Trying to choose my second road bike - help me spend some money

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AlexRoy

Active Member
I've spent far too long looking at various bikes over the past couple of weeks, so thought I'd invite some opinions from the more knowledgeable among you.

I have an entry level road bike, and want to buy a second bike for:

  • Triathlons (Not a serious triathlete though)
  • Summer commuting
  • Odd sportive

I don't have a budget as such, but like everyone want good value, be it a 1k bike or a 10k bike.

I've been looking at aero road bikes around the 5k range, and both the Boardman Air and Scott Foil stood out. However I'm wondering whether I'd be better off with a race (is that the right expression?) bike e.g. a TCR? Definitely don't want an endurance/climbing bike.

Whilst comfort and ability to climb well are of some importance, first and foremost I want something that's fast on the flats. I'm not a fan of long distance and weekend rides tend to be around 20-50 miles with no more than 2000ft of elevation, usually less.

Presumably my ability will be a factor: I've never done an organised TT but generally hold around 22mph over 10-15 miles with no aero equipment. Recently completed a 50 mile sportive in 2:45. I do have weight to lose though and want to get fitter/faster; started cycling a year ago and hoping that I've a fair bit of improvement left in me. I'd love to be good enough to race one day, and if so on this bike!

Any thoughts?
 
I'd go for a Bianchi Infinito CV, with the Chorus groupy, if it were my money. Add some aero / TT bars later.
 
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AlexRoy

Active Member
I'd go for a Bianchi Infinito CV, with the Chorus groupy, if it were my money. Add some aero / TT bars later.

Thanks for the suggestion, looks a lovely bike. However, from reading the description:

"The most amazing feature truely is the vibration cancellation technology "Counterveil" which significantly reduces vibrations when riding. Simultaneously the geometry of the bike - shorter top tube / longer head tube - brings you in an upright position on the bike further reducing fatigue.In combination with the third groundbreaking feature - the ability to equip the bike with highly comfortable 28-622 tires you get the perfect racing machine for marathon, cobblestone or long distance rides in general."

this really is the antithesis of what I'm after!
 

vickster

Legendary Member
Do you really want an aero roadbike for commuting?

Specialised venge if you want an aggressive beast? Or a Tarmac

Look at rose and canyon too for value for money if ok to buy sight unseen

@Cuchilo linked something recently for TTs

Don't know where you are in the country but perhaps start at a multi brand race oriented lbs like sigma sport or local equivalent

What do people ride in your race or try club, get their thoughts
 

SteCenturion

I am your Father
I don't really see any need to go to £5k if as you, you are not a serious triathlete.

Having said that, I have probably spent £2.5k on my bike including it's original purchase price of £1500 *reduced from £2500*, I like reduced/sale stuff.

Giant's Propel is regularly lauded as one of the finest Aero road bikes by the cycling press & it is attractively priced for what it is.

Canyon Aeroad SLX looks a fantastic bit of kit & being direct sales you get a lot of bike for your lolly too.
The only 'issue' with Canyon is that being based in Germany, you can't get to try them out. They do however have a bike fit section on their website to help & you can contact them to iron out exactly which size you will need.

Scott's Foil is now getting on a bit in the Aero world of bikes, not that I am saying that it's no good, it's probably a great bike, just not as bang on as some of the newer stuff.

The bike that interests me the most is the Argon 18 Bora, brand new from Canada's Argon brand.
Beautiful looking bike with all the Aero details you would expect of a bang up to date piece of kit, but hell, they are pricey, about £2300 for frame/forks/seat post & headset.
 
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AlexRoy

Active Member
Thanks for the replies @vickster and @SteCenturion ; some great ideas. To address some of the points:

  • Do I want an aero bike for commuting? Not particularly, though if it's in the garage I'll definitely want to use it for the commute during the summer (even if I tell myself not to!). Perhaps not every day, but 2-3 times a week.
  • Do I need to go to 5k? Probably not. My only concern was that I wanted a bike I could "grow into" as I get fitter/faster/more competitive. Not sure what level I need to be at before the extra cash would start paying dividends.
  • Specialized is probably the only manufacturer I've discounted. Call me superficial, but I'm just not a fan of the brand.
  • I love the look of the higher end Propel bikes and have been researching them with keen interest! They get great press reviews as rightly pointed out but the user reviews I've read weren't quite so positive. Consensus seems to be that Giant don't offer great bank for buck though - myth?
  • Point taken on Scott Foil. Perhaps I could reconsider when the new models start being reviewed.
  • Argon Nitrogen looks lovely. Can't really tell what I'd be getting for the ££££ though? Not many reviews!
  • I hadn't properly considered Canyon but their bikes look and are spec'd brilliantly. I'm seriously looking at the Aeroad CF SLX 7.0. At £2,700 it looks a great package; an aero frame weighing just over 7kg?? I could stretch to the 9.0 but not sure the additional gains would justify the cost.

Still undecided/unsure as to whether I'd be better off with something which is simply race orientated as opposed to full-blown aero bike though!
 

Mike!

Guru
Location
Suffolk
Merida Reacto? Range goes all the way to £7k (yep I like Merida!)
 
You need a practical, everyday, useful road bike, pref with generous tyre clearance and mudguard eyelets, for your working and training rides, and a play-bike for sport. Triathlon or TT bikes make excellent play bikes, once you have sorted out your training/winter/commuter mount.
 

Onyer

Senior Member
I tried an Orbea Orca the other day and that is fast - faster than my Spesh over my favourite route.
 
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