Dolan Vs Lapierre R-Lite Vs Boardman

pprendeville

Dolan Vs Lapierre R-Lite Vs Boardman
I’m currently looking to upgrade my road bike and read one of the threads about the Boardman carbon bikes. Visited 2 Halfords today in Blanch and Tallaght and none of them stocked it. The sales guys didn’t seem to know much anyway so I’m going to shelve that idea.
So I went to Hollingsworth’s in Templeogue and they were plugging the Dolan carbon frame bike (not sure of the exact model) for €1500. All Shimano 105 stuff on it. Nice and light but have never heard of the brand before today. The sales guy was saying it was the brand that won the world championships last yr. Not sure if that’s indoor or outdoor. He was saying the Boardman is rubbish anyway.

From here I went to Cycle Superstores and met a nice young fella who seemed to know his stuff. He recommended the Lapierre R-Lite 500 09 (http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=24240). Beautiful bike to look at. Lovely paintwork. Carbon forks and Al frame. All Shimano 105 on it. Mavik Wheels. He recommended a 52cm frame. They told me the Dolan bikes are built abroad and the sticker is put on them in The UK. The French know how to build a proper bike.
On the way home I called into Humphreys Cycles. Derek is a top man there and knows his stuff. Told him about the two previous cases. He can build a frame with carbon chain stays and carbon forks for the same price as the Lapierre and use Kevlar tyres (presume they’d be bullet proof – puncture resistant?). I told him I’d been getting pains in my shoulders after about 40km of cycling and that was due to my bike being too small. Currently riding a 52cm Al frame with the saddle miles up in the air. He said I should be using a 54cm frame.
My heart is telling me go for the Lapierre (no 54cm model available) but my head says go with Humphreys. Does anyone have that particular Lapierre model? If so I’d love to hear from you. All suggestions welcome.

RobFowl

Humphries have an excellent reputation. So TBH I'd go with them (seems local to you too !)

The Dolans are a good make (Terry Dolan from Liverpoll) though as with all carbon fibre frames they are made in Taiwan . He does build the aluminium ones though. The Boardmans get great write ups and saww them in action at the Ras and they seemed fine.
Lapierres are fine but if it doen't fit you there no point even considering it.

pprendeville

So is a55cm bike too big for me? I'm 5'8"

RobFowl

pprendeville wrote: »

So is a55cm bike too big for me? I'm 5'8"

54/55 sounds about right 52 is way too small

wingknot

Halfords today in Blanch and Tallaght and none of them stocked it.
Try Halfords Liffey Valley ask for Ian he knows his stuff.

copacetic

pprendeville wrote: »

So I went to Hollingsworth’s in Templeogue and they were plugging the Dolan carbon frame bike (not sure of the exact model) for €1500. All Shimano 105 stuff on it. Nice and light but have never heard of the brand before today. The sales guy was saying it was the brand that won the world championships last yr. Not sure if that’s indoor or outdoor. He was saying the Boardman is rubbish anyway

This is a reason not to go back to him to be honest. The boardman range gets nothing but amazing reviews and is used by plenty of top end riders.

I think the team carbon got a 10/10 in cycling plus which is not a sign of a rubbish bike. Dunno if it is right for you though. It seems to have taken over from the focus cayo as the best value for 1k GBP around.

You seem to be jumping around from brand to brand too much imo, spend a fair bit more time reading up on the various brands and bikes, pure race bikes versus sportive bikes etc. Get a good idea about what you want then price them online and in the shops.

Ryaner

Boardman bikes get some amazing reviews. I've seen one or two around Dublin too. Think someone on boards has a Team Carbon too.

Cycle Superstores are mad into pushing the Lapierre range.

If there is nothing between the bikes, I'd go with Humphries. They have been great to few times I've been in there.

pprendeville

copacetic wrote: »

This is a reason not to go back to him to be honest. The boardman range gets nothing but amazing reviews and is used by plenty of top end riders.

I think the team carbon got a 10/10 in cycling plus which is not a sign of a rubbish bike. Dunno if it is right for you though. It seems to have taken over from the focus cayo as the best value for 1k GBP around.

You seem to be jumping around from brand to brand too much imo, spend a fair bit more time reading up on the various brands and bikes, pure race bikes versus sportive bikes etc. Get a good idea about what you want then price them online and in the shops.

Thats good advice. I think I'll spend a bit more time reading up on bikes and not rush into things. Just looking up the focus cayo on wiggle.co.uk and there's a one with carbon frame and ultegra gear for 1740 so it might be worth paying that bit extra for the better gear.

MayoRoadRunner

Hey pprendeville. I got a Boardman about 2 months ago and very happy with it. Its a team carbon. picked it up for 912 sterling. You won't go wrong with it imo.
Mate of mine also looking for carbon framed road bike. Pointed him in the direction of wiggle and the focus cayo. Also pointed him in the direction of wheelworx as the guy there said he would do a custom carbin frame custom saddle etc for around 1,100 afaik.
anyways enjoy the browsing. If your anything like I was you will know wiggle crc etc like the back of your hand

Aquos76

RobFowl wrote: »

54/55 sounds about right 52 is way too small

A 52 on the dolan may be a bit big for you, The dolan measure totally different to any other frame I have seen, The come in 44, 48,52,and a 56, I am a little over 6'2 and I ride a 52 in a Dolan, I tried out the 56 and the top tube was to long for me. The 52 measures almost the same as a 58 in a Specialized

pprendeville

MayoRoadRunner wrote: »

Hey pprendeville. I got a Boardman about 2 months ago and very happy with it. Its a team carbon. picked it up for 912 sterling. You won't go wrong with it imo.
Mate of mine also looking for carbon framed road bike. Pointed him in the direction of wiggle and the focus cayo. Also pointed him in the direction of wheelworx as the guy there said he would do a custom carbin frame custom saddle etc for around 1,100 afaik.
anyways enjoy the browsing. If your anything like I was you will know wiggle crc etc like the back of your hand

Did your Boardman have a problem with the spokes? Read a few reviews online and it seems to be a common problem along with the brakes not being great. Looking at the Focus Cayo Ultegra (might just spend that bit extra and go for quality). Don't know Wiggle well. They reputable distributors?

One other question - if I buy from them will I have to assemble the bike myself? Haven't done it before and wouldn't trust myself to do a good job.

pprendeville

The Focus Cayo Ultegra (going by reviews) looks like a decent bike. Think I might go for that.

dub_skav

I have a boardman team carbon. They ordered it in in Halfords Carrickmines for me.
I think it's great, haven't really put it through its paces yet though.

I believe the issue with spokes was on the early models and has been sorted since. I also read a review saying the brakes weren't great but then read a retraction from the same person saying he had misjudged them.
I've found them fine having descended Sally Gap and Stocking Lane on them

bosra

Looked at the lapierre range too in cycle superstore..I am a tad under 6ft and they suggested a 52cm ( i thought maybe this is the only size left in stock :P ) ..They were a little bit dismissive of the focus cayo ( poorer quality carbon frame + stiffness of ride is what I was told)..Though ive only heard good stuff on here about them..
Anyway, still researching and looking.. How about the Giant TCR advanced 2 .. http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=35&idproduct=23625 .. How would the posters on boards.ie rate this bike at that given price point? What do u like or hate about the bike ..again, many thanks

petethedrummer

Somebody thinks highly of the giant: http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/revealed-our-top-road-bike-of-the-year-21018

bosra

Yep, thats what originally got me a bit interested..I see wobbits has posted on boards before that he loves the bike too..Anyone else love or hate the bike?

pprendeville

bosra wrote: »

Looked at the lapierre range too in cycle superstore..I am a tad under 6ft and they suggested a 52cm ( i thought maybe this is the only size left in stock :P ) ..They were a little bit dismissive of the focus cayo ( poorer quality carbon frame + stiffness of ride is what I was told)..Though ive only heard good stuff on here about them..
Anyway, still researching and looking.. How about the Giant TCR advanced 2 .. http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=35&idproduct=23625 .. How would the posters on boards.ie rate this bike at that given price point? What do u like or hate about the bike ..again, many thanks

That doesn't sound right does it for a fella near 6 ft??
Have read alright that it's not the most comfortable but its pacy. Guess if you're going up hills that little bit easier and sacrificing the comfort you'd take it. I would anyway.
That Giant is well out of my reach in terms of price anyway. The wife would kill me if I splashed out on that.

petethedrummer

Here's the size chart. he may have meant 53.5 or M/L



http://giant-bicycles.com/en-GB/bikes/road/2421/32349/geometry/

I rode Wobbit's one briefly, but its too aggressive for my crappy back. The smoothness of carbon compared to alu though is immediately noticeable. I might opt for a giant Defy Advanced if I decide to go crabon. It's also getting great reviews and has a more relaxed geometry.