Buying new bike - help please

Pronsias

Hi all, fresh from the Wicklow 200 (having survived the elements and Sally Gap descent) I have made the decision to upgrade my bike.

My Budget is between €2000 - €2600. I have visited a few stores and asked plenty of questions, but it's still quite tough to make a decision with so many manufacturers and models out there. I'm no expert and couldn't tell you the difference between one carbon frame and another, my knowledge being limited to knowing dura ace is better than ultegra which in turn is better than 105. Based on budget I have come up with the following list;

Cube Agree GTC SL Compact Bike '11
Giant TCR Composite 1 Bike '11
Lapierre Sensium 300 TP Bike '11
Ridley Damocles 1117A Centaur Road Bike '11
Felt F4 2011 Model / Felt AR4 2010 Model
KTM Strada LC 5000

All feedback and advise on making a decision welcome.
I'd also like to hear from anybody who maybe currently riding one of the above models.

Lemag

Are you open to other suggestions? Are you looking to make the purchase using the BTW scheme? If so, does your employer use a third party to administer the scheme? If so, are there restrictions on where you can get the bike from?

Pronsias

Absolutely open to other suggestions.
The BTW scheme option is a non-runner unfortunately as I have already availed of the scheme.

Lemag

I have this although it was a bike build so you won't get it with the same spec unless you build it up also. It's by far the best bike (my second carbon bike, btw) that I've had the pleasure of cycling. For €2000 you can get it with Ultegra here. They are only available to purchase directly from this site.

FISMA

Pronsias wrote: »

Cube Agree GTC SL Compact Bike '11
Giant TCR Composite 1 Bike '11
Lapierre Sensium 300 TP Bike '11
Ridley Damocles 1117A Centaur Road Bike '11
Felt F4 2011 Model / Felt AR4 2010 Model
KTM Strada LC 5000

Pronsias,
Can you give us the groupo that comes with the above rides and the costs? How about the wheelset?

Dura Ace is the best, I have it on my best bike. However, Ultegra is fantastic stuff as well. I have it on my back up bike.

What are the guarantees/warranties like on the frames?

So far I am going with the Giant.

Pronsias

Lads, thanks for the feedback so far. I have included what I think are most of the important specs along with the prices.
I have got the prices from three stores (Wheel Worx, Cycle Superstore & Cycle Inn).


Cube Agree GTC SL Compact Bike '11 €2,599
(Chainset: FSA SL-K Light Megaexo Carbon Compact 50x34T, Press-fit BB, Rear Mech: Shimano Dura Ace RD-7900SS, Front Mech: Shimano Dura Ace FD-7900F double clamp, Cassette: Shimano Ultegra CS-6700 12-25T, 10-speed, Tyres: Schwalbe Ultremo ZX Kevlar 23x622, Wheels: Fulcrum Racing 5 Evolution Custom, Weight 7.7kg)

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=35&idproduct=40758


Giant TCR Composite 1 Bike '11 €2,595
(Crankset: Shimano Ultegra 6700 34/50, Bottom Bracket: Shimano Integrated Press Fit, Rear Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra 6700, Front Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra 6700, Cassette: Shimano 105 5700 11-28, Tires: Michelin Dynamic 700x23mm, Rims: DT Swiss RR1900, Weight - No weight available)

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=35&idproduct=40758

Lapierre Sensium 300 TP Bike '11 €2,545
(Crankset: SHIMANO Ultegra TP 50/39/31, Rear derailleur: SHIMANO Ultegra 6700SS, Front derailleur: SHIMANO Ultegra FD6700BL, Bottom Bracket: Shimano SM BB6700, Tires : MICHELIN Lithion2 TS 700x23 Black/Grey, Wheel: MAVIC Aksium 2011 Black, Weight: 7.9kg)

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=35&idproduct=38563

Ridley Damocles 1117A Centaur Road Bike '11 €2,299
(Chainset: Campagnolo Centaur 34/50T, Rear Derailleur: Campagnolo Centaur, Front Derailleur: Campagnolo Centaur, Cassette: Campagnolo Centaur 12/27, Tires: Vredestein Fortezza, Wheels: 4ZA Stratos, Weight Weight: Frame 1220g; Bike: 7,9kg)

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=35&idproduct=37815

Felt AR4 2010 Model €2,399, this is an offer price from Wheelworx down from €2,899
(Drivetrain: Shimano Ultegra STI, Ultegra braze on front derailleur, Ultegra rear derailleur, Ultegra, 53/39T crankset, Ultegra chain, 11-25T cassette, Wheelset: Felt AeroR2 700c 28mm deep aluminum w/ CNC machined braking surface, 20H front/24H rear w/ Cr-Mo quick release skewer & DT Bladed butted 1.8/0.9 x 2.3/1.8mm w/ aluminum nipples)

http://www.wheelworxbikes.com/product_info.php?cPath=1_231_17&products_id=2042

KTM Strada LC 5000 €2,599
(rear derailleur shimano Ultegra, front derailleur shimano Ultegra, chainset shimano ultegra, cassette shimano ultegra, tires Schwalbe Ultremo ZX.HD red 23-622, rims Mavic Ksyrium Elite, weight 7.5kg)

http://www.ktm-bikes.at/en/road/road/road-carbon/Stradalc5000_copy.php

Russman

Hard to look away from the Canyon Lemag linked to IMO.

FISMA

Pronsias,
I would make an excel spreadsheet if I were you an award points based on what is important to you.

Frame is probably the most important, then the groupo.

Just make sure they aren't giving up an Ultegra Group, but different cranks.

The wheels are important too. You can spend a lot of money on them. For example, my bike is about the same as Lance's for most of his tour wins, except for the $12,000 wheels!

Next, check out the fork, make sure it is up to spec.

Ask the manufacturers if they have crash replacement warranties or something. I think you can turn in a Canondale in the states and get a new frame for a $150 or something. I think Trek does something similar with their carbon frames.

Got links to the ones you are looking at?

Pronsias

Hi Fisma, have attached the links in my post above. Out of the six on that list I would probably cut it down to two.

The Felt AR4 2010 Model or the Giant, as both seem to have decent components and wheels.

My other little conundrum now is between the Giant TCR Composite 1 and the Giant TCR Advanced 2.
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=35&idproduct=39752

The TCR Advanced 2 is a little over budget but with the discount I am expecting (at minimum 12.5%, possibly a little more) it would come in on budget.

I did a bit of research on forums last night and when push comes to shove a lot of people seemed to favour the Advanced TCR 2 over the Composite TCR 1 as it has a better frame and slightly better wheel set.

That said, you lose out on the components as they are 105 v Ultegra. Again a lot of people said there is very little difference between 105/Ultegra. And any weight advantage with respect to the components would most probably be offset by the better quality frame & wheelset on the Advanced 2.

Then there's also the Felt AR4. It's a tough choice but at least I think I am narrowing things down a little!!

Lemag

€2800 for a 105 equipped bike seems a little nuts to me. The Canyon which I linked is a really nice stiff bike and for €2700 you can get it with mostly Dura-Ace (Ultegra brakes & cassette) and Ksyrium Elite Wheels (1550grams). However, at €1999, I still think that the one which I linked earlier represents better value for money.

Pronsias

Ok, I have concluded my research ( you really could spend Months checking and counter checking specifications!!), and made my decision. It's gonna be the Canyon as posted by Lemag - BTW, thanks Lemag for pointing me towards it!

It really does seem to represent great value, is nicely spece'd with Ultegra, has a nice wheel set and the reviews seem to reflect positively.

The final piece of the jigsaw is to get the sizing right. What I have done is compare the dimensions of my current 'Lapierre R Lite 300' and matched them as closely as possible with the dimensions given on the Canyon site. This has me coming out with a 54 on the Canyon. And most bike shops I have visited have said I would most likely be a 54 so this approach seems to stack up.

Has anyone else got a better approach to ensure you order the correct size. I would have thought matching the dimensions would be a fairly fail safe approach.

Lumen

Pronsias wrote: »

Has anyone else got a better approach to ensure you order the correct size.

No.

Pronsias wrote: »

I would have thought matching the dimensions would be a fairly fail safe approach.

Yes. Horizontal top tube length and head tube length are the most important dimensions. The minor caveat is that you may need to correct for seat tube angle, since a slacker seat tube will put the saddle further back (increasing reach) even though the top tube length may be the same. Obviously you can correct with saddle position on the rails, or use a different seatpost setback.

Fazz

If you can hold out a few months or so then it may be in your interest regarding spec...

2011 models will be launched soon and most likely will see the start of Ultegra DI2 specced bikes at reasonable prices... Likely to be 500 or less above existing ultegra models hopefully..

If DI2 is not your thing then fair enough.

You are spending enough to warrant such a spec imo..
Though it's not that much of a benefit on a road bike compared to Tri bike but still worth consideration even for resale value as the Market looks like upgrading this year.

Pronsias

Another conundrum!!

I was going to go for a standard with an 11-28 cassette.
But now I'm wondering should I go compact instead.

When I'm out I nearly always head for the Dublin Mountains and on into Wicklow. So the likes of the climb to Killakee viewing point, Ballinascorney, Sally Gap. Tough oul climbs - at least for me.

I currently have a triple 30x39x50 with a 13-25 cassette.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the standard setup? Would it be manageable with a 11-28 cassette. I would consider myself middle of the road when it comes to climbing (I certainly ain't no Alberto Contador!!)

BTW I got through the W200 without getting off my bike on any of the climbs although I was in the granny gear going up Sliabh Man and the Shay Ellliot. Just thought I would add this little snippet as it may help people gauge my climbing ability.

Lemag

Pronsias wrote: »

Ok, I have concluded my research ( you really could spend Months checking and counter checking specifications!!), and made my decision. It's gonna be the Canyon as posted by Lemag - BTW, thanks Lemag for pointing me towards it!

Thanks for getting back regarding your choice Pronsias. I don't think that the Canyon will disappoint you. Something to perhaps consider though - last year they had very good discounts on their bikes during the TdF. Most of their complete bikes don't appear to be available until during or slightly after this so it might be worth your while to wait until it kicks off to see if they'll be offering such discounts again.

Regarding the sizing. There is a calculator on the Canyon website. I went for the size just above the one which the calculator had recommended for me. I'm glad that I did but the smaller size probably would have suited me also. Also, they may have tweaked the calculator since. If you are comfortable with your current bike and the geometries between it and the Canyon are similar then comparing them as you have done might be the best way to go.

Good luck with it.

Lemag

Pronsias wrote: »

I was going to go for a standard with an 11-28 cassette.
But now I'm wondering should I go compact instead.



I currently have a triple 30x39x50 with a 13-25 cassette.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the standard setup? Would it be manageable with a 11-28 cassette. I would consider myself middle of the road when it comes to climbing (I certainly ain't no Alberto Contador!!

If you're comfortable with your current setup but want to go for a double then going for the compact would present you with a less dramatic change than a standard. I'd suggest going with the compact.