new bike for sportive

blowin3

I am coming back to cycling after a few years off. I was thinking of buying an
air frame bike speed and looks i am so fickle. I have 4500 to spend but some
one told me an old guy (51 ) his words I should get a bike designed for sportive and suggested a Giant Defy Advanced 1 SL. He advised that I will have both comfort and also stiffness for speed. I was wondering have the board members any advice please.

Lumen

What is an air frame bike?

blowin3

Some thing like Wilier Cento Uno Air light and fast.

smacl

blowin3 wrote: »

Some thing like Wilier Cento Uno Air light and fast.

Had to look that up, very nice looking bike. €4500 will get you a great bike, but could easily get you a great bike that doesn't suit your needs. Much less than your budget, but something like the Ribble Sportive with 11 speed Athena compact and all carbon bits would seem to fit the bill, at ~€1800.

blowin3

Thanks smacl I actually meant to say aero bike not air bike. I had look at the Ribble site and some lovely stuff there and great idea being able to mix and match. But the only problem is I would be scared I would order a wrong size or bit and I would have no come back. But its some thing I would love to do thanks for the advice.

mirv

With 4500e to blow, you're almost better off getting two bikes - one for speed and another for comfort. At a certain point you're just spending money on shininess and 'perceived' improvements such as weight weenie-ism (usually at a trade off for durability and comfort), and with a budget of 4500e for a single bike you're well past that fork in the road.

2500-3000e will buy you a ludicrously fast and light bike with all the bells and whistles and equipment of a level that would be beyond the capabilities of a rider returning to the sport, and the rest could be spent on still very nice wet weather bike.

blowin3

Thanks for the reply mirv good idea but its the gym for me when the weather is bad. I have been on to Ribble and they
have very good prices with high end equipment. I was looking at carbon frame, Ult.d12 group and a set of Mavic carbones for a touch over 3k. But the problem can you trust a face less person to build a bike for you and lose a lot of money. Thanks
again for the input .

Raam

Giant Defy are the Ford Mondeo of cycling.

smacl

blowin3 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply mirv good idea but its the gym for me when the weather is bad. I have been on to Ribble and they
have very good prices with high end equipment. I was looking at carbon frame, Ult.d12 group and a set of Mavic carbones for a touch over 3k. But the problem can you trust a face less person to build a bike for you and lose a lot of money. Thanks
again for the input .

Hire yourself a bike mechanic to help in the part selection and build process so, check this thread for some options. Shouldn't add too much to the budget.

+1 on Mirvs two bike option. For a fun 2nd bike how about Croix de fer. If you find you're not really using it, I'll borrow it from you

mirv

There's no point getting ultegra di2 as it's 10-speed this year.

Also be aware that deep section carbon wheels have drawbacks - 1) unless you get the most expensive ones they're heavier and less comfortable than an equivalently priced box/climbing rim, 2) you'll catch more crosswind, and 3) you'll have worse braking than an aluminium rim, and most importantly 4) people will expect you to be fast.

ford2600

blowin3 wrote: »

I am coming back to cycling after a few years off. I was thinking of buying an
air frame bike speed and looks i am so fickle. I have 4500 to spend but some
one told me an old guy (51 ) his words I should get a bike designed for sportive and suggested a Giant Defy Advanced 1 SL. He advised that I will have both comfort and also stiffness for speed. I was wondering have the board members any advice please.

For sportive riding 4.5k is insane.

What do you need electronic shifting for? Fancy wheels?

Get a bike for your needs. 105 spec, zondas or similar, but most importantly get a frame to suit your needs. Fit and geometry being most important.

Why carbon?

G rock

ford2600 wrote: »

For sportive riding 4.5k is insane.

What do you need electronic shifting for? Fancy wheels?

Get a bike for your needs. 105 spec, zondas or similar, but most importantly get a frame to suit your needs. Fit and geometry being most important.

Why carbon?

If you have it to spend sure why not?

Although I'd be going for something one-off, just to match whatever its intended use is.

Ricky feather or robin mather for me please

studiorat

For sportives you may as well go down the custom built frame route instead forking out for a full on race bike. Titanium or Steel instead of carbon.

A proper fitting frame will be much better than any carbon wheels or fancy electronic gears IMO.

blowin3

Thanks again for the replies and yes 4.5k is a lot and that is my very limit. I raced bike back in the 80s and I had a bike
up to last week which I sold so now I need to buy a bike that suits my needs. Yes I do like my bling but I also like bikes and yes carbon hoops do give the impression that you are fast even tough the engine is now old.

I am now going to look at the Look 675 and yes I know it might not be the prettiest . Many years ago when I was on an
aluminum Vitus there was a guy called David Hurigan from Limerick ( RIP David) he rode a Look and was good and I always
remember looking at his frame and wishing I could have one. The Look frame and David went on to bigger things wearing the Irish jersey and many wins. So those years flood back and yes I am lucky to maybe buy one and as they say this will be
my last bike .

ford2600

G rock wrote: »

If you have it to spend sure why not?

Although I'd be going for something one-off, just to match whatever its intended use is.

Ricky feather or robin mather for me please

It's his money spend away.

Don't see any value in expensive groupset for 51yr old sportive rider.

I'd be putting emphasis on comfort and fit if it was for me. A once off custom built frame or van Nicholas or one of the many other beautiful bike out there.

Raam

For 4.5g, I'd prob start with some electronic groupset. Ultegra or Athena depending on whether or not you like Shimano or Campag.

veetwin

Raam wrote: »

Giant Defy are the Ford Mondeo of cycling.

Is that a bad or good thing? Serious question.

Raam

veetwin wrote: »

Is that a bad or good thing? Serious question.

It's a matter of personal preference really.

smcclaw

blowin3 wrote: »

I am now going to look at the Look 675 .

If you're lusting after a Look frame I've ridden the 695 and the 586UD and as amazing and all as the 695 is I found the 586 to be the most comfortable bike I've ever ridden over typically rough Irish roads and I would love to have it as my long distance steed. I have a TCR advanced sl which I find perfectly comfortable but the 586 really felt like it glided over all the rough roads. And all three bikes were tested with the same wheels!

Anyway, you'd be very unfortunate to end up with something you didn't like with that budget, a little research and checking sizing/geo before you buy.

blowin3

I am down the country and will be going to Cycling Superstore Monday to Look if you don't mind the pun. I will
have a go on 586 thanks for the advice

countrykid

bought a 675 earlier in the year and im very happy with it...
granted it has love or hate design features...
as frames go its stiff...very stiff..at the BB..back section softer so very comfortable..
BUT...its no where near as "sportivey" as you would be lead to believe by the marketing bumpf..
even though the longer head tube should lend to that- the integration of the stem means that the height of the handlebars relative to the front axle is similar to a traditional geometry (race) bike..
that said...its something different and it handles, accelerates and soaks up the road very well so i pleased with it.
the 586 has an integrated seat post which gives a slighty harsher ride...

Wishbone Ash

blowin3 wrote: »

Many years ago when I was on an
aluminum Vitus there was a guy called David Hurigan from Limerick ( RIP David) he rode a Look and was good and I always
remember looking at his frame and wishing I could have one

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=66058188

blowin3

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=66058188

Hi thanks for that Wishbone I had not read that brought back some memories.He was not much for talking David he just did what he was good
at on his bike. I also was inspired by him but like some one else it was usually
watching his back wheel disappear up a mountain he was so strong. So if I do
manage to get my Look frame I will think of him flying up Gallows hill and leaving all in his wake but I fear I will be riding around it now not up it.:)