at?

 

[PaulSecteur]

Why not just upgrade the groupset?



You could go up to Tiagra for about £300, or 105 for about £420ish depending on if you want compact or tripple.
They are not that hard to fit, although you may have to factor in a few specialist tool like a hollowtech Bottom bracket tool.

Even if it all goes wrong, I cant see a decent mechanic taking too long to fit it or sort it out.



http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/groupset.asp?action=showframes&sub=conf_GS&type=RIBMO

 

[downfader]

Why not just upgrade the groupset?



You could go up to Tiagra for about £300, or 105 for about £420ish depending on if you want compact or tripple.
They are not that hard to fit, although you may have to factor in a few specialist tool like a hollowtech Bottom bracket tool.

Even if it all goes wrong, I cant see a decent mechanic taking too long to fit it or sort it out.



http://www.ribblecyc...f_GS&type=RIBMO

Indeed the easiest option if the rest of the bike is your thing. My Kona Jake came with some FSA cranks and front rings that I didnt get on with, switched to Tiagra and its been diamond. I use a 2011 105 groupset on the Kinesis, and its well worth the money.

 

[rsvdaz]

hmm..never gave that any thought tbh...but wouldnt it be false economy..i mean what about the other companants on the secteur? rims/fork/crank and besides theres nowt better than a shiney new bike...i was thinking of using the secteur as a bad weather steed

 

[downfader]

hmm..never gave that any thought tbh...but wouldnt it be false economy..i mean what about the other companants on the secteur? rims/fork/crank and besides theres nowt better than a shiney new bike...i was thinking of using the secteur as a bad weather steed

Thats a fair enough approach.

 

[rsvdaz]

Ive been looking around the lbs around me and like the look of

2011 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 105 &
2011 Cube Attempt

they look about the same spec wise (unless im missing something?)

I chose a triple last time cos of the Devon hills..would a compact give the same bottom/top gearing?

one of the LBS's would part ex my bike for a secteur comp - putting this bike in the same price range as those above..is it one to consider? the only neagative I see on this one is external cable routing



oh..one other thing...cannondale dont list an alloy synapse for 2011 on their website..only carbon..is it therefore a 2010 bike?

 

[cyberknight]

I have a boardman comp ,and it is a fantastic bike !!

I would recommend the boardman range to anyone , well priced and a very good spec

 

[rsvdaz]

the one in my current price range is the Boardman Road Team,

I'm sure the one I almost got last year was the Carbon version..but thats 300 above what I want to spend

 

[terry_gardener]

the one in my current price range is the Boardman Road Team,

I'm sure the one I almost got last year was the Carbon version..but thats 300 above what I want to spend

have you had a look at the focus or verenti from wiggle.

i have the verenti rhigos 03 and it is great bike but it is the first road bike i have had so nothing to compare it to.

the verenti is now 1K (29% off)

 

[rsvdaz]

right now my head is spinning

over the past 2 days been to couple of lbs..took the wife with me yesterday..i'm thinking im wearing her down..as she didnt even flinch at bikes at 1300-1400

so at that price it brings into the carbon frames (will take a look at the focus & verenti ones..cheers Terry

)

I think my ultimate aim is to get a bike that i'm completly happy with spec and performance wise..with niggling regrets that i should have spent a little more

i'm also a little concerned on how fragile carbon frames are..i'm a clumsy sod and its been known my bike has been blown over whilst lents against and object while out..is carbon robust enough for that or am i going to be constantly bricking it thats its cracked? also at 5'11 and a tad over 16stone will that put it under pressure?

while out I did have a go of a Cube Agree GTC pro....looks fab and from the right ups sounds like its good for sportivs..but as you can guess..i'm a constant ponderer! and would still wonder if i had made the right choice!

 

[vickster]

I too am clumsy and my LBS told me that carbon frames are actually very robust - that any crash big enough to irreparably damage carbon would also destroy aluminium...they must be, otherwise no one would use clipless pedals and risk those moments...so I went for the carbon, as much to be able to have something that is totally different to my aluminium hybrid

16 stone isn't that heavy, if you spend over a grand on a bike it should be fine, maybe upgrade the wheels and don't bunny hop off kerbs! You'll quite likely lose a bit if you ride a lot

Good luck, go look at as many as you can in the price range and test ride...I expect you'll end up with the one that you like the spec of and the aesthetics (the latter was really important to me)!

 

[Angelfishsolo]

right now my head is spinning

over the past 2 days been to couple of lbs..took the wife with me yesterday..i'm thinking im wearing her down..as she didnt even flinch at bikes at 1300-1400

so at that price it brings into the carbon frames (will take a look at the focus & verenti ones..cheers Terry

)

I think my ultimate aim is to get a bike that i'm completly happy with spec and performance wise..with niggling regrets that i should have spent a little more

i'm also a little concerned on how fragile carbon frames are..i'm a clumsy sod and its been known my bike has been blown over whilst lents against and object while out..is carbon robust enough for that or am i going to be constantly bricking it thats its cracked? also at 5'11 and a tad over 16stone will that put it under pressure?

while out I did have a go of a Cube Agree GTC pro....looks fab and from the right ups sounds like its good for sportivs..but as you can guess..i'm a constant ponderer! and would still wonder if i had made the right choice!

The Cube Agree is a beautiful machine. The only criticism I have heard about it is saddle paddle. It is VERY sporty, ie hard as a rock.