First road bike

CianRyan

Endless amounts of threads about this, I know and I apologize.

I've been lusting over nice road bikes for the past year or so and I've recently taken to the roads on my hardtail MTB.
I've now gotten to the point where I can see myself spending €1000-€1200 on a nice bike.
I can't avail of BTW as I'm not employed at the moment and I'd rather goes through my LBS for a first hand bike rather than the likes of adverts.
I know I could potentially get a nicer bike second hand but there are more options in buying first hand and I'd get expert advice with regards to sizing, etc...

I've been looking at Lapierre's Audacio models which were shown to me when I asked about bikes in that price range.
From what I've heard Lapierre are a good brand but then again, you could tell me anything and I'd have to take your word for it.

What are your opinions on this range?
Can you recommend other bikes to look at or too stay away from?

Right now I'll be using it for getting fit and hopefully soon I'll be ready to meet up with others/join a club for spins.
I'd love to, in a years time or so, take part in a sportive or two.

Any advice welcome, cheers.
Cian.

kenmc

lapierre are overpriced for the spec. look at cube in css also, on a price comparison basis they tend to be slightly better spec'd and are much nicer bikes imo.
Otherwise look at canyon, planetx and focus online - for that sort of money you should be getting at least 105 or ultegra and possibly even full carbon
edit : lapierre are fine as brands go, but they tend to be underspec'd for the money, don't know why really, cos it's not like they spend a fortune on advertising like trek or giant would.

DonalK1981

CianRyan wrote: »

Endless amounts of threads about this, I know and I apologize.

I've been lusting over nice road bikes for the past year or so and I've recently taken to the roads on my hardtail MTB.
I've now gotten to the point where I can see myself spending €1000-€1200 on a nice bike.
I can't avail of BTW as I'm not employed at the moment and I'd rather goes through my LBS for a first hand bike rather than the likes of adverts.
I know I could potentially get a nicer bike second hand but there are more options in buying first hand and I'd get expert advice with regards to sizing, etc...

I've been looking at Lapierre's Audacio models which were shown to me when I asked about bikes in that price range.
From what I've heard Lapierre are a good brand but then again, you could tell me anything and I'd have to take your word for it.

What are your opinions on this range?
Can you recommend other bikes to look at or too stay away from?

Right now I'll be using it for getting fit and hopefully soon I'll be ready to meet up with others/join a club for spins.
I'd love to, in a years time or so, take part in a sportive or two.

Any advice welcome, cheers.
Cian.

Get one of your overweight working friends to use BTW scheme for you!
Only messing, but I wish I had that money being unemployed and all! To be fair adverts.ie is the route I'd go, and have actually done OK on that for myself. Built a carbon framed ultegra bike for around a grand.

CianRyan

I was looking at Cube but was slightly put off because they don't design their own frames. Are they still decent frames?

I would like to get full carbon but didn't really think I'd be getting the best spec other than the frame in that price range.

I saw a Canyon some one else had posted in another thread recently and it did look nice.
I was looking at them when I bought my MTB actually, can't remember why but I ended up going with Giant instead.
I've noticed from lurking that PX seem to be pretty highly regarded, I'll definitelly have a look at them.

Don't know much on Focus though, could you shed some light on which model to go for?

CianRyan

DonalK1981 wrote: »

Get one of your overweight working friends to use BTW scheme for you!
Only messing, but I wish I had that money being unemployed and all! To be fair adverts.ie is the route I'd go, and have actually done OK on that for myself. Built a carbon framed ultegra bike for around a grand.

Haha, tried talking to my Dad about that but he wasn't having any of it. I wouldn't feel right doing it anyway, I'd imagine some one around every bend ready to take the bike back.

I'm actually selling my guitar amp and current bike to fund this.
€5/600 on a smaller amp and the rest on a new bike, so it's not like I just have the money. :P

I'm always on adverts looking at the bikes that come on and if there was something there I'd probably bite, I have it in my ad that I'd be willing to swap the amp (€1400) for a bike but I don't think many people will be selling a bike to fund overly expensive music gear, but you never know.

I probably wouldn't try and build something, I've feck all experience with bike mechanics and with that much money on the line I'd rather buy complete but again, if it came to it and the price was right I could be into doing that.

kenmc

CianRyan wrote: »

I was looking at Cube but was slightly put off because they don't design their own frames. Are they still decent frames?

why does that bother you? I have never considered that a prerequisite when buying a bike. My wife has a cube (attempt) and it's a lovely bike, would defo consider one myself when looking to replace mine

I've noticed from lurking that PX seem to be pretty highly regarded, I'll definitelly have a look at them.

people say they're bland, but for the price they're good value - I can't fault mine.

Don't know much on Focus though, could you shed some light on which model to go for?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/focus-cayo-105-ltd-2011/
cayo would be the one for that budget, and plenty of boardsies riding them also.

CianRyan

kenmc wrote: »

why does that bother you? I have never considered that a prerequisite when buying a bike. My wife has a cube (attempt) and it's a lovely bike, would defo consider one myself when looking to replace mine

I think it was just the way some one put it to me actually, a bike shop worker at that, probably trying to squeeze more money from me.

I'll look at them a bit more.
Could I get a full carbon Cube in my price range?

kenmc wrote: »

people say they're bland, but for the price they're good value - I can't fault mine.

I saw one yesterday in a shop, just in for a service by the looks of things, it did look a little bland but I'd be more worried about build quality and components than bling.
I've always been the plain one with in my mates. :rolleyes:

Do you know of anywhere that stocks them or do they only deal online?
I've never seen one for sale in Ireland.

kenmc wrote: »

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/focus-cayo-105-ltd-2011/
cayo would be the one for that budget, and plenty of boardsies riding them also.

I like the look of that alright, spec seems good too.
Any idea on the weight by any chance?

Cheers for all the help, btw. I was lost in a sea of bikes and prices before this.

Tonyandthewhale

There's a guy in Athlone who sells PX as far as I know. The lapierre audacio line are very nice, my girlfriend has one and it's a lovely frame, one of the best I've ever ridden but the other posters are right in what they said about the low-spec. You can get a lot better for 1000-1200. Has anyone mentioned canyon yet?

CianRyan

Might be able to get to Athlone alright.

Yeah, Canyon have been mentioned, I was having a look there at the top end Roadlite (7.0) and it seems well spec'd and looks good. If I could get a full carbon PX I think I'd go that direction though.

I think this is Alu, right?
http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=2106

I like the look of this: http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPSP/sl-pro-carbon-sram-rival
But was wondering whether it's worth the extra €250 for this: http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPCAAT/sl-pro-carbon-with-campag-athena

The Focus posted earlier seems nice too, and the spec seems good for the money too.
Had a look at cube and again, can't seem to afford full carbon in my price range so I put that to the side for now.

CianRyan

Also like to gauge opinions on this?
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-z6-2011/#more

macadam

I started out purchased a Trek 1.9 wonderful bike lbs mesured me wrong and nearely ended me cycling now i have a planet x and you are more than welcome to try it out.

maca

CianRyan

Oh, I'd love the chance to try it if it's not to much hassle. Thanks.

Do you be around Dublin for spins?

CianRyan

Any comments on the last bikes I posted?

Inquitus

CianRyan wrote: »

Any comments on the last bikes I posted?

I have a 2011 Felt Z6 as my first road bike, am very happy with it, I swapped out the Microshift shifters for some 2nd hand Ultegras at a net cost of 15 euros...paid 90 for the Ultegras and sold the Microshift for 75 on ebay.

The 11/28 on the back is pretty forgiving on the hills and tbqh I am glad its there. I am not hugely experienced on Road bikes, given this is my first one, but I have clocked up close to 1500km on it the past 6-7 weeks and would highly recommend it.

That said I was limited as to where I could purchase from on the Bike2Work scheme, and if I had free reign I don't think the Planet-X value can be beaten tbh.

CianRyan

Yeah, I really am finding myself sinking further and further into the pull of the PX.

Above budget but I think it'll be worth it.
Only slightly over budget though, so that's grand.

CianRyan

Sorry to bring this up again but I was wondering if anyone had some info on the Kellys IRC 3.9?

My LBS has offered me one for a grand but I can't find much about them anywhere.

I've decided that I've been getting a bit ahead of myself with the money and I inadvertently added almost a grand to my budget. Typical me really...

Anyway, can't find any reviews of the bike or much about the company so was hopping some one here would have some advice on them.

Cheers.