New road bike suggestions please.

wannabecraig

Hi,

My specialized allez sport was stolen on Friday (locked to a work fence, they took the fence and the bike!) so I'm in the market for a new one. I have the bike to work scheme and was to use to full 1k available. I heave gear, lid etc so just all money on the bike. Need clip in peddle as do duathlons and some small Tris. I really liked what I had and may just go for a newer model but am open to suggestions. I lie and work in Dublin centre (where they took my bike from!) so shops around that area are best but I'm not locked into them. I cycle to work & use the bike for that too.

TIA.

ED E

You need two bikes, a pile of junk to avoid another robbery at work and a decent one for tris etc.

wannabecraig

Bike wasnt robbed at work, confusing wording by me, was taken outside a pub, but agreed on two bikes

rtmie

How is your btw done. Voucher, LBS only, allow buy online? Are you capping at BTW level or putting extra to it?

wannabecraig

Not 100% sure, had no real intention of getting a bike yet! Will check it out tomorrow and let you know.

wannabecraig

Any idea on how long it takes to process the BTW order? Being without a bike is going to be though for getting to work etc

wannabecraig

So the company are using the biketowork.ie scheme and I'm in Dublin; https://www.biketowork.ie/shops?name=&county%5B%5D=1591

I only race about twice a year and mostly I'm using this to commute but also be able to race if I need, Ill get cleat peddles etc.

Is my best bet just going up to cycle superstore and pick up something like this? http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=100174

Ranjo

BTW can take a few weeks. Not sure about the specific scheme you are using though, but mine took 2-3 weeks from memory.

Do you have a budget? Based on your selection above I'm assuming around 1K. If Cycle Super store is your preference, then I'd suggest popping in & looking at their Lapierres and Canondales and picking your fave.

In the meantime, keep an eye out for second hand bike/fence combinations on adverts/donedeal.... :-)

rtmie

Halfords is not covered on that?
Pity - they have the Boardman Carbon reduced to 960
http://www.halfords.ie/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/boardman-road-team-carbon-bike-2016

rtmie

Halfords is not covered on that?
Pity - they have the Boardman Carbon reduced to 960
http://www.halfords.ie/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/boardman-road-team-carbon-bike-2016

wannabecraig

I went to Base2Race and Cycle superstore today.

B2R had two bikes in my price range ; http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=100174

& this Orro: https://www.orrobikes.com/bikes/road/terra-tiagra

Cycle superstore had: https://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=100174

I likes the last one best, even though worse groupset. Any opinions?

CantGetNoSleep

wannabecraig wrote: »

I went to Base2Race and Cycle superstore today.

B2R had two bikes in my price range ; http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=100174

& this Orro: https://www.orrobikes.com/bikes/road/terra-tiagra

Cycle superstore had: https://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=100174

I likes the last one best, even though worse groupset. Any opinions?

To be honest I'd be looking for a bit more than Sora for your budget. I live abroad but can easily find a decent frame with 105 for less than that. I bought a similar older model Cannondale but with Claris from the UK for 400 or so delivered to Ireland earlier in the year.

rtmie

Of those I'd be going for Orro Tiagra. But obvs has to be right for you.

rtmie

You could try fitzcycles in stillorgan.
They have cube bikes that will fit your budget.
Also this which is nice.
http://www.fitzcycles.ie/p/2507/stevens-san-remo#description-tab-tab

wannabecraig

rtmie wrote: »

Of those I'd be going for Orro Tiagra. But obvs has to be right for you.

can I ask you why? Is it because of the groupset and do you really think that makes the difference? I'd rather a better frame so I can upgrade the S at a later date.

Thanks for your feedback.

wannabecraig

rtmie wrote: »

You could try fitzcycles in stillorgan.
They have cube bikes that will fit your budget.
Also this which is nice.
http://www.fitzcycles.ie/p/2507/stevens-san-remo#description-tab-tab

Cheers, this looks pretty goof for 1k; http://www.fitzcycles.ie/p/3088/cube-attain#description-tab-tab

Thoughts? has Tiagra.

rtmie

Cube is very popular, lots of people here have / recommend them. I'd go take a look at all they have at your price range (Stevens have a good rep also). Probably won't be a huge diff but pick the one that makes you smile!

Budawanny

wannabecraig wrote: »

can I ask you why? Is it because of the groupset and do you really think that makes the difference? I'd rather a better frame so I can upgrade the S at a later date.

Thanks for your feedback.

Did The lads in Base2Race mention a free before and after bike fitting ?

wannabecraig

Budawanny wrote: »

Did The lads in Base2Race mention a free before and after bike fitting ?

They mentioned the free before, so did cyclesuperstore.

The Noble Nudge

Your first link for Base2race is a duplicate CCS cannondale....

Oh and haggle as best you can....

wannabecraig

The Noble Nudge wrote: »

Your first link for Base2race is a duplicate CCS cannondale....

Oh and haggle as best you can....

You are correct, here is the origional ; https://www.giant-bicycles.com/ie/contend-sl-2

Not great at haggling!

The Noble Nudge

Worth a look at Canyon doing a July sale for Tour De France and they do BTW scheme...
https://www.canyon.com/en-ie/specials/breakaway/sale/road.html

Endurance AL 6 is €999 plus shipping and has full 105 spec...
The AL 7 has Ultegra worth the extra €199 alone...
The Carbon Fibre version is only another €100 on top of that!

I must stop looking at the Canyon site NOW!!:D

Budawanny

I bought my first road bike in Base2Race. highly recommended from my perspective.
Fitted before so the bike comes from the manufacturers with right stem lengths and cranks etc.
And fitted again after to make sure everything is hunky Dunky which it is.

rtmie

The Noble Nudge wrote: »

Worth a look at Canyon doing a July sale for Tour De France and they do BTW scheme...
https://www.canyon.com/en-ie/specials/breakaway/sale/road.html

Endurance AL 6 is €999 plus shipping and has full 105 spec...
The AL 7 has Ultegra worth the extra €199 alone...
The Carbon Fibre version is only another €100 on top of that!

I must stop looking at the Canyon site NOW!!:D

OP is on biketowork.ie scheme so no online goodness for them unfortunately!

The Noble Nudge

rtmie wrote: »

OP is on biketowork.ie scheme so no online goodness for them unfortunately!

Ah sugar......

wannabecraig

rtmie wrote: »

Cube is very popular, lots of people here have / recommend them. I'd go take a look at all they have at your price range (Stevens have a good rep also). Probably won't be a huge diff but pick the one that makes you smile!

I can't find any info on Stevens and the few people I asked told me not to touch them. I see there is a lot of focus on the groupset and I'm wondering if I should really be that worried about it. I'm only racing once or twice a year and if I decide to do more I can just upgrade. Should I not be more focused on the frame?

Giving myself a little more time to decide but I'm down to these two.

http://www.fitzcycles.ie/p/3088/cube-attain#description-tab-tab
https://www.cube.eu/uk/2017/road-triathlon/attain/cube-attain-race-blacknred-2017/

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=100174

Prefer the Cube look and GS, but I believe the Cannodale frame is great.

Lumen

I know a couple of people with Stevens and they're happy.

The Synapse is not a racing frame.

wannabecraig

Lumen wrote: »

I know a couple of people with Stevens and they're happy.

The Synapse is not a racing frame.

OK, cool, thanks.

Re' the bolded, is the cube better, if I added the Stevens into the mix would you take that over the Cube?

rtmie

wannabecraig wrote: »

rtmie wrote: »

Of those I'd be going for Orro Tiagra. But obvs has to be right for you.

can I ask you why?  Is it because of the groupset and do you really think that makes the difference?  I'd rather a better frame so I can upgrade the S at a later date.

Thanks for your feedback.

I think that Tiagra is a big a big step up esp if you want to use the bike for other activities than commuting. also as Lumen has mentioned the Synapse is a quite upright geometry not really aligned with your mention of occassional Tri use.
In general in the BTW price range there will be a convergence in quality of Alu frames from major manufacturers AFAIK (I am open to correction here from more expert members). Whilst e.g Canondale have a rep for excellence in Alu frames you may need to spend extra (CAAD10/CAAD12) to really see it. Orro is a relatively new brand so you would need to seek some feedback from owners but generally Base2Race guys seem to recommend.
So I guess it depends on what is pointing you towards the Synapse Sora - comfort, you like how it looks/feels whatever  - they are all more important than feature list as you have to like your bike. At the end of the day you won't go wrong regardless. But from my PoV both your desire to do some races/tri stuff and value from money would point me away from the Synapse.
Ultimately listen to your bike shop (if they offer a range like e.g. Fitz - they will make the sale anyway so should be able to guide you to best pick for you). Sit on them all - get a feel for them.
As I said though ultimately the most important thing iis which one makes you happy.

Lumen

rtmie wrote: »

also as Lumen has mentioned the Synapse is a quite upright geometry not really aligned with your mention of occassional Tri use.

Oh sorry, I didn't read the whole thread and assumed "race" mean "road race".

If you're going to stick tri bars on it then arguably the shorter top tube of an endurance road bike (as opposed to road racing bike) makes sense.

Lots of people do tri- and duathlons on all sorts of things. It's only supposed to be a bit of fun.

Lumen

wannabecraig wrote: »

OK, cool, thanks.

Re' the bolded, is the cube better, if I added the Stevens into the mix would you take that over the Cube?

Can't see a specific Stevens listed in the thread.

The Cube has 10sp Tiagra and better wheels and tyres than the Cannondale. 9sp in this day and age is a bit parsimonious.

wannabecraig

Lumen wrote: »

Can't see a specific Stevens listed in the thread.

The Cube has 10sp Tiagra and better wheels and tyres than the Cannondale. 9sp in this day and age is a bit parsimonious.

http://www.fitzcycles.ie/p/2507/stevens-san-remo#description-tab-tab

Here you go.

wannabecraig

I asked about the Cube and they're sold out but said the Orbea would be very similar.
Any input on those? I like the looks and they're Tiagra 10 speed.

http://www.fitzcycles.ie/p/3166/orbea-avant#description-tab-tab

Feedback I get from the shop is that this is the time of year that manufactures change their bikes so won't get the Cube for months.
The Orbea is also out of stock but they're getting the 2018 models at end of Aug' so if I hold out I'll get the 2018 model of that.

Thoughts?

WRT this: also as Lumen has mentioned the Synapse is a quite upright geometry not really aligned with your mention of occassional Tri use.

Am I right in saying it's the angle of the crossbar that we're talking about?

Lumen

wannabecraig wrote: »

Am I right in saying it's the angle of the crossbar that we're talking about?

The drop (or lack of) from the saddle to the handlebars, caused deliberately by the tall head tube, plus the shortness of top tube (cross bar), means that it doesn't create the "long, low" position suited to road racing.

In tris it may or may not matter depending on whether you intend (or are allowed) to use clip-on tri bars.

Lumen

wannabecraig wrote: »

Thoughts?

OK, so Stevens (and Cube) are a German brand. German roads tend to be smooth, and German bicycle frames consequently tend to be stiff (also because German bike magazines publish measured values of frame stiffness, because they're German, so the manufacturers compete on this basis).

Now with a carbon frame I wouldn't be bothered, but with an alloy one...maybe. That specific alloy Stevens bike actually advertised its stiffness, so....

That said, I have an alloy Canyon road bike which is also German but comfortable. Maybe all bikes are fine now.

Just don't buy an Italian bike because they're crap and overpriced (runs for cover from Colnago fans).

Sorry, that's probably not helping.

You could just buy a bike you think is pretty from a shop who treat you well. It's not a terrible approach.

magicbastarder

Lumen wrote: »

Just don't buy an Italian bike because they're crap and overpriced (runs for cover from Colnago fans).

what sort of reputation do bianchi have these days?

wannabecraig

Lumen wrote: »

You could just buy a bike you think is pretty from a shop who treat you well. It's not a terrible approach.

Honestly just thinking of doing this! I mean I have to ride it. Only concern about Stevens is the lack of them in the country. Somebody told me they were made in China, so I kinda ruled it out. I like it otherwise. But not I really don't want a bike that's so upright, for whatever reason!

No thoughts on Orbea? Seems that they're designed in Spain and made in China? IS that a worry?

CantGetNoSleep

wannabecraig wrote: »

Honestly just thinking of doing this! I mean I have to ride it. Only concern about Stevens is the lack of them in the country. Somebody told me they were made in China, so I kinda ruled it out. I like it otherwise. But not I really don't want a bike that's so upright, for whatever reason!

No thoughts on Orbea? Seems that they're designed in Spain and made in China? IS that a worry?

Pretty much everything is made in China or Taiwan I thought?

rtmie

wannabecraig wrote: »

Lumen wrote: »

You could just buy a bike you think is pretty from a shop who treat you well. It's not a terrible approach.

Honestly just thinking of doing this!   I mean I have to ride it.  Only concern about Stevens is the lack of them in the country. Somebody told me they were made in China, so I kinda ruled it out. I like it otherwise.  But not I really don't want a bike that's so upright, for whatever reason!

No thoughts on Orbea?  Seems that they're designed in Spain and made in China? IS that a worry?

95% (100%?) of what you buy will be designed in US/GB/Germany/Spain etc and manufactured in China/Taiwan etc. In some cases you will have assembly in Europe of frames made in China/Taiwan , e.g. Cube I think do final assembly in Germany.
Oh hold on, according to Google, Orbea do assembly in Portugal now.
http://www.bike-eu.com/home/artikel/2015/4/orbea-expands-production-in-portugal-stops-in-china-10123688

Lumen

wannabecraig wrote: »

No thoughts on Orbea? Seems that they're designed in Spain and made in China? IS that a worry?

Orbea used to make nice floppy bikes that were perfect for Irish roads. There were a few fans on here.

I'm not sure what they're like now.

Brian?

wannabecraig wrote: »

Honestly just thinking of doing this! I mean I have to ride it. Only concern about Stevens is the lack of them in the country. Somebody told me they were made in China, so I kinda ruled it out. I like it otherwise. But not I really don't want a bike that's so upright, for whatever reason!

No thoughts on Orbea? Seems that they're designed in Spain and made in China? IS that a worry?

They're all probably made in China. It's not a worry at all.

Buy the one you like the luck of the most, as long as it's 10sp

wannabecraig

Ok, so just bought this: https://www.donedeal.ie/bicycles-for-sale/ex-demo-2017-cannondale-caad12/15855802

It's in perfect condition, loads of upgrades, happy with my choice

Edit: Yes, got it o BTW, no discount on the 1,200 but loads of upgrades, comes with peddles, mudgards etc, so good deal I think.

I', 5'7. Old bike measurements, says that's perfect size for me.

wannabecraig

wannabecraig wrote: »

Ok, so just bought this: https://www.donedeal.ie/bicycles-for-sale/ex-demo-2017-cannondale-caad12/15855802

It's in perfect condition, loads of upgrades, happy with my choice

sweet bike for the money. got it on BTW as well I guess?
once it fits you (48cm is very small) , all good.

did you check the size at the shop or ask them about this?

48cm is the very smallest size frame in that bike.

wannabecraig

glasso wrote: »

did you check the size at the shop or ask them about this?

48cm is the very smallest size frame in that bike.

HI, I asked, he said that it's perfect, I've only put down the deposit, I'm heading up on Sat for fitting, if there are issues I can cancel.
Do you know if it measures the same as the synapse?

wannabecraig

My brother, who rides a lot (not in Ireland so that's why asking on here too) had a look and bike and size, he's 1" smaller than me and rides 48cm on all his bikes

Yeah. 48 is right for you. Next size up will be too long. I run a 515cm top tube and 120 head tube with 130cm stem and no spacers under the stem. I ride a lot so am used to it now. The CAAD 12 has a 510 top tube and 100 head tube. So you'd probably need a 100mm stem with maybe 2cm to 3cm of spacers under the stem depending on how flexible you are. Don't worry about saddle height or stand over height. It's all about the reach (top tune length) and drop (head tune length) both of which can virtually manipulated by hanging stem length and spacers.

wannabecraig

wannabecraig wrote: »

Do you know if it measures the same as the synapse?

no idea. but usually the sizing should be fairly consistent across the same brand.

they say a rough-ish rule is to get the bike. lift up the bar to the same height as your crotch (bottom/lower part thereof) . the wheels should be 1 to 2 inches off the ground.

It's not only your height - it's also your inseam. 2 people who may be the same height, but one who has short legs, the other long, would take different sized frames.

here's a general chart copied from evan's cycles
https://www.evanscycles.com/help/bike-sizing-road

Rider Height Suggested Road Bike Size
Feet & Inches Centimetres Frame Size (cm) Frame Size
4'10" - 5'0"148cm - 152cm 47cm - 48cm XX-Small
5'0" - 5'3" 152cm - 160cm 49cm - 50cm X-Small
5'3" - 5'6" 160cm - 168cm 51cm - 53cm Small
5'6" - 5'9" 168cm - 175cm 54cm - 55cm Medium
5'9" - 6'0" 175cm - 183cm 56cm - 58cm Large
6'0" - 6'3" 183cm - 191cm 58cm - 60cm X-Large
6'3" - 6'6" 191cm - 198cm 61cm - 63cm XX-Large

wannabecraig

Yeah, Ive been looking about and seems like the best bet is to go in and sit on the yoke, heading in on Sat morning for a fitting.

rtmie

wannabecraig wrote: »

Yeah, Ive been looking about and seems like the best bet is to go in and sit on the yoke, heading in on Sat morning for a fitting.

Hope it does fit you. If it does you have got yourself a real bargain.

wannabecraig

Yeah, my brother reckons it will:
"You're in/around the same height as Venus and me. We both ride 48s so no reason it wouldn't work for you. Don't worry about cross bar (top tube) height as sloping top tubes make that a not important measurement anymore. Saddles stick up massively more from the frame these days. Only consider reach i.e can you reach the handle bars comfortably. That's the only real consideration."

Two things, I'm at least an inch taller :-) and yes, he's married to a chick call Venus!

rtmie

And FFS don't lock it to a railing in town! :-)