The bike buying dilemma with Pros and cons.

[richie244]

So Im still looking to give away around £1000 of my hard earned and having researched extensively I am probably further away from deciding than at the start. So I have compiled a list of pros and cons of various brands please feel free to add to list or give opinion to brands already there.

Note: These are based on my experience from test rides where possible and on line research where not feel free to disagree and promote debate.


Ribble
Good reviews, Little chance of a fitting or test ride unless you live close, Very Good price,
Pros: Bike build allows up grading or tailored fit.
Cons: How do you know you need an extra 10mm stem with out sitting on the bike.

Planned X: Reviews Vary from Good to average, Little chance of trying unless you live close, Prices are excellent.
Pros: Price and bike build for parts spec available
Cons: Fitting trying Can they really do quality at these prices?

Cannonade: Excellent reviews, Available in many shops, Pay a bit more than above for spec,
Pros: Good reputation for quality. Try before you buy
Cons: Price, Guess if you want to change parts you pay extra and fit so end up with a spare Stem etc.

Fuji: Very average reviews, Try before buy, Very good offers
Pros: Try before buy, Some 50% discount offers
Cons: Pre built. 50% off makes me wonder if they were ever really worth the fun price.

Specialised: Excellent reviews, Try before buy, Good price/ Offers
Pros: Seem to be the brand other at these prices are compared to
Cons: Bikes built to they specs.

Cube: Excellent reviews, hard to find a supplier to try before buy, Price seems fare for spec.
Pros:- Good well known respected brand
Cons:- Apparently sized small compared to other brands which compounds the try before buy issue.


I get that your best to have a seat and try of a bike which I have so most brands I fit 54-55cm, Loads of people say the top tube length is more important but a quick ride around hasn't been able to tell me if a bike fits to that extent if you have a way of measuring required top use length then please share.

 

[Drago]

Don't get too fixated with reviews. What one rider raves about may bring out another in bouts of chunder. Its what suits you that matters, and the only way to he sure before buying is to try one.

 

[AndyRM]

@Drago is pretty much spot on there. Spesh and Dale are the biggest brands you've mentioned, and they do make great bikes but have equally great marketing departments.

 

[Roadrider48]

I can vouch for PlanetX. I have 4.
Great bikes at even greater prices. For me, the quality is spot on.

 

[vickster]

Go to Evans, get some testrides. Then look for a price match

There are plenty of brands you've not considered

Or how about something different. I'm sure they'll sort the right stem. If in SW London they'll make it fit

http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/pearson-upandatem-2016.html

 

[Venod]

I can only comment on Planet X and Cannondale, the only 2 from that list I have ridden/owned

Planet X, excellent value for money and no problems with mine, I have bought a lot of stuff from PX and never been dissapointed.

Cannondale, had a few of their aluminium frames (never had a carbon) IMO the best aluminium frames on the market, you pay a bit more but there is a lot of experience gone into the design and construction, their carbon frames also get good reviews.

 

[richie244]

I have been to Evans and test rode the couple that were available in my 'size' but I don't think I would be the first Newbie to have the problem that a quick ride around a car park won't show a good or bad fit. Im less inclined to waist the time of my local owned bike shop to then buy from Ribble or PlanetX.

The only comparison I draw on is clay pigeon shooting which I do to a good standard. Gun fit is important but you can't really tell or get fitted until you know how to consistently mount the gun, you can get measured but it will only give a rough fit. I am guessing road cycling is similar and minor adjustments can be made, but until you've been doing it a while, the only real measurement you can get from your body is the top tube height. Everything else is personal preference and how you want to ride the bike.

 

[User269]

So Im still looking to give away around £1000 of my hard earned and having researched extensively I am probably further away from deciding than at the start. So I have compiled a list of pros and cons of various brands please feel free to add to list or give opinion to brands already there.

Note: These are based on my experience research feel free to disagree and promote debate.


Ribble
Good reviews, Little chance of a fitting or test ride unless you live close, Very Good price,
Pros: Bike build allows up grading or tailored fit.
Cons: How do you know you need an extra 10mm stem with out sitting on the bike.

Planned X: Reviews Vary from Good to average, Little chance of trying unless you live close, Prices are excellent.
Pros: Price and bike build for parts spec available
Cons: Fitting trying Can they really do quality at these prices?

Cannonade: Excellent reviews, Available in many shops, Pay a bit more than above for spec,
Pros: Good reputation for quality. Try before you buy
Cons: Price, Guess if you want to change parts you pay extra and fit so end up with a spare Stem etc.

Fuji: Very average reviews, Try before buy, Very good offers
Pros: Try before buy, Some 50% discount offers
Cons: Pre built. 50% off makes me wonder if they were ever really worth the fun price.

Specialised: Excellent reviews, Try before buy, Good price/ Offers
Pros: Seem to be the brand other at these prices are compared to
Cons: Bikes built to they specs.

Cube: Excellent reviews, hard to find a supplier to try before buy, Price seems fare for spec.
Pros:- Good well known respected brand
Cons:- Apparently sized small compared to other brands which compounds the try before buy issue.


I get that your best to have a seat and try of a bike which I have so most brands I fit 54-55cm, Loads of people say the top tube length is more important but a quick ride around hasn't been able to tell me if a bike fits to that extent if you have a way of measuring required top use length then please share.

All your 'research' is virtual, and bears no resemblance to what's actually available, what will fit you, and what will make you grin.
You'd probably be perfectly happy with any of the bikes you've listed, but at the end of the day go to a couple of bike shops and try before you buy.
Like @Drago said, don't get hung up about reviews or 'what's best' as it's what suits you that matters.

 

[vickster]

I have been to Evans and test rode the couple that were available in my 'size' but I don't think I would be the first Newbie to have the problem that a quick ride around a car park won't show a good or bad fit. Im less inclined to waist the time of my local owned bike shop to then buy from Ribble or PlanetX.

The only comparison I draw on is clay pigeon shooting which I do to a good standard. Gun fit is important but you can't really tell or get fitted until you know how to consistently mount the gun, you can get measured but it will only give a rough fit. I am guessing road cycling is similar and minor adjustments can be made, but until you've been doing it a while, the only real measurement you can get from your body is the top tube height. Everything else is personal preference and how you want to ride the bike.

Evans don't just allow round the car park roads, go early on a weekday and ride as long as you want pretty much as long as it's dry

You need to check the bikes you might buy. There may well be a shop selling a lesser brand like Forme, Merida etc that you've never considered

If looking at PX or Ribble, also look at Dolan. Boardmans from halfords can be good value when they have a promotion, plus Quidco and 10% off with British cycling membership

 

[wheresthetorch]

I also recommend buying a bike that you turn round for one last look at before you shut the garage door. It makes riding that bit more special.

 

[Saluki]

I can vouch for PlanetX. I have 4.
Great bikes at even greater prices. For me, the quality is spot on.

Test rides available too. I'd have another (currently have 2 of them)

 

[vickster]

Test rides available too. I'd have another (currently have 2 of them)

I think the OP is somewhere in the West Country so Sheffield isn't very close by

 

[Saluki]

I think the OP is somewhere in the West Country so Sheffield isn't very close by

Ah! As you were then
I like Dolans too, they are a nice bike. Only ever seen black ones, I assume that they come in colours too.

 

[Roadrider48]

Test rides available too. I'd have another (currently have 2 of them)

I have a 5th on the way, hopefully by the end of the month or early August. Exo3.
I buy their medium size and it has been consistent through the range; for me anyway.
But everyone is slightly a different size, so it can be hard.
Saying that though, I haven't ever felt the need for a bike fit. They all seem to fit me well and comfy.
Been lucky with other brands too.
What PX bikes do you have btw?

 

[richie244]

All your 'research' is virtual, and bears no resemblance to what's actually available, what will fit you, and what will make you grin.
You'd probably be perfectly happy with any of the bikes you've listed, but at the end of the day go to a couple of bike shops and try before you buy.
Like @Drago said, don't get hung up about reviews or 'what's best' as it's what suits you that matters.

Sorry I have edited my OP, I have test rode several bikes from Evans and one local shop which only had one that would remotely fit with out them building one up. Im a bit reluctant to put shops out too much and feel obliged to buy. To be honest I couldn't tell a great deal of defence between the Fuji Grand condo 1.3 and the BMC grand fondo, the Cannonade super six evo, a BMC and a trek that were way out of my price range with my lack of experience they all seemed much the same, I couldn't honestly say one "fitted" better than another, the Specialised Roubaix was nice and up right which was nice I guess.

I can't make head nor tale of Geometry or sizing guides, Obviously I understand the concept of a mm but few bikes share geometry I was almost considering creating a data base which cross compares but thought that was going a bit far. Very few provide a step over heigh from ground to top tube.

Half the problem is I didn't just go out and buy a bike because I had a shoulder OP. I should get my old Scot aluminium bike out and check it still triples my back.

Ah! As you were then
I like Dolans too, they are a nice bike. Only ever seen black ones, I assume that they come in colours too.

Yeh being in Somerset seems to be a the wrong end of the country for bike buying even second hand on eBay "up t' norf" seems to be the place for cycling.