Choosing a bike..

[I am Spartacus]

Beginners section always inundated with 'what bike' questions.
Keen folk who really know very little about bicycles and what is best for their cash etc (in the main).
It does not get any easier choosing even when you do KNOW your way about bikes.
Due to certain circumstances (realistically on the scrapheap at 55) I can allow myself the pleasure of a luvverly , quick, superbly equipped machine... and my short list has never been lower than 7.........
I know its nice to have choice in life, so not complaining..
but beginners... you think you have it tough
As I am not in any fantastic rush to get the new one.. first races dont kick off until April anyways... I am enjoying my personal game of fantasy bike..
Merckx emx3
Ridley helium
Kuota Kharma
Willier Mortirolo
Dolan Hercules.......... and it goes on
Spesh is off the list.. 'cos despite liking the way they do things... is it just me.. or have their bikes started to 'fall off the ugly tree' of late?

 

[HobbesChoice]

I am enjoying my personal game of fantasy bike..
Merckx emx3
Ridley helium
Kuota Kharma
Willier Mortirolo
Dolan Hercules.......... and it goes on
Spesh is off the list.. 'cos despite liking the way they do things... is it just me.. or have their bikes started to 'fall off the ugly tree' of late?

IT'S YOU !!!!!

 

[Globalti]

If you're 55 the Specialized Roubaix has your name on it. I'm 53 and I love mine - it took 40 miles on a borrowed aluminium bike a few months ago to remind me what a comfortable sportiff bike the Roubaix is.

 

[Keith Oates]

Add Colnago and Giant to your list and you've greatly improved the choice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[accountantpete]

I have wet dreams about the head tube/forks design on this one

 

[lukesdad]

Add a Litespeed and you re there!

 

[I am Spartacus]

IT'S YOU !!!!!

maybe it is just a thought that Spesh seem not good vfm at the moment.. a case of downgrading their spec and hiking their prices.. which other manufacturers seem to be able to combat

I have wet dreams about the head tube/forks design on this one

integrated seatposts... nah not for me... and timetrialling is soooo boring
Felt ar4

Should best bikes ever depreciate?

 

[swee'pea99]

I have wet dreams about the head tube/forks design on this one

God that's ugly!

 

[Brahan]

I have wet dreams about the head tube/forks design on this one

*boing

 

[I am Spartacus]

That's timetrialling for you.. it aint pretty

This is more to my way of thinking

 

[eck]

That's a good shopping list you've got there, and I agree about adding Colnago and Litespeed, I've never been too convinced about Giants though.

I got a 08 model Kuota Kharma frame massively reduced last summer, and I've built it up with Campag Centaur. I've not ridden it "properly" yet, but it does seem very well made, so definitely worth a look, IMO.

But what I really, really want is a de Rosa.

 

[I am Spartacus]

I deliberately left off de rosa... as the King is is not achievable..

Someone I know has the kharma and is well pleased with it... if I could order this month, one place has it or says it has it with Ultegra for less than 1400...
It would be nice to have capacity to include a quality wheelset additionally...depending on choice of bike.. the mavic carbones seem well thought of....

this is a Ribble built up for approx 1800.... but is it going to last the taste test after a few years..?

 

[Arch]

Now, I haven't googled them all, but I'm guessing they are all road bikes, skinny, lightweight etc.

How dull. They're all just road bikes. I can't imagine ever thinking there was any difference between them, unless I rode them all and found one felt better.

On the other hand, my wish list would be categories. Recumbent trike, recumbent bike, folder (Brompton of course), that's about it. I'e got a perfectly good tourer, and a lightwieght tourer too, a mackled CFR - both of those were bought because they happened to be available at bargain prices.

Debating those choices in the OP seems to me to be like Top Gear debating the benefits of the latest Lambo against a Ferrari...

Anyway, as you were....

 

[Aperitif]

Spartacus, 55 is a perfect age - for the moment! And a new bike - the perfect filip!
I don't ride fast but might ride long. I have a steel bike, hardly used, a carbon one - barely used, an aluminium which gets a pasting and now a Ti one from Planet X.
I wanted something strong but nice (something the total opposite of me in fact ) and different. So different that I got it with Shimano. (all my bike history has been Campagnolo)
So far, so good - although I need to learn plenty and don't expect to feel comfortable 'just like that'.
The price was reasonable, the reputation of the company (and the advice I got by calling) good, and I know that I will never need another all-round bike for general road use.
The other bike I fancy is a big tourer with Rolhoff and Dynamo so that I can disappear into pannier paradise - I can't wait!
I am drawn by aesthetics as displayed on frames of various types - but after being consistently impressed by the understated elegance of a few Ti bikes when on group rides, it would have been folly for me to go with a colour.
Cervelo RS and a Roubaix were serious contenders at one point though - much stiffer then the Look carbon I have - and the Roubaix was comfortable. Lower spec. for the £ though.
Happy choosing!

 

[rich p]

The only bike I 'need ' to complete the stable is a Ti. Ideally I'd have a Ti tourer too but I'd be way too twitchy leaving it chained to a tree while I slept the sleep of a drunken bum.