Road bike for 2016

derekotoole

Hi, looking to upgrade my road bike. I currently have a Trek 1.2. I was looking at going for a Giant and i was in the bike shop on the way home and got these in mind.
Giant TCR 1 @ €1850
Giant TCR 2 @ €1575
Scott CR 2015 @ €1500.

Really unsure what way to go, any advise (tips) greatly appreciated.

Luxman

derekotoole wrote: »

Hi, looking to upgrade my road bike. I currently have a Trek 1.2. I was looking at going for a Giant and i was in the bike shop on the way home and got these in mind.
Giant TCR 1 @ €1850
Giant TCR 2 @ €1575
Scott CR 2015 @ €1500.

Really unsure what way to go, any advise (tips) greatly appreciated.

Get the spec for each and match them to your type of riding you do. Groupsets and wheel specs need some research. Your budget will get stomped on pretty quickly

derekotoole

Luxman wrote: »

Get the spec for each and match them to your type of riding you do. Groupsets and wheel specs need some research. Your budget will get stomped on pretty quickly

TCR Adv 1 is full ultegra TCR 2 and the CR 20 are 105. Wouldn't of done a whole lot of riding up to now but due to injury I've had to give up GAA and everything with it cycling is all I have so going to get myself a descent bike

Fireball XL5

Just got a Cannondale CAAD 12 Ultegra Disc 2016 for €1,999 from bunnyhop.de

Specs etc; on the Cannondale web site if interested in spending a little more.

stackerman

Check out this

https://www.merlincycles.com/sensa-giulia-ultegra-6800-road-bike-2015-ltd-edition-74098.html

May interest you.
Got one myself last mth. Great bike, speck, and unreal price
Worth a look, even just to give you an idea of what can be had for 1500

derekotoole

Great thanks for all the advice. I should of mentioned I'll be using the BTWS and kind of confined to where I can use it. I really like the Giants and the reviews seem pretty good. Is it worth spending the extra 300 on the Ultra is my main sticking point, maybe go with the 105 and possible upgrade the wheels down he line?

derekotoole

OK down to 2 bikes. Both the same price, same group set. 1 is the Giant TCR Advanced 1 and the other a Trek Emonda ALR 6. Thinking of going with the he Trek just for peace of mind on the frame.

terrydel

derekotoole wrote: »

Great thanks for all the advice. I should of mentioned I'll be using the BTWS and kind of confined to where I can use it. I really like the Giants and the reviews seem pretty good. Is it worth spending the extra 300 on the Ultra is my main sticking point, maybe go with the 105 and possible upgrade the wheels down he line?

To be honest, if thats the only difference in them, you will never notice it.
105 is a great groupset.
Keep the 300 and spend it on something else.

terrydel

derekotoole wrote: »

OK down to 2 bikes. Both the same price, same group set. 1 is the Giant TCR Advanced 1 and the other a Trek Emonda ALR 6. Thinking of going with the he Trek just for peace of mind on the frame.

What piece of mind?

Crimsonforce

I have a German brand Radon. Couldn't be matched really on price and service.

http://www.radon-bikes.de/bikes-2016/roadbike/roadbike-competition/ignite/ignite-ultegra/

paudie2005

derekotoole wrote: »

OK down to 2 bikes. Both the same price, same group set. 1 is the Giant TCR Advanced 1 and the other a Trek Emonda ALR 6. Thinking of going with the he Trek just for peace of mind on the frame.

I've the 2014 version of the tcr, frame is very good and once wheels are upgraded its a very responsive bike

sin_26

First of all make sure that geometry will make you happy and then choose for gear option. For example ive tried Trek Madone, Giant Tcr, Scott Foil, Spesh Tarmac and Cannondale Evo. Ive had almost instant feeling that latter is made for me so i sticked with Cannondale. Another thing is if you like racy or endurance or maybe bit of both geometries. You can and propably you will change gear sooner or later so make sure that geo is right for you. Gruppo and rest is less important in my opinion.

derekotoole

There is such a nice finish to the Giant but with it being a Carbon I'm just so frightful of having a fall and cracking the frame, the guy in the shop is really pushing the Trek, why I don't know, just keeps saying hoiw carefully you need to be and how easily damaged they can be. Like I don't see myself racing at any point, sportives and maybe triathlons at Some point (if I can master the swimming) is all I see for me and keeping relative fit, so I'm really looking for a good solid bike that's going to be comfortable and be a nice ride

derekotoole

By easily damaged he means Carbon frames in general I think

lissard

I've been in a similar scenario to the OP and have thought long and hard before pulling the trigger on a purchase. Like a lot of folks I am upgrading from an entry level bike, in my case an Aluminium Giant Defy. I do most of my cycling in Wicklow so lots of hills. I mainly care about the weight of the bike to make that climbing easier. I seriously considered a TCR Advanced, the price is very attractive for what you get. However when I really went through the details I came to the conclusion that a race geometry is not for me. Race geometry means a longer top tube and shorter head tube. In practice it means being stretched out low over the bars. That would not suit my back, particularly over long distances. This year I'm doing the W200 and if I learned one thing from doing it before, it is that comfort matters, particularly when you're on the bike for 6+ hours. The Defy Advanced 2 was on my radar but I wasn't sure about cable disc brakes or the weight. In the end I went for a 2015 Cannondale Synapse Carbon 5, the geometry is nearly a perfect fit with my Defy.

derekotoole

Thanks lissard that post does make things a little easier. I'm not really after a race geometry bike bike either so I think that rules out the Giant for me. On the trek your a little more upright so maybe that's the decision made.

A few mates say I should also change the cassette before I buy, can that be done before I buy or is that an upgrade I can do down the line.

Domane

derekotoole wrote: »

Thanks lissard that post does make things a little easier. I'm not really after a race geometry bike bike either so I think that rules out the Giant for me. On the trek your a little more upright so maybe that's the decision made.

A few mates say I should also change the cassette before I buy, can that be done before I buy or is that an upgrade I can do down the line.

Like you I didn't want a race geometry frame as I've a dodgy back. In the end, I went for the Trek Domane four series. It's an endurance fit and has a special bracket in the frame where it meets the seat post to take some of the road shock out of the equation before it hits your back. Try the Domane before you buy

sydneybound

Bought this bike in the week. My first ever road bike and wanted to get one above entry level as I don't want to have to but again in 12 months when I get into it further. Will be giving running a rest and take up cycling as my main cardio workouts.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/mach-740-carbon-road-bike-athena-id_8311384.html

sydneybound

Bought this bike in the week. My first ever road bike and wanted to get one above entry level as I don't want to have to but again in 12 months when I get into it further. Will be giving running a rest and take up cycling as my main cardio workouts.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/mach-740-carbon-road-bike-athena-id_8311384.html

derekotoole

Thanks for the tip Domane I'll look into that bike I have a some time I'm heading in for surgery on my hip next week so just want to hit the road when I'm back on my feet. Is the Domane you have the carbon frame..

Looks a nice bike Sidney bound.enjoy

onmebike

I got one of these before Christmas and I'm delighted with it. I got it for a little less due to a weekend sale, but I think it's still great value.

http://planetxireland.com/products-page/sl-pro-carbon/planet-x-pro-carbon-womens-shimano-ultegra-road-bike/

Domane

derekotoole wrote: »

Thanks for the tip Domane I'll look into that bike I have a some time I'm heading in for surgery on my hip next week so just want to hit the road when I'm back on my feet. Is the Domane you have the carbon frame..

Looks a nice bike Sidney bound.enjoy

Yes, my four series Domane is full carbon, frame and forks. I had to give up running several years ago after two discs ruptured in my spines lumbar region. For exercise, I turned to cycling on my mountain bike initially as it has a more upright riding position and I thought I'd never be able to ride a proper road bike due to the bent over the bars riding position which I presumed would cause me endless back pain. However I got fed up trying to keep up with my mates on their road bikes where I'd be working twice as hard as them. So I looked around and saw the Domane which has a more relaxed endurance style riding position (ie not as bent over the bars as a dedicated racing bike). It also has the special bracket that takes some of the shock out of bumps in the road and allows a certain amount of flex so your spine isnt as rigid and can move a bit, very important for those of us with dodgy spines. I've since ridden up to 140kms in a single spin on the Domane with no ill effects on my spine. The Domane starts out with an aluminium frame in the two series and then goes to full carbon in the four series. I got mine on the bike to work scheme two years ago and it has been faultless since. Try it at least before you buy.

siochain

Planet X have some good value and are on BTW
http://planetxireland.com/products-page/bikes/planet-x-rt-80-sport-road-bike/

koutoubia

http://www.360cycles.ie/performance-road-bikes/917-specialized-tarmac-elite-2015.html

Winner.