B'Twin, Cannondale, Specialized, or Norco?

[Drago]

Go and test ride them, see what suits YOU. No point me raving about my Lance Armstrong Drugcheat2000 Ultegra that has given me 5000 trouble free miles, because I'm an orang utang with 12 foot long arms. What fits me and works well is irrelevant to.someone of a different size, shape and injury history to me. It ain't like choosing a new hatchback.

Go ride.a.few, see what YOU think.

 

[vickster]

And ignore what the salesman is trying to sell you, especially if it's the size they have on the shop floor

 

[Adam4868]

I have a caad 8 and its a great frame,have upgraded components over time but its still my go to bike ! I'm pretty sure it's quite a relaxed geometry,comfortable for me anyway.

 

[aismaiil]

Go and test ride them, see what suits YOU. No point me raving about my Lance Armstrong Drugcheat2000 Ultegra that has given me 5000 trouble free miles, because I'm an orang utang with 12 foot long arms. What fits me and works well is irrelevant to.someone of a different size, shape and injury history to me. It ain't like choosing a new hatchback.

Go ride.a.few, see what YOU think.

I think I'll do just that... I tried the B'Twin so far only, will pass by Evans in the next few days and try the CAAD, the Synapse, and the Secteur... These are the main ones everyone keeps suggesting!

 

[aismaiil]

And ignore what the salesman is trying to sell you, especially if it's the size they have on the shop floor

hahaha I'm definitely ignoring him. He told me I need a 56cm size, which ironically is the ONLY size left according to their website. I'm 184 cm tall so I need a 58 size!

 

[vickster]

hahaha I'm definitely ignoring him. He told me I need a 56cm size, which ironically is the ONLY size left according to their website. I'm 184 cm tall so I need a 58 size!

Well by happy coincidence...get yourself to Kingston, bargain...or just order online NOW

http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/item/Cannondale/Synapse-AL-Tiagra-Road-Bike-2014/2OZ4

A serious bike shop and cheaper than Evans too

And it's NOT BLACK

 

[potsy]

I have a caad 8 and its a great frame,have upgraded components over time but its still my go to bike ! I'm pretty sure it's quite a relaxed geometry,comfortable for me anyway.

I had a little go of a Genesis Volant last week, only once I stood it next to my caad8 did I realise how relaxed the caad is in comparison.

Of all the choices I'd go with the Synapse

 

[aismaiil]

In my size and my budget, Evans only have left the Specialized Allez Sport C2 2014 (£540) and the Norco Valence A3 2015 (£600), both with Sora. For that price, I can get the B'Twin Alur 700 with 105 for £599! Btw, I'm curious how come nobody mentioned the Norco?!

 

[Cyclist33]

Hi all, newbie here, need your help choose my first serious bike.

First of all, I haven't been 'frequently' on a bike for around 7 years, but I'm looking into getting a bike for a possibly a short commute from my house to the Reading station (though for some reason I was told it's not safe to park it there even underground!) and mostly for exercising on weekends. My budget is around £600. I went to the local Decathlon, and I honestly loved the Triban 500. The other bikes I'm interested in are namely:

Specialized Allez Sport C2 2014:
www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/allez-sport-c2-2014-road-bike-ec052507
Specialized Secteur Sport X3 2014:
www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/secteur-sport-x3-2014-road-bike-ec053049
Cannondale Synapse 6 Tiagra 2014:
www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/synapse-6-tiagra-2014-road-bike-ec054417
Norco Valence A3:
www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/valence-a3-2015-road-bike-ec072596

I was also thinking of the Cannondale CAAD8 7 Sora 2014 and CAAD8 6 Tiagra 2014, but I understood they have a more racy geometry, and I'm looking for something a bit more comfortable.

As this is basically my entry level road bike, I would like it to last me quite some time without needing upgrades until I really get into cycling. Would anyone kindly explain to me what is the advantage of one spec over the other in terms of frame, gearing, and shimano brakes, and which one you would recommend I choose? B'Twin seem to have a great circle of fans and riders, but whenever I asked outside the B'Twin circle almost everyone chose Cannondale, although I would prefer the Specialised's upright frame over the Cannondale's.

I didn't find any Specialized with Tiagra in my budget. But is the Tiagra really worth the diff in price between the Secteur or Allez and the Synapse? If so, why don't I just get the B'Twin Alur 700 with 105 gearing for cheaper (£599 currently at Decathlon, discounted to make way for the newer model)?!

Any suggestion is much appreciated. Thanks

Update: Somebody on the Triban forum told me to wait for the Triban 540:
www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-540-road-bike-black-id_8331275.html

i am the sole norco voter, reason being i like the look of the all red paint job and its a bit different from some of the. other brands, by all accounts its a comfy and capable bike.

 

[aismaiil]

Well by happy coincidence...get yourself to Kingston, bargain...or just order online NOW

http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/item/Cannondale/Synapse-AL-Tiagra-Road-Bike-2014/2OZ4

A serious bike shop and cheaper than Evans too

And it's NOT BLACK

Hahahaha nice spotting that! But, seeing as I live far from Kingston, don't you prefer to buy a bike from your LBS for the warranty and the servicing? Just curious cuz I'm considering ordering the one you posted if I don't decide to go with the Norco or the Alu 700!

 

[aismaiil]

i am the sole norco voter, reason being i like the look of the all red paint job and its a bit different from some of the. other brands, by all accounts its a comfy and capable bike.

Exactly what I thought, though the Sora is a bummer, for £150 more I can get the Tiagra A2 (it's dark grey and red not black :P)

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/valence-a2-2015-road-bike-ec072595

 

[Cyclist33]

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/...ke-2014/rp-prod111465#bazaarvoice_reviews_tab

 

[vickster]

Hahahaha nice spotting that! But, seeing as I live far from Kingston, don't you prefer to buy a bike from your LBS for the warranty and the servicing? Just curious cuz I'm considering ordering the one you posted if I don't decide to go with the Norco or the Alu 700!

Kingston really isn't far from Reading, by car, train or bike

Two of my bikes were used, one was built by a friend and the last was bought locally but I ride it so little it's never had a service

I'd buy a bike from Sigma every day of the week rather than from Evans and that is a much better bike than a Btwin, Decathlon are a warehouse and the bike is dull and black

 

[aismaiil]

Kingston really isn't far from Reading, by car, train or bike

Two of my bikes were used, one was built by a friend and the last was bought locally but I ride it so little it's never had a service

I'd buy a bike from Sigma every day of the week rather than from Evans and that is a much better bike than a Btwin, Decathlon are a warehouse and the bike is dull and black

If I were to say I drive a matt black Lamborghini Aventador, would that make it dull and black?! :P

 

[vickster]

Yes, I abhor black cars more than I dislike black bikes...I am not impressed by Lamborghini's....men making up for inadequacies like all super cars