Road bike upgrade

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Spudmaster

New Member
Hi all,

Newbie to the forum having been racking up c. 1500-2000 miles pa on a 2018 Cube Attain Race - a great piece of kit that has done a cracking job.
Being (mainly) a fair-weather rider, I invested in a Tacx wheel-on trainer last autumn and putting myself through the 12-week build me up programme made a huge difference when I got on the road this spring. In all honesty it is a faff changing wheels over each time between road & trainer, plus as my legs are feeling strong - I reckon it is time to commit the Attain to the trainer and treat myself to an upgrade.
At 14.5 stone, I am definitely more in the endurance camp; I enjoy carrying half-decent speed, typically averaging 16.5 - 17.5 mph on solo rides of 25-75 miles and quite enjoy climbing, (so long as not too long!).
Thinking of stretching budget up to £4k- looking around, there is plenty on offer; but most likely have to opt for either carbon wheels or Di2; (although I would be happy to go for discounted previous year model to secure both).
Having just got back from a very enjoyable L2P, I have been eyeing-up / talking to owners of all sorts of bikes and have narrowed to the following shortlist...
  1. Orro Gold STC Taylor Made - carbon wheels & Ultegra @ £3.6k (£4.5k with Di2) https://www.orrobikes.com/product/gold-stc-ultegra-airbeat
  2. Giant Defy GTC Advanced Pro 2 Ultegra @ £3.9k https://www.giant-bicycles.com/gb/defy-advanced-pro-2-ultegra
  3. Ribble SL Disc Endurance Pro w. carbon wheels & Di2 Ultegra @ £4k (I am also eligible for a discount on this....) https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-endurance-sl-disc-red-pro/?childSku=BBROADCD030
  4. Cube Agree C:62 SL with SRAM Force & carbon wheels discounted from £5k to £4.1k) https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/bikes...ZvH9egRFLsAsbug59tOHXyxgN7n-Nj1YaApgXEALw_wcB
Head says Ribble for obvious value (eligible for discount). I have really enjoyed my Cube, (plus have a Cube mountain bike). I have several friends who ride Giant Defy and absolutely rave about them; whilst the Orro looks absolutely stunning in red...

Any pointers from anybody who has experience (good or bad) of one or more of these would be much appreciated!
Final question - Given the choice - carbon wheels or electronic shifting.... (I'm leaning towards wheels)?

Many thanks,
Spud
 
Hi all,

Newbie to the forum having been racking up c. 1500-2000 miles pa on a 2018 Cube Attain Race - a great piece of kit that has done a cracking job.
Being (mainly) a fair-weather rider, I invested in a Tacx wheel-on trainer last autumn and putting myself through the 12-week build me up programme made a huge difference when I got on the road this spring. In all honesty it is a faff changing wheels over each time between road & trainer, plus as my legs are feeling strong - I reckon it is time to commit the Attain to the trainer and treat myself to an upgrade.
At 14.5 stone, I am definitely more in the endurance camp; I enjoy carrying half-decent speed, typically averaging 16.5 - 17.5 mph on solo rides of 25-75 miles and quite enjoy climbing, (so long as not too long!).
Thinking of stretching budget up to £4k- looking around, there is plenty on offer; but most likely have to opt for either carbon wheels or Di2; (although I would be happy to go for discounted previous year model to secure both).
Having just got back from a very enjoyable L2P, I have been eyeing-up / talking to owners of all sorts of bikes and have narrowed to the following shortlist...
  1. Orro Gold STC Taylor Made - carbon wheels & Ultegra @ £3.6k (£4.5k with Di2) https://www.orrobikes.com/product/gold-stc-ultegra-airbeat
  2. Giant Defy GTC Advanced Pro 2 Ultegra @ £3.9k https://www.giant-bicycles.com/gb/defy-advanced-pro-2-ultegra
  3. Ribble SL Disc Endurance Pro w. carbon wheels & Di2 Ultegra @ £4k (I am also eligible for a discount on this....) https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-endurance-sl-disc-red-pro/?childSku=BBROADCD030
  4. Cube Agree C:62 SL with SRAM Force & carbon wheels discounted from £5k to £4.1k) https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/bikes...ZvH9egRFLsAsbug59tOHXyxgN7n-Nj1YaApgXEALw_wcB
Head says Ribble for obvious value (eligible for discount). I have really enjoyed my Cube, (plus have a Cube mountain bike). I have several friends who ride Giant Defy and absolutely rave about them; whilst the Orro looks absolutely stunning in red...

Any pointers from anybody who has experience (good or bad) of one or more of these would be much appreciated!
Final question - Given the choice - carbon wheels or electronic shifting.... (I'm leaning towards wheels)?

Many thanks,
Spud

From the bunch I would go for the defy.

I love Di2 - but would take carbon wheels over Di2 if that was the choice, however it would be significantly easier to upgrade wheels later - rather than decide to upgrade to Di2 afterwards.


The boring bit - everyone recommends the bike they own - so take a look a Dolan bikes - I have the touno disc Di2 - which I love - (and have in the past owned a few prestige carbon bikes)
 

Jameshow

Veteran
Hi all,

Newbie to the forum having been racking up c. 1500-2000 miles pa on a 2018 Cube Attain Race - a great piece of kit that has done a cracking job.
Being (mainly) a fair-weather rider, I invested in a Tacx wheel-on trainer last autumn and putting myself through the 12-week build me up programme made a huge difference when I got on the road this spring. In all honesty it is a faff changing wheels over each time between road & trainer, plus as my legs are feeling strong - I reckon it is time to commit the Attain to the trainer and treat myself to an upgrade.
At 14.5 stone, I am definitely more in the endurance camp; I enjoy carrying half-decent speed, typically averaging 16.5 - 17.5 mph on solo rides of 25-75 miles and quite enjoy climbing, (so long as not too long!).
Thinking of stretching budget up to £4k- looking around, there is plenty on offer; but most likely have to opt for either carbon wheels or Di2; (although I would be happy to go for discounted previous year model to secure both).
Having just got back from a very enjoyable L2P, I have been eyeing-up / talking to owners of all sorts of bikes and have narrowed to the following shortlist...
  1. Orro Gold STC Taylor Made - carbon wheels & Ultegra @ £3.6k (£4.5k with Di2) https://www.orrobikes.com/product/gold-stc-ultegra-airbeat
  2. Giant Defy GTC Advanced Pro 2 Ultegra @ £3.9k https://www.giant-bicycles.com/gb/defy-advanced-pro-2-ultegra
  3. Ribble SL Disc Endurance Pro w. carbon wheels & Di2 Ultegra @ £4k (I am also eligible for a discount on this....) https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-endurance-sl-disc-red-pro/?childSku=BBROADCD030
  4. Cube Agree C:62 SL with SRAM Force & carbon wheels discounted from £5k to £4.1k) https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/bikes...ZvH9egRFLsAsbug59tOHXyxgN7n-Nj1YaApgXEALw_wcB
Head says Ribble for obvious value (eligible for discount). I have really enjoyed my Cube, (plus have a Cube mountain bike). I have several friends who ride Giant Defy and absolutely rave about them; whilst the Orro looks absolutely stunning in red...

Any pointers from anybody who has experience (good or bad) of one or more of these would be much appreciated!
Final question - Given the choice - carbon wheels or electronic shifting.... (I'm leaning towards wheels)?

Many thanks,
Spud

Look at other budget premium brands too.
Focus, canyon, Ridley come to mind. Wheels are easier to upgrade down the line tbh.

Unless your going fast on the flat aero wheels aren't the be all......
 
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