Need a road bike

[SteCenturion]

There is a Giant company out that way that make frames , I forget their name Involved in the American market during the early days ( 70's )
Would I be right in thinking , as the American market went their own way they make their own frames rather than buying them from Asia ?

Giant frames & majority of others are made in Asia Cuchilo - Giant have their own factory there which they control.

Those who don't charge a lot for their products maybe with the exception of a few such as Battaglin in Italy.

It's no real big problem imho as the best have very tight control - the likes of Planet X & Ribble etc buy 'open mould' frames (open to buy for any Co who has the cash) - again not necessarily a big problem as Ribble's R872 frame (about £500) is the same as one of the De Rosa frames which cost a fortune.

Big guns like Giant - Trek - Specialized have their frames made in Asia to their exact requirements from their own moulds.

 

[Cuchilo]

I never saw it as a problem , more of an interest into who makes what and who buys in and sells as their own . I guess it stems from my business and me wanting to buy direct from the person that makes things rather than a third party but that's to do with raw materials and not a whole product so a bit irrelevant .
It is the reason I decided to shop with Giant though . It may be a bit of a blinkered approach but its just they way I think .

 

[SS Retro]

cheers for that SS Retro, what kind of stuff would you change on there I haven't really got a clue?

A lot is down to personal choice, I understand its difficult without the basic knowledge but you could email them your height ,inside leg, torso and reach measurements and see what they say as regards the stem to the right length. The bars, tyres, saddle ect is to personal choice. I note they do a pedals option also.
For a bike at this price it pretty unheard of, options tend to come in on £1000 pound upward machines but Planet X have always broke the mould . For instant they do a carbon Ultegra road bike for £999 no one not any LBS can match this, I have used the Planet x store in Barnsley and there very good.

 

[SteCenturion]

I never saw it as a problem , more of an interest into who makes what and who buys in and sells as their own . I guess it stems from my business and me wanting to buy direct from the person that makes things rather than a third party but that's to do with raw materials and not a whole product so a bit irrelevant .
It is the reason I decided to shop with Giant though . It may be a bit of a blinkered approach but its just they way I think .

I would trust Giant as a brand/manufacturer without hesitation or reservation Cuchilo & your TCR is a very wise buy imho.

I also like to know where my stuff comes from & often wish it were made in Britain but economy & market forces etc dictate otherwise, shame really.

If it were made in Blighty then no doubt it would be beyond my budget.

 

[Dogg]

what's the Trek 1.2 like as a bike does anyone have any experiences with this range??

 

[vickster]

Reviews better for the giants. The treks seem a bit uninspiring. Bit like specialized, seem under specced for the £££

Get a lifetime frame warranty though I think

I'd be looking for a bike with tiagra or 105 (well I wouldn't as I don't like shimano but that's me )

You really need to go and ride them as people will only tell you what they like or what spd looks best for the dosh, not which bike is actually best for YOU

For,long ride, tours, I'd want the option of adding a rack and panniers. I don't think the treks have the bosses

 

[SteCenturion]

Trek are one of the worlds biggest & best known manufacturers as you probably already know.

Very well respected generally but not my cup of tea.

A little bit like Specialized for me in as much as you pay big for low-ish spec compared to other brands.

I am quite sure there will be a load of Trek-ies & Spesh-ies who will disagree though.

Best thing to do is draw a shortlist of say 5 bikes & go try them all.

Most likely you will draw this list based on aesthetics - Spec & price.

Pick the one that makes you smile the most & you will be happy.

It really doesn't matter what anyone else thinks of it.

I don't know of anyone who has the same bike as me & don't care.

I also hate Pinerello's but no-one else cares.

Make yourself happy & we will all be happy for you.

Best of British.

 

[vickster]

Best of British.

Forme, Moda, Genesis, Ribble?

 

[Dogg]

to be honest i've not really seen one i dislike aesthetically that has been recommended so far which is a bonus!

my parents are coming up next week and we're going to have a look around some bike shops so i'll keep my eye out for some of the ones mentioned on here, Planet X don't seem to have any distributors nearby which is a shame

there's 20 of us on this ride so there'll be a support vehicle carrying any spare equipment so a rack might not be essential

 

[vickster]

Take yourself to Evans with a debit card and photo ID and have a couple of test rides of whatever they have in your size and budget. Only real way to do it...bikes at any given price point tend to be pretty similar, same components and there aren't that many companies making the frames

 

[SteCenturion]

to be honest i've not really seen one i dislike aesthetically that has been recommended so far which is a bonus!

my parents are coming up next week and we're going to have a look around some bike shops so i'll keep my eye out for some of the ones mentioned on here, Planet X don't seem to have any distributors nearby which is a shame

there's 20 of us on this ride so there'll be a support vehicle carrying any spare equipment so a rack might not be essential

Arhh - parents.

Tip of the day.

"I love you so much mum - you are always there 4 me" + "Dad, have I ever told you how much I look up to you & admire you"

Either of them/both of them, "everything I know I learned from you"

& so on & so on.

You will gain an almost instant upgrade to your new bike budget.

Try it.

Good manners cost nothing.

 

[Dogg]

Arhh - parents.

Tip of the day.

"I love you so much mum - you are always there 4 me" + "Dad, have I ever told you how much I look up to you & admire you"

Either of them/both of them, "everything I know I learned from you"

& so on & so on.

You will gain an almost instant upgrade to your new bike budget.

Try it.

Good manners cost nothing.

already tried it, went up from 600- 700 because of it also helps its for a good cause