PX free zone!

ciarsciars

Hi,
I have to make a decision re a road bike through the bike to work scheme before Monday 1st March. My job is using a third party company for the bike to work scheme, so I am limited in the shops I can choose from http://www.biketowork.ie/site/bike-shops (rules out PX, Boardmans etc)
I might still have the option of a Felt F75, a 2009 model from a place in Fairview for €1299, same as this offer: http://www.eurocycles.ie/Road_Bikes/Felt_F75/3197_p.aspx

I am also looking at a Dolan's carbon bike from wheelworks - http://www.wheelworxbikes.com/product_info.php?cPath=1_17&products_id=1641
€1299 with a Campag Mirage groupset and Fulcrum7 wheels or €1500 with a shimano 105 with shimano RS10 wheels (I think that's the name of the wheels). If I do choose to get this bike i'm not sure on which groupset to get. Is the 105 worth an additional €200? I know this is a personal choice, just looking for some opinions.

Another option is the Orbea T105 for €1100 http://www.orbea.com/en/bicis/modelos/aqua_t105/ficha_tecnica/

Any Feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

RobFowl

All 3 are good bikes.

The 105 IMO is well worth the extra.
It shifts more solidly and will last longer.

The Orbea looks the best I think but if you are using it mostly for commuting or sportifs then I'd favour the Felt.

It has slightly more relaxed geometry and will be a bit more comfortable (but less aero) to ride.

ROK ON

Ciarsciars.

Hi. I have a Dolan Hercules SE (model up from the frame that you linked) and I have an Orbea Aqua. The Hercules and the Mythos have identical geometries, but I presume only differ in terms of Carbon type used. The Hercules may for example be lighter than the Mythos.

My observation on the Hercules would be.
Very comfortable bike to cycle. I have used it a hell of a lot, taking many 100-180km cycles in the past 12 months with it. The bike handles well on fast and windy descents. It is comfortable on a lot of the absolutely crap roads in Kerry that I cycle on. I like the compact frameset design. Just like the look of it, but that is a personal thing.

On the Orbea Aqua.
I bought this on the BTW scheme as a winter training bike. It is an aluminum framed bike with carbon forks. Unlike many entry level alu road bikes, it has IMO a lovely finish. There is no visible welding bulges where the frame is joined. Also all Orbea frames have a lifetime warranty. All that being said I do not find this a comfortable frame to cycle on for very long, particularly when descending or going on fast streches of road.
A lot more road vibration on the bike IMO. Now that maybe down to more than the frame, for example bars, stems etc. I have Fulcrum 5 wheels on both bikes.

I have both bikes set up identically btw. The headset on the Orbea is a little over 5mm smaller (more aggressive) than on the Dolan. Thus I use more spacers to get same handlebar height. A personal thing, but makes the finished bike look less nicein my shallow opinion.
There shouldnt be a huge difference in comfort as the top tube and chainstay are the same size on both bikes (535mm and 405mm). So the fact that I find the Dolan SIGNIFICANTLY more comfortable than the Orbea is down to
(1) carbon versus aluminium,
(2) my imagination,
(3) something else that I dont understand.
I use the Orbea as a winter training bike in Dublin. Longest spin on it was 93km. Mostly do 30-50km spins and commute on it.
I use the Dolan as my Sportif bike and have done max 205km on it. If I was chooosing a bike to ride a 150km sportif with a lot of climbing and descending I would take the Dolan and leave the Orbea at home.

I hope that this helps.

sgriffin

ciarsciars i have ridden one of those felts and they are a lovely lovely bike . shiftings good on them and frame and forks are good too . they dont look half bad either . id have the felt .

sgriffin

they also have the felt z75 2010 1500e full 105.
http://www.eurocycles.ie/Road_Bikes/Felt_Z75_-_2010/3601_p.aspx

72hundred

/off topic/ but by jesus I hate "Bike to Work LTD" the idea of crap limited shop choices and a third party making a profit offering me a government scheme! - argh! BTW I recently found that a potential employer of mine uses "Bike to Work LTD" arghhhhhhh! /on topic/