First Carbon- Can Now Finally Afford it...Help

dark_jedi_ire

If I may Ask,, you opinions on these three, I cant make up my Mind up,. but The prices are right and there 105s

Felt F5
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-f5-105-2013/

Cube
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/cube-agree-gtc-pro-compact-road-bike-2013/rp-prod111918

Vitus
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/vitus-bikes-dark-plasma-vr-105-road-bike-2013/rp-prod81024

Thanks Guys

shamwari

dark_jedi_ire wrote: »

If I may Ask,, you opinions on these three, I cant make up my Mind up,. but The prices are right and there 105s

Felt F5
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-f5-105-2013/

Cube
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/cube-agree-gtc-pro-compact-road-bike-2013/rp-prod111918

Virtus
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/vitus-bikes-dark-plasma-vr-105-road-bike-2013/rp-prod81024

Thanks Guys

I have the Cube, albeit the 2011 model. It's the same as yours except I have Easton instead of Mavic wheels. An outstanding bike. The others you linked to seem equally good. I supose its down to personal preference in the end, although for me I like the Vitus.

dark_jedi_ire

Thanks, I like the Felt too(I think all in all its supposed to be a better Bike), But Am also liking the Vitus.......

Pulls out last remaining strands of hair out

Carpenter

Planet x

dark_jedi_ire

Any particluar one? no More than 1300?
Dont make it to good or I will have even More indecision lol
Have heard some good and some not so good thinks about them

ckeego

Not too sure what size you are or whether you are stuck on 105, but this looks a very good bike at a great price-well reviewed online too (even looks scarily like the Felt!)

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/basso-laguna-veloce-2013/

dark_jedi_ire

On Current Bike Im 56cm as Im 5Ft11"

105`s would be my preference have have Issues before that I would like to avoid, plus when I was asking a few Months back, it was what was recommended to me, to aim for...

Nice Bike, will have a good Look, Thanks

I think The cube is going to be out if Im honest

Food for thought,,,

dark_jedi_ire

Thanks Ckeego, after having a look, I think I would prefer to stay with 105s, Cheers for the input :-)

jober

i have been doing alot of browsing and searching recently, similar budget to yourself

and this is what im going for

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPULT2/planet-x-pro-carbon-shimano-ultegra-road-bike

Etc

The planet x is a no brainer. Picked up one at the weekend and it's a quality bike. I have a Lapierre Carbon and the planet x compares very favourably with it. Components are excellent and the experience dealing with the chaps in Athlone was excellent.

RonanCFD

The Felt and the Cube both look to be great deals, not so sure about the Vitus. Whilst the PX is a good bike, I don't think its a no-brainer despite the group being slightly better. Just one thing to bear in mind - the Felt F series have a pretty aggressive geometry (short head tube) and the Cube looks similar although I haven't seen the actual numbers. Just make sure you're happy with this before going ahead!

<edit> actually the Cube looks less aggressive than the Felt (presuming that the 2013 geometry is the same as the 2014 model) - head tube is 165mm on a size 58 with 560 horz. top tube, on the Felt a size 56 also with a 560 horz. top tube has head tube of only 140mm)

flatface

If you are looking at the planet X also consider the RT-57 - its another £100 but a much nicer looking in my eyes. Just throwing it out there!

Carpenter

I had a defy advanced with 105s .
I then bought the sl pro planet x with ultegra by far a better bike

dark_jedi_ire

Thanks guys and I shouldnt have Asked lol.. Both Plant X are Really nice looking Bikes, and nice Setup to

There`s a Planet x shop in Ireland

I only really know two good bikes shops in around me, Wheelworx and Cycle Super Store, and have only seen the Cube in Cycle Super Store
Tried out the Cube, And liked it, But I honestly know what you are saying, I found it a bit odd to ride, but not having the other bikes around to Compare it to, kinda annoying, I would like to try the Felt and compare and then,, hmmmm

Any other shops around that have a good supply of carbon bikes? Sigh.. there goes the last of My hair lol.

Cheers guys

shamwari

Bought my Cube at http://buildabike.ie/ They do quite a few other makes too.

dark_jedi_ire

Oh. have been in there a few times and they have very little Stock... hmmmm

Carpenter

dark_jedi_ire wrote: »

Thanks guys and I shouldnt have Asked lol.. Both Plant X are Really nice looking Bikes, and nice Setup to

There`s a Planet x shop in Ireland

I only really know two good bikes shops in around me, Wheelworx and Cycle Super Store, and have only seen the Cube in Cycle Super Store
Tried out the Cube, And liked it, But I honestly know what you are saying, I found it a bit odd to ride, but not having the other bikes around to Compare it to, kinda annoying, I would like to try the Felt and compare and then,, hmmmm

Any other shops around that have a good supply of carbon bikes? Sigh.. there goes the last of My hair lol.

Cheers guys

The planet x is in Athlone about 1 hour away and the lads do a great job down there the owner is an x pro himself and the lads that work there know there stuff it would be worth your time dropping down and having a chat .
The best way to get them is by e-mail because it is a small setup (Thats what keeps the cost down)if you want I can pass on the address to you .

dark_jedi_ire

Awesome, Please PM me details :-) Cheers

PHILI007

I was looking for a bike recently and tried both the Cube and the F5. To be honest, the Cube just didn't do it for me, maybe it was the setup, I'm not sure. However, I hired an F5 in Spain for 2 weeks and was really impressed with it. Did a lot of climbing and had no problems at all, would definitely recommend it. I'm 5'11 and the size 56cm suited perfectly. In the end I bought a Pinarello ROKH, but that was three times the price. Best of luck as I know exactly what you're going through.

ghogie91

There are sales on ridley bikes around the country now you will pick up 17/1800 euro worth of bike for 1300

dark_jedi_ire

Yeh Phili007 I was in cycle superstore on Saturday and was on the cube, It was a little odd, cant and couldnt put my finger on it,

Almost had my Mind made up lol... Only thing about buying online is not actually sitting on the bike,, which is bugging me and a little annoying, but I think Im just going to have to spend some Petrol money and find the bikes about and go get the feel of emm..

ghogie91, Thats the kinda things I was hopeing for, I dont mind if its last years Model or the one before etc, its my first carbon, Im sure it will do me for a few years and then I know Im going to want to splash out :-)

Cee-Jay-Cee

I have an F5..it's the 2011 bike but identical to the 2013 bike except for the paint scheme. It's a really nice bike and very comfortable. I have a Ridley Compact too which has slightly less aggressive geometry but the F5 is still a more comfortable bike.

Try and find someone near to you with an F series bike (they're all the same geometry so will all ride pretty similar) I love mine, I think the 2011 model had the nicest colors of all the models since then. The 105 components are very good and all I require for my level of cycling so there was no need to spend €800/900 more for an F4

seanin4711

Etc wrote: »

The planet x is a no brainer. Picked up one at the weekend and it's a quality bike. I have a Lapierre Carbon and the planet x compares very favourably with it. Components are excellent and the experience dealing with the chaps in Athlone was excellent.

excellent is not how i would describe my experience.
I ordered slpro carbon with sram rival,came with PX brake calipers(niggely to say the least) went back for a service,i would say they squeezed the brakes.
They just seem a bit iffy to me as in wouldnt have great confidence in them.
uk shop 100% athlone not so sure.

Bike is great just dont look for much in the way of after sales

Etc

seanin4711 wrote: »

excellent is not how i would describe my experience.
I ordered slpro carbon with sram rival,came with PX brake calipers(niggely to say the least) went back for a service,i would say they squeezed the brakes.
They just seem a bit iffy to me as in wouldnt have great confidence in them.
uk shop 100% athlone not so sure.

Bike is great just dont look for much in the way of after sales

It's a shame you had a bad experience, as I said, it was the opposite in my case.

Carpenter

Etc wrote: »

It's a shame you had a bad experience, as I said, it was the opposite in my case.

+1 for me as well

seanin4711

for your service ,was bike sold to you as described on website?
it has treble ultegra listed weird!

Cee-Jay-Cee

Etc wrote: »

The planet x is a no brainer. Picked up one at the weekend and it's a quality bike. I have a Lapierre Carbon and the planet x compares very favourably with it. Components are excellent and the experience dealing with the chaps in Athlone was excellent.

I deliberately ignored PX bikes due to the fact that every time anyone asked about a bike, PX was recommended several times by PX owners and I basically didn't want the same bike as everyone else and TBH the PX carbon pro is not a particularly nice looking bike nor is the spec that great.

RonanCFD wrote: »

<edit> actually the Cube looks less aggressive than the Felt (presuming that the 2013 geometry is the same as the 2014 model) - head tube is 165mm on a size 58 with 560 horz. top tube, on the Felt a size 56 also with a 560 horz. top tube has head tube of only 140mm)

In reality it's only 1inch and can be made up with a couple of spacers under the stem (which is what I done on my F5)

meercat

Have to say that I recently got a planet x pro carbon from the guys in athlone and the service I got from them was first class.went down and got sized in the shop and they even met me half way when I returned to collect it. There was some problems which did delay the initial delivery date but Damien and Morgan both texted me on their personal mobiles to keep me informed. Really impressed with the bike too.
If I were you I wouldn't make a decision until you check it out.

mp31

Carpenter wrote: »

I had a defy advanced with 105s .
I then bought the sl pro planet x with ultegra by far a better bike

Interesting.. can you expand on what makes the planet x better - comfort, stiffness, ride quality etc.

Plastik

Things may have changed with the Planet X guys in Athlone, they may not. My own experience was poor and I'll never use them again. For what it's worth I've put about 17,000km on an Sl Pro Carbon since the end of 2011 and it has been fine. They're certainly not a "stiff" bike but it doesn't hamper my enjoyment or use of it.

Wishbone Ash

CJC999 wrote: »

...... PX was recommended several times by PX owners and I basically didn't want the same bike as everyone else ....

The're hardly common though. I do a fair bit of cycling and rarely see them.

Cee-Jay-Cee

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

The're hardly common though. I do a fair bit of cycling and rarely see them.

I have seen quite a few of them. I done a charity cycle last summer and there was over 80 cyclists, I'd say there were at least 9/10 PX's (but probably over 40 Treks)

smiggyontour

Etc wrote: »

The planet x is a no brainer. Picked up one at the weekend and it's a quality bike. I have a Lapierre Carbon and the planet x compares very favourably with it. Components are excellent and the experience dealing with the chaps in Athlone was excellent.

So Etc you would recommend the planet X. Did you go for a double or compact. How long did you have to wait until it was ready?

Etc

Yeah, I can't fault the bike at all, got the compact chainset, fit and finish is excellent, it's the matt version. I was waiting four weeks, but it looks like it was down to a courier issue, not Planet X's fault. I haven't noticed any flex, ultegra is faultless and the R500 wheels are fine.

Now for some half decent weather and the chance to put some miles on it.

alstro

know a shop who is selling these 2 great value just needs stock gone http://www.donedeal.ie/bicycles-for-sale/fuji-altamira-56-full-carbon-brand-new/6234150
http://www.donedeal.ie/bicycles-for-sale/felt-z4-full-carbon-full-shop-warranty/6234070