Is it wrong to have 2 road bikes? - Possible what bike...

[Ajax_Gaz]

After things didn't work out with a cx bike I really want to find a bike to use on my commute all year round so needs to be able to be fitted with mudguards and also used on weekend Club Rides during the winter when Mudguards are mandatory but most important the geometry must be very similar to my Cannondale Synapse. Quality frame and decent ish components preferable and max 1k.

I really don't want to use my Carbon road bike in the winter, not least as it doesn't have mudguard mounts but I'd also like something lighter and faster than my hardtail mtb for my commute.

Bikes in consideration

Specialized Secteur Sport/Elite
Cube Peleton
Giant Defy 2/1
Cannondale Synapse Alu
Trek 1.5 / 2.0 Domane

My local Cannondale dealer doesn't sell any of the other brands so isn't very impartial and most others don't have my size in stock to try. The bike company I bought my Carbon Synase from recommended the Trek 2.0 Domane from the list of options but I'm yet to hear back on why specifically and why over the cheaper 1.5...

Any advice or opinions on the above welcome. Interested to hear what you guys think/know

Cheers

Gaz

 

[vickster]

I have 2 road bikes, they do completely different things. My avail, like the defy, does exactly what I want, but I don't think this years have proper mount racks. Ash cycles have the 2012 2 though, which does

Bargain price too http://www.ashcycles.com/site/giant-defy-2-2012-15percent-worth-of-free-goods

Oh and I have a flat bar too

What was wrong with the cx bike out of interest?

 

[Scoosh]

I don't know any of those bikes but it sounds as if the 'type' of bike which would suit your purpose is an 'audax type' bike - ie a fast day rider, with fittings for mudguards and a rear rack.

There are lots around. Personally, I have a Condor Fratello . Other bikes are also available ...

 

[vickster]

Ribbles winter bike is popular as a workhorse too, might be worth a look

 

[Summerking]

I don't own one but personally I'd go for the Trek Domane, from what I've read that De-coupler in the frame design is supposed to be sublime with regards comfort.

 

[Alexvs]

I used to have a Specialized Secteur Comp and it's a comfortable bike but with the stock specialized tyres it was hard to fit crud roadracer guards in with no rubbing. I changed to 23mm and worked fine. The Cannondale may be your best bet though as you already have one and know it suits you? But then again it's always nice to have a change.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

I have six road bikes at the moment, given the choice you listed and having ridden most of them I would personally only consider two bikes there

• Cannondale Synapse Alu
• Specialized Secteur Sport

Of course everyone will start talking about specification, and value for money but that does not equate to the feel of the product and experience.. You can get far higher specification Toyota's for the money you would pay for a Merc, yet the experience of ownership and the support vastly differs. Yes the other bikes are great however when you consider the warranty, the support, the service and the feel of the products both these bikes come out ahead for me.... As you already own a Cannondale, my question would be...... are you happy with it, do you like the feel of the bike and if so I would advise buying the Cannondale Synapse Alu

 

[Ajax_Gaz]

Many thanks everybody

@vickster - That Giant looks fab and a great deal with the price! What do you use your 2 roadie's for? The cx bike was Steel (which i wasn't used to), had Disc brakes which i found no better than Canti's and overall i found the geometry that different to my road bike that i just couldn't get comfortable or used to it. Better to part when it was still relatively new.

The whole mudguard thing is going to be an issue but along with the Geometry it is where i have to get it right. I have looked at the Alu version of my bike and as much as i love my Carbon bike i'm not sure i want another identical one (It'll only make me think i should have spent less money one one bike for use all year round) and it would be nice to get something different even if it's very similar in Geometry to my Carbon bike.

Out of the list i thought the Spesh would be the one to go for as even the sport offers good value for £850 but i am drawn to the Trek 2.0 due to the frame and the Giant above is fantastic vfm with it having 105 for the same price as the Spesh Sport which only has Sora.

One of my LBS places has been in touch and they have both Trek bikes in stock in the shop floor but i think i may spend some time looking at the Geo measurements of the bikes compared to my Synapse which will help work out which are physically similar to what i have now.

 

[Cycling Dan]

Remember if its not a specialized then its simply just a bike.
Although I would say get the specialized Allez elite rather than the Secteur
However Specialized Secteur Sport Disc '13 is just the same spec wise and it has disc so with that and the better looking paintwork I would prob pick that one.

 

[vickster]

I don't think specialized allez frames have rack mounts?

Op, will reply this evening about my bike use

 

[Supersuperleeds]

I've got the Allez Elite and can confirm it doesn't have rack mounts

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

There is a fella called ipete on bikeradar forums who has a Allez which he uses for touring, so its very capable for this

its set up rather nicely.
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12702169

 

[PaulSecteur]

Remember if its not a specialized then its simply just a bike.

Yup!

Although I would say get the specialized Allez elite rather than the Secteur

Carefull!!

 

[vickster]

There is a fella called ipete on bikeradar forums who has a Allez which he uses for touring, so its very capable for this

its set up rather nicely.
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12702169

That looks like an older model? I don't think the synapse has holes either and possibly not the 2013 defy

 

[tyred]

Only 2 bikes? Nowhere near enough