My first carbon, £1500 budget, help

[vickster]

Go to your best local shop and sit on a few and preferably test ride Problem is we all have different needs, likes, brand preferences and with a solid budget there are a lot of options!

 

[SteveBM]

Go to your best local shop and sit on a few and preferably test ride Problem is we all have different needs, likes, brand preferences and with a solid budget there are a lot of options!

Yep, understood. Thanks for the words of wisdom

 

[SteveBM]

So,I went to my LBS today and had a ride of a Scott CR1 team 2013, Reduced from £1899 to £1500

I loved it

This is the only carbon i have tried but I loved the narrow bars (compared to my Allez) and the gears were amazing

So now I have the "I wants" badly. Any reason why I shouldn't buy this? Or should I try some others first? So excited and so confused. Words of wisdom please guys....

 

[Dusty Bin]

CR1s are well rated frames, so you won't be making a mistake if you buy it. HOWEVER - there are so many deals at that price range that the choice is potentially endless.

Personally, I would take a look at Dolan. The bikes linked below are excellent, proven frames and with either 105 or SRAM Rival at around your price point.

http://www.dolan-bikes.com/road/road-bikes/road-bike-carbon/dolan-tuono-carbon-road-bike.html
http://www.dolan-bikes.com/road/roa...s-sl-carbon-road-bike-green-white-carbon.html
http://www.dolan-bikes.com/road/road-bikes/road-bike-carbon/dolan-hercules-carbon-road-bike.html

 

[Kbrook]

I am in exactly the same position as you looking to upgrade my aluminium to a carbon for the same shallow reasons. I have the same budget, I spent last week visiting every bike shop I could find and sat on, the Trek Modane and Domane, which were ok but comparitively expensive and not partiularly comfy. I also sat on the Cube agree Pro and Race, the position was a little too sporty for me. The one that felt best, and which I didn't particularly want because its not particularly exclusive was the 2014 Giant Defy 1 composite, as the first poster suggested. Nice enough looking, mega comfortable and a bargain in comparison. 11 speed Ultegra, half decent wheels and Ash cycles have it at £1599 but with £240 free accessories, which is the one I am probably going to buy.

 

[SteveBM]

I am in exactly the same position as you looking to upgrade my aluminium to a carbon for the same shallow reasons. I have the same budget, I spent last week visiting every bike shop I could find and sat on, the Trek Modane and Domane, which were ok but comparitively expensive and not partiularly comfy. I also sat on the Cube agree Pro and Race, the position was a little too sporty for me. The one that felt best, and which I didn't particularly want because its not particularly exclusive was the 2014 Giant Defy 1 composite, as the first poster suggested. Nice enough looking, mega comfortable and a bargain in comparison. 11 speed Ultegra, half decent wheels and Ash cycles have it at £1599 but with £240 free accessories, which is the one I am probably going to buy.

Thanks for your helpful reply. On the strength of the recommendations here, I went to see the Giant this afternoon at a local shop. I love it!!
I think we have a winner!

 

[craigwend]

Something different?

http://www.fatbirds.co.uk/570046/products/van-nicholas-ventus-se-apex-titanium-road-bike.aspx

http://www.cyclesense.co.uk/m1b178s6p13631/VAN-NICHOLAS-Ventus-SE-2013

http://www.bikerepublic.com/van-nicholas-mistral-titanium/

etc...

 

[Kbrook]

How much are the LBS offering it for? Are you getting from there or mail order? I found the sizes of the Giant different to my existing bike which is XL, the giant I am large at most.

 

[Kbrook]

Craigwend... I take it you like Van Nicholas? They may be great bikes but they look a bit old fashioned dont they?

 

[jowwy]

Craigwend... I take it you like Van Nicholas? They may be great bikes but they look a bit old fashioned dont they?

titanium old fashioned - they arewsome bikes and very very comfortable to ride - mine has cost me 4k due to the wheel upgrade though

 

[craigwend]

Craigwend... I take it you like Van Nicholas? They may be great bikes but they look a bit old fashioned dont they?

Van Nicholas* - all I could afford at the time, though comparing it in the flesh it really is as good as other 'marque' makes, still looks as good today as 7 years ago, how many carbon frames last the progress of time?

I had the same 'dilemma' 7 years ago, nearly got a 'Roubaix', though the ability to choose components, longevity of material, compliance of ride, 'classic' timeless looks ( ) mix of differing sized tubes, e.g. flared stays, actually looks very attractive ( have you seen one in the metallic - flesh)

Now if you said my steel bike looks old fashioned ...

* other makes are available / similar price range.

 

[Irishrich]

Cube agree gtc sl, £1500 with full ultegra and Easton kit.

This. I bought one last week and have been amazed ever since. Hard to find a better spec for £1500 except for Vitus Vitesse as mentioned before but Cube has the German pedigree and you know how Germans are with engineering.

 

[Rykard]

got a mag at the weekend, cycling active?, this reviewed the merlin malt and b'twin FC03? said the FC05 was the best value for around £1100?

 

[Dusty Bin]

This. I bought one last week and have been amazed ever since. Hard to find a better spec for £1500 except for Vitus Vitesse as mentioned before but Cube has the German pedigree and you know how Germans are with engineering.

It's just a shame the Germans didn't build it...

 

[Irishrich]

True, but aren't most frames built in Taiwan/China these days and simply designed by Europeans/Americans? That being said I've never had a bad German product no matter where it was built and I'm using that as my yardstick when buying bikes so there