Racing Bike for 1000-1500 Euro

scoobydoo22

Hi! I am a keen cyclist. I currently have a Trek 4300 mountain bike, but am keen to get a quality,light and quick racing bike. I cycled some big mountains in the French Alps over the summer and loved it. I cycle nearly every day for about 1.5 hours.
The problem is I am looking for the highest spec bike for the lowest price. Don't know whether to buy Trek, Specilized, Giant or Lapierre.

Could any of you recommend some good bikes?(my max spend is probably 1500 euro)

Is it cheaper buying here in Dublin, driving up to Nthern Ireland, buying in US or online?

I would appreciate any advice.

Thank U!!

4zn76tysfajdxp

Moved from After Hours.

ROK ON

Join the boards club and get a Planet X or Focus Mayo.
I internet brands with good reputation and reasonably good components on carbon frame.

Within your price range.

Lumen

Planet-X.

Focus Cayo.

Boardman Team Carbon.

Or lots of other ideas here and here.

boniver

Or you could try hammering yourself a really good deal at your local bike shop, getting to see and size your bike in the flesh, have somewhere to bring it back to in case anything goes wrong and maybe keep some money in the economy? Just a thought.

brayblue24

boniver wrote: »

maybe keep some money in the economy? Just a thought.

Or you could keep some money in my economy and buy this:

http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=151796&cat=all

Again, just a thought (and a shameless plug):D

jollylee

I spotted this this morning! fantastic value!! (if your short, it looks pretty small)


EDIT:
Oops I forgot the link, here's the bike i was referring to::o:o

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/gentsbicycles/1024122

Apologises DirkVoodoo

DirkVoodoo

56cm frame would do someone from about 5'9" to 6'0".

EDIT: Also apologies jollylee, I thought you were referring to BrayBlue's bike.

Chips Lovell

I was shopping around recently for someone else and the Cayo or Planet-X seem like the best deals at the moment. A lot of happy customers for both bikes on this forum.

DirkVoodoo

Don't forget the Boardman bikes either, great write up on bikeradar:

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/team-carbon-09-33934

jollylee

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Don't forget the Boardman bikes either, great write up on bikeradar:

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/team-carbon-09-33934

Halfords Limerick still have a 2008 boardman pro with Dura-ace shifters and carbon forks + rear stays. Knock down price is €1279.

McTigs

Got my first road bike last march, I got one of these.

Delighted with it but it is my first so i don't really have anything to compare it to..... nevertheless it's the business!

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Felt_Z75_2010/5360045911/

DirkVoodoo

Wow, Felt have really jacked up their prices this year. That's an awful lot of money.

If you are about the same height/dimensions as myself (5'10") then wiggle have a Z35 for similar money. Carbon Fiber frame and 105 groupset.

Linky

Big fan of Felt by the way, my dream bike might be a Colnago, but a realistic option would be a Felt or a Cannondale.

scoobydoo22

Thank u for your replies! I think I will buy a new bike. I am 5ft10.5 and not sure what size frame would suit!
Lumen posted an article from Bike Radar which judged the Giant TCR Advanced 3 as the best bike for the price;it sounds very impressive.

If any of you were going to buy this bike new;would you buy locally in Dublin, up North/UK, in US or online?

I appreciate your replies!

iLOVEmyBIKE

The Giant TCR is a quality bike but also check out the Trek 2.1 for similar money. My advice is to try a few out back to back at a local shop. Bikes are like any other purchase and need to be tested against each other. With most of the bikes having similar components it comes down to which brand 'feels right'. For that price you can get a lovely piece of kit though!!

Lumen

scoobydoo22 wrote: »

Thank u for your replies! I think I will buy a new bike. I am 5ft10.5 and not sure what size frame would suit!
Lumen posted an article from Bike Radar which judged the Giant TCR Advanced 3 as the best bike for the price;it sounds very impressive.

If any of you were going to buy this bike new;would you buy locally in Dublin, up North/UK, in US or online?

It looks like the UK prices for the 2010 model have gone up quite a bit (to £1900+), probably due to sterling depreciation. This puts the € price somewhere around €2100 for a UK bike, which is well over your stated budget. Irish prices seem to be around €2450. There may be other attractive choices at that price point.

However, if you want the Giant, I'd either go up North, e.g. to somewhere like McConvey Cycles who claim to have a fitting service, or buy from a local dealer like CSS. Correct bike fit is really important, particularly if you're spending megabucks on a road bike - they depreciate a lot so you'll lose loads if you end up having to sell it on because it's the wrong size.

You might be able to find a 2009 model for closer to £1600, but it'll be bin-end stock you the sizes will probably be limited.

Sizing of Giants is slightly confusing since they have ultra-compact geometry (very sloping top tube). The most important measure is your required horizontal top tube length, which you can work out using various sizing charts e.g. this.

Finally, don't get too obsessive about the magazine reviews like BikeRadar. Just because they stick a bike on their podium doesn't mean it's the best bike for you.

sy

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Wow, Felt have really jacked up their prices this year. That's an awful lot of money.

Criky! Felt have upped their prices big time. I was buying a F3 in Jan 2008 with full Dura Ace for £1599 now they are almost twice that price. Once they were picked up by high profile Pro Team prices increased. Likewise with Focus. Planet X will be next:rolleyes: