New road bike required...

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OK - having warned my OH that if he broke my bike trying to get the front calipers out, he would have to buy me a new bike, it is n+1 time because of an n-1 event earlier today...

I need something with either a triple (50/39/30) and cassette of 11-28 or potentially a compact of 50/34 with a cassette of 12-32... (that low gearing is needed as anyone who has cycled with me will tell you!) I have looked at the gear ratios and I am pretty certain that 34 front 32 rear will give me the same as 30 front 28 rear.

I don't mind not having anything main stream. I don't go pink or other girly colours and have never ridden a women's specific design before, but am happy to try one out. I currently have/had a triban 3 in 54cm which is marginally too large (but the 51cm was too small and only came in 650c wheel size) until I shortened the stem considerably.

I have some Fulcrum Racing 7 CX's which may be better than anything that comes into my price range of roughly £500-600.

The only other big requirement is that the bike must be able to take a pannier rack. It will be being used as a commuter and the rack is essential - which appears to have ruled out the Cannondale Synapse from what I can tell from the men's bike Q&A on the Evans website (unless I go with P clips around the brake stays).

I have considered the Triban 5, but the Triban 500 is due out very soon and has better brakes - something that is useful to me being partially paralysed and with left wrist issues mostly now relating to strength. My current road bike has cross levers fitted to deal with this issue, but I don't have a date for the Triban 500 and need something rather sooner than later - as in this weekend really!

I've looked at (online) the Giant Defy 4 and an Orbea Aqua 50, but can't tell about the pannier rack and to be honest, know nothing about either of them. My options are Manchester or Chester tomorrow but I was hoping for some ideas from people and feedback please.

thanks
SNSSO
 

L14M

Über Member
Im looking for an N+1 too :biggrin:

Well an N replacement, well i do have 2 other bikes..
anyway,

Im in at the £470 - £600 at a push budget.

Atm im edging to a Giant deft 4 or this http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fuji/sportif-23-compact-2014-road-bike-ec053266

Liam
 
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SatNavSaysStraightOn

SatNavSaysStraightOn

Changed hemispheres!
Looked at that one, but does not have the rack eyelet - though does have the brake bosses which are the ones usually missing (:wacko:), but I have spotted this one http://www.evanscycles.com/products/jamis/ventura-comp-2014-road-bike-ec054713#features at £585 (Jamis Ventura Comp 2014 Road Bike) which will take a rack but is only a compact with 11-28... I would need a compact with 11/12-32 still I could work on that and comes in at 9.5kg!
 

potsy

Rambler
Location
My Armchair
Maybe you could discuss getting the rear cassette changed by the shop if possible, I know I put a 12-30 on my Caad without any trouble, and a lot will take a 32 easily.
 
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Kestevan

Last of the Summer Winos
Location
Holmfirth.
Have a look at Dolan. The prefissio with Sram apex might be just up your street.
Mrs kes is more than happy with hers.
 

Kestevan

Last of the Summer Winos
Location
Holmfirth.
Have a look at Dolan. The prefissio with Sram apex might be just up your street.
Mrs kes is more than happy with hers.
 

TeeQue

Active Member
I'm waiting for my new Ribble audax to be delivered. They start around your price range mine was a bit more but that included upgraded wheels and tyres (which you don't need) and I specced it with a Tiagra triple. It will take a rack and guards but does only have clearance for 23mm tyres. Might be worth a look.
 
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SatNavSaysStraightOn

SatNavSaysStraightOn

Changed hemispheres!
Defy 4 and also the Avail (Womens-specific equivalent) will take a rack and have some very low gearing available.
thanks - that is good to know... think tomorrow could be bike buying day instead of bike riding day - still it has to be done!
 

young Ed

Veteran
finances wise, if you never had a problem with the T3 why not another? or were you looking for an upgrade in any case?
Cheers Ed
 
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SatNavSaysStraightOn

SatNavSaysStraightOn

Changed hemispheres!
If you got on with your T3 how about a T5?
I have considered it, but there is a newer one coming out very soon (triban 500 apparently) which has better brakes and would only be £20 more but I'm not sure I can wait that long - my bike is my transport and whilst I could theoretically commute 22 miles each way on a mountain bike 3 times a week, I'm not sure how long I would last. Also the sizing was very slightly off for me on the T3 and tbh it has not lasted as long as I had hoped - I have simply worn it out repeatedly and even my OH had reached the conclusion that it would probably need replacing before the summer was out which would make it less than 2 years old. (We live rurally and I also ride off road (hardcore surfaces) on it which does not help - but the truth is it has been very well used... and I don't know if a T5 would last... also some issues with the rear derailleur because I need a 11-28 on it and that is technically outside the limits of the rd-2300 on it but it works but only just. a T5 would probably have the same issues...

I have however just found this on the evans website http://www.evanscycles.com/products/dawes/discovery-road-sport-2-2014-road-bike-ec054789#features which has disc brakes - would resolve the need for cross levers and my partial paralysis issues and is designed to take rack & mudguards and is more of a hybrid between road and cyclo cross...and at £567 looks interesting.!
 
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OP
SatNavSaysStraightOn

SatNavSaysStraightOn

Changed hemispheres!
finances wise, if you never had a problem with the T3 why not another? or were you looking for an upgrade in any case?
Cheers Ed
only have white T3's now the red T3 not available in my size and I have had issues with the bike... the rear derailleur is not designed to take a larger cassette than 26 teeth - I have an 11-28 and need it... I am considering a T5, but having just found a road bike with disc brakes that takes a pannier rack and mudguards and comes it at £567 I could be tempted away from decathlon!
 

outlash

also available in orange
I'm waiting for my new Ribble audax to be delivered. They start around your price range mine was a bit more but that included upgraded wheels and tyres (which you don't need) and I specced it with a Tiagra triple. It will take a rack and guards but does only have clearance for 23mm tyres. Might be worth a look.

+1. I think that covers everything you need.


Tony.
 
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