new race bike

lennymc

Looking for a new race/training bike, circa 2k MAX
Cant seem to find any 10 speed bikes out there, which would be my preference, as I would need to look at getting 11spd wheels as well. Looked so far at the following -
Cannondale supersix evo with 105/rival

CAAD 10 with 105/rival

TCR Advanced 1

Propel advanced 1

Canyon ultimate

BMC slr03

Looking for something stiff and reasonably light.

Any other suggestions?
thanks!

Mehaffey1

Giant, whichever you can get at best spec for your money. Had a look at Basso yet, maybe not so upmarket but definitely good value or used to be last time I looked.

H.E. Pennypacker

Harry's Bikes in Clonskeagh have some 2014 Giants to clear. Mostly lower end stuff though

lennymc

I'm liking the propel....

Oryx

I love that propel, but the bmc is a lovely bike too.

iwillhtfu

I do like the TCR and it comes with full ultegra aswell but those BMC bikes are savage looking and you don't see many about either.

I wouldn't be a fan of that seat tube/post transition on the propel. Looks like an after thought when you compare it with the higher end model.


The head would probably win though and I'd get the TCR.

Canyon are always light so its probably the lightest in your group.

Nice position to be in though. Happy shopping

Beasty

Those Giant's really do live up to their name;)

I appreciate you didn't suggest value for money is the most important thing here, but I would suggest just keeping your eye out on various online retailer sites - they tend to end up with a bit too much stock on certain models meaning the retailer starts trying to shift them, probably around now, ahead of getting next year's model (that's how I ended up with a decent Ridley with Di2 at just over 2 grand a couple of years ago)

The other factor to bear in mind is the current weakness of the Euro, and it may be that as new models are released prices start creeping up to reflect that. Equally any UK shops are probably already relatively expensive, although you may get some decent bargains with, say, one or two of the German online retailers (or you could try Greece where I am sure there are a few shops who will be offering discount for cash at present!!)

lennymc

I did look at the online retailers, and there doesnt seem to be much in the spec for about the same money when lBS discount is taken into account. The UK retailers just seem to be too expensive unfortunately (although evans seems to be about the best of them). Another option is the boardman pro c slr with fulltegra including wheels.


@beasty - them giants are big alright. Must get a small one

Re the bmc - it's a lovely looking bike, but, I have a good BMC already. The SLR would be pretty much the same as what I have.

Whatever I get I will need to sort out wheels - either have my current ones redished with new hub, or get new ones. My powertap should be a simple change of freehub, and my fronts will obviously work.

Koobcam

Ultimate CF with Ultegra & Ksyrium Elite wheels would be my choice for a bike around the 2k mark-the bikes in the first post all look good except for the wheels, and I think Ultegra is a significant step up from 105 as well. The Athena version of this Bike also has the Ksyrium Elites and is a few hundred quid cheaper, though Campag is not everyone's cup of tea. Not sure of your frame size, but there are always some good deals in the outlet section as well, seems like now it's mostly large sizes. Not sure either how attached you are to 10-speed, but with the Mavic wheels, it is pretty easy to convert to 10-speed-just add a spacer and 10-speed cassette.

Just saw the Boardman, looks like a great spec and with very good mid-range wheels also.

iwillhtfu

I know its a good bit over budget amd probably opens up the likes of cervelo etc but perhaps save a few quid and buy something race ready and no need to upgrade wheels.



https://www.canyon.com/en/road/ultimate/ultimate-cf-slx-8-0.html

daragh_

Chap in our Club just got that Propel and I had a quick go. Very responsive. Would love to race one. Canyon would be my second choice.

lennymc

the more expensive the bike, the more it costs to replace it when i crash it. 2k is the absolute max i can and will spend on a bike. I have good race wheels, redishing/new hub shouldn't cost that much, so unfortunately that canyon is out. At least with the standard wheels I get a set of training/winter/commuter wheels.

thekooman

as your racing it would also be good to know who does frame crash replacement @ reduced price. Canyon do, not sure who else.

lennymc

good point thekooman

Koobcam

If you are after a frame that is cheaper to replace, I would suggest something like the Hongfu FM066. I know there are plenty of stories about dodgy Chinese carbon frames, but there are also plenty of reliable options, such as this one. You are probably talking about €6-700, including shipping & customs charges, less if you get lucky with the latter. At that price, the normal rules about a self-build costing more than a complete bike become less relevant, plus you have the option to buy a discounted 10-speed groupset. I know one chap who has this frame and has not had any issues, and it makes for a very nice looking bike.

fat bloke

I'm firmly in the "pay someone 1500 quid for something they bought for 4000 euro and hardly used" camp.

lennymc

what bike are you riding now Fatbloke?
give ye 1500 quid for it

fat bloke

lennymc wrote: »

what bike are you riding now Fatbloke?
give ye 1500 quid for it

Well, I've just had 12 months Marmotte training on a 2010 trek 6.9 that I'd love to sell ya for 1500 quid! I doubt she's your size though

Brian?

I'd go for the BMC. For the completely vain reason that it's the rarest one of the lot. I like owning bikes i won't see others riding every day. Shallow, but there you go.

iwillhtfu

Jjiipp79 wrote: »

I have a nice road bike for sale. It's in 100% condition. It's a carrera yellow and black. It's for a person between 5'6 and 5'10.

You can PM me if you like and I could vibe pics

You're probably targeting the wrong market

Jjiipp79

I'll remove post now, sry.

Lumen

Paolini would snort at your indecision and take the Canyon

fat bloke

Brian? wrote: »

I'd go for the BMC. For the completely vain reason that it's the rarest one of the lot. I like owning bikes i won't see others riding every day. Shallow, but there you go.

Op already has the prettiest bmc around though.

How about our mutual colleague's recent ribble purchase - the De Rosa alike? It's a fine machine.

lennymc

fat bloke wrote: »

Op already has the prettiest bmc around though.

How about our mutual colleague's recent ribble purchase - the De Rosa alike? It's a fine machine.

I did think about that. Could spec quite a nice one. Need to talk to him about that.

Re the carrera - I had a couple of tdf models and they are a fine bike for what they are. Wouldn't like to race one tho.

Raam

Budget should be 2k EXCLUDING wheels and pedals (and bottle cages).

lennymc

in an ideal world, budget would be 2k for pedals excluding wheels and bike, but it's not


edit - this is the reason I haven't pulled the trigger on the BMC SLR03 above:

coach22

that is proper bike porn right there!

Plastik

Ok, a touch over budget, two Storcks

http://s-tec-essence.eshop.t-online.de/epages/Store4_Shop38023.sf/en_GB/?ViewObjectPath=%2FShops%2FShop38023%2FProducts%2FStVC2014

http://s-tec-essence.eshop.t-online.de/epages/Store4_Shop38023.sf/en_GB/?ViewObjectPath=%2FShops%2FShop38023%2FProducts%2FSVCG2V

lennymc

anyone any experience of Sensa?

iwillhtfu

I always like the look of those and that particular one I saw recently it's stunning in the flesh.

No experience though other than looks. It may well be a show pony.

eeeee

lennymc wrote: »

anyone any experience of Sensa?

Most comfortable and nicest bike I ever rode was a Sensa bike, the Toscana. They're gorgeous in the flesh. Wicklow Road Bikes have them, you can try them out.

If I had the money I'd buy one tomorrow, they're lovely to ride. I guess you could say I'm a fan! I'll have a Google for Wicklow road bikes now hang on...


There ya go: http://www.wicklowroadbikes.ie/

They're on Facebook too.

comete

That BMC looks very nice, why bother changing it?

AstraMonti

If you want a fairly indestructible bike that has served thousands of people racing go for a caad10. If you want something a bit fancier go for the supersix or the ultimate canyon.

lennymc

@ comete - i'm keeping the bmc. It's too nice to race and get wrecked. The new bike will be the training/racnig/commuting bike.
@ Astra - I had a caad 10 for a week or so and was seriously impressed with it. Might get one yet!

brownian

Really like the supersix - very responsive, not too 'chattery' on the Wicklow roads.

Esroh

have a look at the KTM revelator 3500. 2015 comes in under budget with 105. KTM record on Irish Roads = 2014/15 RAS

Seweryn

lennymc wrote: »

@ comete - i'm keeping the bmc. It's too nice to race and get wrecked. The new bike will be the training/racnig/commuting bike.
@ Astra - I had a caad 10 for a week or so and was seriously impressed with it. Might get one yet!

I used to have the SuperSix, but then replaced it with the CAAD10 which I have been riding for the last 3 years and a half. It is used all the time and does everything well and I see no reason to change it any time soon. The only thing it is not asked to do is racing (which is not my cup of tea anyway). Great bike and if I was to buy a new bike tomorrow I would still consider one.

BTW, the only bit that is still original after all the mileage is the frame with fork, the seat clamp and the seat post (recently repaired with epoxy glue). All other parts were replaced mainly due to wear and tear.

rtmie

lennymc wrote: »

I had a caad 10 for a week or so and was seriously impressed with it. Might get one yet!

This German crowd seem to have very good deals on Canondales esp e.g. CAAD10 - 2015 Ultegra for 1899

Never bought of them but did enquire before about shipping to Ireland - they quoted €40.

Brian

Was looking for something similar, ended up ordering a Rose Xeon RS 3000 after I was unable to get a testride on a CAAD10.

cunavalos

If is a second bike for training and racing there is a lot to be said for getting a second BMC Racemachine seeing as you are happy with it.

A quick look shows the DI2 Frameset for £749 or the frameset + Ultegra DI2 for £1349.

http://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/bmc-racemachine-rm01-di2-frameset-with-11-speed-ultegra-6870-electric-pack-2012-p283978?gclid=CIOv4aTa38YCFSFz2wodMg8Ftg#

I know it is at the limit of your budget and you would still need to add chainset, saddle, stem and bars and of course it is 11 speed but you will get a bike with identical geometry to your race bike.

If you want to run a 10 speed wheel with an 11 speed groupset you can follow the advice here
http://darkspeedworks.com/blog.htm

The other option is to get the di2 frameset only and try and source a 10speed di2 groupset.

lennymc

cheers for the suggestions. 2k gets you a lot of bike!!
I have been looking at some of the aluminium offerings and the rose xeon rs looks good, and in 4400 spec comes in under 7 kgs, as does the canyon ultimate. Brian, how do you find the xeon? These both look ready to race with good wheels and finishing kit.
There is also the cannondale supersix evo force racing for 1999 on bunnyhop.de as posted by rtmie, but would probably need wheels. It is a proven race bike tho. Also, the radon vaillant aero bike coming in at 1999. Too much choice!!

Lumen

lennymc wrote: »

the rose xeon rs looks good, and in 4400 spec comes in under 7 kgs

I would take that claimed weight with a pinch of salt.

lennymc

Lumen wrote: »

I would take that claimed weight with a pinch of salt.

I forgot to say allegedly

Lusk_Doyle

Lumen wrote: »

I would take that claimed weight with a pinch of salt.

Would that not add weight?

lennymc

Lusk_Doyle wrote: »

Would that not add weight?

only if you added vinegar, chips and a royale with cheese.

Amprodude

What do ye guys that race expensive bikes do when you crash them? Horrible to have a nice bike with all road rash over it?

Brian

lennymc wrote: »

cheers for the suggestions. 2k gets you a lot of bike!!
I have been looking at some of the aluminium offerings and the rose xeon rs looks good, and in 4400 spec comes in under 7 kgs, as does the canyon ultimate. Brian, how do you find the xeon? These both look ready to race with good wheels and finishing kit.
There is also the cannondale supersix evo force racing for 1999 on bunnyhop.de as posted by rtmie, but would probably need wheels. It is a proven race bike tho. Also, the radon vaillant aero bike coming in at 1999. Too much choice!!

I actually managed to find a CAAD10 in my size from a German website (badbikes-online.de) so I'm going with that instead. My renewed searching was prompted by the fact that the Rose wasn't going to be assembled, let alone delivered, until late August. Also the CAAD10's geometry is that little bit prettier :pac:

Will have to replace some parts on the CAAD though, wheels and tires I guess. At least it shipped today!

lennymc

Amprodude wrote: »

What do ye guys that race expensive bikes do when you crash them? Horrible to have a nice bike with all road rash over it?

cry!

Lumen

Amprodude wrote: »

What do ye guys that race expensive bikes do when you crash them? Horrible to have a nice bike with all road rash over it?

It's relatively unusual to do significant damage to a frame. Bent bars, scratched shifters & saddle, out of true wheels, snapped hanger is more likely.

Clothing damage is usually more costly - in one fall you could wreck a jersey, gilet, shorts, gloves, half a set of arm & leg warmers, helmet, glasses. That lot could be hundreds of euros to replace.

lennymc

my first crash in a race, i wrote of a frame....

lennymc

lennymc wrote: »

my first crash in a race, i wrote of a frame....

It was a poem.

Oh carbon-y bike, what are you like, lying in pieces, oh carbon-y bike.

I also wrote off the frame.