New (Climbing) Bike Advice

Eire885

Now that some suppliers have more stock back I am looking to upgrade my "Good Bike" (n+1). Will be used mostly for weekend spins in the mountains but no racing. Ideally I'd like to upgrade to electric shifting. I'm finding hard to see alternatives to the Canyon Ultimate in terms of value but would appreciate any options on that or recommendations on alternatives in the 3k-4k price point.

Also any opinions on 105 Di2 vs 105 or Ultegra Mechanical would be appreciated.

All and any advice is appreciated

Seth Brundle

Haven't used 105 Di2 but from what I have read online Di2 tends to be much more favoured than mechanical.

The 105 Di2 apparently doesn't have the buttons in the hoods that you'd find on Ultegra or Dura-Ace. It is also semi-wireless

Having the Ultegra R8100, the shifting is lovely - I assume that's pretty much the same with the R7100. Also, the app is easy to use from your phone.

I also just saw this a few moments ago in terms of Di2: "It’s not really polarizing. If you can afford it you want electronic. If you can’t you pretend you prefer mechanical."

However, if your budget is tight, I'd probably recommend spending the extra money on decent wheels over the Di2.

07Lapierre

just a thought. is a Di2 groupset lighter than a mechanical groupset? an important issue given your looking at a bike for climbing! ;)

at1withmyself

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120336028#Comment_120336028

1 thing I would say though is that it is generally easier to upgrade wheels later then upgrading to Di2, pending on the frame of course so consider that when choosing a bike.

CantGetNoSleep

When I last bought a good bike (right at the beginning of lockdown when you could negotiate a discount), I found the Giant TCR to be better value than the Canyon Ultimate. It came with carbon wheels, power meter and Di2 at the time for not much more than an Ultimate with more entry level wheels and no power meter

fat bloke

Question is, for 3 to 4 grand, do you want a heavy climbing bike with disk brakes, or a lightweight climbing bike with rim brakes?

this.lad

I was looking at bikes yesterday, even though i have no business looking at bikes, and there wasn't a single new bike in the place with rim brakes.

I was looking at a trek emonda actually. I think it was way overpriced based on the alu wheels and 105 groupset compared to what i paid for my tcr in late 2020 with ultegra (manual) and decent carbon wheels.

Maybe if i actually had the funds i wouldn't think that.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120338232#Comment_120338232

That's decent value: https://www.garyscycles.com/product/31009/trek-emonda-sl-5-disc/

There should be some value to be had this year and next in 2022 bikes with mechanical group sets as the manufacturers start pushing electronic shifting.

fat bloke

Mighty value in the second hand market at the moment. Nothing seems to be moving at all, prices are dropping and sellers are keen.

vintcerf

I'd build one from scratch or go second hand if you don't have the time. In December I bought a new a bike and I've already upgraded the wheels, stem, tyres and looking to do cranks (moving to shorter) and handlebars (narrower) next. Needless to say, I've probably lost some money in the process ...

I've no proof of this but I imagine demand for bikes will increase in the coming weeks as the weather gets better, so act fast.

Paddigol

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120338232#Comment_120338232

I've noticed that too. Pity, cos I much prefer rim brakes. Top end groupset brakes with top end brake pads are all you need on the road IMHO. I have them on my CX bike, which is grand cos aesthetics hardly matter there, but discs are ugly as f**k too. Again, just IMO.

As for electronic shifting... meh. It's heavier, more susceptible to 'issues' (when's the last time your cable snapped?) and do we really need electronic assistance for the sake of a flick of the finger? With Campy's ergo shifting system I can get through multiple shifts faster than with electronic anyway.

In terms of a climbing bike, I'm waiting patiently for a second hand rim brake, mechanical shifting Pinarello Dogma F12 to appear somewhere. If the price was right, sure, I'd take Di2. Absolutely savage performance out of that bike, particularly on the descents. Can't find a rim brake version for sale anywhere. Everything seems to be gone disc in the last couple of years.

beggars_bush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120339427#Comment_120339427

a lot of lads will probably be selling bikes as they get their new bikes... I find there's a lot of overpriced bikes 2nd hand out there

iwillhtfu

This is the kind of thing I think of when I hear climbing bike. Also come folks see climbing bikes as just easy gearing as opposed to shaving every single gram. The frame below is very light though and the wheelset is very good also. It would certainly be lighter than the entry level ultimate and possibly some of the higher level ones.

https://www.adverts.ie/other-sports-fitness/canyon-ultimate-cf-slx-8-0/29395547

Cheaper model again but in a mini size https://www.adverts.ie/other-sports-fitness/canyon-ultimate-cf-slx/29251589

Plenty of bikes out there that claim to be climbing bike but are heavier than some manufacturers aero bikes.

or you could buy this and ignore the cracked head tube, damaged top tube and shifter. A few scratch marks 🙈😂 https://www.adverts.ie/road-bikes/canyon-aeroad-cf-sl8/29441951

Luxman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120339657#Comment_120339657

I really hope whoever wants to buy that on adverts knows what they are looking at, Jesus wept. I was a rim brake fanboy for a long time, I bought a summer bike second hand with discs and have been converted. massive difference in (braking) performance.

fat bloke

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120339822#Comment_120339822

Braking performance I presume.

Paddigol

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120339515#Comment_120339515

Pinarello Dogma F12 Frameset used in l | buycycle

The temptation to buy a flight to Italy is strong...

Paddigol

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120339887#Comment_120339887

Campy Chorus and Swisstop has never let me down on the road. Ever. Not even close. I get why some people like discs, especially for a winter/ commuter/ all-year-round bike. And I'm sure if you're used to disc then transitioning to rim might feel very odd. But for a climbing bike, it would be rim brakes all day long for me. Just my personal preference - and that I think is what it comes down to. I've yet to be convinced that discs would make my road cycling any better/ more enjoyable/ safer.

Edit: also, it probably depends on what someone really means by 'climbing' bike.

iwillhtfu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120339822#Comment_120339822

Braking with disc does feel a hell of a lot more reassuring. I don't have any road bikes with disc yet but I'm sure eventually I'll have no choice but to change over. I run disc on the gravel, MTB and have used them on a rented road bike. Going down hill and braking is where I noticed the most difference. Rim brakes and decent pads do a similar job but you don't get the fade feel with disc brakes. Obviously in the wet they're another level if you can ignore the sound 🙉

fat bloke

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120339982#Comment_120339982

Just leave that Sram Rival anchor in Italy after you!

magicbastarder

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120339657#Comment_120339657

that last bike - someone offered 2.25k!

Luxman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120340217#Comment_120340217

I didn't, but really felt like warning the buyer, maybe its too late anyway

joey100

Really comes down to what you mean by 'climbing' bike, are you looking for something lightweight or something with the gearing for climbing or both?

I've a nice rim brake and a nice disc brake bike, rim brake bike around 700/800grams lighter, but most of my times up climbs are within a few seconds of each other on the bikes. The lighter bike feels like it responds to acceleration quicker but other than that there's no huge difference climbing. In dry weather the rim brake stops as well as the disc. But in dirty wet weather the disc brake is lot better for braking. The rim brake is carbon wheels but using swiss stop pads and jagwire cables so well set up.

I usually say you buy the bike you like the look of and fits, wouldn't worry about climbing vs no climbing or anything like that. Unless there's 2/3kg's in the diff your not going to see huge diff in climbing speeds.

iwillhtfu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120340217#Comment_120340217

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120340230#Comment_120340230

Yep, I didn't want to get involved with it. He's clearly thrown it down the rod and into something hard. It may well be nothing but it certainly isn't a scratch, you can see the compression around it.

Eire885

Thanks for all the advice.

I'd be happy with rim brakes as I would only really be out on the new bike in somewhat decent weather. I'll definitely be keeping any eye on adverts too (but also have Bike to Work available for a new one).

I'll look at the Giant TCR too and the Trek, although Trek seem to still be a bit overpriced for the specs.

iwillhtfu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120340576#Comment_120340576

Trek and pretty much all bikes are over priced but Trek are pretty heavy framesets in comparison to a lot of other manufacturers. They do make some nice frames though and the weight may have been shed on the newer frames. The TCR is a sold all rounder and great for a bit of racing aswell or at least the older frames were.

mamax

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120340576#Comment_120340576

I know where there's a really nice rim brake tcr sl with di2 only a year old in med if that's your size

Eire885

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120341243#Comment_120341243

Ya, I'd take a look. I'd be between Small and Med.

Wishbone Ash

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120340007#Comment_120340007

The main reason I'd prefer discs is to prevent rims overheating on very long technical descents. I'm always afraid of a tyre/tube blowing/melting when the rims are red hot.

fat bloke

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120341507#Comment_120341507

In North Dublin??! 😂

Luxman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120341569#Comment_120341569

I refer you to Bellewstown descent (beside racecourse). Or Snowtown (either side). Or two other descents off Bellewstown

monkeyslayer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120339657#Comment_120339657

Jeez that last bike is a disgrace, the frames a write off. Feel like flagging it as dangerous or something.

Wishbone Ash

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120341569#Comment_120341569

No, not in Ireland. I should have clarified that I was referring to 20/30/40km descents abroad.

Wishbone Ash

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120341729#Comment_120341729

Leaving aside the fact that both are in Co Meath, they are very short descents and not particularly 'technical'.

magicbastarder

the most technical descent from bellewstown would be bellewstown bridge, past the quarry. but it's an only 120m drop IIRC.

fat bloke

Well, I've done 2 Marmottes and spent 5 summer weeks in the alps climbing and descending every day and, for me, it was not an issue. It's a remote possibility in extreme circumstances and very poor technique, is all it is.

Disk brakes would be a better alright for long steep hairpin descents but that's not to say rim brakes are bad, just not as good, and the rim bike will be lighter for the climb.

My overriding memory of Marmotte 22 on the Glandon was of a disk braker zoom by me into a hairpin, fail to stop and go straight on into the trees! 😁