Which road bike (Cycle 2 Work / commuting / racing / hills)?

[333]

Hi all

I've signed up through my employer for the Cycle 2 Work scheme and my number one requirement is to find the lightest, most aerodynamic - highest spec road bike I can find so I can be more productive by getting to work quicker.

The Cycle 2 Work scheme my employer has signed up with is the Halfords Vouchers variety, originally I thought these were only limited to Halfords themselves (much to my disappointment!) and therefore the Boardman Carbon was my choice, however I think (correct me if I am wrong) that Leisure Lakes Bikes take Halfords vouchers also? this has opened up a whole new playing field!!!

Top of my list at the moment is the Cube Agree GTC Triple Racing Road Bike (2013 and thus in the SALE), but I would really appreciate your opinions on choice for no more than £1k and from whom, I've already checked with Evans and they do not take the voucher I have so (nor so Planet-X / Ribble unfortunately).

I had thought about buying the Boardman and then replacing the components and wheels over time, how does this stack up against buying the Cube GTC and any others you might recommend?

Would really appreciate any recommendations - looking for a road bike for racing (as well as commuting) as well of plenty of hill climbing.

Thanks

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

my number one requirement is to find the lightest, most aerodynamic - highest spec road bike I can find so I can be more productive by getting to work quicker.......... but I would really appreciate your opinions on choice for no more than £1k .......Would really appreciate any recommendations - looking for a road bike for racing (as well as commuting) as well of plenty of hill climbing.

Thanks

Have you ever heard the expression "champagne idea's and lemonade pocket" its used to suggest that someone has desires or ideas they that do not match the budget they have.
There are a lot of outstanding value bikes at the 1k price point however to avoid disappointment you need to accept that at this price point you will not get a class leading aero frame set, you will not get a high specification bike, you will not get a light bike.

Light, Cheap, Strong.... Pick Two !

Cycle2work is run by halfords as such you need to be purchasing from there however they can source bikes which are not available in their store, so its worth simply checking out what's on the market and giving them a call.

If your employees can’t find what they’re looking for and they want a different brand, we can source it for them. We partner with an extensive national network of over 400 of the very best Independent Bike Shops enabling us to access ALL of the UK’s top bike brands^. We can easily add to our Partner Store Network at your request, before your scheme launches.
If you are an employee and you would like to choose an additional brand, call our cycle2work Special Order Helpdesk on 08450 77 88 50 and one of our team will help you with your enquiry.

http://www.cycle2work.info/siteadvicecentrebrand#Store


The Cube you list is reasonable value bike for the money as is the Boardman, but they are not going to meet the requirements you have IMHO.

 

[vickster]

Other shops take halfords vouchers. I used one at pearsons. On your bike used to take too, may well still do so. Bit depends where you are in the country

Cube a good value for money option. Test ride it though

 

[SquareDaff]

I use the Boardman CX for comuting duties. I can manage speeds of 21mph average on rolling road terrain on it and it'll handle light offroad easily. I've used it through 2 winters without issue, maintenance is easy and you can put mudguards on easily when the weather gets wintery. Yes it's only aluminium with a carbon fork - but I've invested a lot of time and effort into getting my riding position spot on. To me, looking after your bike and getting it tailoured to you are more important than the 1-1.5kgs you'll save on a full carbon layup at that price range.

 

[SteCenturion]

The Cube Peloton Race 2014 (aluminium frame/carbon fork) is probably the best specced bike for £999, discounting Planet X.

Giant's Defy 1 is also excellent & Boardmans are well respected by the cycling press with their carbon road bike (under £1k model) scoring highest in a recent cycling plus magazine test (against aluminium bikes).

It did have lower tier group set & wheels though & so weight difference was negligible.

Many bikes around this £ point are more than good enough for most but I wouldn't get hung up on (must have carbon/105/Ultegra) etc.

One that fits properly & looks good to you & you will ride it more often.

 

[333]

Hey all

Thanks for your comments!

Essentially what I'm trying to do is get the best spec road bike I can for £1k as I want to start taking part in some local Duathlons working up to maybe a Triathlon later but I need this bike to serve multiple roles such as commute, training and eventually some racing.

I've thought about the carbon and perhaps it's not the best option as it would need to be durable year round, any crashes on it worry me the bike will be written off.

With this in mind I'm leaning towards an alu based on what you all have recommended above?

I know 1k is not going to get me an amazing bike I could spend much more but to be honest I think it would be wasted on me at this point, I've got some small goals I want to achieve on the way to a bigger goal and I think that money should be good enough for now.

What about the Trek Modane 2.1 H2? The cube is top of my list if leisure lake bikes accept Halfords vouchers!

Now I just need to get a Garmin 910xt!!

Thanks again all

 

[333]

Ps I will not be leaving the bike standard, I will at least be upgrading the wheels (with standard / cheap ones for commuting and Mavics etc for racing / training / time trials) and other components as I go along, so really want the best (light / durable) frame I can get for that money

 

[SteCenturion]

Found just the ticket for you.

Giant TCR Composite 3 2013 at www.paulscycles.co.uk

Carbon, semi-aero, race geometry a good frameset. £849

Don't know if they accept your vouchers though.

If they do then use the £150 towards upgrading the wheels to a lighter set later.
Also as the groupset wears & when funds allow strip off the old & sell on replacing it with a higher spec.

It would last you many years this way.

 

[333]

Thanks Ste, I've put together a list of recommended bikes above (including yours - thanks all!) and sent them to Leisure Lake Bikes for quotes - unfortunately Pauls doesn't accept Halfords vouchers :-(

I should get my voucher today so really looking forward to spending it!!!

 

[333]

Ok got everything I need now except a decision, so here is the lineup:

Trek Madone 2.1 Compact H2 2014 - http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/p/13392/trek-madone-21-h2-compact-racing-road-bike-2014

Trek Madone 2.1 Triple Racing Compact H2 2014 - http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/p/13391/trek-madone-21-h2-triple-racing-road-bike-2014

Cube Agree GTC Compact Racing 2013 *sale £899 - http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/p/9363/cube-agree-gtc-compact-racing-road-bike-2013-sale

Cube Agree GTC Triple Racing 2013 *sale £899 - http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/p/9364/cube-agree-gtc-triple-racing-road-bike-2013-sale

Cube Peloton Race Compact 2014 - http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/p/14380/cube-peloton-race-compact-racing-road-bike-2014

For me I think the Cube Agree GTCs are the best bikes in terms of all round for your money, do you "agree"? Any recommendations based on the above would be gratefully received before I pull the trigger tomorrow! What would you list in order of top 5? (thinking frame size availability etc)

First area that will be getting upgrades is the whees.

Thanks

 

[SteCenturion]

Cube agree GTC 2013 or Cube Peloton Race 2014 over the Treks any day for me.

Have a butchers around this forum for Cube threads, loads of 'em, for a good reason I believe.

Many new Cube owners on here of late & many who have had them longer & happy.

I am myself wanting the 2014 Peloton Race (I already have a carbon bike).

Go see them & ask for a blast round the block to test for fit & feel. I t may be that you prefer the Trek, who knows.

Keep us all posted.

 

[SteCenturion]

Oh by the way, you really don't need a triple chainset these days, a compact 50/34 with a wide range cassette of 11/28 up to 11/30 will get you up anything & weighs less.

Unless you constantly ride up the Alps it's the way to go.

 

[333]

Hey guys

So couple of things today, woke up at 6.30am to do a 30mile ride (MTB) but it was lashing it down and I don't have any storm clothing yet so that was a pain - back to sleep, however its now clearing up and I DO have a dry shell / top that I bought this afternoon so just eating lunch and off I go.

Anyway, I popped down to Leisure Lake Cycles this morning and had a look using the list above and I've placed an order on a 2014 Cube Agree Peloton (62cm frame, which was perfect for my height) so I'm really excited now! Pick it up a week on Sunday which is just after payday so I can grab my clipless pedals and shoes at the same time.

It was between the Domane / Madone 2.1 Trek and the Cube but in the end I went for the Cube due to superior gear, the idea is I can keep this bike for a year and get fit(ter) / train hard then grab a Carbon in a year and have both bikes. I thought the Cube would be perfect to start out with as the last thing I want is to be riding around on a Carbon with loads of gear but not be fit..... that is not good.

There is a duathlon near me in October this year, so thats my first goal - hopefully gives me a little while to get ready for it, I don't expect to do well but its a first goal up towards a half iron man in two years or so (goal is to finish, i'd be happy with that!!!).

Thanks again for all your help (Ste and the rest).

I now need to buy a Turbo trainer next week cometh payday, any recommendations on this? I would love to buy rollers but I was told today that the resistance is nowhere near as good as a turbo (I used to own a turbo and they were great but noisy, the rollers are virtually silent??) - can you ride time trial pace / intervals on rollers or do you still need a turbo for this level of training?

 

[SteCenturion]

Hi again @333

Good choice imho.

Out of interest how tall are you ? Height & leg length.

I have been into L.Lakes last week for my quote to take into work & I am considering a 58, I am 6ft 0 & 33" leg.

I am definitely also after the white/blue /red version, coincidentally same colours as my carbon Sintesi.

@Louch & @Ste pt1 have both recently bought the very same bikes as yourself & Ste Pt1 mate also bought one, to name but a few CC'ers who have recently bought a Cube, so you are in good company pal.

Like yourself, I won't be leaving my bike standard, I also uograded my carbon bike.

I did it opposite way round to you, as in carbon 1st then Cube next & keeping both.

Don't forget to post your pics when ready, they really do makw attractive bikes.

Best of British.

 

[SteCenturion]

@333

Also forgot to ask, did you buy from Bury L.Lakes ??