Another which bike (again, FFS)

seamus

OK, so my employer is set to announce their implementation of the b2w scheme and they're going with this shower: http://www.buildabike.ie/

Can't see what shop is behind it but it looks like I'm limited to Treks. Could be worse.

My plan is a road bike so I can get some form of measure about my general fitness on a roadie and maybe even get to the point of joining you lot on spins. It also means my poor MTB can finally get some proper rubber on his wheels and return to doing what he's supposed to be doing and flying down the steep side of the hellfire.

My options under the €1k are the 1.2 or the 1.5. Actual cost to me of €396 and €502 respectively, which seems like a good deal. As far as I can see, the 1.5 has better wheels, a better fork and partially better drivetrain, but otherwise they're the same bike? The only downside is the 1.5 only comes in white and lime.

Based on recommendations here, I'm thinking that a compact crankset is probably best. Sizewise, probably should go for 19" (48cm) frame?. Inside leg is 31.5", I'm 5'11".

I was also going to fit SPDs to it - I can't justify two pairs of cycling shoes just yet - I assume thread sizes for pedals are uniform between MTB and Road bikes?

Comments?

Chips Lovell

€949 for a aluminium frame with Sora? Gulp. No thanks.

Big difference between the two is that the wheels on one look to be a bit better, but I'm no expert on Bontrager.

Pedal threads are uniform by the way.

Lumen

I think the white/lime is nice (ish).

Almost €1k for a Sora-equipped bike though, FFS.

DirkVoodoo

Your size would require a 54/56cm frame. My sister has a 52cm Trek 1.2 and it is TINY!

TinyExplosions

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Yand it is TINY!

I'm not a bike!

seamus

el tonto wrote: »

€949 for a aluminium frame with Sora? Gulp. No thanks.

I would tell them where to go, considering I can get it for £545 (€635) online, but seeing as it'll only cost me €500 in real terms, is that a better deal?

Not that I've much choice. I'm guessing that Sora is the Alivio of the roadie world?

Ryaner

Buy it yourself and get all the other things through the scheme, or wait until you can go to a real shop to order. Bit of a waste to only save 135 in real terms.

rflynnr

I'm 5'9'' and have a 54cm Trek 1500 which is fine but if I was even an inch taller I'd think I'd look at the 56cm frame.

(Oh and +1 on the Sora - mine cost €1100-ish and came with Ultegra. I don't know buildabike.ie but a quick glance at their site suggests they're not cheap. Any chance you could bring this to the attention of your HR Dept? Seems little point in availing of the tax break if you're going to be asked to pay over the odds for the bike.)

blorg

The frame on the 1.5 is also different, it is made from higher grade butted aluminimum, should be lighter.

Given you are only paying half the difference I would go 1.5.

It is annoying to only have that choice I agree, Trek at full RRP does not tend to be spec competitive.

Explanation of the frame material here from Trek.

Chips Lovell

seamus wrote: »

I would tell them where to go, considering I can get it for £545 (€635) online, but seeing as it'll only cost me €500 in real terms, is that a better deal?

That's the dilemma I suppose. The fact that your employer has decided to only do business with one supplier, means that the supplier doens't have to worry about being cost competitive. Personally I wouldn't be able to stomach the fact that someone's getting close to a grand for that bike, no matter how much I'm paying. Unless someone else weighs in with an opinion on the wheels, you're probably better off with the cheaper of the two.

EDIT: And blorg's spotted that the frames are different.

seamus wrote: »

I'm guessing that Sora is the Alivio of the roadie world?

Not well up on MTB groups, but if you mean having a mixed reputation, then yes.

blorg

Regarding sizing- I am 6ft and rode a 58cm Trek 5000. Geometry on the 1 series is the same. At 5'11" I would go for 56cm.

blorg

BTW regarding the pricing, those prices are Irish RRP for Trek. Walk into any other shop looking for a Trek and that is what you will be quoted. It's just unfortunate that you are limited to Trek really.

rflynnr

el tonto wrote: »

Unless someone else weighs in with an opinion on the wheels, you're probably better off with the cheaper of the two.

I have the SSR wheels (i.e. the more expensive ones) and they're nothing to write home about. They'll be the first things to go when I start upgrading.

rflynnr

blorg wrote: »

BTW regarding the pricing, those prices are Irish RRP for Trek. Walk into any other shop looking for a Trek and that is what you will be quoted. It's just unfortunate that you are limited to Trek really.

This is true but you'll often find older Trek stock (i.e. still "new" bikes) at discounts which bring them to a more acceptable price. Unlikely to be an option with buildabike.ie though.

Blowfish

I'm in the same boat as seamus. I've been keeping an eye on it for a while and the buildabike site seems to be just thrown together for the scheme. Up to yesterday they didn't even have prices listed for any of the accessories.

Those prices, plus me being in the lower tax bracket makes it not all that worthwhile. Focus/Planet X is looking like a far better deal, even if it means spending a bit more.

Chips Lovell

blorg wrote: »

BTW regarding the pricing, those prices are Irish RRP for Trek. Walk into any other shop looking for a Trek and that is what you will be quoted. It's just unfortunate that you are limited to Trek really.

Janey. I'm surprised they sell so many.

irishmotorist

seamus wrote: »

OK, so my employer is set to announce their implementation of the b2w scheme and they're going with this shower: http://www.buildabike.ie/

It's going to be dependant on your organisation, but did you have a word with the people in charge of the scheme? I suggested the b2w here and was horrified when the circular went around saying that it was with Halfords. I ran straight down to ask how tied they were to Halfords and they kind of immediately realised that it makes no difference at all. If you're prepared to purchase online, then it's just a simple credit card Internet purchase - there should be no overhead or messing at all.

blorg

el tonto wrote: »

Janey. I'm surprised they sell so many.

To be honest Trek's Irish RRP was not far off that of Specialized, Cannondale, etc. Some of the other manufacturers have reduced their pricing recently but €750-800 for an entry level aluminium bike with Sora was pretty standard fare in an Irish bike shop until very recently.

Chips Lovell

blorg wrote: »

To be honest Trek's Irish RRP was not far off that of Specialized, Cannondale, etc. Some of the other manufacturers have reduced their pricing recently but €750-800 for an entry level aluminium bike with Sora was pretty standard fare in an Irish bike shop until very recently.

Good point. I guess I'm just so used to getting better value elsewhere.

seamus

Yeah, pretty sure they're quite "locked in" with it, it's a big company so not just as simple as finding a company credit card and ordering it online.

Nietzschean

rflynnr wrote: »

I'm 5'9'' and have a 54cm Trek 1500 which is fine but if I was even an inch taller I'd think I'd look at the 56cm frame.

I'm 5' 10" with a 54cm frame, granted tis a focus cayo so different geometry but mine is plenty big, maybe see about test riding both sizes?

blorg

Nietzschean wrote: »

I'm 5' 10" with a 54cm frame, granted tis a focus cayo so different geometry but mine is plenty big, maybe see about test riding both sizes?

Best test ride as Nietzschean suggests (certainly if you are paying those prices!) but I also had a 58cm Cayo and the Focus geometry seemed a touch bigger than Trek, I felt more stretched. Compensated by getting a seatpost with less layback (5mm vs 20mm.)

seamus

Seeing as this is the number 2 result on google for buildabike.ie, I thought I'd be fair and update it with new info.

First off, the website is incomplete, and I'm told that they will be adding the range of Giant and Lapierre bikes onto it in the next few days.

Also, they give 10% off the RRP of the bikes, including the ones on their site.

If you want a bike not on their site, they'll see if they can order one for you and if so, they'll give you 10% off any quote for that bike from an Irish bike shop (i.e. nobody online).

So actually not bad overall. Defy 1, I think you will be mine...

Blowfish

Indeedy, they definitely seem willing to attempt to accommodate you if you want something which they don't have. If they can rustle me up a Cayo though, I'll be seriously impressed.