New Road Bike

Looked in the stickys and couldn't find anything. Basically, looking to get a new road bike....my budget is €1000. Know nothing about road bikes...I have a Cube Acid Mountain bike at the moment, so am looking to change codes! Is there much of a difference between Alu and Carbon...could I expect to get a carbon one for that price? Do I need disc brakes on a road bike? What brands..really like Cube. Would be aiming to use it 3 times a week doing anything from 50-100km. Any help or advice is appreciated.

Dotsie~tmp

Can you take advantage of the biketowork scheme with your employer? If not there are great almost new, new bikes constantly on adverts.ie. i suggest you post more about yourself (fitness, size, aspirations) and the knowledgeable here might suggest a good path or bike.

Seaneh

slookie wrote: »

Looked in the stickys and couldn't find anything. Basically, looking to get a new road bike....my budget is €1000. Know nothing about road bikes...I have a Cube Acid Mountain bike at the moment, so am looking to change codes! Is there much of a difference between Alu and Carbon...could I expect to get a carbon one for that price? Do I need disc brakes on a road bike? What brands..really like Cube. Would be aiming to use it 3 times a week doing anything from 50-100km. Any help or advice is appreciated.

Just buy This or This.


The only difference is that one has a Shimano 105 Groupset and one has a Sram Apex groupset.

I'd prefer the Sram Groupset, it's lighter, has a wider potential gear range and I prefer the Sram shifting system and ergonomics.

Performance wise they are much of a muchness, they are both mid level and have fairly smooth gear changes. Some people prefer Shimano, some prefer Sram, but they are both very good system.

Either of those bikes are just about the most bike you will get new for the money.


Other option is to try and buy a better specced bike second hand.

Guill

I am doing the BTW scheme, best bike I have came across is the Forme Longcliffe 1.0, reduced from 1300 to 1000. Reviews online say that it is not a bad bike for beginner and a good bike for the 1K.

AlanD

Guill wrote: »

I am doing the BTW scheme, best bike I have came across is the Forme Longcliffe 1.0, reduced from 1300 to 1000. Reviews online say that it is not a bad bike for beginner and a good bike for the 1K.

I just purchased a Boardman Road Comp in Halfords using the bike to work scheme. My company was only dealing with them, so choice is limited. Got it for 899, just waiting for it to be delivered now.

Gets decent reviews too for the money. Uses sram apex. Would have preferred 105's though.

g0g

Here's a yoke I did last year. No doubt there are newer models for each but will give you some suggestions anyway.

LINK

Thanks for the replies lads. Firstly, I did the btw scheme last year for the current MTB I have...rushed into it without thinking!:(:( So I have that up for sale on adverts and donedeal. I have a decent level of fitness, and would be hoping to join a club and head off for 50-100k treks at weekends.
I'm 5 10" and 12 stone, so fairly medium build.
Am I right in saying a groupset includes the gears, brakes etc. So Shimano 105 on one bike is the exact same as Shimano 105 on a different brand bike? If so, what are the best groupsets out there? Also what are the main differences between Alu and Carbon frames...is it weight??

g0g

slookie wrote: »

Thanks for the replies lads. Firstly, I did the btw scheme last year for the current MTB I have...rushed into it without thinking!:(:( So I have that up for sale on adverts and donedeal. I have a decent level of fitness, and would be hoping to join a club and head off for 50-100k treks at weekends.
I'm 5 10" and 12 stone, so fairly medium build.
Am I right in saying a groupset includes the gears, brakes etc. So Shimano 105 on one bike is the exact same as Shimano 105 on a different brand bike? If so, what are the best groupsets out there? Also what are the main differences between Alu and Carbon frames...is it weight??

Answer based on my (limited!) knowledge:

Yes 105 will be the same on any bike. Shimano (for example) have a series of different groupsets. 105 is a decent level one in the middle. Below that I think are Tiagra and Sora and above it are Ultegra and Di2. For your budget I think 105 woulod be a good target. Think Carbon frame yeah is lighter but if it cracks you're a bit knackered I think. Again at that price point I think the norm is alu frame and carbon fork. From what I read it's better to get a decent alu frame than what's going to be on the more basic end of carbon ones. Think it'd be around € 1,300 before you start looking at carbon.

Cheers for that...will look at groupsets now that I know the order of good to best..

Seaneh

At your proce range, 105 and Apex are as good as you're going to get on a new bike, and even at that you'd be more likely to see Tiagra on most bikes at that price.

105 and Apex are both about €500 to buy themsleves, that's before adding the frame, wheels, finishing kit etc.

In a brick and mortar store in Ireland, something like the bike below is the bets you will get for your money. And if you (or a friend) have an Axa insurance discount card, you can shave 10% off that price.

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_777713_langId_-1_categoryId_212536


In terms of groupsets it goes like this.


Shimano:
Dura-Ace Di2 [9070] (11 speed electronic)
Dura-Ace [9000] (11 speed)
Dura-Ace Track [7710] (NJS-approved, which is a requirement of all bicycle components used in professional Keirin racing in Japan)
Ultegra Di2 [6770] (10 speed electronic)
Ultegra [6700] (10 speed)
105 [5700] (10 speed)
Tiagra [4600] (10 speed, 9 speed on older models)
Sora [3500] (9 speed, 8 speed on older models)
Claris [2400] (8 speed)

Campagnolo:
Super Record EPS (11 speed electronic)
Record EPS (11 speed electronic)
Athena EPS (11 speed electronic)
Super Record (11 speed)
Record (11 speed)
Chorus (11 speed)
Athena (11 speed)
Centaur (10 speed)
Veloce (10 speed)


Sram:
Red (10)
Force (10)
Rival (10)
Apex (10)




Sram Apex is about the same level as 105, Force is slightly better than Ultegra and Red and Dura Ace are about the same, not sure what way the Campa groups compare as I've bugger all experience with them.


But anyway, at your price point Apex, 105 and Campagnolo Centaur are the best you can hope for, after that you're looking at €750ish for Sram Rivel groupset, €1000+ for Campag Athena, Shimano Ultegra and Sram Force and over 1500 for the top end groupsets.


And that's before the rest of the bike!

route66

slookie wrote: »

Looked in the stickys and couldn't find anything. Basically, looking to get a new road bike....my budget is €1000. Know nothing about road bikes...I have a Cube Acid Mountain bike at the moment, so am looking to change codes! Is there much of a difference between Alu and Carbon...could I expect to get a carbon one for that price? Do I need disc brakes on a road bike? What brands..really like Cube. Would be aiming to use it 3 times a week doing anything from 50-100km. Any help or advice is appreciated.

If you want carbon, this is about the cheapest and best value for €1K: The Mekk 2G Poggio P2.0 105. Despite the "105" designation, it's really Tiagra with just a 105 rear Derailleur; still a decent bike though.

As others have said, you might get a better bike overall in aluminum at that price point. The Canyons linked to above would be a good place to start.

You don't need disk brakes on a road bike. They add complexity (especially if you want them to be hydraulic), weight, cost and - some say - fragility. Rim brakes are very efficient and do the job fine. Wheel rims do wear, but that's not a big deal. If you really want disk brakes, lots of cyclocross bikes have them, but for road bikes, this aluminum ROSE Xeon DX-3000 is decent ... but you'll need to double your budget before you click the link :eek:

Some great info there about the groupsets...surprised there isn't a sticky about it as I hadn't a notion about them before today. So Im going to look for something with 105 set and probably alu frame for my budget. Next thing to decide on is the make of bike. There's so many out there and I'm sure, like cars, that some have good rep and some bad. I like Cube but seem to have less spec for my budget. What are the top brands?

Still looking..so much to choose from!

Roger Hassenforder

slookie wrote: »

Still looking..so much to choose from!

Where you at?

happytramp

slookie wrote: »

What are the top brands?

Much of a muchness. Go with whatever is the most comfortable and you like the look of. For clarity sake

Shimano 105 = Sram Apex = Campagnolo Veloce
price and performance wise

Be warned though It's going to be next to impossible to find a bike for a grand with 105/Apex/Veloce in a shop. You'd have to buy online for that kind of value. However the downside of that is that you don't get to see how the bike fits/feels before you buy it. Check out GOG's graph that he linked earlier

Also it's worth paying attention to second hand bikes. You could get a fantastic bike for that money rather than a step above entry level for the same price new. A guy posted yesterday a bike which was a €5000 new and he got for €1300.

This one looks nice but only has Tiagra..http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=75534

This one is better wit 105, but I've never heard of the brand..http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=75442

Felloffmebike

slookie wrote: »

This one looks nice but only has Tiagra..http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=75534

This one is better wit 105, but I've never heard of the brand..http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=75442

I have the Corratec RT Dolomiti with full 105s. Love it.

Nice, where did you buy? Have you a link so I can see the full spec?

RoboRat

I did the same as you and rushed into a bike and I am in a similar position budget wise, this is what I am doing:

€430 for carbon frame, forks and handlebar, spacers, headset, seatpost & stem (hong-fu FM001 Frame, FK001 & HB003, includes delivery) - its just matt black
€441 for 105 groupset,
€230 for a Campagnolo Scirocco 35mm wheelset

just over €1100 for carbon bike

Looks like I might have a buyer for my MTB...just wondering, if I go to a bike shop with cash in hand, could I expect a bargain...eg a €1000 bike for maybe €900 or haggle for maybe a turbo trainer or some extras to be thrown in? New to this scene so am a little unsure.

Seaneh

Odds are you won't get a 10% discount on a €1000 bike, you might get stuff like lights and a lock thrown in for cheap/free if you really haggle.

To be honest, if I was spendint a grand in an Irish shop it would be on the Boradman Road Comp from Halfords, it's just over 9kg, has an Apex groupset, decent wheels and gets good reviews.


Beyond that I'd just get a Cannondale CAAD8 Sora for €850 from cyclesuperstore.ie and spend the other 150 on accessories, the difference between Sora and Tiagra is minimal.

Was hoping to get something with 105 groupset.
Both these look ok...

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=75442

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=75414

Don't think Id buy from Halfords...heard too many bad stories.

Seaneh

Yeah they look like fine bikes for the money. I think the only difference is that the Briza has a taller headtube than the Storm and as such should be less "aggressive" and more comfortable over longer distances, but less aerodynamic of a riding position. I'd go for the Briza unless you plan on racing, and even then, I doubt the difference in position would translate into a difference in speeds for the average rider.

petethedrummer

slookie wrote: »

Don't think Id buy from Halfords...heard too many bad stories.

There is nothing wrong at all wrong with Boardman bikes. They are very good and usually very well specc'ed for the money. I'd second Seaneh's recommendation of the Boardman if buying offline. But you will get better value online.

The problems from halfords are with the Apollo and Trax bikes they sell, which should be avoided like the plague.

If you are unsure of the quality of the halfords mechanics, take the bike to another shop for repairs or DIY.

Thanks for the replies lads. Was talking to a friend earlier who is into cycling, and he maintains that you can basically convert the hardtail MTB I have, into a roadbike. Buy the wheels and can change the handlebars...I know it wouldn't be as light as a road bike, but does anyone know if this can be done???

Seaneh

He's talking poop! The mountain bike can only take 26" wheels, and it would be horribly uncomfortable with drop bars!

route66

slookie wrote: »

Thanks for the replies lads. Was talking to a friend earlier who is into cycling, and he maintains that you can basically convert the hardtail MTB I have, into a roadbike. Buy the wheels and can change the handlebars...I know it wouldn't be as light as a road bike, but does anyone know if this can be done???

It can be done allright. Something like this:

Unregistered.

slookie wrote: »

Thanks for the replies lads. Was talking to a friend earlier who is into cycling, and he maintains that you can basically convert the hardtail MTB I have, into a roadbike. Buy the wheels and can change the handlebars...I know it wouldn't be as light as a road bike, but does anyone know if this can be done???

Geometry of a road bike and a mountain bike are different.

lecker Hendl

Is there much of a difference in 105 vs tiagra?

I'm looking at a second hand bike that says it has tiagra gears and a 105 Derailleur. Don't really know what difference this makes.

Seaneh

lecker Hendl wrote: »

Is there much of a difference in 105 vs tiagra?

I'm looking at a second hand bike that says it has tiagra gears and a 105 Derailleur. Don't really know what difference this makes.

small differences.

If it's older tiagra it might be 9speed, but besides that, it's a little less crisp in gear changes (which are still perfectly functional and reliable!) and a little heavier.

Tiagra is a grand groupset, even the new sora is lovely to use.

The 105 mech will make shifting smoother as well, you'd be hard pressed to notice the difference at all I reckon.

Thanks for your replies Seaneh...so your saying the differences between Sora, Tiagra and 105 are minimal as you go up along? I was under the impression that Sora was to be avoided??

route66

slookie wrote: »

Thanks for your replies Seaneh...so your saying the differences between Sora, Tiagra and 105 are minimal as you go up along? I was under the impression that Sora was to be avoided??

2013 Sora is pretty much 2012 Tiagra in that:

• It is 9 speed (older Sora was 8)
• It doesn't have the stupid little buttons for shifting on to small cogs - it has extra levers for this like the more expensive Shimano shifters. Again, this is inherited from 2012 Tiagra:

Old Sora:




New Sora:


I'd consider 2013 Sora to be a minimum spec for a road bike. If you go for older/cheaper groupsets with the buttons (or, even, levers on the handlebars) you will quickly realise that the ergonomics are terrible and you will want to upgrade.

105 is better than the newer Tiagra, although they are both 10-speed. It will give smoother shifting and is lighter, however you may find that Tiagra - or even the newer Sora - will do a decent job for the money. Like most things, once you reach a certain price point, you are into the laws of diminishing returns.

Of course, we can't forget the other parts of the groupsets - things like hubs and bottom brackets matter too! The more expensive groupsets tend to be lighter too.

What do people think of this bike...its the Claud Butler Vicenza for €799, if you scroll down along...
http://www.mcloughlinsgardenmachines.ie/mens-bicycles/

Still stuck trying to sell my MTB...does anyone know any stores that take trade ins and let me buy a road bike? I'm in the Tipperary area but would travel.

Seaneh

slookie wrote: »

What do people think of this bike...its the Claud Butler Vicenza for €799, if you scroll down along...
http://www.mcloughlinsgardenmachines.ie/mens-bicycles/

That's actually not a badly specced bike for the money, tiagra and FSA groupset and 32 spoke wheels with tiagra hubs paired with those rims should be pretty much bomb proof.

I'm actually fairly impressed with the spec for the price.

Claud butler, like raleigh, have been trying to regain their reputation for making good low cost bikes after 30 odd years of ****e, and they seem to be getting there.

That said, the last place I'd buy a bike is a shop with "Garden Machinery" in their name.

bren_mc

slookie wrote: »

Thanks for your replies Seaneh...so your saying the differences between Sora, Tiagra and 105 are minimal as you go up along? I was under the impression that Sora was to be avoided??

I have a cube aerial with sora groupset and have had no problems with it. Shifts nicely and has a wide enough range of gears. Would I buy another bike with Sora though? - No. Because if you start to upgrade (trust me you will), the tiagra will be a much better starting point. Being 10 speed, the components are compatible with the groupsets above.

BofaDeezNuhtz

RoboRat wrote: »

I did the same as you and rushed into a bike and I am in a similar position budget wise, this is what I am doing:

€430 for carbon frame, forks and handlebar, spacers, headset, seatpost & stem (hong-fu FM001 Frame, FK001 & HB003, includes delivery) - its just matt black
€441 for 105 groupset,
€230 for a Campagnolo Scirocco 35mm wheelset

just over €1100 for carbon bike

Dude they'll paint the mofo for ya for just anoter 50 dollars if your not
planning on having it done here by someone or just want the stealth look etc.
Loads of examples of builds and paintjobs on this site:
http://www.velobuild.com/member-bike-gallery

Seaneh wrote: »

Claud butler, like raleigh, have been trying to regain their reputation for making good low cost bikes after 30 odd years of ****e, and they seem to be getting there.

Yeah when I got back into bikes after yonks I was wondering wtf how come
these 2 are utter ****e lately. Years ago as a teenager a Nice Claud Butler
mtb was the shizzle :cool:

Murphj7

Hey lad have a look at this

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/mekk-2g-poggio-p20-105/

Looks good

Lads, is this a good purchase??
http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/bicycles/4986280

Seaneh

slookie wrote: »

Lads, is this a good purchase??
http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/bicycles/4986280

Offer him 500 and see if he's going to budge, if you can get it for less than 575 it's a bargain.

Brian?

Seaneh wrote: »

Offer him 500 and see if he's going to budge, if you can get it for less than 575 it's a bargain.

What he said.

Paddigol

Any thoughts on this bike:

http://www.lombardobikes.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=130&catid=36&Itemid=91&lang=en

A Lombardo Monza 3.0

Only know of one bike shop in Dublin selling them. Seems to have good specs, at a reasonable price (€999).

But I can't find anything on Lombardo road bikes on line which I find very strange. I know they're Italian, but other than their own website, the only info seems to be some Australian company who import and sell them over there.

No reviews whatsoever. In this day and age of the world wide web, I find that strange.

Having said that, the bike shop selling them seems fairly reputable and the guys seem to know their stuff about bikes as opposed to being just salesmen. Would like to see what others think though, as my knowledge of road bikes is fairly limited.

bold_defender

Paddigol wrote: »

Any thoughts on this bike:

http://www.lombardobikes.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=130&catid=36&Itemid=91&lang=en

A Lombardo Monza 3.0

Only know of one bike shop in Dublin selling them. Seems to have good specs, at a reasonable price (€999).

But I can't find anything on Lombardo road bikes on line which I find very strange. I know they're Italian, but other than their own website, the only info seems to be some Australian company who import and sell them over there.

No reviews whatsoever. In this day and age of the world wide web, I find that strange.

Having said that, the bike shop selling them seems fairly reputable and the guys seem to know their stuff about bikes as opposed to being just salesmen. Would like to see what others think though, as my knowledge of road bikes is fairly limited.

I looked at this Lombardo too in same shop I presume, along with a Fuji sportif with Tiagra/sora mix and a Cube Peleton with full sora. All €999. Hard to know how to compare for a "beginner" (who is 40 next month).

I can also get a Giant defy 2 or a Trek 1.2 for same price somewhere else.



I want something that's

• Reliable enough to last as it will be few years before replaced.
• Relaxed enough geometry as I'm not going to be sprinting for any lines.
• Able to take me out for 40/50km spin once a week and maybe a couple of longer 80-100km spins over the summer.

Should I be concentrating on either frame or groupset or is anything in this €1000 range quite good for what I'm going to use it for and just buy from which shop gives you best service and advice. I'm riding a 20+ year old 18-23 steel frame, 12 speed Raleigh at the moment. I weighed it last week and was over 15kg. Anything should be an upgrade.

shaka

slookie wrote: »

Still stuck trying to sell my MTB...does anyone know any stores that take trade ins and let me buy a road bike? I'm in the Tipperary area but would travel.

Where in tipp r u ? Kilmallock cycles Kilmallock co limerick about 25 mins from tipp town takes trade ins usually . Good range of bikes in stock too . . Think I saw a 2011 carbon Fuji there while back which might be a bargain,no idea of model . Can check it out next day I'm passing. Great LBS and I bought my last two bikes there and got good deal each time.

I ended up selling the MTB so looking for something now. TBH after visiting a local store last weekend. I'd say I'll be buying online. Add roughly €200 on to every spec you see online. E-mailed a crowd I bought the MTB from yesterday, and got this reply...
On the road bike, the best thing to do is drop by for sizing as different brands are not the same measurement wise, ie the scott 54 is bigger than the cube 56 and so on. The 2012 bikes are now gone but we got the 2013 in stock. The Scott bikes have come down in price also so there’s good value to be had there. The cube Peleton pro is the tiagra model, however the Peleton (sora) is the 2013 sora, which is the 105 from 3 years ago. There’s a lot to look at, talk through. You can take 10% off any of the prices (if theres no 3rd party voucher company included), take 20/30% off the clothing shoes etc depending on brand and we’ll add some accessories also. Again, best to drop by and narrow down fit and exact clothes/accessories and we#ll get you sorted with a proper discount.
If you can get down just let me know when and I’kk make sure theres nothing booked in for that time,

shaka

Can get some good deals online with likes of canyon rose ribble etc just make sure your fit is right.
Last road bike I bought was 90 euros cheaper in Kilmallock cycles than about 6-7 other shops I visited and that was before I started haggling, he is currently cheaper on Giants than what I can see online with chainreactions .

shaka

Btw I not so sure 2013 sora is 105 from 3 years ago , maybe near tiagra alright but that doesn't sound right to me. There are guys who know groupsets here who will prob correct me

Cee-Jay-Cee

shaka wrote: »

Btw I not so sure 2013 sora is 105 from 3 years ago , maybe near tiagra alright but that doesn't sound right to me. There are guys who know groupsets here who will prob correct me

2013 sora is the same as 2010 9 speed tiagra, more or less. I'd definitely aim at getting a minimum of 10 spd tiagra, unless you get into racing then it's all you'll ever need on a road bike.

shaka

CJC999 wrote: »

2013 sora is the same as 2010 9 speed tiagra, more or less. I'd definitely aim at getting a minimum of 10 spd tiagra, unless you get into racing then it's all you'll ever need on a road bike.

That makes more sense.

Ok so, I'm kinda limited to where I buy the bike on the btw scheme...has to be in South Tipperary. I rang a place his morning and he recommended the Giant Defy 2 for €990....told him I wanted minimum Tiagra. He recommended Giant above Trek?? Anyway he also has a second hand one...basically a guy bought it on the scheme 2 months ago and has upgraded to carbon already. He said if you put a new one beside the used one, you couldn't tell them apart, and he is looking for €650 for this...could probably get it for €600.

So think I might have a look anyway. Does anyone have one of these bikes?? They are both 2013 model he said. And 20 gears....is that right??? Said it was 10 speed Tiagra. Is 20 enough?? Thought there would be a triple cassette to make 30 gears.

Seaneh

You can't buy second hand on BTW.

The Defy is a good bike, it's regularly given really good reviews.