Insurance Payout - New Bike Required

[FootSore]

History
I am a Long Distance Walker, then a runner and I am now thinking about having a go at a Triathlon! I don't intend to win just take part - my aim is an Ironman in a couple of years. On foot I have done a couple of 50 mile events so I am happy with the endurance.

I have a bike but a nice lady in a car drove into me on my way home from work. Luckily she has given me £350 towards a new one. It was a steel framed bike with Tri-bars and 700x23c wheels. Not the lightest but it was reasonably quick and as it worked I didn't need a new one. (I have a MTB as well with child seat, trailer, panniers - enough to tow a circus)

Requirements
I ride to work two/three days a week which is a 17.5 mile trip (35 return) which takes me just under the hour with one climb up the North Downs.

I carry a small laptop to work (<1kg) and not much else as I can top up on clothes on a car day. So a small rucksack/messenger bag is fine. Panniers may be a slight improvement.

So do I get a pure race bike for Triathlons and weekend training when it is dry and something else for the commute/winter weather. Or do I get a better bike and use the same bike for the whole thing

I am 16 stone (not fat) 5ft 10 ex rugby player with big legs, my current bike has 54/42 and an 11-22 and yes I do struggle up the North Downs 1 in 4 gradient with that range of gears, but I don't get off and push. So the bike needs to be able to handle what I can throw at it.

The Bike
What frame do I choose. Steel, Alloy or Carbon? Will a fancy carbon race bike get stuffed by the winter commute? Will a carbon frame last as long as a steel frame?

So one bike or two.

A flat out racer or a Triathlon specifc bike? Would I kill a Triathlon bike with the daily commute (or myself)

Would a Tricross be a better option. Hard as nails but lose a little performance for a race.

Would a tourer be better for the commute and lose a lot of performance for a race (but who cares I'll lose more ground on the run anyway).

One bike is easier to justify to the wife as I have the mountain bike already.

Budget
My firm will set up a Ride-2-Work Scheme for me and we have Evans distribution and store just round the corner so will probably opt for that. This will save me 49% and I can add to the max £1,000 voucher anyway, budget is not the major question. I would prefer to understand the bike decision and get something fit for purpose.

So can put together a budget of up to £1500 if I want to. Less is always better if it provides an adequate solution. It can all go on the bike, I have all the other kit (shoes, helmet etc.). (And yes I know I am lucky)

Thanks for any advice

FootSore

 

[Wigsie]

Welcome to the forum Footsore...

The 'jack of all trades' bike is a popular request in these parts and many people will suggest a Specialized Tricross, they seem to be pretty faultless (other than reported fork judder in the larger sizes, although this can be remedied).

No-one can tell you whether to go for one or two bikes... you will know deep down what you really want. Personally I would get a £600 - £1,000 road bike such as this.... Ianrauk is an all round decent guy and has just bought one so may be worth pinging him a message.

Either way whatever you decide, always try it out for size/feel first, one will stand head and shoulders above therest for you and thats the one to go for (I tried 7 bikes last year and bought a Specialized Allez Elite).

Good Luck.

 

[I am Spartacus]

I am 16 stone (not fat) 5ft 10 ex rugby player with big legs, my current bike has 54/42 and an 11-22 and yes I do struggle up the North Downs 1 in 4 gradient with that range of gears, but I don't get off and push. So the bike needs to be able to handle what I can throw at it.

Jeez dunno 'bout the bike, but just love to see what watts you be pushin' out on a 25%er on that gearing...

 

[Theseus]

Budget
My firm will set up a Ride-2-Work Scheme for me and we have Evans distribution and store just round the corner so will probably opt for that. This will save me 49% and I can add to the max £1,000 voucher anyway, budget is not the major question. I would prefer to understand the bike decision and get something fit for purpose.

I would check on that if I were you. As far as I know the limit is set by the government and you are not able to top up on the bike. You may be able to get the shop to say that the bike was £1000 and you added £500 in accessories, but I doubt it.

 

[FootSore]

Wigsie, Yes I guess everyone wants everything. I don't want two bikes (three with the MTB) but I understand that I might need two bikes. Someone may say do not spend £1,500 on a carbon bike and commute on it because it will be dead in 12-months or by the end of winter (I don't know - but the guy in the LBS said get a carbon one they are hard as nails and you can't break them - but that differs from what I have read, which is they don't like frame knocks). I am lucky I can have two bikes if I want - many may not in this position and have to get a jack of all trades. I will test quite a few just wanted to have a general direction before I commit to a sales guy. I have been in a couple of shops and if they twig you don't really have a budget then they are likely to get me to walk out the door with £4500 TT bike.

So to try be more specific do I spend £750 on a pure race bike and £750 on a commuter or blow the lot on a £1000-£1500 bike.




I am Spartacus, Watts, try kW, I can leg press everything in the gym!


Touche, there is no government limit. However when they set the scheme up they but a blanket personal loan limit in place of £1,000 for any firm under the scheme. If your firm is already authorised for personal loans then they can lend you whatever they want. A credit licence is about £750. So if I was going to get a £5,000 bike, £4,000 over the limit then it would be worth me paying the £750 myself to save the near £2000 return. (net saving £1250). Some schemes avoid the top up. It seems Evans let you pay extra.



I was happy on my clunker, just wondering if I will be even happier on a whizz bang. I know I won't be too chuffed if I get the wrong £1500 and kill it through misuse. Help appreciated.

 

[2Loose]

Just read a review of the Condor Agio, sounds like it would fit
Hi btw.

 

[2Loose]

I don't know much, but the Agio looks like a great sporty all rounder - anyone else offer an opinion for footsore?

 

[FootSore]

I have read up on the Agio and it does seem to fit the bill. Thr Gran Fondo seems to fit even better. However I know where Condor are (I have a Condor multi-tool) and it will be a pain to get to for fitting and return the bike to Surrey (I guess ride it out of London).

The sectuar elite seems quite nice but I think I can push the boat out a little further. Just trying to help ease the credit crunch!

Evans seem to have some fantastic deals going on 2009 bikes at the moment, plus it makes it easy for the Ride2Work scheme, and I have been drooling over a few of these:

Scott CR1 Team that has £350 off
Scott Speedster Triple with £400 off
Canondale Six Carbon 105 with £200 off
Saracen Galbier 2008 with £800 off

So I seem to be drooling over fast race bikes. Using the scheme the Scott Speedster would only cost me £510 over 12-months for a £1,400 bike. Allowing for the interest free loan and it would cost me only a third of its real value! Yippee.

I may go the two bikes route and get a winter roadie after 12-months ready for next winter. Then a new MTB, then a Brompton, then a TT, then a new road bike..... wait no a tourer, a scooter, a bmx.....


Thanks for some pointers
FootSore