First road bike, up to £2000 budget. What considerations should I make?

[Salty seadog]

Hi all, other than in my teens 20 years ago I'm looking to get my first real road bike as N+1. I will of course test ride some but what I want advice on is considerations to be made on narrowing down my choice.

I already know I'm probably looking at 105/ultegra groupset at this price point.

My preference would be for disc brakes even though I would very much like to keep the weight down.

Frame material probably full carbon unless there is a compelling reason for an alternative.

Easy to reach and use brifters from different hand positions.

so these I already have in mind but what other things should I be looking for?
Good wheelset or upgrade later?

All advice gratefully received especially if the ideal bike is mentioned...

cheers all,

ssd...

 

[vickster]

Any brand preference or dislike? Happy with a commonly seen brand or want something a bit different?
Colour likes or dislikes?
Racy or endurance geometry?
Do you at least have a short list? Happy to buy online or prefer in store? If in store, where are you based? What shops can you visit easily? Do you have a preferred LBS? Do they offer test rides?
What size will you require?

 

[Salty seadog]

hi Vickster, always quick to reply....many thanks.

Regarding brand I do prefer to have something a little less common although if it's the right bike it doesn't matter much.
My rides are rarely over 50 miles although would like to extend that a bit so as regards geometry I'd have to take advice, comfort is obviously important....(who wants to be uncomfortable doing what they love)....Bondage practioners aside...
Colours and style are the least of my worries.
I have no short list, that is the point of this excercise.
Size will be sorted by test rides and good advice.

 

[Ste pt1]

I've recently ordered this at £999 it's well within your budget
http://www.cube.eu/uk/products/road-race/attain/cube-attain-sl-blacknflashred-2016/
they also do a disc version

http://www.cube.eu/uk/products/road-race/attain/cube-attain-sl-disc-blackngreen-2016/

 

[vickster]

How tall are you approx? If wanting a deal, you may not be able to get every size. Also, if wanting to testride some idea of location good...north east IIRC?

Given there are literally hundreds of options...the Cannomdale Synapse fares well in reviews and is available all over, Evans do test rides

https://www.evanscycles.com/cannondale-synapse-carbon-105-5-disc-2016-road-bike-EV239406

Here's the rest of the Evans offer which meets your spec

https://www.evanscycles.com/bikes/r...en_specific/?priceIncMin=750&priceIncMax=2081

Giant Defy Advanced 1 is the non Evans obvious option, if a bit dull

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/defy.advanced.1/24965/90512/#specifications

My personal complete left field online only choice...
http://www.londonbicycleworkshop.com/94153/products/genesis-equilibrium-disc-20-2015-yellow.aspx

 

[geopat]

Some nice suggestions here

http://road.cc/content/buyers-guide/183533-buyers-guide-—-bikes-£1500-£2000

I'd have the CAAD 12

 

[vickster]

The Rose would be best value for money, but it looks dull and no test rides

 

[Salty seadog]

South East corner with Bluebirds over Vic and with a very generous rail concession to get about so London shops are within easy reach....

 

[vickster]

A smaller brand option
http://www.swiftcycles.co.uk/7007/products/2016-focus-cayo-disc-105-road-bike.aspx

Or if it's the right size...
http://www.swiftcycles.co.uk/179/products/2015-scott-solace-15-disc-road-bike.aspx

 

[Kajjal]

I would go to evans or similar and do some test rides. Hydraulic disc brakes are much better than cable based disc brakes.

Just for sizing and type you could test ride the below to give you an idea.

https://www.evanscycles.com/specialized-roubaix-sl4-comp-disc-2016-road-bike-EV244944

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Carbon, hydraulic discs, thru axles, Ultegra and nice and understated to look at with endurance geometry:

http://www.cube.eu/uk/products/road-race/attain/cube-attain-gtc-sl-disc-carbonnflashyellow-2016/

 

[Salty seadog]

Cheers all, some great options there, I think a trip to Evans is in order.
Whilst I'm in London are there any other shops worth a visit, I'm familiar with the specialized store near seven dials and one shop off the eastern end of Fleet street(there or thereabouts).

Cheers,

ssd...

 

[vickster]

Evans Mortimer Street or Spitalfields, I'd go there to look at Specialized and a load of other brands
There's a Cyclesurgery round the corner from both
Swift is Near Spitalfields too
Giant St Pauls near Barbican

Condor, Grays Inn Road ...for a pukka London bike emporium not open Sunday
London Bicycle Workshop round the corner from Condor, neither a million miles from Giant

The one at Ludgate Circus is a little Evans

 

[Salty seadog]

Evans Mortimer Street or Spitalfields, I'd go there to look at Specialized and a load of other brands
There's a Cyclesurgery round the corner from both
Swift is Near Spitalfields too
Giant St Pauls near Barbican

Condor, Grays Inn Road ...for a pukka London bike emporium not open Sunday
London Bicycle Workshop round the corner from Condor, neither a million miles from Giant

The one at Ludgate Circus is a little Evans

Condor sounds interesting...

 

[vickster]

Condor sounds interesting...

Oh yes...you might need to flex your budget ahem a bit...ok a lot... but you'll have a special bike or a special frameset to hang on your wall if your budget is fixed