New Bike? Should I or shouldn't I?

[Pat "5mph"]

A bargain!
If you ride in hilly areas be aware that this bike is only supplied with a 12/25 rear cassette, you may want lower gears?

@gavgav of course you must get it, because ... because .... you're worth it
But: could you test ride? I don't know if that retailer is on line only.
The bike is so different than the one you are used to that it might need some adjustments, or you might just need to get used to a new riding position, how can you tell without a friendly lbs to give advice?
Like @Spiderweb said above, those gears would ruin your next cycling holiday in the lakes.
Can it be supplied with lower gears, at least a 30 in the rear?
Can @Rickshaw Phil do it for you, maybe?
If you buy from a retailer with a shop those issues can be resolved with no fuss.

 

[gavgav]

Thanks all for your advice......I've taken the plunge and purchased!! I've been mulling over different full carbon bikes for about 12 months now and really like this one. Plus I'm 40 next month and this is my present to myself (or mid life crisis )

The fact that it's a 4 year old model doesn't really bother me, as I'd limited myself to £1000 purchase price and the spec is way above anything I can get in this years ranges, for the same price.

This is going to be my "best" bike and so will be kept for summer riding on non muddy roads, in the main. The good old trusty hybrid will still get a lot of use and will be the one I take to the Lakes for holidays in the mountains.

I do indeed have @Rickshaw Phil on hand for any modifications that I find necessary along the way (well I haven't asked him yet, but if I mention the word beer then I'm sure he will play ball )

 

[Spiderweb]

Thanks all for your advice......I've taken the plunge and purchased!! I've been mulling over different full carbon bikes for about 12 months now and really like this one. Plus I'm 40 next month and this is my present to myself (or mid life crisis )

The fact that it's a 4 year old model doesn't really bother me, as I'd limited myself to £1000 purchase price and the spec is way above anything I can get in this years ranges, for the same price.

This is going to be my "best" bike and so will be kept for summer riding on non muddy roads, in the main. The good old trusty hybrid will still get a lot of use and will be the one I take to the Lakes for holidays in the mountains.

I do indeed have @Rickshaw Phil on hand for any modifications that I find necessary along the way (well I haven't asked him yet, but if I mention the word beer then I'm sure he will play ball )

Been a 4 year old model means nothing, it is still a fantastic bike at a superb price....enjoy!

 

[ozboz]

I got my BH carbon at a well discounted price as it was a 2015 model and BH is not to well known in UK ,
Youve done the right thing !!

 

[si_c]

Nice. I'd echo the lack of concern about the model year. It's a new bike, the rest is aesthetics. It has gears and pedals, just like all other bikes (and the fixed gear mob can just shush )

 

[Slick]

Thanks all for your advice......I've taken the plunge and purchased!! I've been mulling over different full carbon bikes for about 12 months now and really like this one. Plus I'm 40 next month and this is my present to myself (or mid life crisis )

The fact that it's a 4 year old model doesn't really bother me, as I'd limited myself to £1000 purchase price and the spec is way above anything I can get in this years ranges, for the same price.

This is going to be my "best" bike and so will be kept for summer riding on non muddy roads, in the main. The good old trusty hybrid will still get a lot of use and will be the one I take to the Lakes for holidays in the mountains.

I do indeed have @Rickshaw Phil on hand for any modifications that I find necessary along the way (well I haven't asked him yet, but if I mention the word beer then I'm sure he will play ball )

Good choice sir.

 

[Pale Rider]

Thanks all for your advice......I've taken the plunge and purchased!! I've been mulling over different full carbon bikes for about 12 months now and really like this one. Plus I'm 40 next month and this is my present to myself (or mid life crisis )

The fact that it's a 4 year old model doesn't really bother me, as I'd limited myself to £1000 purchase price and the spec is way above anything I can get in this years ranges, for the same price.

This is going to be my "best" bike and so will be kept for summer riding on non muddy roads, in the main. The good old trusty hybrid will still get a lot of use and will be the one I take to the Lakes for holidays in the mountains.

I do indeed have @Rickshaw Phil on hand for any modifications that I find necessary along the way (well I haven't asked him yet, but if I mention the word beer then I'm sure he will play ball )

Good stuff - the only way you will find out if you like a carbon 'race' bike is to do some rides on one.

A test ride will only tell you so much, so I reckon you've done the right thing.

Having ridden around your patch with Phil I can understand why the pair of you routinely use hybrids, so keeping your hybrid is a good plan.

You will be able to deploy the new bike on routes - and in weather conditions - that are suitable for it.

 

[400bhp]

If you ride in hilly areas be aware that this bike is only supplied with a 12/25 rear cassette, you may want lower gears?

Shhhhh

 

[gavgav]

It has arrived

Got a few bits for it (i.e pedals!!) on my birthday list for mid April and then it will hopefully be nicer weather for me to give it its first test outing.

 

[froze]

I can all but guarantee you the frame is made in China as a generic, or also known as a open mold frame, then the frame gets decals slapped on it with various brand names. However, the price is solid, and the Athena parts make it even better. So should you get it? yes if brand name recognition isn't an issue with you.

According to the reviews I read you may want to consider changing the gearing, they felt the gearing was too race driven and would be difficult for a non racer to use effectively, but check to see if the new bike still has the gearing I'm going to mention. According to what I read the chainrings are 53/39, and the cassette's 1st gear sprocket is a 25, thus if you want the bike to be able to climb grades easier you need to change the cassette so the 1st gear is a 27 and the chainrings to 50/34. If you are buying the bike at a bike shop you might try to ask if they will swap the cassette and the chainrings before you buy it for free, since the parts are new they can sell chainrings and the cassette that come off your bike, and the ones they put on should be the same in price, if not the same in price the difference is all that you would have to pay and that cost should be extremely minor. Most bike shops will do swaps but there a few that don't so it doesn't hurt to ask. But if you ride the bike then later come back and want to the swap you can forget it because the gears are used and cannot be sold as new.

 

[Dave 123]

What a silly question @gavgav !!!

Edit- I only saw the first page. Lovely bike. 10/10 for matching the cushions with the hoods!

 

[fullcycle]

Yeah I definitely would seems a really good price

 

[Smokin Joe]

It has arrived

Got a few bits for it (i.e pedals!!) on my birthday list for mid April and then it will hopefully be nicer weather for me to give it its first test outing.
View attachment 344714

What a cracker!

Re the gearing, that definitely is not a 39*25 low gear. Looks like either a compact chainset or a large sprocket so the hills should be no problem - and if they are, keep riding up them till they're not.

 

[Pale Rider]

Is the shop sending the rest of the spokes separately?

 

[CanucksTraveller]

I've taken the plunge and purchased!!