Road race machine.

[Moda]

Recently got back into cycling.

Decided that a full on racer wasn't a wise move as a commuter so got a CX bike.

Still very much looking for a racer but with it now being September will hold off on an actual purchase till next year.

Been looking to put together a short list so I can understand the relevant points for when I need to make an actual purchase decision.

Was originally going to get a Colnago Ultegra CLX for the commute. Still like the bike but note that there's a Colnago C59 with disc brakes and being a big fan of discs that now makes the CLX a harder decision.

With a budget of <£5k what else should I be looking at?

The only caveat is nothing stupidly light ie wheels probably not an issue at this price but wanted to mention it.

 

[Moda]

Oh dear, just realised that the price I saw for the C59 disc (£3750) was only for the frame a full bike is (according to bikeradar.com) about £10k

 

[vickster]

If you've that sort of cash, go down to Sigma in Kingston, Pearsons in Sheen, GB Cycles in Croydon (if you like Italian) The Specialized Tarmac models get lots of positive press

 

[Rob3rt]

Recently got back into cycling.

Decided that a full on racer wasn't a wise move as a commuter so got a CX bike.

Still very much looking for a racer but with it now being September will hold off on an actual purchase till next year.

Been looking to put together a short list so I can understand the relevant points for when I need to make an actual purchase decision.

Was originally going to get a Colnago Ultegra CLX for the commute. Still like the bike but note that there's a Colnago C59 with disc brakes and being a big fan of discs that now makes the CLX a harder decision.

With a budget of <£5k what else should I be looking at?

The only caveat is nothing stupidly light ie wheels probably not an issue at this price but wanted to mention it.

If you plan to race on it, do not buy a bike with disc brakes!

 

[VamP]

If you plan to race on it, do not buy a bike with disc brakes!

In fact, if you plan to race on it, don't get an expensive bike!

I'd be the last person to talk someone out of a Colnago, but I wouldn't want to be crashing one regularly.

There's loads of race ready bikes in the £2-3k range, one of them would do the job. If you want a superbike that's good value look at the Canyon CF Ultimate range, and spend the rest of your budget on wheels and (maybe) a power meter.

If you want Sunday's best then it's hard to beat Italian.

 

[Moda]

OK thanks people!

Definitely NOT looking to race or do anything that needs to be sanctioned by the UCI. Cycle Weekly have an article about disc brakes and the UCI and it definitely not going to happen before the 2016 season. Am wondering if burns really are an issue in crashes.

Anyway, will hopefully get a place on the 2014 Ride London 100. Wanted a bike that will be competitive for that and other sportives and Sunday rides.

Canyon bikes look good but mail order only might be an issue.

It'll be interesting to see what happens to the price of the Garmin Vector over the next 6-12 months.

Would probably want to upgrade the wheel set on the CLX but wouldn't have much budget left after a possible Vector purchase.

Have seen the DCR Vector review..... anyone here got one?

 

[VamP]

Not sure what you mean by burns in crashes? Road rash? Most definitely.

Vector is a bit of unknown quantity. I'd look elsewhere for PM. There is a thread in Training that discusses a lot of the different PM options.

 

[Moda]

Not sure what you mean by burns in crashes?

According to Cycle Weekly the rotors get very very hot and are likely to burn anyone touching them, but judging by the speeds the racers go I'm guessing this would be the least of there problems.
Will check out the vector thread