carbon road bike advice

[black'n'yellow]

I know what you mean gbb...new to this forum and know that the majority on here know far more about cycling than me and even if someone was to say, dont get such and such a bike it would be a help.

ok - here's a few pointers from me.

Comfort - 'comfort' bikes don't really exist - they are a marketing ploy. Any bike can be made comfortable through proper set-up, tyre choice and (importantly) tyre pressure

Frame material - not actually as important as you might think. Carbon fibre offers certain efficiencies in manufacture and some in power transfer, but most riders would be equally happy on steel or aluminium, or titanium - depending on budget. You may want a carbon bike anyway, which is fine.

Three main routes to purhase, as follows:

route 1 - local bike shop (LBS) - you get to look and try, and usually get good face to face advice. You will probably be restricted to the main/leading brands, but there nothing necessarily wrong with that.

route 2 - online warehouse - ie Ribble, Planet X - possibly a bit cheaper and you get to spec a few of your own component choices, but if you are new to this and don't know what to choose anyway, this is not necessarily an advantage and is likely to make things more difficult, rather than easier. Also, unless you live close by, dealing with returns/refunds etc can be a right pain.

route 3 - online dealer - ie Wiggle, CRC, Evans, etc - probably wider product range and possible discounts on retail prices, but same issues with faults/returns etc

I'm sure I've missed a few issues, but others will probably fill them in....

 

[matt butler]

thanks smokey and black n yellow.
I have learned a lot.

 

[vickster]

I'd go to your local bike shop - some good deals right now with the 2012 models starting to make way for the 2013s. You may want a bike that has a slightly less aggressive geometry - most of the big makers have a race oriented bike and a more relaxed 'sportive' style bike in their ranges - e.g on the alu front - from Specialized, the Allez and the Secteur, Cannondale, the CAAD and the Synapse

12-13mph on an MTB isn't bad, on the flat even I can get up to 18mph on my carbon roadbike and frankly I am rubbish (as are the roads and traffic in these parts). I am awful on any sort of hill - the bike cannot make up for that!

Where are you based - folks should be able to recommend a good shop locally. Evans have a very good range but they aren't the cheapest and some of their aftersales is reportedly poor and their in store service too, I never seem to be able to get much help myself!

You should be able to get full carbon for £1200 in a shop - but it'll probably have Shimano 105 or SRAM Apex at best, and cheaper wheels

You'll get more online - Dolan do some decent specs for that sort of cash, ditto Planet X

e.g. http://www.dolan-bikes.com/road-bikes/Carbon/Shimano Op/Mythos Rd?product_id=371

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/FBPXPRORIV12/planet_x_pro_carbon_rival_road_bike_2012

The Halfords Boardmans get great reviews (but let down by Halfords staff)

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_777787_langId_-1_categoryId_165710 can get 10% off if you join British Cycling
Happy shopping - bike buying is fun

 

[Nearly there]

you have one of those do you nearly there...if you do is it decent at climbing?

No I have the Cannondale Synapse my budget wouldn't stretch to the Caad 10 I just remember reading about it when I lusted after one I love my bike though.

 

[NotthatJasonKenny]

I'm surprised no one has said it yet so I will...look at Canyon, if I had £1200 to spend on Carbon I would look at this...it isn't carbon but its full Ultegra for the money it looks amazing

http://www.canyon.com/_uk/roadbikes/bike.html?b=2505

Or the ultimate with Ui2 for not much more...

http://www.canyon.com/_uk/roadbikes/bike.html?b=2503

 

[smokeysmoo]

I'm surprised no one has said it yet so I will...look at Canyon

Didn't want to steal your thunder. Besides, we were running a book on how long it would take for you to mention the C word

 

[NotthatJasonKenny]

Didn't want to steal your thunder. Besides, we were running a book on how long it would take for you to mention the C word

I know I know! I'm a fanboy! Better put my money where my mouth is and make it my next bike! When I get a pot to piss in that is!

 

[vickster]

I am kind of old fashioned, but if I am spending £1200 on a bike, personally I'd want it from a retailer with shops, in the UK not Germany...especially if a newbie...however good a deal, but each to their own...

 

[smokeysmoo]

I agree it can be scary buying blind as it where, and detailed homework is essential IMO.

However, I've bought 3 bikes online and touch wood never had an issue with fit etc.

I did have a small issue with the finish on one after a few months, but the aftersales was superb. OK it took a bit longer to get it packaged, sent back, sent over to Germany, (Focus), then shipped back etc, but that's the price you pay I suppose, or the price you don't considering the savings to be had. FWIW all shipping costs were paid by the retailer.

I totally get the newbie thing though vickster.

 

[NotthatJasonKenny]

I am kind of old fashioned, but if I am spending £1200 on a bike, personally I'd want it from a retailer with shops, in the UK not Germany...especially if a newbie...however good a deal, but each to their own...

I agree wholeheartedly! I wish there was a canyon dealer but if there was the bike would cost more and be out of my price range! Also on the 'want' list is a pinarello which for various reasons I would order from tweek cycles do either way it will come in a box.

It's the Internet age and there are plenty of downsides...I run a Peugeot sales department so I can see both sides!

There are horror stories from LBS's too I'm sure!

It's a gamble you have to be willing to take and for a newbie doubly so!

 

[vickster]

I am inept - my MTB came from CRC, it was under £500 and a bargain for the spec, so took the risk

However, when it arrived, I couldn't undo the bolts to turn the bars round, so had to put it in the car and drive to my LBS on the advice of CRC. Luckily they didn't charge me, but to be fair to CRC, they said to send them the invoice if I had to pay. The other thing with online buying is you don't get the 6 week service, nor the possibility of getting all the extras at a decent price and fitted for free. You get what you pay for

To the OP, this looks pretty ok for £1200 http://www.evanscycles.com/products/jamis/xenith-comp-2012-road-bike-ec031741#features I am not sure you'll notice that much difference between 105 and Ultegra if new to roadbikes?

My two roadbikes have SRAM Apex and Tiagra - not sure I'd notice the difference vs Rival & 105. Can always upgrade

 

[SportMonkey]

been cycling 3 years ...48 year old...done a lot of canal towpath riding but sick of the hassle with idiotic dog walkers...been riding a gt transeo 2.0.
for this reason I would like a carbon road bike that is comfortable to ride and wondered if anyone could recommend any makes and models.
cheers.

How about one of these
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/caad10-105-compact-2012-road-bike-ec031694
lighter than some carbon frames

With your budget I'd have this. I've just done over a year on a road bike, having both been hit and crashed several times (it's a learning curve - I recommend Hydrocolloid plasters for the road rash). What no one has mentioned about carbon is that if you do crash it (and I hope you don't) it is a very brittle material, and an unnoticed crack can cause massive failure later. I'll prefer alu, because of my scary mind, and my ability to kiss tarmac.

Oh, and because the Cannondales are pretty good, albeit the BMC Streetracers look prettier... (IMHO)

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bmc/streetracer-sr01-105-compact-2012-road-bike-ec031071

 

[Judderz]

Merlin have a summer offer on at the moment, full carbon with full Ultegra groupset (except the cassette and chain which is 105) for.....£1049

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/bikes/road-bikes/sensa-bikes/sensa-toscana-summer-special.html

 

[Lee_M]

ok - here's a few pointers from me.

Comfort - 'comfort' bikes don't really exist - they are a marketing ploy. Any bike can be made comfortable through proper set-up, tyre choice and (importantly) tyre pressure

....

Don't want to disagree... But I recently test rode a trek madrone, and their 'comfort' bike the domane

There was a huge difference in feel and comfort.

You may be able to make a bike more comfortable with a proper fit, but in the case of trek it is more than just a marketing ploy

 

[black'n'yellow]

you're right - although there is a physical difference with that frame. What I was really getting at was all the 'sportive geometry' nonsense, which doesn't really mean anything...