Cycle scheme bike advice needed

[david k]

They take cyclescheme vouchers, but you'd need to call to ask if on reduced products as it says no C2W on discounted bikes

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/info/bike-to-work/cyclescheme-at-edinburgh-bicycle-co-op/

Due to the administrative costs of running Cyclescheme, price promoted bikes can only be sold at full retail price.

Only got the bike in M/L, if that's your size

CC would be the way to go, or 0% finance http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/info/interest-free-credit/

Ive emailed them, hopefully if thats not an option they will suggest something else, thanks for help btw

 

[SteCenturion]

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/arkose-three-2014-cyclocross-bike-ec054866

found this one i like also, not sure the large would be big enough though

Hi @david k

I have just downloaded the Pinnacle size chart & I think the Arkose may fit.

My reasoning is this.

Recommended range for the large is up to 6ft 1 (I know your 6ft 2).

However, it is easier to make a smaller frame a little more roomy than shorten a big frame.

A longer stem than standard would give you this extra room (as would a laid back seat post), the store should be able to do this (stem) for you & IMO, possibly FOC.

Also, if you look at some of the Pro's on the major tours, many of them are racing bikes much smaller than you would think is "normal" for them (6ft + blokes on Medium frames).

I know that they are all supremely fit athletes & weigh about 8 stone 2oz a dozen & that they are much more flexible than many of us, but they are doing this with longer stems &/or laid back seat posts.

Personally I ride a size 58cm Cube & a 56.5cm Sintesi, one size smaller than recommended to me but fit great (without a longer stem).

The only true way of knowing for sure is to test ride one down at Evans.

If it isn't perfect then go for a 2015 model & have them order in an XL.

Edit.

I am 6ft 1/2" approx (if it helps).

 

[david k]

Hi @david k

I have just downloaded the Pinnacle size chart & I think the Arkose may fit.

My reasoning is this.

Recommended range for the large is up to 6ft 1 (I know your 6ft 2).

However, it is easier to make a smaller frame a little more roomy than shorten a big frame.

A longer stem than standard would give you this extra room (as would a laid back seat post), the store should be able to do this (stem) for you & IMO, possibly FOC.

Also, if you look at some of the Pro's on the major tours, many of them are racing bikes much smaller than you would think is "normal" for them (6ft + blokes on Medium frames).

I know that they are all supremely fit athletes & weigh about 8 stone 2oz a dozen & that they are much more flexible than many of us, but they are doing this with longer stems &/or laid back seat posts.

Personally I ride a size 58cm Cube & a 56.5cm Sintesi, one size smaller than recommended to me but fit great (without a longer stem).

The only true way of knowing for sure is to test ride one down at Evans.

If it isn't perfect then go for a 2015 model & have them order in an XL.

Edit.

I am 6ft 1/2" approx (if it helps).

great post thanks
id be happy with the 2015 model but the colour is awful, lime green!!

 

[david k]

this has good reviews and good spec - http://www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/threshold-a1-2015-cyclocross-bike-ec072587

not a massive fan of the tellow but like the dark frame, anyone any feedback on this please?

 

[vickster]

Bunch of threads discussing

http://www.cyclechat.net/search/4991051/?q=norco+threshold&o=relevance&c[node]=39

 

[david k]

Been to evans and looked at the cannondale at £900 with tiagra

I love the bike, the position (58cm) was a good fit, nice colour scheme, not too impressed with the tiagra not being routed under bar tape anymore though, also doesnt have the extra brakes on top which i wanted but not a deal breaker, if i go for the cannondale will probably go for the one at £999 with 105s although there more writing on the frame that id prefer wasnt there!

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/caadx-105-disc-cyclocross-bike-ec071032#features
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/boardman-cx-team-bike-2014#tab2

Can anyone advise me on the specs comparisons between these two bikes please, struggling to understand if one is better than the other

 

[vickster]

Tiagra has always had the cables coming out from the shifters (since 2011 at least)

You could forego c2w and get something like this

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p5229/CANNONDALE-CAAD8-105-COMPACT-2013

 

[david k]

Tiagra has always had the cables coming out from the shifters (since 2011 at least)

You could forego c2w and get something like this

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p5229/CANNONDALE-CAAD8-105-COMPACT-2013

My tiagra is from 2011 i think and touted under the bar tape, didnt realise it had changed so would really look for 105s which look a lot better IMO

Think boardman has apex, how does this compare?

 

[vickster]

Well I'm a sram fan, can't use shimano due to hood shape. Apex is comparable to tiagra. If used to shimano,you'll need to adapt to double tap

 

[david k]

Well I'm a sram fan, can't use shimano due to hood shape. Apex is comparable to tiagra. If used to shimano,you'll need to adapt to double tap

ive heard of double tap, is it as it sounds, you have to tap it twice to change gear?

 

[vickster]

Once or twice depending on whether changing up or down You don't really shift twice, more push the lever further across for the double shift

All the shifting is done from the levers below the brake levers, unlike Shimano where the brake lever is also used for shifting

You'd want to try it for a while before committing. If happy with Shimano, you might be better off staying with it

 

[david k]

Once or twice depending on whether changing up or down You don't really shift twice, more push the lever further across for the double shiftA

ll the shifting is done from the levers below the brake levers, unlike Shimano where the brake lever is also used for shifting

You'd want to try it for a while before committing. If happy with Shimano, you might be better off staying with it

thanks, i dont mind shimano at all but also happy to get used to sram if required

ive contacted our benefits provider as out brochure still says halfords yet we have now changed scheme provider, ive asked if they can swap mine to the halfords one, not banking on it but worth asking since i havent signed it yet

 

[SteCenturion]

Been to evans and looked at the cannondale at £900 with tiagra

I love the bike, the position (58cm) was a good fit, nice colour scheme, not too impressed with the tiagra not being routed under bar tape anymore though, also doesnt have the extra brakes on top which i wanted but not a deal breaker, if i go for the cannondale will probably go for the one at £999 with 105s although there more writing on the frame that id prefer wasnt there!

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/caadx-105-disc-cyclocross-bike-ec071032#features
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/boardman-cx-team-bike-2014#tab2

Can anyone advise me on the specs comparisons between these two bikes please, struggling to understand if one is better than the other

Looks to me as though the 'Dale has the edge in terms of spec.

105 11 speed v Apex 10 speed

Apex, as correctly stated by vickster is Tiagra equivalent.

The major difference to consider is that the Cannondale has a Cross geared chainset & the Boardman Team has a road compact 50/34.

The Boardman looks far nicer to my eyes though.

If it is of any help at all, I have 10 speed Shimano 105 on my everyday bike & 2012 Sram Force (Ultegra level) on my Sunday best bike & now find it easy to switch between the two, used to fluff it quite often at first.

 

[david k]

Looks to me as though the 'Dale has the edge in terms of spec.

105 11 speed v Apex 10 speed
Apex, as correctly stated by vickster is Tiagra equivalent.
The major difference to consider is that the Cannondale has a Cross geared chainset & the Boardman Team has a road compact 50/34.
The Boardman looks far nicer to my eyes though.
If it is of any help at all, I have 10 speed Shimano 105 on my everyday bike & 2012 Sram Force (Ultegra level) on my Sunday best bike & now find it easy to switch between the two, used to fluff it quite often at first.

Agreed, i think the dale has the edge, i like them both for different reasons.
i guess the deal breaker is that i have ordered the boardman when 15% off so its costing me $765 leaving plenty to kit it out and get me some new spd shoes etc. If they were the same price then maybe the dale would get the nod, i have a 1k voucher and the dale would take all of it

If they cannot swap it my mind is made up for me

 

[SteCenturion]

£235 is a fair wedge to save & would go a long way towards pedals, shoes or upgrades.

I personally prefer spd-sl road shoes over spd mtb style but they are a bu66er to walk in (without looking daft)