Frames on a £1k bike

[outlash]

Looking at upgrades logically, it's the frame that matters yes? Everything else is upgradeable, I'd rather initially have a better frame with say, Tiagra over 105 so for a £1k budget which alu frame offers the best quality? My initial thoughts are Canondale but I'm open to options.

Any thoughts?


Tony.

 

[400bhp]

If you're talking about aluminium frames then I don't believe you can go wrong with Cannondale.

Ribble and Dolan are good buys too. Or Surosa.

 

[vickster]

Specialized frames are meant to be good too, but you'll get a lower spec generally for your grand

There are some carbon bikes out there too for that sort of money if you shop around

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

I buy frames these days and spec the components I want, its the only way I end up with the bike that I really want without having to sell loads of bits over time

 

[ColinJ]

If you're talking about aluminium frames then I don't believe you can go wrong with Cannondale.

You beat me to it. I have a bike with Cannondale CAAD 5 frame/forks. The f/f alone cost me £500 and that bike is still a fantastic ride but you can get a complete CAAD 8 bike now for well under £1,000 - just take a look on the Evans Cycles website.

 

[Alembicbassman]

If you want something different I saw these in the PX Rotherham showroom the other day. They are beautifully made and finished steel framesets. PX would spec the bike with modern or retro parts for you for £1000. If it wasn't for the car tax being due this month I'd buy one.

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/FRSRSR/sarto_rovigo_steel_road_frame_and_fork

 

[outlash]

Thanks all , it pretty much confirms what my thoughts are.


Tony.

 

[Kies]

Hang on hang on .... The Giant Defy 1 is generally regarded as the best sub £1000 bike.
Go check the reviews .....

 

[vickster]

Go ride the CAAD / Synapse, go ride the Giant and go ride the Allez / Secteur (and any other bikes that you like the look of) and see which suits you and your budget best

Comfort for the rider is surely the most important thing, rather than what a reviewer and a bunch of randoms on the Interweb think These are perhaps useful for shortlisting

 

[outlash]

Hang on hang on .... The Giant Defy 1 is generally regarded as the best sub £1000 bike.
Go check the reviews .....

That's possibly true (although I always take magazine reviews with a huge pinch of salt), but I'm looking for what the best frame is. That could be the Defy, could be a Synapse or CAAD8, or a Ribble...


Indeed Vickster, but forewarned is forearmed . Shame though that my nearest LBS that sells decent bikes was only interested in trying to sell me one bike which I didn't like so to try others is a bit of a trek (cough) for me.


Tony.

 

[Alexvs]

I've got the 2012 Specialized Secteur Comp and my mate has a 2013 Giant Defy 1 and they're both really good bikes for the £1k option. I got mine last Jan in the sale at a shade over £1k and my choice was between this and the Defy 1. Only reason I ended up with the Spec is stock and I was happy to take whichever I could get. The zertz inserts used in the frame of the Spec, I have to say make riding it brilliant on UK roads so I can definitely recommend this frame As said earlier the Defy 1 is generally regarded as the best bike for a grand and I've read both magazine and personal reviews backing this up.

 

[ColinJ]

Comfort for the rider is surely the most important thing

Comfort comes mainly from a good bike fit and using the right tyre pressures. My super-stiff Cannondale can be rendered virtually unrideable (for me on typically rough Yorkshire/Lancashire road surfaces) by pumping the tyres to 120 psi. At 90 - 100 psi it is fine.

 

[uphillstruggler]

If you want something different I saw these in the PX Rotherham showroom the other day. They are beautifully made and finished steel framesets. PX would spec the bike with modern or retro parts for you for £1000. If it wasn't for the car tax being due this month I'd buy one.

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/FRSRSR/sarto_rovigo_steel_road_frame_and_fork

That isn one fine looing bike

 

[mark st1]

Hang on hang on .... The Giant Defy 1 is generally regarded as the best sub £1000 bike.
Go check the reviews .....

Thought that tag was owned by the Triban 3 .

 

[Sittingduck]

CAAD 10 FTW