Time to make my mind up!

[Lumix]

Hi all

Ok, so I have been humming and harring over which 'sportive' style bike to go for for too long now. I am signed up to do the L2P in late July and need a bike!

I do have (and use) a Scott Scale mtb, but this just won't do, and to be honest I enjoy getting out on the road and eating up 50/60 miles in an afternoon (or sometimes a bit longer...)

I have decided that I am going down the fleabay/gumtree route as I love a bargain and can spend up to £1000

A few I've got my eye on;

Van Nicholas Mistral
Spec Roubaix - don't want Sora though
Some kind of Planet X
Some kind of Dolan
Some kind of Ribble
Cube Peleton
Giant Defy

Problem is there is soooo much choice and I am baffling myself a tad. It needs to be min 58cm frame as I am 6,1 1/2" with long monkey arms. I don't want Sora and want light frame (carbon or ti?)

Anyways, I'm sure there will be a few reading this post that have been in same position so any help will be massively appreciated!

Oh, one more thing.. I suffer from 'slipped disks' in lower back, so the more relaxed the geometry the better.

I am looking to make a purchase over the next 7 days also.


Many thanks in advance

:-)

 

[Lumix]

Ok, I have been out today and looked at Cube Peleton and Giant Defy 1. The giant felt good in a M/L and Cube in 58cm and 60cm?!

The Large Defy felt too big as I was stretching for grips. I figure different makes fit differently?

Has anyone got experience of these bikes? If so what would you recommend?

Ideally I want something with min 105s in carbon frame, but brand new this takes me beyond my £1000 budget

Again any help will be much appreciated!

 

[themosquitoking]

I have an alu defy 1 and love it. Don't forget if you get a large you can reduce the stem length to make it feel less stretched but if the M/L feels right take it.

 

[Ste pt1]

You can get a 2014 cube pelaton race for £999 I'm ordering mine next week
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/group-tests/four-bikes-1000-115131

 

[Lumix]

I have an alu defy 1 and love it. Don't forget if you get a large you can reduce the stem length to make it feel less stretched but if the M/L feels right take it.

How tall are you and what size frame?

I like the idea of shortening the stem as the rest of the bike felt really good

 

[SteCenturion]

You can get a 2014 cube pelaton race for £999 I'm ordering mine next week
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/group-tests/four-bikes-1000-115131

Good lad - go CUBE !!!

 

[Cubist]

Cube Peloton Race here too. Great bike, great Spec, sit on o e before you order as sizing is errrr, odd to say the least. I'm 5'11", ( although before I crushed a couple of vertebrae I was six foot) so my reach is shorter than my legs proportionally. I had a 58, which was a bit of a stretch, so went for a 56 this time round. It's quite upright, but that suits the back. I suspect you will be between 58 and 60, depending on whether you want to sit up or stretch out. As above, you can always play with the stem length/ angle to fine adjust.

 

[themosquitoking]

How tall are you and what size frame?

I like the idea of shortening the stem as the rest of the bike felt really good

I'm about 5 10 and i got a medium, i prefer a smaller bike than a larger one.

 

[SteCenturion]

The Defy is an excellent bike Lumix - although at 6ft 1/2" - I got rid of mine as it was too big.

The Giant sizing chart recommends you are a size large & at 6 1 & 1/2 is probably right.

Cube on the other hand (and I am going to get a Peloton Race) size up a little smaller.

I was recommended a size 60 by the shop guy but feel better on a 58 so that is what I will buy.

At your height/leg & arm length though I would say a 60 is right.

It might be worth trying to haggle a free & 'full' bike fit from the dealer as it is not all down to stem length but saddle height/position/tilt - pedal & cleat set up, bar width etc.

So many factors to consider.

Cube as a brand offer so much more for the same or sometimes less than other big name brands.

'Full' Shimano 105 on the Peloton against partial 105 on the Defy.

Mavic Aksium S wheels & tyres system on the Cube v quite heavy own brand P-R2 wheels on the Giant (which are fine by the way).

It's easy to see why so many CC members have bought or plan to buy Cube recently.

Edit.

I recently found out through watching bike racing on Eurosport that a top pro cyclist of approx 6' 2' - 6' 3' rides a M/L Giant.

 

[SteCenturion]

I'm about 5 10 and i got a medium, i prefer a smaller bike than a larger one.

Me too mucka.

 

[SteCenturion]

I have an alu defy 1 and love it. Don't forget if you get a large you can reduce the stem length to make it feel less stretched but if the M/L feels right take it.

A shorter stem would also be fractionally stiffer !

Where's Fnnar ?

 

[Lumix]

Thanks for all the replies all, very helpful

If I went for a lge Defy my saddle will be lower so in effect I should have a more upright riding position, but the top tube is longer so I will have longer to reach - perhaps I can get my ideal 'upright' riding position by getting a shorter stem and/or sliding my seat forward a touch?

Is there a rule of thumb on how best to get comfortable upright riding position or does it vary bike to bike?

Confused!

 

[Downward]

I'm 5ft 11".
56cm on my Trek and I'll be getting a 56cm on the Cube.

58cm Cube had wider bars and the 56cm felt good for me. My 56cm Trek has always felt a bit big for me.

 

[Doyleyburger]

I have the defy which I bought second hand. I would be a M/L but I got a good deal on a large. Was a bit over stretched so I shortened the stem from 110mm to 80mm ......perfect fit. Although I could've got away with a 90.
Defy all the way for me mate......great frame !

 

[Doyleyburger]

Thanks for all the replies all, very helpful

If I went for a lge Defy my saddle will be lower so in effect I should have a more upright riding position, but the top tube is longer so I will have longer to reach - perhaps I can get my ideal 'upright' riding position by getting a shorter stem and/or sliding my seat forward a touch?

Is there a rule of thumb on how best to get comfortable upright riding position or does it vary bike to bike?

Confused!

Don't have the seat too low mate as you will get aches and pains and won't be able to put the power down as much.....get those legs to an almost full extension when on the down stroke