Advice wanted on bike choice

Darby OGill

Hey all. I'm thinking about treating myself to a new bike, but am unsure as to what to look at. At the moment, I have an old Raleigh Randonneur tourer. This is a great workhorse for my daily commute (20 miles), but not much use for a weekend spin when I want to really cut loose and burn up the tarmac (I wish). I also have an old Raleigh Pioneer for outings with the kids, rough tracks etc.

So, I'm thinking I want a fast(ish) road bike that can do my daily commute on average to poor quality roads but can still look and feel good on a sunny Sunday morning 50k. Drop bars are preferred. If I had to, I would restrict the new bike to dry mornings, avoiding the worst of winter weather.

My budget is flexible, but I would get very nervous after €1000- I've never spent that kind of money on a bike before. I appreciate that is not huge money in road bike terms, so I'm open to suggestions.

I'd appreciate any advice on decent shops too (Dublin and surrounds).

Finally, what about sizing? I'm 5' 9". The current bike has a 54cm seat tube (non-sloping top tube), but I find it a little on the small side. I'm guessing a 56/57 might suit me better. I used to have an old 23 1/2" bike, about 59/60 cm, and it was a bit too big for me.

All advice welcome.

TinyExplosions

Well, you're in Focus territory there -either the Variado or Variado Expert are top notch Aluminium franed bikes at near to your budget (I have the Expert myself) -for a little bit more, you can go full carbon and get the Cayo -a few people on here have them (Blorg and Unionman to name two), and they seem happy with 'em.

Focus are exclusive to wiggle.co.uk for Ireland and the UK, but they arrive pretty much ready to go, and I'd definately reccommend them.

As for size, Wiggle are pretty spot on with the sizes they give on the website

Darby OGill

Thanks for the prompt reply TinyExplosions. You covered all my questions.

What is Wiggle like to deal with? Are the bikes well packed? What about delivery times?

Any other Focus purchasers out there? I'd appreciate your comments and gripes if you've got any.

Thanks again.

Bambaata

I ahve the Cayo and am delighted with it. Their delivery time is geat too. Mine was only about 3 or 4 days and it comes fully asembled only for the handle bar atahced to the side so they can pack it. It was put on with pedals, bottle cages, pump and sadfdle bag i purchased in under 10 mins. I went for a 58 as i am 6'2 and it feels fine but i only got into cycling properly this year so i dont even know what i shoudl be looking for in size terms lol. As long as i dont hurt too much it should mean it fits :-)

Raam

If you would prefer to order from a local bike shop, then you might consider a Specialized Allez, as available in Cycleways. I have the Elite model (1500) but you can get versions for under a grand. They are a good starter bike and it has lasted me very well.

Hungrycol

Bambaata wrote: »

I went for a 58 as i am 6'2 and it feels fine

I too am about this height and cycle a 58cm Cannondale and it's perfect for me. For 5'9" maybe go for the 56 if you felt a previous 54 was too small.

RobAMerc

I am 5'10 and I have a 56cm if thats any help

I do advise to try a bike in the shop before ordering online if possible, I made that mistake twice already ( I know, I know, I don't learn fast ).

Darby OGill

Thanks for all the replies so far. The Focus bikes look great, as does the Specialized. Hell, they all look great.......

Raam

If you know what you are doing, it should be OK to buy from the internet, however if you are unsure, you should buy locally. I've bought all 4 of my bikes from shops in Dublin. Not sure what that says about me though. :pac:

DirkVoodoo

I'm a big fan of the Allez, sweet machine. Go to a few bikeshops and sit on as many as you can. Go with the one that suits your body type as not everyone who is the same height and weight will have a similar definition of comfort on a road bike.

Also, check out the felts in Joe Dalys, lovely frames.

TinyExplosions

Raam wrote: »

Not sure what that says about me though. :pac:

More money than sense?

Darby OGill

Where is Joe Daly's?

Gavin

Dundrum, just under the Luas bridge.

Darby OGill

Does anyone know where to buy a decent quality bike for a 10 year old boy?
I'm trying to avoid the typical suspension-laden boat anchors that most places seem to have. Where can I get a reasonably light, non-suspension bike with road tyres- I bring the kids on the road as much as I can.

Darby OGill

Been looking a lot since I raised this last week. Am well impressed with the Focus bikes, but there are others, of course!

Felt Z65 & Z35
Beone Blizzard
Cube Agree & Streamer
Lapierre S Tech 500

Does anyone have any experience of any of these models?

I'm leaning towards the Felt Z65 at the moment. At 42, the idea of a relaxed position appeals to me. How would it compare to the Focus Cayo (poss. 2nd choice) and the others on this point? I really don't want a flat-out racing set-up, as I hope to use the bike to commute everyday and a bit of comfort is important, plus the traffic issues etc.

All comments welcome, thanks.

Stark

Thinking of either the Felt Z35 or Focus Cayo myself at the moment. (Both £1000 from Wiggle). I prefer the gear ratios on the Felt, although the Cayo has more Ultegra components and I could simply replace the cassette on it. I'm not sure wheter the pre-supplied wheels are better on the Felt or the Focus. The Focus lists Aksium wheelset, and the Felt lists CX22 rims.

blorg

Stark wrote: »

Thinking of either the Felt Z35 or Focus Cayo myself at the moment. (Both £1000 from Wiggle). I prefer the gear ratios on the Felt, although the Cayo has more Ultegra components and I could simply replace the cassette on it. I'm not sure wheter the pre-supplied wheels are better on the Felt or the Focus. The Focus lists Aksium wheelset, and the Felt lists CX22 rims.

Whatever you do don't make your decision based on a 12-25 vs a 12-27 cassette, they are cheaply and easy changed!

EhBenDisDonc

Very happy with my Felt Z80 (2007 model). I too was attracted by the relaxed geometry, and indeed it has proven very comfortable over long spins. Apart from that, it's a beautiful bike that feels well engineered.
I don't see too many contributions from Felt Z__ owners. Anyone else out there got experience of these bikes?

Darby OGill

I'm still looking. Done a lot of research and now favour the Giant SCR1. Light, 105 groupset, relaxed geometry and 896 euro delivered from Wiggle.

(The Wiggle price (including delivery) without UK 17.5% VAT is 763. Add back Irish VAT to 763 and it's 923. It's 1,359 in the shops here. Why is this?)

Can anyone confirm that the SCR1 can take rack/mudguards if required? I'll need these for my commute if I decide to use the bike daily.

DurtyMurty

I'm a big fan of the SCR1 - although I don't have one, I did test one when I was buying. However at that time they were coming in at over EU1200. It is quite relaxed and comfortable - I think the carbon seatpost also helps and the 105s change very smoothly

On the subject of the youth bike - there was a Giant TCR 24" S/hand in the Buy and Sell Last week - Louth area - check out the specs on the web. I think itwas somewhere about EU400 but you would get most of that back in 2 years time if you minded it well. Only downside is Sora shifters which a kid won't reach from the drops

lukester

Just spotted this thread- I bought a 2007 Cube Streamer from CRC earlier in the year and am delighted with it. One of the other lads on here got one, thread:http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=55382463. Another thread on it here: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=55750149

At the time, it was the best overall package I could find at that price point. They're made in Germany, and I spoke to a guy who did a triathlon over there recently and he said there were tons there, so they are obviously popular in Deutschland. FWIW, I also considered the BeOne Storm 1, which was a very decent package for the price too, but doesn't have the cachet of a big name, if that's important to you. It has 105 groupset, like the SCR1, but comes in at 760 euro including shipping from CRC: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=25459

Feel free to PM me on the Cube anyway

MadHatter

Felt Z35 owner here - 2007 model. My first road bike so nothing to compare it to but overall I'm very impressed with it. Very comfortable for long distances.

Probably not much between the Z35 and the Cayo, although the Cayo is designed as a race bike whereas the Z35 is a "plush" bike for comfort over longer distances so it depends what you intend using it for really. The wheels the 2008 model are different to mine so can't comment on the quality of them.

One thing to note - on the Felt website it states that purchasing bikes online will void the warranty. See 2nd question of FAQ here:
http://www.feltracing.com/08/display.asp?catid=1539&pageid=376

The Z35 is full carbon and comes with a lifetime warranty on the frame. I considered buying from Wiggle but bought it locally in the end to ensure I was covered by the warranty.

blorg

I think that is a US rule- according to Felt's UK distributor, Wiggle are an authorised Felt dealer. In any case, I'd trust a warranty from Wiggle.

rapidoe

Hi,

I've a Giant scr 3 2 yrs now, never a problem. Would recommend Giant for reliability.

Darby OGill

Well, I started this thread in July and have only just got the bike this week!

I went for the Giant SCR1 in the end. Bought it from Wiggle for £665, or about 732 euro- it's now even less since I ordered it on 20th December. It was 925 euro when I first checked it out.

Bike was delivered on 30th, which was OK considering it was Christmas. (Plus I lost a day as I had to ring them to confirm my card details- nice security touch).

This bike was 1359 here in the summer, and is still for sale for 1100 euro...

Of course, I've got the cough/cold/sore throat dose that everyone has, so I haven't been out on it yet, but it looks lovely. :rolleyes: Sitting on it in the hall doesn't really get the adrenalin flowing....

I've ordered a new lock too. Dreading the credit card bill!