Bike comparison - about £800

[Roberlui]

Hi all,

I just arrived to this community by searching information about few road bikes. I know that for the price most of them will be very similar with pros and cons, but I’ll try to find some opinions about these bikes I’m considering for my next purchase.

Im going to add the links for pure information, but just to be clear all the main bicycle shops in the UK offer "match price" and similar services. So no, Im not saying you should use this shop

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/15-triple-h2-2014-road-bike-ec054295
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/madone-21-h2-compact-2014-road-bike-ec041058
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/allez-sport-c2-2014-road-bike-ec052507
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/allez-c2-2014-road-bike-ec052336
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/allez-elite-c2-2014-road-bike-ec053024

* Madone is a better bike, but also more expensive. Do you think the difference is OK?

Thanks a lot for your help and opinions.

Which one is your better bike? You can vote in the poll and leave your opinions here.

Thanks in advance!

 

[vickster]

Where do you live, is it hilly, what sort of riding will you be doing

Personally, I wouldn't buy any but if I did it would need to have a carbon fork and tiagra gearing -
(And not be black). My web on go slow so not looked at the links in detail yet! But the allez elite looks to offer the best compromise in terms of price and spec

I'd also buy from an independent shop if at all possible and not a chain, even if a bit more costly

And if it had to be from a big brand, it'd be a Cannondale Synapse

 

[ianrauk]

I'm not going to vote as you really need to try the bikes if you can.
When I was buying a new road bike a few years back I tried a Trek and a Specialized. They were chalk and cheese. I ended up buying the Spesh as I really didn't like the Trek fit.
If I had bought the Trek without trying first because people on a forum said it was better then I would have been mighty peeved with myself.

Go to Evans, give them a test ride, narrow it down then come back and ask.

 

[Rooster1]

Sorry to throw a curve ball but Wiggle have some nice rides too

How about a COLNAGO!
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/colnago-strada-sl-wiggle-honda-tiagra-2014/

Or this rather nice CARBON Felt
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-z85-2014/

 

[Rooster1]

I'm not going to vote as you really need to try the bikes if you can.
When I was buying a new road bike a few years back I tried a Trek and a Specialized. They were chalk and cheese. I ended up buying the Spesh as I really didn't like the Trek fit.
If I had bought the Trek without trying first because people on a forum said it was better then I would have been mighty peeved with myself.

Go to Evans, give them a test ride, narrow it down then come back and ask.

Ianrauk is quite right, you need to check them out in person - The brake levers, gears, the ride position, the spec and the look of the bikes can all seem very different up close.

 

[Big Nick]

Sorry to throw a curve ball but Wiggle have some nice rides too

How about a COLNAGO!
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/colnago-strada-sl-wiggle-honda-tiagra-2014/

Or this rather nice CARBON Felt
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-z85-2014/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-z85-2014/

The Felt is an aluminium frame but I agree a rather nice Colnago for £800 is very tempting!

 

[Cyclist33]

Sorry to throw a curve ball but Wiggle have some nice rides too

How about a COLNAGO!
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/colnago-strada-sl-wiggle-honda-tiagra-2014/

Or this rather nice CARBON Felt
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-z85-2014/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-z85-2014/

£950 is hardly "about £800"...

 

[Roberlui]

Thanks a lot!

Actually that Colnago for £800 looks quite good.

ianrauk, I'll use your advice and decide for 3 models and try them. For now I'd like to have a better understanding of what to consider for the bike. Like vickster said carbon fork and tiagra gearing are important.

I'm also assuming that for £800 most of the bikes will be similar so let's see what the community thinks!

Thanks again

 

[Rooster1]

£950 is hardly "about £800"...

Do explain ?
(The Colnago £839.20, The Felt £901.55)

"About" means a variable number like "around" or "thereabouts" no ?

What does "about" mean to you?

And where is your advice or vote?

 

[Cubist]

Carbon frame, Tiagra groupset, £799.00, 56cm or 60 cm available

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cube-agree-gtc-triple-road-bike-2013/rp-prod111922

 

[vickster]

If we are suggesting others, this looks nice, especially so as they don't have any black ones in stock, only white

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cinelli-experience-105-2014/

 

[Roberlui]

That Cube looks tempting

Yes, about like " I don't want to spend too much" At the end I use the bicycle to commute to work (about 14 miles/day) and some summer trips through the mountains.

Just so you know, Ive been using a Claud butler chinook for the past 4 years.

 

[Cyclist33]

Do explain ?
(The Colnago £839.20, The Felt £901.55)

"About" means a variable number like "around" or "thereabouts" no ?

What does "about" mean to you?

And where is your advice or vote?

When I looked (on the same day as you posted the link) the Felt from Wiggle was £950, which is substantially more (nearly 20% more) than £800. Hence my post.

My advice: Giant Defy 2, or last year's Defy 1. Or even, at Pauls Cycles dot com, Giant Defy Composite 3 (2013 model) for £799.99.

 

[vickster]

Sab from Planet X with SRAM rival, extremely pretty!!

 

[Rooster1]

The Colnago has dropped again and is now £734.30 !

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/colnago-str...ium=affiliates&utm_campaign=www.cyclechat.net