Best road bike for £1500 - £1800

[Mushroomgodmat]

Iv been looking for days, and I'm a bit lost.

So please, do your worst, what should I get, open to suggestions..

My current bike, is an aluminium Framed, 105 groupset. Iv recently started riding a lot more (600miles last month) and I'm looking for a bike that I can take out for on club runs, leaving my aluminium bike as commuter bike.

Saying that though - with winter coming, I'm wondering it it would be a good idea to put of buying anything new until the new year?

 

[vickster]

Do have any sort of shortlist, even of bikes you like aesthetically?

Do you want carbon, titanium, aluminium?

 

[Mushroomgodmat]

Carbon and better than 105 groupset. Has to be better than what I have. Other than that I have no real preference to make/look.

 

[vickster]

Go on, I'll start you off with a Felt http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-f4-ultegra-2012/

But very much race oriented

 

[Noodley]

have a gander at www.canyon.com
they are "in between" years so it might be worth waiting til the new season bikes are listed or you might be able to pick up a bigger bargain if something takes your fancy and is available in your size

 

[avsd]

http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/k1848/a80582/agree-gtc-sl-compact-carbon-n-white.html

and if you like Yellow

http://www.roseversand.com/article/rose-pro-fly-3000-double/aid:571493

 

[JoeyB]

Seriously you should take a look at the 2012 Scott CR1 Pro..... full carbon and Ultegra for £1899.

I've just bought one!

 

[Cheshire Celt]

Look at the focus izalco pro won nearly ever award going this year the frame is the same one the pros use stunning bike at just over 2 k

 

[smokeysmoo]

Why does everyone make the assumption that carbon is better than alu?

It isn't, it's just different.

And FWIW my alu bike is lighter than the 3 cf bikes I've also owned, go figure.

 

[Cheshire Celt]

My carbon is a much better ride than my alu framed bike

 

[vickster]

But perhaps a much more expensive bike? I think Mr Smoo may be considering cost comparability

My carbon bike is also more comfortable on rubbish roads than the alu, but it cost twice as much

 

[smokeysmoo]

My carbon is a much better ride than my alu framed bike

Not disputing it CC, but the fact remains that not all frames are equal regardless of what they are made of.

I'll always buy the best frame I can in my budget, and after owning cf bikes ranging from £1600 to £2500 I'll stick to alu until I win the lottery and can afford a very high end cf frame.

 

[Rob3rt]

At that price point you are either going to get a high end frame and a 105 groupset, or Ultegra groupset and a mid level frame, in my opinion. I would take something like a Cannondale Super Six 105. If you can get a good deal somewhere you might be able to get an Ultegra version but that is usually about £2.2k IIRC.

TBH, there is loads out there, get out and test ride some bikes within your budget.

 

[Zakalwe]

http://m.evanscycles.com/products/eddy-merckx/emx3-centaur-carbon-2012-road-bike-ec031501

Or

http://www.wheelbase.co.uk/product_19994.htm

 

[ziggys101]

https://www.canyon.com/_uk/roadbikes/bike.html?b=2595