Carbon, Ultegra, climbing bike - £1800

[WelshJon]

After a summer best lightweight climbing bike.
Try to find an ultegra spec ( including chainset ) carbon framed.
Originally looked at £1500 mark at shimano 105 level but pushing the budget to ultegra.
Open to ideas but so far have looked a n Orbea orca m20 but comes with average wheels and a ribble custom build. I guess you're punished for having a big brand frame at this price point as I keep coming across mixed groupsets and cheap wheels?

What you got ?

 

[S-Express]

Comes in well under budget - http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXMAR6800R/planet-x-maratona-shimano-ultegra-6800-carbon-road-bike

'Climbing bike' doesn't really mean anything, though. You still have to get back down the hill once you've climbed it. Presumably you need to ride on the flat too.

 

[Joffey]

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/mach-720-carbon-road-bike-105-id_8339670.html

I know it's 105 but at that price its value. I have one and it is a fantastic bike.

Then spend the remainder of your budget on brake callipers, chainset (to complete GS) and you have £600 left over for a set of lovely light wheels.

 

[kingrollo]

If you can get a better bike but with 105 I would do that.
105 is more than good enough for most of us - I did go ultegra on my last bike, but only because a good offer came up. Put the money towards better wheels,tyres, even frame.

 

[WelshJon]

Great replies guys thanks.

 

[Globalti]

You'll get a set of £800 Ksyrium SLSs from most Mavic dealers for £600 if you ask nicely and they are a cracking climbing wheel.

 

[Andrew_P]

Not sure what a climbing bike is but this is pretty good value https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p6621/CANNONDALE-SUPERSIX-EVO-ULTEGRA-2016

Fails on the Ultegra up front but you get the better looking Cannondale spider

 

[WelshJon]

A climbing bike to me was the easiest way to differentiate from aerodynamic bikes like the giant propel for example

 

[Andrew_P]

A climbing bike to me was the easiest way to differentiate from aerodynamic bikes like the giant propel for example

OK the problem you will have at this price point will be where the savings have been made to accommodate the Ultegra and maybe even 105 headline description, normally wheels, seat post bars will be heavier versions. If I were you I would get the lightest frame also the most comfortable one and look to upgrade the wheels and parts later. You didn't say what you are riding now?

TBH the original wheels would have to be really cack to notice a 300-400 upgrade set, I have never spent more than £700 so can only really comment on that level and in all honesty any difference was marginal compared to a set of Fulcrum 3 and the they wore out quicker!

 

[WelshJon]

Good advice, thanks.
Currently riding a 2014 Specialized Allez Sport, 9spd sora groupset with campag zonda wheels.
Weighs about 9 kilos. It's my first and only road bike so havnt got a lot of comparison. The upgrade would be a considerable one for me, eg going from aluminium to carbon and 9 speed to 11.

 

[Andrew_P]

Good advice, thanks.
Currently riding a 2014 Specialized Allez Sport, 9spd sora groupset with campag zonda wheels.
Weighs about 9 kilos. It's my first and only road bike so havnt got a lot of comparison. The upgrade would be a considerable one for me, eg going from aluminium to carbon and 9 speed to 11.

Yeah you should feel quite a difference on a lighter bike. Loads of choice though I wouldn't obsess to much over Ultegra --> 105 I have ridden both and again not a great deal in it and you are paying extra to lose a bit of weight off the bike. 105 is a great groupset. Those Zonda's are Fulcrum 3's more or less.

 

[kingrollo]

have a look at kuota kiral - just in budget for 105 - not specifically a climbing bike (if there is such a thing) - but a very nice bike for your dosh.
I have the older Kuota Kharma - very comfortable bike.

 

[steveindenmark]

I know you need climbing legs to get up hills but not sure what a climbing bike is.

 

[crazyjoe101]

A piece of general advice, the difference between Ultegra and 105 is very small, I think in total it comes to 300g - this isn't enough to even notice. I only got Ultergra on my bike because a friend was selling some and I was building from a frameset so I had more choice.
The starting point should always be your frameset, make sure you choose a frameset you love and that has a solid reputation. You can then change any other component that you wish to as time goes on to better suit your shape and requirementsAfter the frame the first things to look to are saddle and wheelset, as long as the groupset/finishing kit isn't terrible it will still ride like a beauty.
I might be about to buy a CAADX Sora with every intention of stripping it to build it back with different components just because I know Cannondale's reputation for aluminium frames and the geometry is so close to my SuperSix.

 

[mattobrien]

At 5.4kgs I suspect this would make a good climbing bike

At a shade under £10k, it does somewhat blow the budget out of the water