Help - £3k Dream Machine Shortlist...

[ryan_w]

Afternoon all,

First post here so please be gentle...

I've joined up since I'm looking for some help with an upcoming purchase and looking for real life experience with the below bikes:

2014 Felt F2 (UDi2)
2014 BMC Granfondo GF01 (UDi2)
2014 Fuji Altamira SL 1.3 (Dura Ace)
2014 Cannondale SuperSix Evo Hi-Mod (Dura Ace)
2014 Cervelo R3 (Ultegra)

I appreciate this is rather a vague post but essentially I'm asking which of the above you would choose and why.

I'm 6ft, 90kg and cycle around 100km a week (work permitting).
I don't want to start any serious racing yet but I would like to potentially compete in a few events next year.
Essentially this is a bike for me to enjoy around Richmond Park and beyond.
Looking to join a local club and really get into the sport.

I used to do a fair bit of XC racing and AM blasts on my Whyte B19C and Mondraker Foxy RR, so I'm not a complete novice

I look forward to hearing your opinions.

Cheers,

Ryan

 

[jack smith]

Experience with the cervelo connondale and the bmc, it would be between the cervelo and cannondale but the cannondale takes it for me its such a nimble stiff machine, plus your gettinf an extra 500 worth of components just in the step up from ultegra to dura ace

And personally i just think the felt has a cheap look to it

 

[jack smith]

Make sure you ride the cannondale and cervelo though they are both amazing

 

[vickster]

Have you considered something a bit more bespoke from Pearson, Condor or similar?

 

[jack smith]

Tbh we all know everyone should ditch the lot and just buy an s works But i cant stress enough to ride before you buy

 

[ryan_w]

Thanks for the replies guys, great to be part of a forum that doesn't resemble a graveyard!

I'm really excited by the Cervelo, it's a beautiful looking bike.
The trouble I'm having at the minute, as with the Cannondlale is finding somewhere in London to test ride one,

Agree about the Felt and it's aesthetics, the BMC also is an odd looking machine.

Then we get into the long-winded debate of electronic vs mech group sets... Ultegra Di2 or that butterly smooth Dura Ace goodness?!

 

[bpsmith]

I recently looked at UDi2 when thinking about my n+1. Ended up getting a Bianchi Sempre Pre with Ultegra in mechanical form. Had a deal importing from Germany so spent a lot less than first planned.

Anyway, my point is in the groupset side of things. Have 105 on my first bike and the difference between last years 10 speed 105 and the 11 speed Ultegra is night and day. The gear changes are just so effortless and razor sharp. They feel as good as The Di2 version did in the shop. Don't have the gains from not having cables that stretch, etc. but not disappointed in the slightest.

If you are going that step further to Dura Ace then personally I wouldn't contemplate UDi2 and get the weight saving instead. Nice range of bikes that you have chosen btw. :-)

 

[Joshua Plumtree]

Tbh we all know everyone should ditch the lot and just buy an s works But i cant stress enough to ride before you buy

But how would you know which one was yours after the club coffee stop?

 

[jack smith]

T

But how would you know which one was yours after the club coffee stop?

Tbh ive never seen another one round my way .. EVER haha,


Id go dura ace over ultegra di2 simply because id want to be able to maintain it easily and i prefer the mechanical simplicity of it amd hearing and feeling the changes, di2 is just a gimmick to me for people who have the cash i personally have rode on it and think it takes away alot of the feeling of the bike, ive rode on dura ace and it is lovley and smooth

 

[tiswas-steve]

Have you considered Canyon in your list ? for 3K you get a beaut.

 

[Pale Rider]

But how would you know which one was yours after the club coffee stop?

I thought @jack smith didn't stop for coffee, only chips.

 

[ryan_w]

The Cannondale does look like an excellent deal to be fair.
Currently on Westbrook Cycles for £2,895 but in a size 58.... Think I'll be more of a 56 since Cannondale come up a little large. I'm 6ft, long torso and arms, 32" leg...

Cannondale against the Cervelo, Dura Ace vs Ultegra... Choices, choices....

 

[jack smith]

I thought @jack smith didn't stop for coffee, only chips.

Bit of a low blow, but yes make sure when you get it not to stop in rough areas cause even if your a foot away from the bike people still have time to grab it and pedal away, theres no catching them in cleats either.

 

[bpsmith]

The Cannondale does look like an excellent deal to be fair.
Currently on Westbrook Cycles for £2,895 but in a size 58.... Think I'll be more of a 56 since Cannondale come up a little large. I'm 6ft, long torso and arms, 32" leg...

Cannondale against the Cervelo, Dura Ace vs Ultegra... Choices, choices....

That's a toughie. Both nice bikes, but it's functionality and spec vs something a bit special. Love the Cervelo's. I am a bit biased though, having just bought a Bianchi.

I think you need to go and see both, if possible and see which makes you heart sing. Both are amazing bikes, but riding something that you find special can't be beat IMHO.

 

[ryan_w]

Have you considered Canyon in your list ? for 3K you get a beaut.

Big fan of Canyons but they don't make me excited like the Cervelo or have that 'buzz' about them like the Cannondale.

Does anyone know of any London based LBS that stock either and do test rides?