The bike buying dilemma with Pros and cons.

[Roadrider48]

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.




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.

The Roubaix is a very comfy bike to ride.

 

[vickster]

Do you have a physio with insight into cycling who could give you some pointers given your shoulder and back ails?

If the roubaix felt good and made you smile that could be your answer you can always change parts as they wear out or funds are available. Wiggle etc vouchers will make all future birthday and Christmas gifts a doddle too...no more socks unless they are cycling ones or undies unless they are padded

 

[mustang1]

Blxxdy heck that's a lot of reviewing.

Why don't you carry on with your research but buy a bike in the meantime. That way you can compare your research to an actual product you use.

Excuse me for sounding off, but ya know, just buy a bike already.

 

[Mrs M]

Don't feel obliged to buy a bike just because you've taken up the bike shops time. You are not wasting their time, you have ££ to spend and want the right bike for you.
I would tell them what you're after, along with your budget and ask for advice (don't need to take it).
They may come up with something you hadn't thought of which could turn out to be the perfect bike
I went along to buy a Cannondale Synapse but they were sold out . Ended up with a Felt, which I had seen online and ruled out. When I sat on it, then rode it I knew it was the "one".
Happy hunting!

 

[richie244]

Blxxdy heck that's a lot of reviewing.

Why don't you carry on with your research but buy a bike in the meantime. That way you can compare your research to an actual product you use.

Excuse me for sounding off, but ya know, just buy a bike already.

I am thinking the same I started with a £500 budget now £1000 as I kept looking. Although I am finding the savings buying second hand are quite low.

I keep going back to check eBay but the Ribble website seem to be my go to brand, Im just a little concerned at buying a bike "blind" with comments on some bikes on flee bay like "52cm but more like 54cm" etc.

Their "Special additions" where you get a Ribble Gran condo with 105 group for £899 its very hard to find a bike that spec on other brands (other than Planet X but this poses the same problem) or at a reasonable saving second hand.

 

[richie244]

They may come up with something you hadn't thought of which could turn out to be the perfect bike

Happy hunting!

Ah yes doing this added two to my list. Ha ha. In my defence I used my injury for a while to ward off the Hard sell which worked but provided me too much time to ponder the vast number of options.

No one has really mentioned the Fuji phenomenon where they seem to have large discounts, are the bikes actually over priced to begin with?

 

[Mrs M]

Ah yes doing this added two to my list. Ha ha. In my defence I used my injury for a while to ward off the Hard sell which worked but provided me too much time to ponder the vast number of options.

No one has really mentioned the Fuji phenomenon where they seem to have large discounts, are the bikes actually over priced to begin with?

Sale time should be here soon, with the shops getting in their 2017 models
May get a bargain

 

[vickster]

I am thinking the same I started with a £500 budget now £1000 as I kept looking. Although I am finding the savings buying second hand are quite low.

I keep going back to check eBay but the Ribble website seem to be my go to brand, Im just a little concerned at buying a bike "blind" with comments on some bikes on flee bay like "52cm but more like 54cm" etc.

Their "Special additions" where you get a Ribble Gran condo with 105 group for £899 its very hard to find a bike that spec on other brands (other than Planet X but this poses the same problem) or at a reasonable saving second hand.

Have you actually phoned Ribble to have a chat? Ditto Planet X and Dolan? Call in the week, not weekends

Dolan have a rep on here at least for being super helpful

The 105 etape is also £850 http://www.dolan-bikes.com/road/road-bikes/dolan-l-etape-carbon-road-bike-shimano-5800.html

Push your budget by £50 for Ultegra and Mavic wheels

http://www.dolan-bikes.com/road/roa...oad-bike-shimano-ultegra-6800-aksium-one.html

@Cyclone1 should be able to help you out having sold one not too long back

 

[outlash]

No one has really mentioned the Fuji phenomenon where they seem to have large discounts, are the bikes actually over priced to begin with?

Fuji aren't a big brand over here, nothing wrong with their bikes though. I've just bought one of their cross bikes and it's really nice.

Looking for 'value' and the best spec for the money can mean corners are cut elsewhere. You almost always get what you pay for, there's a running joke elsewhere on the web about Planet X's frames coming from a dump and arriving in a skip. Whilst I'm fairly confident that's not true, perhaps it may show a lack of QA and aftersales service.

 

[Roadrider48]

Fuji aren't a big brand over here, nothing wrong with their bikes though. I've just bought one of their cross bikes and it's really nice.

Looking for 'value' and the best spec for the money can mean corners are cut elsewhere. You almost always get what you pay for, there's a running joke elsewhere on the web about Planet X's frames coming from a dump and arriving in a skip. Whilst I'm fairly confident that's not true, perhaps it may show a lack of QA and aftersales service.

Well, wether true or not. They aren't doing too badly on it.
It is a misconception that other brands are better because they have Specialized or Cannondale written on them.
You buy a medium standard Cannondale for example. £1500 maybe. You get shite wheels and low grade groupos.
Planet X sell you a carbon frame(eg) with the likes of Ultegra or Force or Dura ace, even Di2. For probably the same price as you pay for the Cannondale. But everyone assumes it's miles better because of the name on it.

 

[vickster]

Big and effective marketing departments, lots of sponsorship of and placement with the pro teams. To be fair they also invest in R&D which is probably less the case for PX who buy large quantities of pre designed frames out of Asia and bulk buy components

 

[Drago]

And everyone assumes a Planet X is automatically better because some bits say 'Ultegra', but that ain't automatically the case. All the bling in the world won't make a mediocre frame better. I would have hoped folk approach the buying proposition with a bit more thought than that. No downer on Planet X, I just use it as a hypothetical example.

 

[vickster]

I bought my Planet X for its groupset specifically...which is now on my Pearson

The converted PX bike will soon be in the possession of a mate most likely

 

[richie244]

Well, wether true or not. They aren't doing too badly on it.
It is a misconception that other brands are better because they have Specialized or Cannondale written on them.
You buy a medium standard Cannondale for example. £1500 maybe. You get shite wheels and low grade groupos.
Planet X sell you a carbon frame(eg) with the likes of Ultegra or Force or Dura ace, even Di2. For probably the same price as you pay for the Cannondale. But everyone assumes it's miles better because of the name on it.

This is where my scepticism resides. I fully believe in getting what you pay for but also understand that marketing and sponsorship cost a lot. This is why I could genuinely see a For example only, Planet X with Ultra at £1000 being a very similar bike to a Cannonade with Tiagrs at £1200-1400. But you won't get as good a garuntee with Planet X, you can go round in circles for ever as I am. Woo Hoo.

Have you actually phoned Ribble to have a chat? Ditto Planet X and Dolan? Call in the week, not weekends

Dolan have a rep on here at least for being super helpful

@Cyclone1 should be able to help you out having sold one not too long back

How embarrassing I seen someone riding one of these and intact caught a glimpse of an advert and thought they looked promising. Unfortunately I blame the fancy D so have been searching for Solan. LOL.

 

[vickster]

Go with the bike you like the look of, forget what it says on the frame
There is a lot to be said for buying local if you have good shops close. Don't be afraid to ask for a deal on the bike or kit