My next bike?

[razabbs]

Hi there; after 4 years and around 8000km of my Planet X Pro Carbon, I'm thinking next year will be the time to upgrade it, but now need advice on what bikes to research into more deeply!

Current specs - https://99spokes.com/en-DE/bikes/planetx/2022/pro-carbon-disc-sram-rival-22-hrd

• Planet X Pro Carbon (£1500 when I purchased it)
• SRAM Rival 22 Groupset (Hydraulic Discs)
• Fulcrum Racing 800 wheels (until last week)
• Hunt 44/46 Aerodynamacists (Carbon wheelset, carbon spokes, 1264g)
• Michelin Pro Endurance 28mm Tyres
• 8.7kg from stock, probably 8.0kg or so with my new wheels

This was never expected to be a loooong-term bike, but a significant upgrade to see if I really am going to stick with cyclinbg; it turns out, I am

So, things I'd like:

• Integrated cockpit
• Hydraulic Discs
• electronic shifting
• A really nice looking frame
• Nice and light
• Endurance positioning.
• Willing to spend... £3k? for a bike (frame) that'll last me a loooong time

It's now important to move my new wheels over to my new bike, which means I'd kinda like to find a very good bike, but with bad wheels and replace them on delivery? Or buy a frameset and build the whole thing but I feel like that wouldn't be so cost-efficient.

I (34M) cycle for fitness and pleasure, which is generally pretty relaxed, albeit sometimes on quick rides with boys from work average speed of our last couple of rides have been around 28kph on pretty poorly-surfaced roads.

• I liked the Orbea's a few years ago, but their build time was horrendously long, and they seemed heavy.
• I've been told to look at the Cube Agree's at the moment and I can see why! They look excellent.
• Giant and Canyon I realise are always nice
• Decathlon's Van Rysel nice too.
• Treks Madone/Domane's have been suggested to me; I don't think I like the look.

Please share more!


EDIT; Youtube rabbit-hole this mornng. Or do I lkeep the Pro Carbon, change the handlebars to integrated cabling, and buy SRAM Rival AXS and have basically everything I waned anyway?

 

[Punkawallah]

You can always change the spec on a bike you like the look of. You can’t make an unattractive bike look prettier.

So if you like the look of the Van Rysel, go for it.
Be aware, if you go for an ‘integrated cockpit’, you either pay with money or time when it needs dismantling for maintenance/repair.
Personally I’d stay away from Shimano Cues - my FLBS has had a load in for replacement/repair within their first year of use.

 

[razabbs]

You can always change the spec on a bike you like the look of. You can’t make an unattractive bike look prettier.

So if you like the look of the Van Rysel, go for it.
Be aware, if you go for an ‘integrated cockpit’, you either pay with money or time when it needs dismantling for maintenance/repair.
Personally I’d stay away from Shimano Cues - my FLBS has had a load in for replacement/repair within their first year of use.

I hadn't even heard of CUES until you've mentioned it. I think I'll be aiming for Rival AXS or 105 Di2 either way. I agree with your point on not being able to make a frame look nicer; I've been looking at the Orca's again and they're just so pretty, especially with the custom paint tool!