Your ultegra spec bike recommendation

JohnBee · 26-02-2015 03:22PM #1

Its time to upgrade the bike! Spec wise I am budgeting for Ultegra level componentry (or Force 22). Cant give a euro budget because now I am in North America, however most bikes with ultegra level groupset hover around the same price point no matter what side of the atlantic!

PS so before people try to rub it in, its correct, I cannot get ribble/planet x/rose/canyon too easily.

Whats your recommendation and why? Big brand vs something like Olympia or Scapin?

Brian? · 26-02-2015 03:37PM

Some great value here if you can order in the US. The Fuji Gran Fondo with Dura Ace is savage value.

http://www.coloradocyclist.com/road-bike-sale

JohnBee · 26-02-2015 04:14PM

Brian? wrote: »

Some great value here if you can order in the US. The Fuji Gran Fondo with Dura Ace is savage value.

http://www.coloradocyclist.com/road-bike-sale

Thanks for the quick reply!

Sorry should have been a bit clearer! Want a road bike, performance or aero rather than Grand Fondo type!

Brian? · 26-02-2015 06:08PM

JohnBee wrote: »

Thanks for the quick reply!

Sorry should have been a bit clearer! Want a road bike, performance or aero rather than Grand Fondo type!

Both the Litespeed and Kestrel bikes on that link I posted would suit.

http://www.coloradocyclist.com/litespeed-l1-ultegra-bike-md-2014

http://www.coloradocyclist.com/kestrel-2014-legend-ultegra-bike

Brian? · 26-02-2015 06:12PM

Also great value:

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1147799_-1___000000

JohnBee · 26-02-2015 06:15PM

Thanks! What is your trusty steed Brian?

Brian? · 26-02-2015 06:27PM

JohnBee wrote: »

Thanks! What is your trusty steed Brian?

Fuji Alatmira 2.0. bought from Colorado cyclist in January 2013 and a Merlin Proteus I bought piecemeal.

DirkVoodoo · 26-02-2015 06:35PM

Get Ultegra Di2, I'd go electronic before I start worrying about saving a few grams.

JohnBee · 26-02-2015 07:52PM

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Get Ultegra Di2, I'd go electronic before I start worrying about saving a few grams.

Di2 is a significant step up in cost. Is it really that much better? Most bikes with Di2, you will pay $1000 more nearly in cost. Would that not be better spent on wheels or something?

Brian? · 26-02-2015 07:57PM

JohnBee wrote: »

Di2 is a significant step up in cost. Is it really that much better? Most bikes with Di2, you will pay $1000 more nearly in cost. Would that not be better spent on wheels or something?

A grand on wheels or a grand on Di2? It's like Sophie's choice.

Stevieg2009 · 26-02-2015 08:21PM

Brian? wrote: »

A grand on wheels or a grand on Di2? It's like Sophie's choice.

It would be the grand on wheels for me anyday

JohnBee · 26-02-2015 08:41PM

Stevieg2009 wrote: »

It would be the grand on wheels for me anyday

That's what I was thinking. The performance benefit overall would surely be much better for wheels.

DirkVoodoo · 02-03-2015 01:05AM

JohnBee wrote: »

That's what I was thinking. The performance benefit overall would surely be much better for wheels.

What performance benefit? Seriously, maybe it's just me, but unless you are regularly doing TTs up Alpes d'Huez then to me a pair of Aksiums aren't much slower than a pair of Ksyrium SLs.

You asked for an Ultegra level bike, a poster pointed to a Dura Ace one and to me, I'd go for Ultegra Di2 before I go for Dura Ace. Nice, reliable shifting all year round over a couple of hundred grams.

Buying wheels has to be one of the most disappointing experiences of my life. I'm probably too slow to notice the difference, but a pair of wheels has never been a "performance" upgrade.

I suppose we should have quantified what you mean by an upgrade beforehand.

Cee-Jay-Cee · 02-03-2015 02:07AM

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

What performance benefit? Seriously, maybe it's just me, but unless you are regularly doing TTs up Alpes d'Huez then to me a pair of Aksiums aren't much slower than a pair of Ksyrium SLs.

You asked for an Ultegra level bike, a poster pointed to a Dura Ace one and to me, I'd go for Ultegra Di2 before I go for Dura Ace. Nice, reliable shifting all year round over a couple of hundred grams.

Buying wheels has to be one of the most disappointing experiences of my life. I'm probably too slow to notice the difference, but a pair of wheels has never been a "performance" upgrade.

I suppose we should have quantified what you mean by an upgrade beforehand.

Then youve never had a set of heavy wheels and changed them to something lighter and better. A new set of wheels with new (and better) tyres is like having a new bike.

Your ultegra spec bike recommendation

Comments