Yes another which bike thread....

[SpokeyDokey]

I've checked and it's £50 if it's in stock at their warehouse or 25% if they have to do a special order which is then only transferable I believe but thanks. I also noticed the mix and match parts on the CAAD and alot of other models at that price point so reckon the extra for the full 105 is worth it.

Thanks for that.

I think the 25% thing is reasonable if they have a similar ie same frame different kit model to try but not if they don't.

Wheelbase at Staveley just up the road from here in Kendal do the same at 40% for special order bikes.

Mind you it is strange that bikes at the £1k from popular ranges are special order as they are hardly exotica.

**

 

[Alexvs]

Well, if it was my cash I probably would get the Felt Z85 or the Eddie Mercx, most probably the Eddie as they look lovely to my eye.

Sorry not very scientific reasons but at that price point I doubt any of the bikes would be rubbish, just got to find one that fits you right, and you love the look of. If it looks good to your eye, psychologically you will want to ride it more.

EDIT: Just looking at the Felt and Eddie specs, the Z85 has full 105 setup vs the Eddie Tiagra, the Felt offers a much better spec for the money so I would have gone for that, if it was my money an all...

my 2p worth

I do actually really like the look of the Felt and my eyes must've been deceiving me at the time as thought I saw it was a mix but you're right it is 105 with the exception of the chainset (FSA Vero) and brakes which are just stated as dual pivot whereas they've included the 105 brakes on the F75. I'm sure of all things the brakes would be the easiest to upgrade later. Is the chainset not being 105 a deal breaker?
I've already been out this morning and got them to order in the Secteur Comp for a test ride but will call up and see if they can add the Felt onto the order as was looking for another bike to compare with and the Bianchi I chose to look at would've been special order so skipped that. Unfortunately the other LBS I went to were still closed for the holidays but re-open tomorrow so will pop down and see what they have and hopefully will have the right size. If anything I can borrow their knowledge as they're alot more serious about bikes then the Evans staff.

Thanks again all and any further advice is appreciated, scientific or not

 

[PaulSecteur]

IIs the chainset not being 105 a deal breaker?

On my Secteur and roubaix they are shimano 10 speed chainwheels, but not 105 (But they are a bit sly - they have 10 S (for 10 speed) written on them that looks like 105) and they have performed as expected.

On the tricross that I brought second hand there was a FSA one. It would flex and rub the front derailier, and then the pedal thread chewed into the crankarm. Luckily I was near home. I replaced that with a Tiagra one and its been tickerty-boo since. Note- The pedal was fitted correctly. Possibly a fluke but it hasnt happened to any of the other bikes I look after with Shimano or SRAM crankarms, even real cheap shimano or sram.

 

[PaulSecteur]

I'm sure of all things the brakes would be the easiest to upgrade later.

Certinly the cheapest bit to upgrade. £55 from Ribble http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/product/t/105 brakes

Just remove the cable end crimps, unclamp the cable, undo the allen bolt and remove. Refit the new one in reverse order, being careful not to get a stray strand of brake cable when you thread it through, and dont forget to fit a cable end crimp, they are ony a few £ from halfords or decathlon.

 

[Alexvs]

Thanks a lot once again mate I couldn't get through to them so didn't order the felt yet. Will see how tomorrow goes at the lbs first.

 

[Alexvs]

I've just come into the LBS that stocks the comp and they've offered me the 2011 for £800 in my size and taken it out and feels good. Looking on Evans site I can't really find £200 difference so think I may go for it especially as Evans price is so much more.

What do you think is it as much a bargain as I think?

Thanks

Sent from my GT-I9100

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I've just come into the LBS that stocks the comp and they've offered me the 2011 for £800 in my size and taken it out and feels good. Looking on Evans site I can't really find £200 difference so think I may go for it especially as Evans price is so much more.

What do you think is it as much a bargain as I think?

Thanks

Sent from my GT-I9100

Bargain - 105 all the way, terrific price in fact. If it fits you and suits you just grab it.

 

[Alexvs]

Just got back from there after going to buy it and the original guy that helped me was busy and got one of his colleagues to help. Unfortunately this person checked on the system and said I got given the wrong price and the best they could do was £1050 so I left it. That'll teach me not to see the same person when I get given a price that good I'm disappointed but never mind, the 2012 is better looking lol

 

[PaulSecteur]

is it this one?

 

[Alexvs]

The one they had was the red and white 2011 which originally they said £800 but then changed to £1050 when they realised the cheaper one would've been a 2010 which they didn't even have but was still on the system. They said to wait until their sale in Feb for the 2012 but it won't be much more than 10% off which I'm getting from Evans anyway so will be coming beginning of next week. Can't wait.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

The one they had was the red and white 2011 which originally they said £800 but then changed to £1050 when they realised the cheaper one would've been a 2010 which they didn't even have but was still on the system. They said to wait until their sale in Feb for the 2012 but it won't be much more than 10% off which I'm getting from Evans anyway so will be coming beginning of next week. Can't wait.

Bummer!

Just got the same price today on Trek 2.3 C 2012 ie £1050 which sounds good to me.

 

[Alexvs]

Bummer!

Just got the same price today on Trek 2.3 C 2012 ie £1050 which sounds good to me.

Cool I did see the 2.3 online and sat on a 2.1 earlier at the LBS but the position on the Secteur Comp felt more natural to me.

Have you gone for the Trek then? Looks like we'll both soon have nice bikes to be proud of

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Cool I did see the 2.3 online and sat on a 2.1 earlier at the LBS but the position on the Secteur Comp felt more natural to me.

Have you gone for the Trek then? Looks like we'll both soon have nice bikes to be proud of

Yes - should get the 2.3 C next week. Rode it (well a 1 series in my size) about a mile which was a nightmare in the very high winds here today and it was very comfortable. Felt fine although very different from my MTB of some time back. Not entirely sure about the saddle but will give it a go - quick fix though.

 

[Alexvs]

Yeah I've also been told beginning of next week and hopefully it will be so then I can go try it otherwise I won't get a chance till next weekend. I found the position very different to my flat bar so think it's just going to take a little adapting then all will be fine. Enjoy!

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Yeah I've also been told beginning of next week and hopefully it will be so then I can go try it otherwise I won't get a chance till next weekend. I found the position very different to my flat bar so think it's just going to take a little adapting then all will be fine. Enjoy!

The 2.3 and Secteur felt about the same to me. During my research I noted what I thought were the key frame measurements for each bike model. I am by no means even remotely expert regarding these things but it helped me decide 'on paper' how things would be in the flesh following my first test on a bike (CAAD 10).

Trek 2.3 vs Specialised Secteur Comp both 54cm:

Effective top tube 543 (Trek) / 548 (Spesh)

Head tube 150 (Trek) / 165 (Spesh) - the Allez is 145 for reference

Wheelbase 983 (Trek) / 1000 (Spesh)

Standover 742 (Trek) / 776 (Spesh)

The standover surprised me as the Secteur top tube angles down very sharply yet is still higher than the Trek. In practice the Secteur was very close with little clearance for my 31" inside leg whereas the Trek has a decent amount of clearance.

Anyway, all good fun as a bit of background research on the web is an enjoyable part of any purchasing process these days.

As a side note the Trek did not overly appeal from the online images but in the flesh it is stunning (to my eyes) - the glossy paint and white/red/black contrast looks very good. The white bar tape will go though at some stage!