Fitting / sizing for next road bike

[Custom24]

Hi
I have had a Whyte Suffolk for a couple of years that I use for my 20mile each way commute.

I like the bike, it's been really reliable with nothing replaced on it in lots of miles, but I would like to complement it with something a bit, well, complementary.

I think mainly I mean I would like a lighter bike for good weather days, keeping the Suffolk for wet days. The Suffolk is just under 10kg with no accessories. I do load it up with quite a bit of stuff including mudguards. I am thinking for good weather days I could have a bike a couple of kilos lighter for the climbs. I don't need rack mounts on the new bike. It would also be good to have a second bike for variety and for a backup, although the Suffolk is reliable.

Budget I'm not sure on. Probably same again as the Suffolk, i.e. £1200

Sounds easy? A couple of restrictions are that I need to ride the bike before I buy it, so for me this rules out PlanetX etc as I am in South Oxfordshire and don't want to take a day off work going up North. I am paranoid about buying the wrong size. I'm not convinced the Suffolk is the right size for me either, despite spending a lot of time in the LBS that sold it to me.

Also, I think I want at least hybrid hydraulic disc brakes again, like the Suffolk has. I didn't get on with mechanical discs on a previous bike and I don't think I want rim brakes.

So am I basically going to end up with the same bike again unless I compromise on something?

 

[Onyer]

If you plan to ride it in summer and dry days I wouldn't rule out rim brakes. Happy searching -- there will be a plethora of bikes for you at your budget.

 

[vickster]

Rim brakes will be lighter, plenty of carbon summer bikes with 105 or Ultegra around your budget on sale

Where are you nearest bike shops?

 

[Spartak]

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cannondale-SuperSix-EVO-105-5-2016-Road-Bike_83183.htm

I'm tempted by one of these ?

Rim brakes I know but a great value light bike - that you can test ride in any Cannondale dealer.

 

[Custom24]

Rim brakes will be lighter, plenty of carbon summer bikes with 105 or Ultegra around your budget on sale

Where are you nearest bike shops?

Newbury, Abingdon, Oxford

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Rim brakes will be lighter, plenty of carbon summer bikes with 105 or Ultegra around your budget on sale

Where are you nearest bike shops?

Umm not necessesarily

 

[Custom24]

But I think insisting on disc brakes cuts down the choice, which isn't a bad thing

 

[vickster]

Umm not necessesarily

I meant the bike overall, not just the brakes. On a £1200 bike, the rest of the components on a bike with hydraulic discs probably won't be the highest end

Unless you know otherwise, bearing in mind he won't buy from PX etc. Is there a 9kg £1200 bike with hydraulic discs with at least 105 groupset (as the Suffolk)

 

[Fab Foodie]

Newbury, Abingdon, Oxford

Rides on Air Wallingford
Bike zone oxford
Aw cycles Reading
Outdoor traders Abingdon

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

I meant the bike overall, not just the brakes. On a £1200 bike, the rest of the components on a bike with hydraulic discs probably won't be the highest end

Unless you know otherwise, bearing in mind he won't buy from PX etc. Is there a 9kg £1200 bike with hydraulic discs with at least 105 groupset (as the Suffolk)

I'm sure there are, but I'm not about to research bikes for someone who doesn't seem to know if his sizing is correct.

The compromise may well be, mail order.

 

[Fab Foodie]

http://road.cc/content/buyers-guide/173190-2016s-hottest-disc-equipped-road-bikes


Why not something more interesting:

http://road.cc/content/tech-news/173697-just-enigma-ezona-st-steel-road-bike-shimano-105

 

[Custom24]

I'm sure there are, but I'm not about to research bikes for someone who doesn't seem to know if his sizing is correct.

The compromise may well be, mail order.

Mail Oder won't help with the sizing. What would you recommend to do about sizing? I can't help but feel that an LBS will always try to sell what's in stock

 

[vickster]

Mail Oder won't help with the sizing. What would you recommend to do about sizing? I can't help but feel that an LBS will always try to sell what's in stock

Test ride. Do research. Ask on forums. Look at geometries. Why do you think your bike is the wrong size? Too big, small? Have you had a fit done
If concerned about just being sold a bike is stock, get a bespoke build?
Nice trip to Condor or Pearsons for example

 

[Custom24]

Test ride. Do research. Ask on forums. Look at geometries. Why do you think your bike is the wrong size? Too big, small? Have you had a fit done
If concerned about just being sold a bike is stock, get a bespoke build?
Nice trip to Condor or Pearsons for example

I did all of that before I bought the Suffolk, but still felt in the end that the bike might be too big for me. I have no particular evidence that it is, but the LBS only had a 56 and a 52 in stock, no 54. I would have liked to try a 54 but I had become fatigued of the buying process at that stage. The LBS guy was really good and took the time to set up the 56 for me to mimic the dimensions of a 54, but I wasn't sure how realistic that was.
I have never had a fit done. Where could I find someone independent to do that? And how would that help with the buying process? Would the fitter advise me on compatible geometries?
Thanks

 

[vickster]

You normally have the fit done after you buy the bike. There are companies that I think could do what you say with a special jig, like cyclefit, doesn't come cheap though

How tall are you out of interest? Whyte say 5'9 to 6' for the 56cm