Help - birthday bike suggestions (and LBS's near Newcastle??!)

[help101]

Hi everyone,
I am hoping you can help with some expert advice?
My boyfriend is a keen road cyclist and I wanted to surprise him a new bike for his 40th (vaguely priced around £1k). His current Bike is a Boardman (Carbon) road bike, approx. 6 years old and he cycles approx. 100 miles per week, 18mph. I've done some research and narrowed down options to the below (and will make sure the bike can be returned, un-ridden, if he hates it). I'm worried as the Giant ones don't appear to be Carbon and I don't want to get him a worse bike than the one he has. Could anyone please provide any feedback either on the bikes below or on additional recommendations? Any info will be very gratefully received! Huge thank you in advance!

£1299 Giant Defy Advanced 2 (Shimano 105/Composite frame)
http://www.bikeshopnortheast.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=788

£1299 Focus Cayo (Shimano 105/Carbon) http://www.bikeshopnortheast.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=222&product_id=412

£860 2015 Giant Defy 3 (Shimano Tiagro/Composite)
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p6391/GIANT-DEFY-ADVANCED-3-2015

£900 Boardman Road Team Carbon Bike (Shimano Tiagra/Carbon)
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/boardman-road-team-carbon-bike

 

[Darren Gregory]

Why not take the day off and take him shopping for a bike. That way he can sit on and try as many bikes as possible. Bikes and riders come in all shapes, sizes and desires.

I wouldn't trust my partner to know what bike I would like best!

Have you talked to him at all to gauge what sort of bike he would go for if given the opportunity to have a new bike?

 

[pclay]

Do not buy him a bike. The colour you like, is not necessarily the colour he will like. As suggested above take him shopping.

 

[Citius]

As above - don't do it.

 

[help101]

ok, I think that might need to be my new plan, thanks for taking the time out to reply, I really do appreciate it.

 

[Shaun]

ok, I think that might need to be my new plan, thanks for taking the time out to reply, I really do appreciate it.

Whereabouts are you located? We may be able to suggest some local bike shops to try - or at least ones where CC'ers have had good service / experiences.

 

[sheltonlp]

I agree with the others, and if he rides a lot I bet he's been eyeing a certain bike. He may even want to throw in a few hundred dollars himself so he can get a carbon/ultegra bike for example. In any case, I think it's amazing that you are supporting something he enjoys, nice job!

 

[help101]

Thanks, I would have liked to have given a present but the advice here really has confirmed my fear that that definitely wouldn't be the "best thing" to do.
I'm based in North East England, near Newcastle

 

[bozmandb9]

I think I need to say on behalf of everybody, you sound like the perfect girlfriend! I guess the only problem with buying one which you can take back, is that he might not want to buy a bike at that particular shop. So a better plan may be to surprise him.

Most of us on here will obsess for ages about which new bike, posting threads in the 'Which bike' sub-forum, and being told either 'Go and ride them all and buy the one you most like' or 'But the one in the prettiest colour'. We will then read countless reviews before increasing our budget, and starting the process again. It's all part of the fun of buying a new bike!

So maybe you can just get him a card, and insert a voucher to the value of one new carbon bike. You may also find he wants to diversify and get a hybrid, or off road bike.

Anyway, hope he realises how lucky he is! (Oh, and you should tell him about the research you did, I think it's really touching and shows the though you're putting into it). That thought really does count, but seriously, he'll want to make the choice, and make sure it 'fits'.

 

[Elybazza61]

Can see where everyone is coming from but I'd be well chuffed if someone bought me this;

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p5772/CANNONDALE-SUPERSIX-EVO-105-2015

 

[0lonerider]

I use most cycle shops in Newcastle and had bikes from 3 of them in the past 4years, for the giant I'd go to cycle centre shields
Rd byker as they have a great range friendly staff also good after sales service

 

[0lonerider]

Edinburgh cycles is also next to cycle centre, start cycles is also a good store in the city centre near the monument metro, hope its a help and good luck

 

[albion]

Nope, it is too personal a thing.
He might even be thinking of a cross or hybrid as a second bike.

There's both Halfords and Decathlon at Team Valley. Having a Boardman might mean something new top end from either of these suffices. But only he will know.

 

[0lonerider]

Nope, it is too personal a thing.
He might even be thinking of a cross or hybrid as a second bike.

There's both Halfords and Decathlon at Team Valley. Having a Boardman might mean something new top end from either of these suffices. But only he will know.

Theres also teamvally cycles at the lobblyhill end behind premier inn, I didn't know there was a decathlon open in Gateshead! Il have to have a ride down

 

[RegG]

Lucky man!! Take him with you though to be sure that you get him one he wants, likes and feels comfortable on.