Road bike selection help

[robertob]

Hi, I probably would need some kind of advice/help regarding my new bike - which will coincidently my first road bike, after cruising all the years with all kind of rather random city bikes, while always having the dream to get a road bike. It's now the time for it, as I also get a bit of financial support through the bike to work scheme and was looking around for bikes, reading reviews here and there. After all I came to the decision, that for the first road bike, I don't want to spend more than €1.000. I think, a really good carbon bike might be the next step at some point. But one thing after another.

So as I am depended on the shops here in town, as I would like to have the service to test a bike and get everything set-up properly, there is only a limited amount of bikes available. I was actually going for a Merida Race Lite 900, unfortunately things changed and turned out I won't be able to get it now. So for that reason the whole process of looking for a bike started again. I identified three possible bikes, that are within my budget, and after all what I could find out about them, are decent bikes for the money. I just find it hard to distinguish between all these different components on these bikes - which in the end would be the best choice for the money?

Considering, I'm a small guy, around 166cm, not skinny and not fat, pretty average I suppose. From comparing the three bikes, I probably would prefer the Allez Elite which seems to be the best in terms of components:

Merida Scultura Alloy 901
http://www.topbicycleshop.ie/road/130-merida-scultura-alloy-901.html

Specialized Allez Sport
http://www.cycleways.com/store/product/70579/Specialized-Allez-Sport-Blk-Char-49/

Specialized Allez Elite
http://www.cycleways.com/store/product/70914/Specialized-Allez-Elite-Met-Wht-Red-Blk-49/


What do you guys think?

 

[ianrauk]

Forget the components, they are a side issue. The fit, feel and what you actually like come first. Components can be changed at a later date.

 

[vickster]

Cannondale caad and synapse have renowned frames and worth considering if you can

 

[Onyer]

Boardman bikes get a good review and for just under £1,000 you can get a carbon.

 

[robertob]

Thanks guys. Unfortunately I'm limited here in Dublin in terms of dealers. There is no Boardman available near town as far as I know. However the tip with the Cannondale caad was a good one as I found a shop who is having them, even though is further outside of town then I would like. But the bike looks class:

Cannondale CAAD8 7
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=68674

I will definitely try and test that one. However I feel the Specialized Allez Elite might be the better equiped one and better value for money?
http://www.cycleways.com/store/product/70914/Specialized-Allez-Elite-Met-Wht-Red-Blk-49/

I think I would bring it down to those two bikes as my favourites now though...

 

[RebornBumbler]

Both undoubtedly good bikes - the Specialized appears to be better value - it's Tiagra / 10 speed rather than Sora / 9-speed gearing - but they're quite different in frame geometry - the Allez is 'racier', the CAAD more 'relaxed'.

Try them both would be the best advice!

 

[vickster]

I think the CAAD is racy too, Synapse the relaxed version (like the Specialized Secteur)

 

[RebornBumbler]

Everything's relative
The wheelbase is longer on the CAAD, and the Allez is well-known as a racer.

 

[User33236]

I think the CAAD is racy too, Synapse the relaxed version (like the Specialized Secteur)

Cannondale themselves describe the CAAD8 as having a "more forgiving Heads-Up Race geometry" and the a Synapse as being used for "Spirited rides with the group, taking the long way home on the daily commute, or enjoying that charity ride in blissful comfort"

I'm not the most flexible of people and I've done 100 mile rides comfortably on my CAAD8.

 

[vickster]

I'd still choose cannondale over specialized every day of the week, whatever bike

Good to see the cannondale marketing team are doing their jobs spouting branding nonsense

 

[Cookie56]

I have the caad8 7 , though a 2013 model. Really comfortable bike and good for longer rides as well as shorter sprints.very impressed with it, sora gearing works well with full sti shifters now. I upgraded the brakes to 105 and put gp4000s tyres on shimano hubs and wheels and it is a great bike for a very reasonable price

 

[SteCenturion]

I think the CAAD is racy too, Synapse the relaxed version (like the Specialized Secteur)

+1 agreed

 

[SteCenturion]

Everything's relative
The wheelbase is longer on the CAAD, and the Allez is well-known as a racer.

I know what your saying there, however both bikes fall at the racier end of the spectrum compared to their brethren in their respective brand ranges.
Allez = racy Secteur = relaxed, CAAD = racy, Synapse = relaxed.

 

[SteCenturion]

If it were my cash & the prices were reasonably similar (within £100 - 150) I would go for the Allez, as to upgrade the groupset later from 9 speed Sora to 10 speed Tiagra or 105 would be much more than the initial cost difference, plus you start with a better performing groupset from the off.

All just personal opinion obviously.

 

[robertob]

Thank you very much for all the advice - much appreciated. I'll be going to the shop tomorrow to take a look on the Allez, even though the Caad is not out of contention, however has a significant disadvantage which is the shop being outside of town...