Sub £2.4k Hydraulic Disc Roadbike? - Done GT Grade! :)

[Buck]

Very nice - enjoy the (s)miles

 

[Grant Fondo]

First world problems.....So I have finally come to terms with the fact my Boardman SLR 9.4 elite is just too racy for me. It took me five years! I managed over 2500 miles on it last year. I have loved it and would very much keep it as my winter bike. However it is just too slammed, too stiff but so much fun. It has served me well but I am now ready to move onwards and upwards and so I am in the market for an upgrade and ready to purchase my next bike. However having spent about three weeks looking at every bike going I can't decide from a shortlist of four. Thats where you come in.

My wish list:-

1. Carbon frame, slightly relaxed geometry without being sat upright
2. Hydraulic discs - fancy the stopping power, and they look cool
3. Di2 or Ultegra. Spending this much money on a bike then perhaps greedily I want it all. Plus, problems with my hands make it hard to shift on very long (100+ miles) rides Di2 would certainly help but hey, others group sets are great. Currently ride SRAM Red
4. Budget is £2400

My shortlist is as follows, in no particular order:-

A. Devinci SL Ultegra Di2. Canadian gran fondo bike, sells at £3.2k but reduced to less than £2k. Absolute bargain but know nothing about them and hard to find meaningful reviews. Has all the kit, looks awesome and from little reviews I can find they come across very well

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B. KTM Revelator SKY Disc Ultegra. Absolutely love this bike, and if I could afford it in Di2 I wouldn't be in this quandary. However I can't afford A Di2 Revelator and would need to go mechanical Ultegra. Another £3.2k bike reduced to £2.4k so top end of the budget.

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C. Giant Defy Advanced Pro 2 Dura Ace. I have always loved the look of the Defy and they get great reviews. I am told they a dream to ride. With Dura Ace it's a top spec'd bike that retails at £3.5k and is reduced to £2.4k

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D. Trek Domane 6.2 Disc Ultegra. I went to see a Domane at LBS in the flesh and it's a great looking bike. I read good things about comfort. Normally sells at £3.2k but reduced to £2.2k.

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I know all four bikes are awesome and represent great value. How do you split them? Answers on a postcard please.....

PS: I know where there is a barely ridden Cannondale Synapse Di2 going second hand for maybe £2k. I have genuinely never had a brand new bike and kind of like the idea of a warranty and knowing exactly where it has been and what it has done. However you would get a lot of bike for £2k!

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KTM would get my money....i wimped out of getting one as similar spec Ghost was £1500 at the time, je ne regret rien.....

 

[Kestevan]

Cool. Now you get to join the GT grade club with me and @I like Skol.

Cracking bikes.... Bug the wheels are a bit flaky :-)

 

[I like Skol]

Mine is growing on me slowly, but I am getting there. Close to achieving perfection, everything has to work just right (and that is my standard of just right, not the vendors!). I had a set of replacement wheels from wiggle after the originals began to fail very early on. WHEN this happens to you don't let your supplier mess you around and try fixing spokes etc, just insist on substitute wheels.
My recent tyre swap has vastly improved things. On paper a heavier/slower/chunkier tyre but in the real world seems to make the bike feel much more planted and no slower. I fitted the 32c size which is pretty much dimensionally identical to the 28c Contis' they replace. I reckon I could easily fit the 35c without getting even close to frame rub and would have done had I known.
Front brakes were noisy when damp and could sometimes judder under heavy braking but I also think I have finally got to the bottom of this and suspect the pads had been contaminated before I even took ownership.
Other than that it just needs more time on the bike to help me bond. I felt the same when I first got my GT hybrid, thought I had made a terrible mistake and felt like I was riding a farm gate but now I feel one with that bike and can do whatever I want with confidence.
A shorter stem made a huge improvement on the Grade for me, don't be afraid to tinker.....

Great bike, enjoy to the max!

 

[Heisenberg71]

Glad to see a couple of like-minded folk. Everything I read suggestions they are awesome. Not everyone's cup of tea but I think it will be immense. I can't wait wait. I will let you know how I get on with it.

 

[Heisenberg71]

Any tips on decently priced wheel upgrades?

 

[Andrew_P]

Deposit paid and collect my new bike 25th February.
GT Grade carbon fibre, hydraulic discs with Dura Ace / Ultegra Di2 groupset. Tubeless 28's that could run up to 35's. Also it is in my favourite stealth black, which may not be everyone's taste but I love it. What a bike! Very excited now, like a kid waiting for Christmas. EEK!

Now I need to get training so I can do the bike justice!

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snap its my winter bike

Any tips on decently priced wheel upgrades?

I have still got my Grails ZTR the spokes were crap so got them re-laced by a bike shop - I think the 2017 come with Factory wheels? I have the 2016 Ultegra model. It is my winter use bike. Took my stem down to a 90mm and slammed the headset and stem. A bit like someone else said I cannot say 100% that it feel right for me, even after 6000 miles love it more than any other winter bike I have had.

I felt it was dead feeling on 28mm and 30mm tyres and feels a different bike on 25mm which are great on roads.

 

[Andrew_P]

if you budget will be £400-500 for wheels take a look at Hunt Disc

https://www.huntbikewheels.com/collections/road-disc-wheels

 

[I like Skol]

Any tips on decently priced wheel upgrades?

Ride what you have then let the vendor supply the upgrade foc!

 

[StuAff]

if you budget will be £400-500 for wheels take a look at Hunt Disc

https://www.huntbikewheels.com/collections/road-disc-wheels

+1. The Mason x Hunt 4 Seasons are £369, 1585g…and most excellent.

 

[Heisenberg71]

So I have now picked up my new Gt Grade, Carbon, Dura Ace Di2. Got out for 40 miles this morning and was blown away. So smooth and comfy but really pushes on and rolls well. What a bike! The difference compared to my Boardman SLR is night and day. With 28mm tyres it feels like a Jaguar compared to Ford Escort.

It took a lot of should searching to finally pick my next bike but I am so glad went with the Grade, it's the perfect bike for the riding I do. Love the tall front end, hydraulic brakes on 160mm rotors are insane on downhills and the Di2.....I can see what they you will never go back. Love it. Anyone thinking of a Grade, try one!

Thanks for the help in making the decision guys.

@I like Skol and @Kestevan I am in the club!