Advice on Road Bike purchase

murtagh

Hi all,
I'm looking at getting my first road bike and would welcome some informed opinion on the models i'm considering.
My budget is 850 euro and have looked online for the best value.

The following are what I've shortlisted:

Focus Variado Compact 09
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Focus_Variado_Compact_2009/5360037598/

Wilier La Triestina-Lampre
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Wilier_La_Triestina-Lampre_Road_Bike/5360040042/

Cube Aerial 09
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=30569
(subject to availability)

BeOne Mistral 09
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=31037

I wonder what recommendations or advice people might have on these. I want to get into the saddle as soon as possible & intend to take part in a few sportives over the coming months, but longer term would be looking to make it a serious hobby.

As entry level road bikes go, is there much to call between these different models? From what i can tell they have similar spec gears/shifters (Tiagra) with some variance in the cranksets between each of them. I'm well aware that this ain't gonna make much of a difference to me on my first day out but would be looking for longevity from this bike too as i improve.

The Wilier is advertised as a 20% discount, and the Aerial seems to have gone up 100stg since yesterday! :eek: (Some Michael O'Leary School of Commerce tactics by CRC there!?!?!). There is also a Vitus Alios and Zenium on CRC, priced but with no further spec. Anyone with experience of CRC know if its worth holding my breath for these?

Finally, Im 192cm (a shade under 6-4), with 92cm inseam (just about 37in) so would be looking at XXL in the Focus and Wilier, and 62cm in the Aerial (if available) and Mistral.

So, over to you... is there a hands down best package for me here?

Thanks!

blorg

I would spend a bit extra and get something with 105. Or even Ultegra, Canyon have a lovely looking bike with Ultegra for €999.

From 105 up you are on 10 speed and everything is interchangable with (pre-2009) Ultegra and Dura-Ace if you want to upgrade.

Note those bikes are not all even full Tiagra, there are Sora shifters in there (most expensive part.)

Lumen

blorg wrote: »

Canyon have a lovely looking bike with Ultegra for €999.

Their animated bike fit tool is quite amusing too:

murtagh

Hey thanks for that Blorg,
999 might be a little on the steep side, would prefer to try and come in under budget than extend it further. Canyon will also involve a 50eu delivery fee which pushes the total up further. The lowel level Canyon also seems good with the 105 spec at 849e, but again, its gonna cost an extra 50 on delivery.
Factoring in the additional cost, would the Canyon for 849e (+ 50p&p) represent better value than whats available for a similar total on CRC or Wiggle?... And is the extra cost justifiable vs the 675gbp Focus Variado?

blorg

The Focus will be near €850 delivered. £20 shipping so £732 converted into EUR- note when you set your delivery address to Ireland it will add on 21.5% VAT rather than 15% and the bike becomes £712 base price.

The Canyon with 105 is definitely worth €50 more, I would pay probably €200 over the Focus for it. Full 105 group (the Focus has more off-group components), better wheels, it's also a lot lighter (8.65kg claimed against 10.05kg for the Focus.)

That Canyon will do you for a good while I reckon, you won't have a burning need to upgrade, you could certainly race on it.