Disc brake equipped roadie....

[Maylian]

Hey guys,

As most of us normally do I've been searching the internetz for new and beautiful bikes that I will eventually look to buy when I have the money. Now I know in my head it's a little pre-emptive as 2014 I'll be travelling with my fiance so any spare money will be going to that, so realistically it won't be until 2015 that I'm buying.

However I've been riding my Giant Defy for a couple of years and thinking what I want to move to. Cycling in the winter has made me think that I want a good looking hydraulic brake road bike but at the moment these are still new to the market and slightly out of my price range. This year the wet has given me a few braking issues, so I'm not sure if I'm just overreacting and should leave it and keep with the traditional calipers.

Currently I'm looking at £3-4k price range as I'm fully expecting to have money left from travelling and getting a better paid job when I return. I know the market is likely to change, but I've struggled to find anything that truly looks awesome (in my head) as I like the sportier looking bikes.

So my questions are: 1. Does anyone have a road bike with disc brakes? 2. Anyone have experience with BMC or Olympia? Or are there any other options I haven't looked at, some of the options are below so you can get an idea of what style I like?

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bmc/timemachine-tmr01-ultegra-compact-2013-road-bike-ec043707 - BMC Timemachine
http://www.triuk.com/products/olympia/olympia-leader-disk---force-2014#.Ura_V9JdVIE - Olympia
http://www.triuk.com/products/giant/giant-propel-advanced-sl-3-isp-2014#.UrbAQtJdVIE - Giant
http://www.triuk.com/products/wilier/wilier-cento1-air-ultegra-11spd-2014#.UrbBRdJdVIE - Willier

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Only bike out of the ones you listed I would even look at would be the time machine, its a really impressive bike and I have thought about owning one myself a number of times, the propel is a hype bike and goes better on specification than in real life, its just not a rewarding bike to ride IMHO.
Not ridden the others listed myself but if your looking at this type of bike I personally think you should visit your local concept store and fondle the Venge.

 

[Cush]

Supplementary question would it be possible or feasible to fit hydraulic brakes to a Dawes Nomad? Cannot afford to change the bike yet but a couple of improvements!!

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Supplementary question would it be possible or feasible to fit hydraulic brakes to a Dawes Nomad? Cannot afford to change the bike yet but a couple of improvements!!

Possible yes, feasible no
The cost, the agro, the effectiveness and gain from doing so is minimal

 

[Banjo]

Do they have to be hydraulic? The mechanical disk brakes on my Trek hybrid commuter do a good stopping job even on a steep downhill with lights to stop at plus I am over 13 stone and usualy have 2 panniers full of work junk.

 

[Maylian]

Only bike out of the ones you listed I would even look at would be the time machine, its a really impressive bike and I have thought about owning one myself a number of times, the propel is a hype bike and goes better on specification than in real life, its just not a rewarding bike to ride IMHO.
Not ridden the others listed myself but if your looking at this type of bike I personally think you should visit your local concept store and fondle the Venge.

Thanks for the thoughts, I've had a look around my local bike shops and didn't like the look of the specialised, especially the colouring. I know it's a big jump from my Defy to something like this but thought the Propel would be good. Obviously before I buy I'll be doing lots of research and test rides where possible.

 

[Maylian]

Do they have to be hydraulic? The mechanical disk brakes on my Trek hybrid commuter do a good stopping job even on a steep downhill with lights to stop at plus I am over 13 stone and usualy have 2 panniers full of work junk.

Not limiting myself to hydraulic, and I'm under no illusions that I'm the next Wiggins and need it to be super light but if I'm spending circa £4k then I don't want to make too many exceptions if I can avoid it.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

I know it's a big jump from my Defy to something like this but thought the Propel would be good

Depends what you consider good, when you read anything about the Propel it always goes on about how aero it is and not much else and this translates to the road, the bike is incredibly fast and effective but it has no soul and is bland. The Propel is also not a blike which inspires confidence specially when breaking hard downhill it feels nervous.

One thing to also consider with hydraulic brakes is they are new and many are having issues at this time, SRAM have done a total recall of all hydraullic road products recently.

 

[young Ed]

have heard many don't want/like discs especially on road bikes
Cheers Ed

 

[Andrew_P]

Take a look at Volagi, they now have a UK dealer Hoops Velo

 

[young Ed]

don't like that one it's ugly
Cheers Ed

 

[Maylian]

I'm thinking that by the time it comes around to me buying the bike the disc brake situation should be sorted.

 

[young Ed]

yeah by 2015 it should be really
Cheers Ed

 

[Peteaud]

Take a look at Volagi, they now have a UK dealer Hoops Velo

View attachment 34745

 

[Boon 51]

I think most bike makers are going to put 11 speed cassettes and disc brakes on all there bikes very soon..
The Volagi is right up my street, I like that?