Returning to the road...£800 finance budget

[caimg]

Hey all!

Been a while since I posted here, but I'm in the process of being bitten by the bug again so I'll be here a lot more often from now on

I need some up-to-date purchasing advice. My current (and only) road bike is a Triban 3 that I did lots of riding on back in 2012, and I've been busy with life, work and other fitness work since then and not much cycling. However - I've been talked into doing 'Wales in a Day' next September and some other long-distance rides and I thought I should get something a little better, but my budget is limited to around £800 though that's on FINANCE! So I'm probably looking to get the job done at my local Evans who offer a good finance scheme.

As someone that's been out of the loop for a while, can people throw some suggestions my way? I've had a quick look at:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/allez-sport-2015-road-bike-ec070567

and

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/synapse-alloy-sora-2015-road-bike-ec071023

also been looking at the Triban 540 road bike...basically I want best bang for my buck for this price point, though I'm prepared to spend on upgrades over the next year or so as long as the frame / basic components are decent.

Thanks in advance!

 

[slowmotion]

Cinelli Experience Veloce. About £700 and just such fun to ride. It's fantastic!
http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s6p0

I've had one for nearly two years and it really is a great bike. I have a big grin whenever I get on the saddle. I'm a crap cyclist too.

 

[caimg]

Hahaha cheers mate - does look like a nice bike! I'm inclined to buy from Evans because I'm more than likely going to buy one on finance, and I've always had a good experience using them no matter the branch. Unfortunately the Cinelli Experience Veloce is up for £1k in Evans which puts it beyond me, slightly!

Any thoughts (from you or any others!) on any of these...?

Cannondale CAAD8 Tiagra 2015 (£629.99) http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/caad8-tiagra-2015-road-bike-ec071010

Cannondale CAAD8 Tiagra 2016 (£800) http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/caad8-tiagra-6-2016-road-bike-ec120337 - worth the price jump on the 2016 model?

Specialized Allez Sport 2016 (£750) http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/allez-sport-2016-road-bike-ec121564

Thanks again!

 

[Saluki]

I had a whizz around the block on a Triban 540 road bike and was mightily impressed. You get a lot of bang for your buck with those. 105 groupset for a start. If I was in the market for a bike at that price point, £600, which would give you a bit of spare cash for pedals, changing the saddle and other little personal preferences you may have. Decathlon would be my first port of call.
If Evans is where you really want to go, I would definitely test ride the 3 offerings to see which one you like the best.

Have you considered upgrading your Triban 3 a bit? Or even selling it (they hold their value pretty well) and putting the money towards another. I'm just throwing the idea out there.

 

[Tin Pot]

Evans isn't the only business offering 0% finance.

I'm not a fan of Evans, they never seem to stock bikes I like, but if you want to use them I'd look for one with a 105 groupset.

Like
http://m.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/dolomite-six-2015-road-bike-ec071301

 

[Racing roadkill]

Hahaha cheers mate - does look like a nice bike! I'm inclined to buy from Evans because I'm more than likely going to buy one on finance, and I've always had a good experience using them no matter the branch. Unfortunately the Cinelli Experience Veloce is up for £1k in Evans which puts it beyond me, slightly!

Any thoughts (from you or any others!) on any of these...?

Cannondale CAAD8 Tiagra 2015 (£629.99) http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/caad8-tiagra-2015-road-bike-ec071010

Cannondale CAAD8 Tiagra 2016 (£800) http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/caad8-tiagra-6-2016-road-bike-ec120337 - worth the price jump on the 2016 model?

Specialized Allez Sport 2016 (£750) http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/allez-sport-2016-road-bike-ec121564

Thanks again!

Not the CAAD8. I had the misfortune to have had one. Mine was truly hateful. Very uncomfortable even on a short ride. The geometery was what I'd best describe as BSO, and it was just hard work. They may have sorted it for 2016, see if you can test ride it, before commiting. If it was me, I'd sell the Triban 3, and look at this.

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-540-road-bike-105-id_8331275.html

Or if it has to be Evans, the Specialized Allez you listed is nice.

 

[cyberknight]

ribble pro carbon ?
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/bbd/r...bon?part=BB15RIBEVOPRO&sub=conf_BB_ALL&bike=1

 

[Drago]

It's Evans, so you can ride them and buy the one that suits you best. We've no more idea what's going to work well for you than you do... until you try them.

 

[PeteXXX]

Can you access the Cycle to Work scheme?
That'll save a few quid...

 

[slowmotion]

@Drago's nailed it. My first road bike was a Specialized Secteur. I was completely unused to the riding position so I really didn't know what was supposed to feel right. I never quite got on with it. The Cinelli, a couple of years later, was an eye-opener. I borrowed one from a friend's son and rode it round the block. Just five or ten minutes. "Blimey!". You are fortunate in that you are familiar with road bikes by now. All you have to do is take a load of test rides. When you find the right one, you'll know. I wouldn't worry too much about the components, the brand, or the paint job.....you just want "Blimey!"
Have fun.

 

[caimg]

Really appreciate all the advice here, guys. The Triban 540 is definitely something I've looked at, looks great for the price just as my Triban 3 was. I may look to sell that though I may use it as a training / winter / turbo trainer bike and use the new one for longer runs...haven't quite decided yet.

I'm going to pop down to Evans and test ride the hell out of a few, I'll keep you guys posted

 

[caimg]

Not the CAAD8. I had the misfortune to have had one. Mine was truly hateful. Very uncomfortable even on a short ride. The geometery was what I'd best describe as BSO, and it was just hard work. They may have sorted it for 2016, see if you can test ride it, before commiting. If it was me, I'd sell the Triban 3, and look at this.

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-540-road-bike-105-id_8331275.html



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Or if it has to be Evans, the Specialized Allez you listed is nice.

Thanks for this...I've definitely been considering a CAAD8 so this is good information...I'll go have a ride on one with an open mind!

 

[huwsparky]

Tredz also do 0% finance. They had a few bikes with at least 30% off at this time last year so well worth a look.

 

[vickster]

Really appreciate all the advice here, guys. The Triban 540 is definitely something I've looked at, looks great for the price just as my Triban 3 was. I may look to sell that though I may use it as a training / winter / turbo trainer bike and use the new one for longer runs...haven't quite decided yet.

I'm going to pop down to Evans and test ride the hell out of a few, I'll keep you guys posted

You need photo ID, bank card and a dry day for an on road test ride. If you wear a helmet, take your own

Of course, if you buy on finance, make sure the bike is fully insured and you comply with the Ts&Cs. Can't imagine paying for something you no longer own after it's stolen or trashed!!

 

[caimg]

You need photo ID, bank card and a dry day for an on road test ride. If you wear a helmet, take your own

Of course, if you buy on finance, make sure the bike is fully insured and you comply with the Ts&Cs. Can't imagine paying for something you no longer own after it's stolen or trashed!!

Thanks for that. I'll definitely make sure it's insured, and I guess just like any other expensive purchase do my best to keep it in good condition! Even on a 24 month finance plan the APR is 9.9% which I think is pretty good spread over two years...a £70-£80 loan fee over 2 years to own a nice bike straight away I think is a good deal.