Best Choice Moving up from Hybrid to Road Bike.

dfdream

All

I planned to look at a road bike for the new year but had been keeping an eye out for end of year offers to see if there was any good value.

I was looking at the KTM Strada 2000, Felt F75 and Giant Defy 1 as they are all in the price range I have (€1000-1200).

Thing is that Ive seen the Corratec Dolomiti Ultegra 2012 with massive reductions on several sites bringing it into my price range...

Firstly whats the concencus on the Corratec Dolomiti Ultegra as a first time road bike and secondly how would it fare against the others above.

I know others would recommend different bikes but from what Ive seen on the web these makes would be the most common first time bikes and I would like to stick to one of these options so I dont get drowned with too many choices...

smacl

Ok, first rule of boards is that you give us a budget, and we go over it. However in this case it's only by €86 and for the money the Ridley Orion 105 at €1,286.81 waaaay nicer than the other bikes you link for the money. If they had it in my size for this money, I'd already be planning on ways of sneaking the big brown box past my better half.

couerdelion

smacl wrote: »

Ok, first rule of boards is that you give us a budget, and we go over it. However in this case it's only by €86 and for the money the Ridley Orion 105 at €1,286.81 waaaay nicer than the other bikes you link for the money. If they had it in my size for this money, I'd already be planning on ways of sneaking the big brown box past my better half.

Take it out of the box, walk in with it... "You'll never guess what I've just found..." or "Sure, it only cost me €200, it looks almost brand new ".

BailMeOut

dfdream

I am in same position as you. Been cycling a hybrid for years but have been doing a lot events recently and so I too am make the jump I started a thread a couple of weeks back and have gotten great feedback. see http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=80827298 that you might want to check out.

dfdream

A mate of mine also mentioned the Ridley but there is a very poor selection in sizes. Im 6'3" and about 110kg. The limits on most of the ridley carbon bikes Id seen was 90kg... (Dont know if the weight makes a difference or not).

What would I gain from the carbon..at my weight anyway.

smacl wrote: »

Ok, first rule of boards is that you give us a budget, and we go over it. However in this case it's only by €86 and for the money the Ridley Orion 105 at €1,286.81 waaaay nicer than the other bikes you link for the money. If they had it in my size for this money, I'd already be planning on ways of sneaking the big brown box past my better half.

smacl

dfdream wrote: »

A mate of mine also mentioned the Ridley but there is a very poor selection in sizes. Im 6'3" and about 110kg. The limits on most of the ridley carbon bikes Id seen was 90kg... (Dont know if the weight makes a difference or not).

What would I gain from the carbon..at my weight anyway.

Ah, not for you either so. Carbon versus Alu aside, the Ridley Orion is a well regarded bike. The logic usually seen here is riding nice bikes is nice to do, you ride more, you lose weight, you ride more, etc... That Cannondale in the other linked post is also a lovely looking bike if its an option.

If you get a chance, it's worth trying out a few different bikes to see which you like, as regardless of others opinions, personal preferences differ significantly.

dfdream

Thanks guys for the input. I going to see the Corratec in the flesh next week and it is the one I seem to prefer...The kit on it seems very good spec for the money and the make seems to be reliable enough... I aggree about the riding more, losing weight etc. Ive 2 st lost since I got the hybrid 12 months ago and the bug has bitten me...

smacl wrote: »

Ah, not for you either so. Carbon versus Alu aside, the Ridley Orion is a well regarded bike. The logic usually seen here is riding nice bikes is nice to do, you ride more, you lose weight, you ride more, etc... That Cannondale in the other linked post is also a lovely looking bike if its an option.

If you get a chance, it's worth trying out a few different bikes to see which you like, as regardless of others opinions, personal preferences differ significantly.

thebourke

what shop are you check the ultregra corratec out at?

dfdream

thebourke wrote: »

what shop are you check the ultregra corratec out at?

Hope to visit Belfast ....

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=75531

Roger Hassenforder

dfdream wrote: »

A mate of mine also mentioned the Ridley but there is a very poor selection in sizes. Im 6'3" and about 110kg. The limits on most of the ridley carbon bikes Id seen was 90kg... (Dont know if the weight makes a difference or not).

What would I gain from the carbon..at my weight anyway.

i was 100kg on a carbon earlier this year, bugger weight, think of how you'll look! (at our weight, the cassette makes the biggest difference (IMO anyway)

dfdream

Cheers Rodger Its just most of the low end carbons Id seen for some reason all seemed to have a weight limit of under 95kg (Dont know why). And also in my budget you mostly compromised on groupset so its a balance no matter what way you go....

Roger Hassenforder wrote: »

i was 100kg on a carbon earlier this year, bugger weight, think of how you'll look! (at our weight, the cassette makes the biggest difference (IMO anyway)

smacl

dfdream wrote: »

Cheers Rodger Its just most of the low end carbons Id seen for some reason all seemed to have a weight limit of under 95kg (Dont know why). And also in my budget you mostly compromised on groupset so its a balance no matter what way you go....

AKAIK, nothing low end about the Ridley Orion. Though could just be a serious case of getting a new bike envy on my part.

dfdream

I meant low end as the lowest price carbons that I could see thats all...

smacl wrote: »

AKAIK, nothing low end about the Ridley Orion. Though could just be a serious case of getting a new bike envy on my part.

ballyharpat

I think with your weight, that an aluminium frame is a better buy, it will be stiffer than lower end carbon fiber and probably not much difference weight wise either. Also, since you are heavier, it will be more forgiving over bumps/rough surfaces, than it would be for someone my weight(65kg).

I ride a Ridley Crossbow, aluminium frame, and I have done a lot of centuries on it and use it full time during the winter, because of the design of the frame, it is actually very forgiving and comfortable. In comparison, I also have a Specialized Tarmac Pro SL, now that is a sweet ride, but you are talking about a top of the line carbon-not a low end carbon, there-in lies the difference.

Good luck with your purchase-btw, be sure and get a decent set of wheels !

dfdream

Thanks guys for the advice.
I talked to a few local guys and the comments were similar to here and they liked the spec of the bike but a few commented on it not having Ultegra Calipers in stead of the Tektro R540 Calipers.
I did a bit of research on the Tektro R540 and responses were mixed. Some say to change the pads for Salmon Pads and others changed them for 105 or Ultegra Calipers .

Would this be a big deal for me, would the pads make a difference (seems like a quick fix) or should I look at getting the shop to change them when I purchase or should I just wait and see.. Is changing Calipers going to cause any problems that I should be aware of..

In my price range there always seems to be a comprimise.

ballyharpat wrote: »

I think with your weight, that an aluminium frame is a better buy, it will be stiffer than lower end carbon fiber and probably not much difference weight wise either. Also, since you are heavier, it will be more forgiving over bumps/rough surfaces, than it would be for someone my weight(65kg).

I ride a Ridley Crossbow, aluminium frame, and I have done a lot of centuries on it and use it full time during the winter, because of the design of the frame, it is actually very forgiving and comfortable. In comparison, I also have a Specialized Tarmac Pro SL, now that is a sweet ride, but you are talking about a top of the line carbon-not a low end carbon, there-in lies the difference.

Good luck with your purchase-btw, be sure and get a decent set of wheels !

Paul Kiernan

Check out Wiggle as well. They have some good discounts on 2012 models.

Changing the brakes is no problem. Just follow the instructions! Chain Reactions will have old model 105 and Ultegra brakes next month for €35-45 a pair, you could nearly sell the Tektro's for that:).

ballyharpat

IMO, you would be better off changing them for 105 or ultegra, for the price you pay for salmon pads, it would make up the difference of changing the entire unit, wait till they are on sale and then get them, you'll get a few euro for your tektro with pads as well, and then you'll have a nicely kitted bike-Don't know if your bike has a carbon fork or not, if it doesn't, I would change that though.....

dfdream

I will ring tomorrow and see if the fork is carbon. I did a good search and some sites say carbon fork others say just corratec fork with no mention of carbon..
If its not carbon I think I will walk away as I can get full 105 bikes with carbon fork in my price bracket.

ballyharpat wrote: »

IMO, you would be better off changing them for 105 or ultegra, for the price you pay for salmon pads, it would make up the difference of changing the entire unit, wait till they are on sale and then get them, you'll get a few euro for your tektro with pads as well, and then you'll have a nicely kitted bike-Don't know if your bike has a carbon fork or not, if it doesn't, I would change that though.....

ballyharpat

The Corratec fork is carbon
http://www.damianharriscycles.co.uk/prod/rac_0009_co/Corratec/Corratec-Dolomiti-Ultegra-Compact
But just to be sure, I would confirm....

dfdream

I saw that 2. but neither Chain Reaction or Eurocycles have it....
Will ring.

ballyharpat wrote: »

The Corratec fork is carbon
http://www.damianharriscycles.co.uk/prod/rac_0009_co/Corratec/Corratec-Dolomiti-Ultegra-Compact
But just to be sure, I would confirm....

dfdream

Rang 2 places today and its a carbon fork alright..
Will see how it goes...

dfdream wrote: »

I saw that 2. but neither Chain Reaction or Eurocycles have it....
Will ring.

dfdream

I bit the bullet and bought the Corratec.
It arrived Friday from eurocycles but there was a problem with the bike caused in transit.
I contacted them and they pulled out all the stops and got a replacement dropped to me Saturday by one of the guys in the shop. (BTW Im in Clare).

Well done eurocycles...
Took the bike for a 40k spin today and I love it...Really smooth.

Thanks Steffan, Daniel and Claire in Eurocycles...

Roger Hassenforder

Njoy!

Seaneh

dfdream wrote: »

I bit the bullet and bought the Corratec.
It arrived Friday from eurocycles but there was a problem with the bike caused in transit.
I contacted them and they pulled out all the stops and got a replacement dropped to me Saturday by one of the guys in the shop. (BTW Im in Clare).

Well done eurocycles...
Took the bike for a 40k spin today and I love it...Really smooth.

Thanks Steffan, Daniel and Claire in Eurocycles...

That's an amazing price for a bike of that spec, great buy!