Carbon road bike 2-3k recommendations

swibble

I'm looking to upgrade to a full carbon bike from a focus bike. I have somewhat narrowed it down and the front runner is a Cube Agree GTC, this looks like a fantastic deal http://www.bruegelmann.de/fahrraeder/rennraeder/cube-agree-gtc-di2-carbonnwhitengrey/287610.html but the snag is it's in german. I would love to get my hands on a a focus Izalco pro but they seem hard to come by.

I won't be racing but will be using it for regular spins and sportive events. So comfort is important. A LBS has cubes but the lure of internet deals is strong. Should I hold out for January sales?

I've looked at Canyon, x-planet etc but nothing really struck me.

Any other recommendations please?

Raam

"Agree" is a terrible name for a bike. Can we all agree on that? :pac:

Lusk Doyle

Raam wrote: »

"Agree" is a terrible name for a bike. Can we all agree on that? :pac:

I concur.

swibble

Agreed

Hmmzis

Roseversand have a sale now on. For your budget you should be able to get a full Dura Ace, Cosmic Carbone SL equipped carbon bike that barely fits into the UCI weight limit. That's if the size fits.

DirkVoodoo

Cube got this all wrong. There is a golden opportunity there for some bike manufacturer to market their bikes to both enthusiasts and joe-public alike. They simply need to enter into an arrangement with a popular 80s/90s action superstar who is also an avid cyclist.

I give you the (potential) list of 2013 Cube bikes:

Cube Predator (TT bike)
Cube Terminator
Cube Terminator 3 - rise of the machines (Di2 equipped)
Cube Eraser
Cube Commando (Full sus cross country)
Cube Twins (tandem bike)
Cube Red Heat
Cube Kindergarten Cop (12" kiddie bike)
Cube Junior (16" bike)

Imagine the ad campaign!

ugsparky

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Cube got this all wrong. There is a golden opportunity there for some bike manufacturer to market their bikes to both enthusiasts and joe-public alike. They simply need to enter into an arrangement with a popular 80s/90s action superstar who is also an avid cyclist.

I give you the (potential) list of 2013 Cube bikes:

Cube Predator (TT bike)
Cube Terminator
Cube Terminator 3 - rise of the machines (Di2 equipped)
Cube Eraser
Cube Commando (Full sus cross country)
Cube Twins (tandem bike)
Cube Red Heat
Cube Kindergarten Cop (12" kiddie bike)
Cube Junior (16" bike)

Imagine the ad campaign!

... or you could just call them all Arnie ...

mossym

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Imagine the ad campaign!

yup, a lyrca clad ex-Mr universe bounds down the stairs, slips on some cycling shoes. checks the weather, it's cold and wet, but it's no Austria in january, so short sleeves it is with no jacket. Helmet pulled on, care taken not to rip the straps off the helmet due to the sheer upper body strength. climbs on the saddle, checks Danny devito is alongside on his tricycle, is just about to leave and then turns to his wife, who he hasn't touched since they hired the seriously ugly housekeeper, stares her in the eye, and says.

"i'll be back"

i can see the clio awards roll in now...

swibble

Thanks, hadn't heard of rose before, they look like great value.

2 Wheels Good

My usual recommendation, around €2400 with Ultegra Wilier Izoard XP
Got a great review in this weeks Cycling Weekly, I have the 2011 version (same frame, different colour scheme) with 105

CaoimH_in

I'd go with this:
http://jedi-sports.de/Bikes-Custom-Made/Road/Cervelo-S5-Sram-Rival-C-2012::3678.html?XTCsid=24b2k2nod405u59d7tmic1ov97

At 2,500 it looks the biz.

ashleey

This is at the top of your price range:
http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3089

and this is if you get a bonus:
http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3095

Imagine coming down on Christmas morning to see that in the lounge? Would only just beat the day that I got a Raleigh Tomahawk.

swibble

Thanks for the tips. The cervelo is a lovely looking bike, however one of my main criteria is comfort which it seems is the one thing the cervelo s5 is not rated for. Also I've been trying to decide if I should get Di2 as it sounds great. So at the moment the front runner for me is http://www.roseversand.com/article/rose-carbon-pro-rs-3100-compact/aid:529197

swibble

Curses, the Rose bike has gone. So after a bit of digging on carbon vs aluminium I'm going to go for the Canyon Ultimate al di2. I had my heart set on a full carbon bike, but it seems there is a lot to be said for a good quality aluminium frame paired with a carbon fork and seat post. Was rated one of the top bikes in this price range also so seems like a good bet.

Lumen

swibble wrote: »

I'm going to go for the Canyon Ultimate al di2

I have one with SRAM on it. It's a great bike.

mcgratheoin

ashleey wrote: »

and this is if you get a bonus:
http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3095

12th post - no matter what budget an OP says they have, somewhere on the first page of the thread somebody will say-

"If you can stretch to just a little bit more, you could get...."

to be fair, usually it takes less than 12 posts

kuro_man

Rose crs still available: cf + di2

http://www.roseversand.com/article/rose-xeon-crs-3100-double/aid:557069

swibble

Thanks kuro_man, I thought it had gone. So it's back to the aluminium vs carbon debate, the rose certainly looks like more bike for the money as the frame is carbon, though the canyon has got a lot of praise. Decisions, decisions.

kuro_man

I have both, i vote for CF

swibble

Some reviews give the rose a bit of stick regarding comfort, what's your experience been? The roads I'll be on won't be great for the most part, some of them will be terrible back roads.

rigal

Friend had a Canyon CF Ultimate SLX then sold it as he got a good offer and bought the AL with ultegra DI2. He hates it and finds it quite a harsh ride in comparsion to the CF. He's going to sell and buy an Aeroad or new Ultimate CF now.

swibble

Thanks for all the input. Rose Xeon CRS 3100 has been ordered. Can't wait to try it out and see if the di2 is all it's cracked up to be.

kuro_man

can I try it out?

Donie75

Be sure to give us a good review of the Rose when you get a few spins under your belt. They make lovely bikes at great prices. Could be tempted to go for one myself next time.

ashleey

mcgratheoin wrote: »

12th post - no matter what budget an OP says they have, somewhere on the first page of the thread somebody will say-

"If you can stretch to just a little bit more, you could get...."

to be fair, usually it takes less than 12 posts

Maybe I was just wishing that I could afford it?

Point taken

Koobcam

Got to agree with all the Canyon suggestions. If you have 2-3 grand to spend on a bike, I'd go with an Aeroad. I have an Ultimate CF myself, the reviews I've read suggest the Aeroad might be better on the kind of sh*te roads we all have to cycle on here in Ireland most of the time. I'd maybe recommend this:
http://www.canyon.com/_en/outlet/article.html?o=AS1003628
A tad heavier than the Ultimate CF SLX, but unless you're built like a jockey, I wouldn't place too much importance on this.

swibble

The deed is done, the rose is in the pipeline. The canyons do look good, but I'm happy with the choice. Any bike would be a step up now from my battered focus cyclo cross, though it has served me well.

I'll post an update after I have got my mits on the bike and got a chance to get out on it.

A tad heavier than the Ultimate CF SLX, but unless you're built like a jockey, I wouldn't place too much importance on this.

I'm more sumo wrestler than jockey.

can I try it out?

kuro_man if you are ever in galway and want a demo, let me know. Though it may take sometime before I get over the ultra protective new bike stage.

kuro_man

Thanks. I will return the favour if you're ever in West Wicklow - you can be a guest on our club spin.

AtomMcC

I bought a Rose Xeon CRS 3100 last June and I wasn't disappointed.
A few pics located here: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=78636458
They are on special offer at the moment with around €300 off. :-(
Canyon are a fantastic bike too. I know a few people who have them.

mossym

currently contemplating one of the following
http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/rose-xeon-crs-3100-compact/aid:557040

or
http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3089

or at a real stretch
http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3090


know this thread is pretty recent, and people have voiced their thoughts, but any further guidance to help a confused potential purchaser???

swibble

I took delivery of a Rose Xeon CRS 3100 just before christmas. Today was the first chance I had to take it for a spin, though only a short one. Very happy with the bike, feels good and stiff while still offering decent comfort. Delivery took a month, bike was well packaged and easy to assemble. Di2 is great, no issues just works. I couldn't resist the Look Keo classic pedals matched with a Pro Logo Choice saddle to add a bit of flash.

I've never owned a carbon bike before and was a little surprised by how delicate it seems I stupidly nicked the frame trying to get cable tie off, I guess time will tell how robust it is. I was told there is a 2 year life span on the carbon seat post. I did come very close to going for the aluminum canyon. I also purchased a torque wrench as all the manuals refer to the correct torques for the various components, probably not absolutely necessary but a small price to pay for peace of mind.

smcclaw

Looks great.

You're dead right to get the torque wrench, I wouldn't adjust anything on mine without it.