Specialized or Claud Butler?

[Daniel Lee]

I'm looking to spend about £400 on a bike and I've found a Claud Butler Milano and a Specialized Allez 16.

Does anybody know which one is lightest/fastest/best?

Thanks

Dan

 

[welshwheels]

http://www.ashcycles.com/site/claud-butler-milano-2010?zenid=ad9cb0594b6210d611ff2ed2348eefc2

http://www.evanscycles.com/products...ec025025?query=speciallized allez 16#features
very similar the claud buttler has better components and a better groupset and i personally would prefer to be running 9 speed sora than 8 speed 2300 i would go for the claud buttler personally better hubs and brakes aswell . but the specialized range has got a very good reputation

 

[Daniel Lee]

Thanks very much.

So it sounds like the Butler is the best option. Although I have never heard of Claud Butler before whereas I've definitely heard of Specialised. Would you prefer the Butler 2010 or 2011 series?

 

[Rural halfwit]

I have a CB Rock as it came out the packet so to speak,It has and still does serve me well.My bit of input into this is that there is not much between the 2 i guess the play off between the CB and the specialized is which is cheaper leaving you some pennies for some bit of kit or other.Either bike will not leave you disappointed
CB2010 series for me!

 

[Daniel Lee]

Thanks rural halfwit,

Interesting that you would choose the CB 2010 model over the 2011. Wouldn't you expect the newer model to be the best?

 

[welshwheels]

nteresting that you would choose the CB 2010 model over the 2011. Wouldn't you expect the newer model to be the best?

not allways my giant defy 3 2010 model is higher spec than the 2011

 

[Rural halfwit]

Again Daniel purely personal pref my friend..

 

[vickster]

Best to test ride and see which you prefer - any decent LBS should let you do this (or are you buying online?)

Claude Butler are British (bikes no doubt built in Far East now), been around for many a year http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claud_Butler

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

One point in addition to what others said - the Milano has a compact chainset so it has a significantly wider range of gears (50/34x26/11 so 119.5" high, 34.4" low) compared to the Spesh (52/39x26/13, so 105.1" high, 39.4" low), you are more likely to have to modify the drivetrain on the Spesh if you have significant hills to tackle and/or load to carry.

 

[Daniel Lee]

Thanks for your help everybody.

Yes I'm buying on the internet. I've decided on the Milano but what is better, the 2010 or 2011?

 

[vickster]

The 2011 has a more interesting paint job. The specs look identical

Limited sizes on the 2010 - how tall are you - do you know what size you need (this is always a bit of an issue if buying online as you can't try different sizes...says she who has just ordered a bike online but it was a bargain)

 

[Daniel Lee]

Ha ha

I'm 6'3". Would the 59cm frame be sufficient?

 

[vickster]

That's a very good question! Have you managed to find a sizing guide for CB? Is there no stockist nearby? Where do you live?

 

[vickster]

Evans generic guide suggest 58-60cm up to 6'3 - 59cm may be a little small? But you need to find the geometry specs and find one to ride if possible

http://www.evanscycles.com/help/bike-sizing#road

 

[Daniel Lee]

I've contacted Claud Butler so hopefully they''ll get back to me tomorrow. Thanks again for your help