Specialized, Lapierre, Dolan or Claud Butler?

drykin

I'm looking for specific advice on choosing one of 4 bikes. Ideally, I'd like to spend €1000 on a bike (including ancilliaries such as race pedals, helmet) using the cycle to work scheme. The bike will be used for a short commute (3km) but mostly for training and competing in sprint triathlons (20k distance) so ideally, I need something reliable, fast and responsive.

Today I visited 4 bike shops having done some research in the last few weeks. I've found that there's a shortage of bikes in almost every shop at the €800-1k level, hence the 4 bikes that I'm interested in as they seem to be the only ones available at this level. (I'm aware of people recommending Boardman etc but ordering over the internet is not possible for cycle to work scheme where I work). All four have Tiagra components, alu frames, carbon fibre forks etc.

The four bikes are:
Claud Butler Vicenzo, available for €850.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/claud-butler/vicenza-2009-road-bike-ec018837

Dolan Prefissio, €900
http://www.dolan-bikes.co.uk/preffisio.html

Specialised Allez Elite 2010, €1040
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/allez-elite-2010-road-bike-ec019407

and Lapierre R-Lite 400, €1040
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=24239

One concern I have with the Dolan is that it's described as a "winter training" bike on the Dolan website. I got two very opposing views of it in two shops today. One recommended it over the Specialized, saying that it had better components and wheels while the other shop's advice was that it was heavy, had unsuitable geometry for racing and would be significantly less responsive than the Claud Butler (or any other "race" bike like the two above) for triathlon use.

So, my questions are:

What are the opinions on the Dolan in terms of a bike for short training spins and triathlons as against the CB Vicenza?

Secondly, are the Specialized and Lapierre worth the extra €150 in comparison with the Claud Butler or would I be just paying for the better "name". (Guy in the shop where I saw the Claud Butler admitted it wouldn't have the same cachet as Specialized or Trek etc but claimed CB had recently reduced prices to reflect this).

Many thanks for any comments and advice.

mossym

you've linked to the dolan bike twice, check your link for the specialized..

PWEI

drykin wrote: »

(I'm aware of people recommending Boardman etc but ordering over the internet is not possible for cycle to work scheme where I work). All four have Tiagra components, alu frames, carbon fibre forks etc.

You don't have to order a Boardman over the internet for the cycle to work scheme.I'm collecting my second Boardman bike this week from Halfords,the Boardman Road Team Carbon which I'm getting through the cycle to work scheme.I bought a boardman hybrid a few months ago and only afterwards found out that my company are doing the cycle to work scheme.As I have started doing sprint triathlons also I decided to go ahead and get another Boardman,the Road Team Carbon.

Lumen

drykin wrote: »

One concern I have with the Dolan is that it's described as a "winter training" bike on the Dolan website. I got two very opposing views of it in two shops today. One recommended it over the Specialized, saying that it had better components and wheels while the other shop's advice was that it was heavy, had unsuitable geometry for racing and would be significantly less responsive than the Claud Butler (or any other "race" bike like the two above) for triathlon use.

You can see the geometry here. The weight is not listed.

Compared to a race bike, the chainstays are 10mm longer and the seat tube is one degree steeper than a race bike - these differences provide the mudguard clearance. The wheelbase is also 20mm longer. The headtube is actually quite short - this will (assuming the same amount of spacers) get you lower and more aero.

I don't see how this geometry is going to make you any slower in a triathlon than on a "racier" road bike. The longer wheelbase may make the bike feel slightly more sluggish, but this is probably compensated for by the more forward weight distribution from the shorter head tube, steeper seat tube and longer chainstays.

A reasonable choice if want to run mudguards, but perhaps an odd choice if you don't.

Test ride?

drykin

Apologies for the wrong link for Specialized. Now correct.

Didn't realise the Boardman was available through Halfords. I checked them out already but the sales assistant didn't seem at all knowledgeable. Will try again and hopefully get someone who knows a bit more.

mossym

not sure where you are but limerick halfords has a few boardmans in stock every time i go there

irishmotorist

I got myself a Focus Cayo (triple) about a month ago and I love it. It's slightly above what you say, but for a full carbon fibre frame and the comfort that it brings, I would definitely advise you to consider it.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Focus_Cayo_105_Triple_2009/5360037592/

MushGSXR

dunno if you could find the 09 specialized model anywhere, I collected mine last Friday and I am loving it. The 09 has all 105 components as opposed to tiagra on the 2010 model. I am happier I got the older bike!

Shercobar

Sorry to slightly hijack this tread, but can anybody tell me is the Focus Cayo 105 really a much better bike than the Boardman Team Carbon. The Boardman looks better value yet there seems to be a lot more people here buying the Focus !

Lumen

Shercobar wrote: »

Sorry to slightly hijack this tread, but can anybody tell me is the Focus Cayo 105 really a much better bike than the Boardman Team Carbon. The Boardman looks better value yet there seems to be a lot more people here buying the Focus !

Boardman better value?

Focus Cayo 105 €1,185.28
Boardman Team Carbon €1,249.99

I'd take the Boardman, but only because it has SRAM, and I haven't had that before.

edit: I suspect the Boardman is lighter too.

Shercobar

Focus Cayo 105 €1,185.28
Boardman Team Carbon €1,249.99

Thanks for reply Lumen,
I forgot to say that I can get a 10% discount in Halfords and the Focus price does not include €23 delivery. Sorry for not being clearer.

I was interested to hear from anybody who had a chance to ride both to compare them.

1tony

does everyone get a 10% discount at halfords -
went to halfords recently for a new wheel and got nothing but abuse - they wanted to charge me €70 + €16 for fitting it (>20%) and i know i should do it myself but was in a hurry,
went to a corner cycle shop and he fixed the wheel for a tenner...Halfords mehole