Road bike for around 2000

Hoeballs

Hi,
Looking for advice
I'm planning to get into cycling and am planning on getting a road bike for under 2000, from lads in work I've been recommended to get a decent bike rather than an entry level bike. Also get a carbon fibre bike with an ultegra group set. I like the the trek do mane 4.5 but its just too pricey,
Thanks in advance

jon1981

I have this - http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-ie/bikes/model/tcr.advanced.1/25077/90674/

absolutely love it, light, fast and got a great spec. The wheels are probably the only compromise for price but they are decent enough.

Tenzor07

Canyon Ultimate CF, plenty of change out of €2k and great spec!

Fian

I had responded to your post in adverts section so copying below:



https://www.rosebikes.com/bike/rose-xeon-team-cgf-3000-818234/aid:818238?bikevariantchanged=818294

https://www.rosebikes.com/bike/rose-x-lite-crs-3000-820238/aid:820315

(extra light but less comfort ^ )

https://www.rosebikes.com/bike/rose-xeon-crs-3000-819328/aid:819332

https://www.canyon.com/en-ie/road/endurace/2016/endurace-cf-9-0.html

https://www.canyon.com/en-ie/road/endurace/2016/endurace-cf-8-0.html


you don't state what type of road bike you are looking for - one to go on long weekend spins or do you want to race? most of the above (bar the second rose) are built for comfort rather than racing.

To consider:

https://www.rosebikes.com/bike/rose-xeon-dx-2000-821192/aid:821195

Not carbon fibre but does have hydraullic discs and is still light. 105 imo is fine as an alternative to ultegra, obviously not quite as good but still fine.

Or with ultegra:

https://www.rosebikes.com/bike/rose-xeon-dx-3000-821133/aid:821136


Finally, outside your budget but I will include it since this is the bike I bought recently so I can recommend genuinely :P

https://www.rosebikes.com/bike/rose-xeon-cdx-3100-di2-820862/aid:820865


Carbon fibre, hydraullic discs, electronic shifting. Great bike

Edit: Oh and remember to keep some of your budget left over for pedals, shoes, cycling shorts, overshoes, pump and clothes. also saddlebag with spare tubes, minipump, tyre levers. Good value in Aldi/ Lidl for some of those.

Hoeballs

Thanks for the responses lads, and the plan is to do some long trips up to 100k.

Tigerandahalf

If you are only planning to get into it why blow 2 grand on a bike when you have no idea whether you will take to cycling or not. If you are getting it on the bike to work scheme fair enough you will probably be paying only 1000eur. Get a cheaper aluminium bike first and you can always then use it for turbo or a winter bike.

Mercian Pro

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

If you are only planning to get into it why blow 2 grand on a bike when you have no idea whether you will take to cycling or not. If you are getting it on the bike to work scheme fair enough you will probably be paying only 1000eur. Get a cheaper aluminium bike first and you can always then use it for turbo or a winter bike.

The max you can save on the BTW scheme is about €520 depending on your tax and PRSI rate. If you are eligible for the BTW, you would need to check with your employer whether online sellers such as Rose or Canyon are included.

I see no big problem in going for a carbon frame from the start (once you have the cash!). Unless you are very flexible, you will probably be best opting for a "relaxed geometry" or "sportif" bike such as the Endurace mentioned above. The Defy is the Giant equivalent and should be more comfortable over long distances than the TCR. You should be able to find quite a few options under €2k especially if you can buy online. The big disadvantage of this of course is you don't get to try out different sizes and miss out on the advice and back up service of a bike shop.

Happy shopping.

Roadtoad

The next thing you have to reprogramme is the big deal about 'long trips up to 100k'. That's for starters, unless your health is seriously out of whack.

My next bike will have disc brakes, and a yellow frame.

surripere

http://www.adverts.ie/road-bikes/canyon-ultimate-cf-slx-9-0/8600337

Hoeballs

Roadtoad wrote: »

The next thing you have to reprogramme is the big deal about 'long trips up to 100k'. That's for starters, unless your health is seriously out of whack.

My next bike will have disc brakes, and a yellow frame.

I didn't say it was a big deal, it was just a number I threw out there, seems like a decent one to me.

Plus I may or may not have access to 2 vouchers

stackerman

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

Lot of bike for the money

robinwing

You might be better advised to visit a proper bike shop where they will measure you up and find a bike that exactly fits your body size , this would be equivalent of getting a tailor made suit . I would go to Stagg Cycles in Lucan if I had 2000 to spend on a new bike , I am sure there is a really good bike shop in Cork which is similar. Ask riders who race in a club in your area they will point you in the right direction . Buying on the internet is ok and you might save a few squids but you lose out in many ways too

ridelikeaturtle

Unless 2K is pocket change / throwaway money for you, I'd *highly recommend* you testride at least 4 or 5 bikes - carbon fibre, steel, aluminum, even titanium. I'm sure your mates at work will help you out on this.

Once you've decided on a frame material - they are very different on the road - start looking around, especially at secondhand bikes. People get rid of perfectly nice, even *really nice*, bikes at very low prices, mostly to pay off their new bike or just get some money into their pockets.

You may not appreciate or even notice (at first) any difference on stuff like the specificities of groupsets until you've been on the road for a year.

There's a Merlin 6/4 Ti bike on here with a stuck seatpost (probably not a big deal), but the seller is only looking for <1K.

I'd also recommend seriously looking at steel. It makes for a lovely bike, I notice a huge difference when the road turns ugly. For a smooth road I love my aluminium frame; but on cut-up concrete and uneven tarmac, steel is so much nicer. (I need to try a carbon bike, I've never had one, but can only imagine it being stiff, though it probably depends on the bike.)

pat25c

I have a really nice steel frame genisis with a campag athenia group set that I'm looking to sell , pm me if you're interested.

iwillhtfu

Hoeballs wrote: »

I didn't say it was a big deal, it was just a number I threw out there, seems like a decent one to me.

Plus I may or may not have access to 2 vouchers

It is a decent one ignore him.

smacl

ridelikeaturtle wrote: »

Unless 2K is pocket change / throwaway money for you, I'd *highly recommend* you testride at least 4 or 5 bikes - carbon fibre, steel, aluminum, even titanium. I'm sure your mates at work will help you out on this.

I'd tend to agree with this as you'll really only know what you want in a bike after trying out a few, and while it is easy to fall in love with the idea of the lightest, raciest bike after browsing on line, I reckon starting out comfort, reliability and suitable gearing add far more value.

Nothing wrong with spending 2k on your first bike, just make sure its the right one.

pat25c

robinwing wrote:

You might be better advised to visit a proper bike shop where they will measure you up and find a bike that exactly fits your body size , this would be equivalent of getting a tailor made suit . I would go to Stagg Cycles in Lucan if I had 2000 to spend on a new bike , I am sure there is a really good bike shop in Cork which is similar. Ask riders who race in a club in your area they will point you in the right direction . Buying on the internet is ok and you might save a few squids but you lose out in many ways too

That's the truth , you can't beat talking to someone in your local bike shop who knows their stuff.

Tigerandahalf

100km is a very good distance to have in mind. Just to remember a fall off a carbon bike may end its day whereas an aluminium one will take more of a beating. Especially at the start when you are getting used to clipless pedals and going downhill with bends.

The carbon bikes are much lighter but if you have an extra 5kg in weight the difference is probably marginal.

I don't know if components make a huge difference. I have entry Shimano Tourney groupset and it serves me fine.

smacl

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

I don't know if components make a huge difference. I have entry Shimano Tourney groupset and it serves me fine.

Moved up from a cobbled together FSA / Veloce triple mix on my old bike, to Ultegra compact on the new bike and I have to say I love it. Very light to the touch and reliable in all sorts of horrible conditions.

porcupine3

It is very hard to beat the value you get with a Canyon or Rose. Tremendous spec. So you would have to get a general idea of the frame size you need, choose the spec. and order online. Then you may have to find a bike shop or mechanic to do the final assembly. Add to this, and this is very important and maybe the best money you will spend, will be the cost of getting a proper bike fit, where all the parameters will be set up exactly for you. This will make a massive difference to your comfort and performance. If you're willing to go through this little extra hassle you will end up with a bike that is a dream machine for a starter and may well do you for many years to come. Fair play to you in stating your first goal of 100km, with that mindset you'll be doing 160km-200km sportives in no time.
If you decide not to buy online then I suggest you look at Cube bikes. They also are really well kitted out for the money and lots of bike shops do them. Great bikes. My last suggestion for you would be to check out Bianchi. Not sure what you get for €2k but they are supposed to be extremely comfortable (if you can get one with their "Countervail" vibration cancelling technology for that money). You have a lot of options with 2k, so do the homework. Finally, I wouldn't be hung up too much on buying from a shop. Apart from buying stuff online from CRC/Wiggle etc. you'll always find yourself popping in to a bike shop for a look and it's hard to leave without buying something! Plus margins on bikes are low, but you'll need to get the bike serviced/fixed etc. and if you find a good shop that you like going back to you can support them with that business.