Cannondale Touring Ultegra?

[JasD]

Hi all

This is my first post here, though i have read this forum and enjoyed the information here for a good while now.

I am planning on an n+1 with my current bike being a single speed Revolution Cross 0.

Currently i am looking at the Cannondale Touring Ultegra. It's a fairly expensive bike (£2300) and i was wondering if anyone has any opinions on it. Reviews of it are non-existent. I'm currently using the Cross 0 as a commuting bike, but i'm looking to get into Audax's in the near future.

The Cross 0 has been a fantastic bike for commuting and being based in Edinburgh, it has really allowed me to build up a reasonable level of fitness. I have used it to do some longer journeys (around 60 miles) but i'd like to go further. Initially i looked at some of the Canyon bikes, but i feel they lack flexibility with no scope for fitting racks should i want to also use the bike for cycling holidays (a plan i need to talk my wife into).

My reason for contemplating the Cannondale is that it seems to fulfill many roles, and my Cross 0 would still be my commuting bike. My main worry is that the Cannondale is a little too utilitarian to be good at any one role. Should i focus on something more specialised or would the Cannondale be a sound choice?

If i have missed any vital information that will help with informed responses, please let me know!

All sides of the argument welcome.

 

[the snail]

Quite pricey. I'd want a triple chainset for loaded touring, and usually touring bikes are quite heavy, so if you don't need the load-carrying capability then you're getting a less lively ride, and sometimes a harsher ride than necessary when it's unladen. Not sure if it floats my boat for that sort of price, there are lots of very nice bikes for that sort of money (you could buy my ridgeback tourer and my genesis roadbike and still have some change lol)

 

[MichaelW2]

According to the specs, wheels are 650b which is certainly a wheel size and can ride nicely, but have you ever tried getting a road tyre in 650b from a decent bike shop in cycling country. Now try that in a small town.
I always regarded the 'dale as a big man's touring bike, a bit harsh in smaller sized.

 

[vickster]

If not touring, but audaxing, I'd look at one of these, titanium, half the price of the cannondale

http://spacycles.co.uk/m1b0s21p3404/SABBATH-Aspire-105

 

[JasD]

@MichaelW2 The tyre size is dependant on the size of the bike, so it would be a 700c on the 54cm.

@vickster I have been looking at bikes similar to the ones you suggest alongside the Cannondale. The thing that puts me off is that there doesn't seem to be any scope for fitting a rack or proper mudguards. I'm a bit of a stickler on those two points. This is what has put me off the Canyon and other pure road bikes (which do have a great sense of appeal, but lack what i seem to need from them) Is there a trick i'm missing with some of the more road oriented bikes that would make them more suitable for my needs?

 

[vickster]

My Steel Genesis equilibrium sports a rear rack (p clips) and full guards

 

[steveindenmark]

The bike look good. But it is pricey, which is possibly why there are little or no reviews. There are lots of other bikes to look at which will fulfill your needs, for a lot less money.

Spa cycles have a lot and the Genesis Croix de Fer is a good all rounder and has an excellent reputation. Apart from those there are lots more.

 

[JasD]

Can i ask if you all think the bike is overpriced considering it's specification? From what i can see, for a full Ultegra spec, the bike price seems reasonable.

@vickster - Are there any downsides to P clips? Don't they overload parts of the frame not particularly designed to take weight?