Help / Advice re £1300 - £1800 on carbon

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Looking at possible first Carbon purchase - probably in the £1300 - £1800 region. Perhaps lower than higher unless good reason and will likely to change the wheels sooner or later. Would appreciate input on my draft list of contenders - on looks, price and being more for a sportive events than racing - as I've only been riding weekly for a year and so plan is more speed and more 60m+ sportives (perhaps Ventoux in 2012).

Specialized Roubaix Elite SL2
Scott CR1 Team
Cannondale Synapse 105
Cube Agree GTC Pro (has some great owner reviews I found on a bike radar forum and said to be smooth on rough roads)
Felt Z5 (shame it is so white in 2011 colours)
- or their 2010 equivalents.

Others
Bianchi - which model meets budget and would do the job do you know, though not very keen on their signature green?
Condor - not been re this purchase yet but London is within my reach
Boardman - great value but don't like enough

Time Speeder Veloce - love the look and not common but is it mainly for racing than anything else?


Will likely change wheels of whatever I get through personal choice or need as I am 15st. And though bikes like the Spesh are Shimano only am currently favouring campag for the cleaner change and longevity (and wearing in) people talk about.

2010 bargains - eg Colnago Ace is going for £1550 - £1800 as opposed to £2100 at the moment but an internet search and popping into Evans failed to find one in a 58 or 70. Not that I've checked it out properly but was a time when I dreamt of owning a Colnago - well still do.

Am interested in going to somewhere that I will be fitted or buy at lower end of budget and get fitted elsewhere; so single outlet places much north of Oxford like Planet-X are not high on my list at the mo though they often offer great value.

Thanks
 

amnesia

Free-wheeling into oblivion...
For £1800 you could get the Cannondale Super Six 105
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OP
OP
Fletch456

Fletch456

Guru
Location
North Hampshire
Forgot some finance things that mean my budget is potentially £2.5k. Deep into bike porn territory. May be storing indoors and not the garage!!

@amnesia - me too - could be how I read it but 'Ill teach em how to RIDE,giddy up& down' was my fave.
 

kfinlay

Must Try Harder
Location
Fife, Scotland
I hoping for one of these:

http://www.canyon.com/_uk/roadbikes/bike.html?b=2114
or if you want cheaper
http://www.canyon.com/_uk/roadbikes/bike.html?b=2112

If you prefer Shimano then there is always this:

http://www.canyon.com/_uk/roadbikes/bike.html?b=2113
or
http://www.canyon.com/_uk/roadbikes/bike.html?b=2115

There is also the SLX versions starting at around £2500 - pro level bikes as ridden by the Omega Pharma Lotto team.

These are stiff bikes but not at the expense of comfort. They have slightly longer head tubes than racier frames and slightly shorter top tubes so can be a comfortable fit. The only thing to remember is to get the size you need by the top tube length and not the seat tube. If in between sizes then go smaller.
I just wish I could afford one right now but will have to wait a few months when I hope we have better weather
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If you need a big size frame then look in the Outlet section - some amazing bargains.

Could also try Rose bikes (Red Bull Bikes in Germany) that are also very high spec, great quality and fab value. Oh and a wee bit more comfortable
 
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