Looking for help choosing between bikes..

[LeeM]

It's my first time here so hello!

I've had a Carrera road bike for the past 4-5 years which has done well, including a sportive and a triathlon last year. I'm now looking to do more triathlons this year and wanted to treat myself to a new bike. I want something that'll do me for training and the odd triathlon, and the occasional sportive too ideally.

I'm looking at spending around the £1K mark, as there seems to be a lot of choice (CTW scheme-led presumably), but am a bit stuck between 3 specific bikes. Although I've done a fair bit of riding, I've never got into the technical side, so know little about groupsets etc.

So any advice appreciated on the pros and cons of these three:

1.) Dolan l'Etape - With Mavic Aksium wheels and 105 groupset it comes to almost £1200.
http://www.dolan-bikes.com/road/road-bikes/dolan-l-etape-carbon-road-bike-builder.html

2.) Planet X Pro Carbon - with mostly Ultegra groupset. £1000.
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPULT2/planet-x-pro-carbon-shimano-ultegra-road-bike

3.) Ribble R872 with Tiagra and Shimano RS10 wheels - £1100.
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/bbd/road-track-bike/ribble-r872

The Planet X looks the best value, but I've read that the carbon frame is "flexy" on that one. I'm not entirely sure what that would feel like, and whether it's something I'd even notice. On the other hand the Dolan gets good reviews and I know is a well-respected brand, but it's a good £200 more for less kit...

Basically, heart says either Ribble or Dolan, but head says Planet X. Any views on these specific bikes?

 

[uclown2002]

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXRT57ULT/planet-x-rt-57-shimano-ultegra-6800-road-bike

A colleague has just bought this bike -but not ridden it - after initially looking at the planetx bike you linked. I think he was swayed mainly by the 'upgraded' frame.

 

[Cycleops]

Dont believe everything you read on the internet. Carbon is not a flexible material, unless it is used invery thin lay-ups. Can't imagine that Planet X would risk their reputation. Hopefully somebody who has first hand experiance of the bike will be along soon and can comment with more authority. Carbon may not be the best option over ali every time though.

 

[LeeM]

Thanks for the replies so far. The RT-57 of course adds another £200 to the budget...

Only considering these carbon bikes because they all get very positive reviews on the whole, so there seems no major reason not to go for these at a similar price point to a non-carbon bike. Weight is obviously a benefit. Happy to be educated otherwise!

 

[SteCenturion]

I can only say what 'I' would prefer of the 3 'if' it were my money, which it ain't.

For me - Ribble R872 - wear out the Tiagra group over time then upgrade with Ultegra or Sram Force when funds allow.

You might also want to consider aluminium at the £1k mark.
Something like the Giant Defy 1 or my fave £1k bike the Cube Peloton Race.

Lots to choose from with a grand in your pocket.

Good luck.

 

[LeeM]

Thanks SteCenturion. So would you choose the Cube Peleton over all of the bikes I've shortlisted? If so, I'd love to know why. Not fixed on carbon, these just seem very good light bikes for the price.

 

[Rob1]

The 2013 Cube Agree can be picked up for less than this years Race, worth having a look at

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/...gclid=CKWAu53B6LwCFVDLtAod-X8AtQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

More or less the same spec as the Dolan but cheaper.

 

[LeeM]

The 2013 Cube Agree can be picked up for less than this years Race, worth having a look at

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/...gclid=CKWAu53B6LwCFVDLtAod-X8AtQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

More or less the same spec as the Dolan but cheaper.

Will take a look, cheers!

 

[LeeM]

Thanks all for the advice. Glad I asked on here as I hadn't even seen the Cube before. Took a look at one yesterday in a local bike shop, and it looks the business. An absolute steal for £930.

Unfortunately the LBS only had the 2014 model and wanted £400 more for it than Chain Reaction Cycles, so it looks like the latter will be getting my cash over the weekend...

Thanks all!

 

[DooDah]

Thanks all for the advice. Glad I asked on here as I hadn't even seen the Cube before. Took a look at one yesterday in a local bike shop, and it looks the business. An absolute steal for £930.

Unfortunately the LBS only had the 2014 model and wanted £400 more for it than Chain Reaction Cycles, so it looks like the latter will be getting my cash over the weekend...

Thanks all!

Excellent choice, I personally love Cube bikes, the ride, the finish, and they are German (sort of). Also, @SteCenturion is fulfilling his dream of getting everyone on Cube bikes.

 

[Cuchilo]

Excellent choice, I personally love Cube bikes, the ride, the finish, and they are German (sort of). Also, @SteCenturion is fulfilling his dream of getting everyone on Cube bikes.

He's only doing that so the price of Giants TCR drops

 

[SteCenturion]

Thanks SteCenturion. So would you choose the Cube Peleton over all of the bikes I've shortlisted? If so, I'd love to know why. Not fixed on carbon, these just seem very good light bikes for the price.

I would pick the bike that makes you grin the most & want to ride it whether it be carbon or anything else.
The Cube Peloton Race comes in around 8.8kg but the Giant Composite (carbon) is around 8.8kg also.

Carbon varies quite a lot as does the 'lay up' & so it is not always the case that a carbon bike will be better or lighter than aluminium.

I like Cube because they have great kit for the money & most look great too.

FWIW & (I don't have 1st hand experience) both the Planet X & the Ribble have a lot of fans on CC who love their bikes while the Dolan l'etape got very good reviews in cycle active magazine (march issue).

Some members have bagged really good deals on 2013 Carbon & aluminium Cubes but often sale bikes are excluded from C2W scheme by retailers.

I would say any of those you listed or a Cube or Giant would put a smile on your face.

Good luck hunting.

 

[SteCenturion]

Excellent choice, I personally love Cube bikes, the ride, the finish, and they are German (sort of). Also, @SteCenturion is fulfilling his dream of getting everyone on Cube bikes.

So very right @DooDah - although I must confess to not having bought mine yet.

Got to get one on C2W this year before possible redundancy comes along.

Will have to 'make do' with my achingly beautiful Sintesi until then.

 

[SteCenturion]

He's only doing that so the price of Giants TCR drops

Damn - I would have got away with it if it weren't for those pesky kids.

TCR slowly becoming a pipe dream (well the 2013 white/red one is) it seems.
Unless I chop 2 inches off my legs or win the lottery.

Also - my head has been turned by an utterly gorgeous Fondreist (which may also turn into a pipe dream should I not raise the cash before all stock is gone).

Hey - ho.

So many great bikes.

I think we are living through a new 'golden age' of bikes right now.

 

[vickster]

There'll be another great bike along soon, there is simply so much choice especially within the 1k to 2k range. Unless you want sram shifters it seems, but even those can be found with perseverance or self build