Italian (and other european) road bikes at £1000

[2pies]

While I'm sure the big name US manufacturers e.g. Specialized, Cannondale, Trek etc. make great road bikes (I currently ride a Specialized Tricross which has been great for commuting) I'm drawn to the flair and romance of the european brands , especially the italian ones e.g. Bianchi, Pinarello, Colnago, for a more sporty bike for weekend rides.

Great brands for sure, but what are their bikes at the £1000 price point like? Do they put much development into their frames or are they no different from other bikes? Is the difference in components that some offer e.g. Tiagra rather than 105 significant? Do they offer the same value for money, or are you paying for the label, somewhat?

I'd be buying a bike like this to enjoy, first and foremost, and, while it may sound a little vain, brand name and cosmetics are of some importance to me. However, I don't want to turn down a superior bike just because it's made by a company that doesn't excite me.

 

[StuAff]

Flair and romance? Sadly, for many Italian bikes that's not backed up by actually making them in their homeland. No Pinarello frames are made in Italy, though they are painted there- AFAIK Giant build them in Taiwan. Ditto with Bianchi, many bikes built in Asia though they do still make some frames in Italy. Colnago: All the carbon up to and including the CLX built in Asia. You aren't going to get an Italian-made bike from any of those brands, new, at that price point. Viner frames

Frankly, it's far more important to go by build quality, ride characteristics and (of course) value for money than the name. Trek now build all the Madone 3, 4 and 5s in Asia (6s still made in Wisconsin) but that wouldn't stop me buying one. And you aren't going to get better value for money than the likes of the Planet X SL Pro Carbon- made in Asia and proud of it....

 

[accountantpete]

I have a Ridley aluminium bike which is a great looker but rather weighty compared to the big boys as they can afford the R&D to develop a really lightweight but stiff material (Cannondale CAAD 10 etc).

Presumably the same applies to Carbon - which leaves design the only area that the Europeans can excel at. Trouble is that I have a Pro-Lite bike (Taiwan) which is as good as anything I have ridden -so I'm not sure that the edge in design is there any more either.

I'd let the head rule the heart.

 

[vickster]

I haven't heard great things about the reliability of Bianchi and they have an Italian feeling for delivery dates etc...

I was like you - didn't want a US brand bike, I almost bought a Bianchi roadbike last summer, looked at Willer (the shop in Worcester Park sells these by the way) but ended up with a Pearson carbon from Pearsons in Sutton. Cost me rather more than the Bianchi but properly set up for me and it's very light and lovely looking (and even though the frame will be from Asia I supported a British business with a long heritage). I also considered a Ridley roadbike

I have a Specialized Sirrus hybrid (again I have looked at non US brands but they do offer best bang for buck) and a Kona MTB (Canadian)

Ghost look rather lovely IMO too - German I think, or Cube or Felt similarly

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/ghost/race-4900-2012-road-bike-ec032424
http://www.tweekscycles.com/bikes/road-bikes/cube-peloton-race-road-bike-2012

 

[2pies]

Yes, I realise that that most frames will be made in Asia, but it was more the design I was referring to. Some come with Campag kit as well, which seems to be the romantic option compared to the efficiency of Shimano.

As far as value for money, I see your point - I've read many good things about Cannondale and the CAAD8 would be a bike I would consider. While Ribble/Planet-X sound compelling I'm hesitant to buy a bike online. I'd rather buy it in a shop and perhaps getting some advise and fitting.

Perhaps I'll rethink it. Probably best to ride one of these and some similarly priced bikes from bigger brands e.g. CAAD8, Defy 1. That said, all things being equal, I think I'd still side with one of those. Just personal preference.

Would be interested in opinions of owners of those brands though.

 

[2pies]

I was like you - didn't want a US brand bike, I almost bought a Bianchi roadbike last summer, looked at Willer (the shop in Worcester Park sells these by the way) but ended up with a Pearson carbon from Pearsons in Sutton.

Never heard of Willer but will check it out. Pearsons are very helpful but seem somewhat expensive. Economies of scale I suppose. Thanks though.

 

[vickster]

Wilier are Italian, I think most of their bikes are Campag equipped (unlike Bianchi who also use Shimano equally)

Willier range http://www.cyclesurgery.com/WIL/bra...Filters=true&gclid=CPurg4TRvK4CFUcRfAodInHIhQ

Another good shop if you like Bianchi is Corridori at Driftbridge Epsom (they also do Pinarello and Specialized). http://www.corridori.co.uk/
Another is Geoffrey Butler in South Croydon http://www.gbcycles.co.uk/

Pearsons pretty much sell current bikes at RRP (Specialized), but they will give some extras (cheaper) with a purchase. I think the Pearson bikes will be out of reach (my Pave ended up at around £1300, so much more bike than the £900 Bianchi alu Tiagra I ordered)

I think Specialized are now overpriced for the spec. Action bikes in Wimbledon have a decent range of Trek and I was impressed by the range at the Giant store near Bromley today (I was passing). I would certainly look at Cube too

Wallington Cycles look to have a good range (my first post childhood bike came from there about 5 years ago), they do Spanish Merida, this looks well specced for a grand

http://www.wallingtoncycles.com/products.php?plid=m12b0s6p1297

 

[MrC]

@AccountantPete
Apologies for going off topic but what pro-lite bike do you have? I've just got hold of a bella frame...

MrC

 

[2pies]

That Merida bike looks good, there's an Orbea that is similarly spec'ed to. Evans also sell a Cinelli bike that has had good reviews. Doubt I could stretch much over the £1k, a ton perhaps.

I don't want to sound like a snob, I'd just like something a little different from everyone else (though Bianchi are quite popular I suppose). Most of the consumer stuff I buy is pretty standard by necessity, like the car and house things. As cycling is more personal, I figured my choice of bike could be as well.

 

[vickster]

I totally understand. I had a Giant, a Trek and a couple of Specialized flatbar bikes. When it came to the roadbike toy, I wanted something unusual. You see a lot of riders on Specialized roadbikes around here as there are a number of retailers, ok a few Pearsons too. However, the only time I have seen a Pave (I think), was some chap riding past my parent's house...in the Cotswolds!!

 

[Kiwiavenger]

i'd go for an orbea! lol. love them and only reason i dont have them is that i couldnt get ride2work at my lbs. have only seen 1 or two around so not that common!

 

[Moodyman]

That Merida bike looks good, there's an Orbea that is similarly spec'ed to. Evans also sell a Cinelli bike that has had good reviews. Doubt I could stretch much over the £1k, a ton perhaps.

I don't want to sound like a snob, I'd just like something a little different from everyone else (though Bianchi are quite popular I suppose). Most of the consumer stuff I buy is pretty standard by necessity, like the car and house things. As cycling is more personal, I figured my choice of bike could be as well.

If you really want to be a connoisseur, get yourself a custom-build from a British bike manufacturer - someone like Ellis Briggs, Mercian, Woodrup, et al.

Not only will you get a tailor-made bike, but it will be unlike anyone else's.

You'll need to up your budget though.

 

[2pies]

i'd go for an orbea! lol. love them and only reason i dont have them is that i couldnt get ride2work at my lbs. have only seen 1 or two around so not that common!

Annoyingly a shop around the corner from where I work sells them but doesn't do C2W scheme. Quite a bargain:
http://www.cyclesurgery.com/orbea-a...s/bikes-components-bikewear/fcp-product/22499

If you really want to be a connoisseur, get yourself a custom-build from a British bike manufacturer - someone like Ellis Briggs, Mercian, Woodrup, et al.

Not only will you get a tailor-made bike, but it will be unlike anyone else's.

You'll need to up your budget though.

Very nice, but yes, clearly out of my budget.

 

[Kiwiavenger]

the one by me does it under cyclescheme but i had to do the ride2work administered by evans cycles!

could always go custom made. my friend got the same LBS to build him a bike, worked out best for him as he has stumpy legs and a longish body so was built to fit him. also had decent kit and a front carbon fork for under £750

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

...they do Spanish Merida...

Merida are a Taiwan company.