Time for an Upgrade

[Octet]

Tis my birthday coming up soon and as such I am thinking about a new bicycle, something a bit more special than my current.



At the moment I have a Raleigh Airlite 400 (2011) which features Shimano 105 shifters, aluminium frame, carbon forks and 20 speeds.
This is currently being used for everything and anything, however I'm thinking my new one would be essentially my 'Sunday Best' and used for rides when there is a sunny weekend.

With a very kind contribution from my parents, the budget is around the £1500 mark.
I honestly don't know what is on the market at the moment, or really what to look out for... so I'm hoping you lovely people can help me out a bit! Looking through Wiggle I've bookmarked a couple however I would need to get it from my LBS so I'm really just looking for ideas at the moment.

One other thing I've noticed is that the majority of the bicycles on Wiggle (and I don't know how true it is elsewhere) have rather small frames. I think I'm probably going to need a 59cm frame, judging by my height and the help of an online calculator.

Thanks!

 

[vickster]

What brands do your LBS sell, who are they? Are you looking for alu, carbon, steel? Do you have preferences on brand, colour?

I assume it's a drop bar roadbike you want

 

[MikeW-71]

Does your LBS do Giant?
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/2014.giant.tcr.composite.1/14971/66532/

 

[Octet]

What brands do your LBS sell, who are they? Are you looking for alu, carbon, steel? Do you have preferences on brand, colour?

I assume it's a drop bar roadbike you want

Yep, most definitely a drop bar.
In terms of material, probably either aluminium or carbon (so something light weight), however I have a fear that if I did go carbon I would end up fracturing the frame.

Brand I have no preference on at all, my current Raleigh was and is my only proper bicycle so I don't really have a favourite manufacturer. In terms of the colour, my current is white and I find it an absolute pain to clean, on the other end of the spectrum I don't like matte frames, something just doesn't look right about them IMO.

As for my LBS, the following is probably the best regarded where I live (http://www.ianbrowns.co.uk/bicycles.aspx) and they have a price list on their website, however with them being used by the top members of the local club they do tend to have the biggest markup.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Octet]

Does your LBS do Giant?
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/2014.giant.tcr.composite.1/14971/66532/

Yep, they have it marked at £1400 so it is within my price range, any particular reason you would recommend it?

 

[ianrauk]

In what way do you think you could fracture a carbon frame?

 

[MikeW-71]

Yep, they have it marked at £1400 so it is within my price range, any particular reason you would recommend it?

Always gets very positive reviews for great handling and surprising comfort. Good value for money, especially at £1400.

I have a carbon Giant myself and it is a brilliant ride. I thought their alu frame rode really well, the carbon one is even better and I'm not worried at all about it's durability.

If you want something more "sportive" than "race" then there is also this:
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb....defy.composite.1/14976/66539/#specifications

 

[vickster]

Bikes have an RRP rather than mark up per se - the manufacturers set the prices (and in case of Specialized and perhaps others, these are controlled centrally). Shops have large overheads compared to Wiggle etc, thus the latter may offer discounts although no ongoing service

However, you should get good advice, fitting, a 6 week service and ongoing help from an LBS...that's what you're paying for

Oh and there's nothing to stop you asking for a discount or extras, especially if paying cash

Your LBS has a sale page which opens in Excel. You may get a more costly bike for £1500, for example they have a Wilier down £250

 

[Octet]

In what way do you think you could fracture a carbon frame?

I don't know, I've just read horror stories of people who take a small dent, or hit a pot hole they didn't see and end up shattering their bikes.

Bikes have an RRP rather than mark up per se - the manufacturers set the prices (and in case of Specialized and perhaps others, these are controlled centrally). Shops have large overheads compared to Wiggle etc, thus the latter may offer discounts although no ongoing service

However, you should get good advice, fitting, a 6 week service and ongoing help from an LBS...that's what you're paying for

Oh and there's nothing to stop you asking for a discount or extras, especially if paying cash

Your LBS has a sale page which opens in Excel. You may get a more costly bike for £1500, for example they have a Wilier down £250

Yep, you're definitely paying for all the extras which you wouldn't get with somewhere like Wiggle, however this LBS is known for being the most expensive on the island.
I'll take a look at that bicycle you've suggested, especially if it is down £250!

 

[vickster]

What other shops are there - Guernsey is it?

It was this Wilier

45088 Izoard XP Centaur 2013 XL Flo Yellow 1 1750 to 1485 saving 265

Assume it's this http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=12903092

 

[Octet]

What other shops are there - Guernsey is it?

We have another shop called Cycle World (http://cycleworldgsy.homestead.com/) which is a mix between Ian Browns and the third and final shop on the island, Adventure Cycles (http://www.adventurecycles.net/) which sells mainly commuters and specialises in electric bicycles.

 

[ianrauk]

I don't know, I've just read horror stories of people who take a small dent, or hit a pot hole they didn't see and end up shattering their bikes.

That would be very rare and very unlucky.

 

[vickster]

We have another shop called Cycle World (http://cycleworldgsy.homestead.com/) which is a mix between Ian Browns and the third and final shop on the island, Adventure Cycles (http://www.adventurecycles.net/) which sells mainly commuters and specialises in electric bicycles.

Don't get much from those sites

Best go look at the options, have some rides

First one looks like the roadbike place

 

[StuAff]

That would be very rare and very unlucky.

+1.

 

[Octet]

Don't get much from those sites

Best go look at the options, have some rides

First one looks like the roadbike place

Yep, that certainly is.
The Cycle World website pretty useless, as is the local cycling club which hasn't been updated for the past 2 years despite them being very active. Adventure Cycles' website has only just been updated, it has recently changed hands which is good.

I'll normally get my consumables (inner tubes, oil etc.) from them and they are great for that.