Advice on new flat bar road bike

machiavellianme

Hi all,

Yet another advice wanted thread (maybe we should get a sub-forum?).
I'm looking to purchase a new flat bar road bike or commuter.
I already have a hybrid for the daily commute (10km) so am probably leaning towards the former to give me options for cycling to work and for fitness. I've had a cube peloton pro in the past and hated the drops. Anytime I used them properly, I ended up with horrible pains (possibly because of my arthritis), so much so that I actually preferred my cheap Giant Escape hybrid.
Also, as a result of too many near misses (and hits) recently, I would prefer something with hydraulic disc brakes.

The good news is that I have the BTW scheme available and am happy to spend 1k on a new steed. I had my heart set on the new Giant FastRoad SLR as it seemed to tick all of the boxes at €999 (until I realised that it has cabled and not hydraulic disc brakes). Plus it seems to be rarer than hens teeth in the shops and I refuse to buy before I sit on a bike (ruling out online). In an ideal world I'd probably plum for the Canyon 6.0 at 999 as it weighs just 9kg (1 less than the others) but its a risk I'm not willing to take. If Giant had Disc brakes on the Rapid 1 or 2(like they do on the Thrive 1 for women), I'd probably go for it.

I tried a Merida Speeder 200-D yesterday and loved it but its very much a hybrid and I'm looking for a little bit more. Has anyone tried the next model up and can recommend it? The 200-D is €750 in the LBS while the 300-D is €1000. Plus I'm not sure about the handlebar grips but that can probably be changed.

My last option is Cube in another LBS but I'm not as convinced. I tried the 2014 models and found them a bit awkward. Are the 2015 models better? Here its a choice between the SL Road Pro for €799 and the SL Road Race for €300 more.

Really unsure what to do. Any help/pointers would be much appreciated.

rollingscone

A flat bar road bike is a hybrid. You're probably looking for something like the Giant Rapid.

The higher end models tend to use road bike derived drive trains and ok road wheels.

I've heard mixed reviews about the performance of mechanical discs on commuters so do your research, properly calibrated v brakes with good pads are plenty powerful, road calipers are super effective but require more skill to employ effectively.

You could also look at touring bikes with alternatives to flats/drops. i.e. moustache or oxbow bars.

Before anyone else gets in, are you sure your road bike was properly fitted/set up for you?

machiavellianme

rollingscone wrote: »

A flat bar road bike is a hybrid. You're probably looking for something like the Giant Rapid.

The higher end models tend to use road bike derived drive trains and ok road wheels.

I've heard mixed reviews about the performance of mechanical discs on commuters so do your research, properly calibrated v brakes with good pads are plenty powerful, road calipers are super effective but require more skill to employ effectively.

You could also look at touring bikes with alternatives to flats/drops. i.e. moustache or oxbow bars.

Before anyone else gets in, are you sure your road bike was properly fitted/set up for you?

Yeah, the guy in the LBS set it up.
I also followed tutorials online and arrived at much the same position.

I already sad the Rapid would be ideal if it had disc brakes, but it doesn't. But that's what I'm looking for, something derived from a road bike proper, with compact cranks etc rather than something closer to a MTB.

rollingscone

Every manufacturer has something analogous to the rapid. Scott do a hybrid with 105, think it was road calipers though.

Did your lbs ever suggest trying different stem lengths or bar widths?
http://road.cc/content/review/104993-cannondale-quick-carbon-2

Try googling something like 'fast hybrid disc brakes'.

Alternatively you could get a beautiful bike built based on something by Surly or Velo orange with moustache or oxbow bars.

Unknown Soldier

You could try halfords and see if any have the older version (2012/13) of the following.

http://www.halfords.ie/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes-and-classic-bikes/boardman-hybrid-bike-pro-2014#tab2

The Tallaght store had one for about 1,000 euro and it is a lovely bike. Rides very much like a road bike and there are plenty of very, very good reviews out there. That model also had the avid elixir 5 hyd disc brakes. They are so good, they are nearly dangerous.

Or maybe the 2014 http://www.halfords.ie/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes-and-classic-bikes/boardman-hybrid-team-bike-2014#tab2

machiavellianme

Even the 2014 models look lovely there Unknown Soldier.
Hadn't considered Halfords as usually just go to LBS.
Will definitely pop up for a look now.

RainyDay

Just curious to know if you ever made your decision, OP - I'm in a similar boat, so I'd be interested to know how you got on.