Expert advice needed.

[Ashy]

Experts, you know who you are.

I am looking into purchasing a second road bike. I am looking at Carbon, although I am happy to look at Alu / Carbon bikes. In the region of £1500 gave or take a few quid. Ideally my second stead will be perfect for Sportives, Sprint & Olympic Tri's and of course the long summer rides (it may or may not make an appearance in the rain!!!)

At present I am comparing contrasting the Focus Cayo 2.0 against the Cube agree GTC Race. However, I am open to 'expert' advice and guidance to other makes / models. Presently I ride a Spec Allez Sport, which I love but want something different from Specialized.

 

[Ashy]

Does no-one have any opinions on makes / models? It would help me greatly.

 

[Psyclist]

Well I'm not an 'expert' but I can vouch for the Wilier Izoard XP it's a great bike but weighs in at 19.2lbs/8.7kilos (although not bad weight) if weight is a concern.
My friend owns one and uses it for Tri events, although his first bike so cannot compare it to another.

If you do not get a response on here, try Bikeradar or Roadbikereview.com which are both greta sites to ask for expert advice. (No offence to experts on here)

Here's what his Wilier looks like in the flesh...

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Well I'm not an 'expert' but I can vouch for the Wilier Izoard XP it's a great bike but weighs in at 19.2lbs/8.7kilos (although not bad weight) if weight is a concern.
My friend owns one and uses it for Tri events, although his first bike so cannot compare it to another.

If you do not get a response on here, try Bikeradar or Roadbikereview.com which are both greta sites to ask for expert advice. (No offence to experts on here)

Here's what his Wilier looks like in the flesh...

Apologies for being off topic, but that is a very, very naughty looking bike and it needs a good whipping!

 

[Psyclist]

The picture still doesn't do it justice!

 

[Ashy]

Thanks for the reply.

Thats a nice bike. I have seem them on the internet but in a different colourway. Quite like the colours of the one in the photo. I will have a look around the internet and LBS sites to see if its stocked. Gotta see one in the flesh to get a good feel for it. I will also add that when I meant 'expert' it was a general term for the good people and members of this forum. I was not genuinely seeking an expert, expert! - does that even make sense!

Damn nice bike mind.

 

[italiafirenze]

It sounds like you need a Cervelo S1 with a two position seatpost.

It's an aero aluminium design and boasts a race winning pedigree you won't find with any off-the-shelf Taiwanese carbon (Liege Bastogne Liege - Paris-Nice - Criterium International - Iron Man USA, all on stock, non custom made frames).

The seatpost head can be spun around to offer a TT/Tri geometry.

They discontinued it this year and you might struggle to find a complete bike but framsets can be had for between £750 and £1000.

You would not ever regret owning it. Lifetime guarantee on the frame too.

There is a review here: http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-cervelo-s1-11-43047

A lot of reviews say it's harsh but I've never found it uncomfortable. More than any of the other bikes I've owned (including higher model Cervelo(cervelii?)) it lurches forward with immediacy, it really feels like all your power is being transferred.

 

[smokeysmoo]

Well I'm certainly not an expert either, but have you considered the Cannondale CAAD10? The 105 version RRP is £1399, check it out here http://www.wheelbase.co.uk/products/cannondale-caad10-105-2012.htm
Here's a pic of my CAAD10. It's not what you could call standard anymore, but even when it was it weighed less than low and mid range carbon bikes do. Just a thought

 

[Ashy]

Hooking up to wheelbase and bikeradar as we speak.

Thanks guys.

 

[Dave7]

You say you want it for Sportives......Bike Radar gave Cube an excellent review but said it was a very "racy" position. Cube are in very short supply ATM as the German factory is out of many Japanese parts and will be till end of April----so if thats the one you want I would strike quickly.
Have a look at the recent posts re' Ribble bike........they do 3 sportive models and all of them start at less than £1K for carbon frames.

 

[jugglingphil]

I'm no expert. What sort of bike is needed for Sprints and Tri's, is it different to sportives/long days in saddle? Have you been around the LBS'?

smokeysmoo, that's a lot of seat post / big drop to the bars, don't think I'm that flexible.

 

[Ashy]

Sounds like the Cube may be ideal. Racey but comfortable - if there is such a thing.

 

[tiswas-steve]

Funny enough Ashy I went from a Specialized Allez Sports to a Cube Agree GTC Race and I can't tell you how much I love it. Be careful with the sizing thou they do come up small, so I would def sit on one before you hand over the reddies, that's if you are lucky enough to find one tho. Good luck searching, keep us posted sir.

 

[Ashy]

Will do tiswas-steve (like the user name). Luckily my LBS (Hargroves) stock Cubes. I shall speak to them and see what the deal is. I am glad that people have stated they are hard to get, as I just assumed I could go in a go 'that one please' - how naive of me.

 

[smokeysmoo]

smokeysmoo, that's a lot of seat post / big drop to the bars, don't think I'm that flexible.

Don't let that put you off, it's just my preference The seat post is necessary as I'm 6' 5" and I have the stem slammed as the forks have a carbon steerer.
FWIW I went from one full carbon to another full carbon with a carbon MTB in between, then to the CAAD, and IME the CAAD is the most comfortable road bike I have ever owned