First time buying a road bike, which one? CAAD 8 Tiagra? Size?

[Alasdair Geddes]

Hi, I'm looking at getting the Cannondale CAAD8 Tiagra. Is this a good bike? Is there anything better than this for under £800?
I've already looked at the Specialised Allez but found it uncomfortable, though I don't know if the size was wrong.
Evans said that I'm a 51 frame, but the Cannondale sizing says that I'm a 54 frame, I've ridden bikes that where 56 and they where ok and I think my current bike is a 58.
I'm 175cm tall and my inside leg is 80cm. What size would you recommend?

Thanks.

 

[jack smith]

51 for your height dosent sound right to me sounds like evans were telling you aload of rubbish 54 spunds about right

 

[Alasdair Geddes]

Ok thanks. I thought the evans measurement was wrong

 

[jack smith]

Im 181 and i ride a 56 so that should give you a good idea, make sure you try out the size first though evansc an order in bikes for you to test

 

[vickster]

Don't cannondales tend to run a little big...go ride both sizes and see which feels best. Evans for free test rides

 

[Drago]

Your choices are the Defy 2, CAAD Tiggy and Felt F85.

The Felt is far and away the cheapest (2014 models are reduced from £800 to£499 at some outlets) but you'd need to try all 3 to see which suits you best. Any of the 3, theoretically speaking, should make you smile a lot.

 

[vickster]

Got the C'Dale Synapse too if wanting a more relaxed geometry (like the Giant and Felt?)

 

[Drago]

It's the Felt Z series with the more relaxed numbers, the F is more conventional roadie.

The Defy always feels to me (in XL size) sharper than the numbers and marketing suggest.

 

[vickster]

I had a 2012 Avail. Never felt like a race bike. That said, all the roadbikes I've ridden are pretty chilled in general I think

 

[Alasdair Geddes]

Well I've reserved a size 54 Caad8 tiagra in Evans so I'll have a go on that tomorrow. It sounds like quite a nice bike.

 

[Alasdair Geddes]

The F85 sounds good as well, but there's nowhere that I can test ride it

 

[Drago]

I test rode one at my local Felt dealer, about 10 miles from here. I tested a Ribble from a chap at work, and the rest at Evans in MK.

Time to hit Google, see who your local outlets are and what test bikes they currently have.

 

[Alasdair Geddes]

It looks like there's no felt dealers near me so that's off the list. I need to test ride it first so won't buy online.

 

[vickster]

Where are you based?

 

[Alasdair Geddes]

Epping, Essex