BikeRadar Bike of the Year

Diarmuid

Ok the title is a bit grandiose, but it looks like a very good reference for anyone looking for a good bike in the 1-2k range. They started with 37 bikes and put the final 7 through a pretty thorough test (it seems)

The Roundup

The Giant TCR Advanced 3 finished top.

A useful resource for those frequent threads

EDIT: Link not working now. Looks like they took the article down. Lumen's link below is the 37 contenders, the link I posted had the top 7.

Lumen

Here's a link that works.

alfalad

Is in this months cycling plus mag, and not a bad article cause there are plenty of bikes tested, many of which have been mentioned on here, so they didn't just stick to the main big brands! Of course they are all uk prices so keep that in mind!

And go the Wilier in third spot! Felt quite good after reading that!

TinyExplosions

They had my pink bike in for review too, but it didn't get in any of the pictures for some reason...

keano007

In gonna bump this old thread and ask ppl which of the top 7 they would like to have? I'm currently looking to upgrade from a trek 1.2 and I was looking at this article quite a bit as a resource

also what do ppl think of the planet x bikes……their site is kind of confusing, "building the bike"……not sure what I want!

DirkVoodoo

Top 7 from that list?

Planet X are excellent, plus you would have plenty around here to take for a test. Just don't do anymore of your falling off

keano007

Top 7 from here:

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/revealed-our-top-road-bike-of-the-year-21018

Dirk that's a bit harsh, fecking pedals, I should prob learn how to cycle the bike I have first lol

ok so who has a planet x? Must get out on another boards spin and take one for a spin……has anyone dealt with planet x I'm not sure if there registered with our bike to work scheme

blorg

keano007 wrote: »

also what do ppl think of the planet x bikes……their site is kind of confusing, "building the bike"……not sure what I want!

Planet X will build the bike for you for an extra £100; sometimes they have special offers where they include this in the price.

TinyExplosions

I have a Planet X, and can't fault it. Great bike for the money!

Hungrycol

keano007 wrote: »

In gonna bump this old thread and ask ppl which of the top 7 they would like to have? I'm currently looking to upgrade from a trek 1.2 and I was looking at this article quite a bit as a resource

also what do ppl think of the planet x bikes……their site is kind of confusing, "building the bike"……not sure what I want!

How much time will you be spending on the bike and what will you be using it for? Weekend spins and sportives, try a frame with relaxed geometry for a more upright riding position (I recommend the Cannondale Synapse but then I would wouldn't I). If you're thinking of getting into it and perhaps try your hand at racing then something like the Planet X (I recommend the Cannondale Six!). The bike geometry tends to be a little more agressive.

The C+ review was a good one and any of those top three bikes would be ideal. That Giant looked like a smashin bike.

lukester

keano007 wrote: »

In gonna bump this old thread and ask ppl which of the top 7 they would like to have? I'm currently looking to upgrade from a trek 1.2 and I was looking at this article quite a bit as a resource

From that list I'd go for the Wilier, Cinelli or Time. Have seen tonto's Mortirolo in the flesh/carbon and it's gorgeous.

Planet X get nothing but good reviews here, and they're very tasty bikes.

kennyb3

lukester wrote: »

From that list I'd go for the Wilier, Cinelli or Time. Have seen tonto's Mortirolo in the flesh/carbon and it's gorgeous.

Planet X get nothing but good reviews here, and they're very tasty bikes.

would anyone here go for the giant tcr and has anyone got one?

Junior

Wilier
Ribble
Cinelli in that order ..

waitforme

kennyb3 wrote: »

would anyone here go for the giant tcr and has anyone got one?

I have the previous 2008 TCR Advanced 1 and love it. There is another boards.ie (WOBBITS) on the new 2009 TCR Advanced 2, equally enamoured by it from the conversation we had the other weekend.

wobbits

kennyb3 wrote: »

would anyone here go for the giant tcr and has anyone got one?

Yip, I got the Advanced 2 back in April and I have to say I really enjoy it.
I moved from an ALU bike and the most obvious thing I noticed was the vibration dampening from the Carbon frame, It takes a lot of niggle out of the long spins.
Bike came with full ultegra components which are more than enough for my needs and the new Mavic Aksiums which are a great training wheel and really sturdy (I have a second set of these on a commuting bike and they have taken some punishment)
The only negative comment I have (down to ignorance of gearing on my part) is that the bike comes with a standard double which I'm finding a bit of a struggle in the hills. I'm planning on swapping over to a Compact after the ROK

Hope this is of some help but it's only my opinion, i'd still take a few bikes for a test spin before buying

Also most importantly it is a fantastic looking bike!

waitforme

I just had to count my teeth, as spec says it should be Ultegra regular, but I have Dura Ace/Ultegra combo with 34/50 & 12/25. Maybe different spec as I bought in Japan? Oh and I think it's actually an 07.

lukester

wobbits wrote: »

The only negative comment I have (down to ignorance of gearing on my part) is that the bike comes with a standard double which I'm finding a bit of a struggle in the hills.

I've seen you breeze up the hills. You call that struggling?

Spins

Ribble
Argon 18
Corratec

in that order