The old chesnut - what bike!

[Kingwill]

Hi

Having looked through the forum I realise this is like asking how long a piece of string is but here goes anyway......

I've finally got some money put aside to buy a decent road bike (£1000 - the magic number!).

At the moment I commute to work on a hybrid and I think that it will continue as my winter ride as it can take full mudguards (very necessary on the narrow, mud strewn country lanes around Norwich (damn you tractors!)).

I don't use the commute to go directly to and from work but have a number of looping routes that extend the journey from 4.5 miles to around 13-15 miles each way.

Since I started commuting 18 months ago I've been dreaming of owning a proper road bike and now it's within my reach.

To use in the Summer (i.e. late spring to early autunm) I want a road bike that's well built, fast (but not stupid) and preferably able to take a rack.

I've looked in magazines, read through forums and visited all the bike shops in Norwich. All I can say is instead of clarifying things for me I'm now more unsure what make/model to get.

I know £1000 isn't the most you can spend but it's a lot of money for me and I really want to make sure that I don't get something only to regret it within months.

So there you go, how about having another crack at this old chesnut?

 

[Kingwill]

Ok not much response yet how about I narrow my question. Searching through the web I've found two Cannondale models that I like the look of, one of which has had some good recommendations on this forum.

They are the Synapse 105 2011 model and the CAAD 8 105 CD 2011 model.

Very similar specs but which would you recommend?

 

[accountantpete]

As you have guessed we get a lot of similar queries and the answer is that there will only be a gnat's whisker between the two bikes in terms of performance. If pushed I would expect the CAAD8 to be slightly stiffer and responsive than the synapse but the latter may be a bit more comfy.

Knowing Cannondale they will both be good bikes for that price range.

I'd try and get a test ride on both as that's probably the best way to decide.

 

[PaulSecteur]

As the newest member of the Specialized Secteur owners club I have to put the Secteur up for your consideration.

The Elite model at £800 has cabon forks and an all aluminium frame, with the eyes to take a rack (If you look at pics of the secteur it may look like it doesnt have them, but they are there but with blanking plugs in). The shimano 105 works like a dream!

http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk//detail/102/Road Bike Offers


The next model up has carbon seat stays and is £1000 but as its a carbon rear there is no provision for rack eyes.

 

[Kingwill]

Thanks Guys.

I appreciate this is a hard question and one that keeps cropping up but thanks for giving the advice.

Paulkraken - I checked the site and like the look of the 2010 Secteur Comp and it comes in under my £1000 mark. Is it worth the extra dosh compared to the Elite?

 

[jimboalee]

Thanks Guys.

I appreciate this is a hard question and one that keeps cropping up but thanks for giving the advice.

Paulkraken - I checked the site and like the look of the 2010 Secteur Comp and it comes in under my £1000 mark. Is it worth the extra dosh compared to the Elite?

Evans reckon the Elite is lighter than the Comp. No Brainer. Save two hundred notes.

 

[e-rider]

fitting a rack will be an issue on many £1k road bikes - both for not having the fittings on the frame or the heel clearance

without rack - I'd recommend a Focus Cayo

with rack, look at the specialized allez or sectuer range

 

[Kingwill]

fitting a rack will be an issue on many £1k road bikes - both for not having the fittings on the frame or the heel clearance

without rack - I'd recommend a Focus Cayo

with rack, look at the specialized allez or sectuer range

I see you are in Norwich, which shop would you recommend - or do you recommend online?

 

[PaulSecteur]

I checked the site and like the look of the 2010 Secteur Comp and it comes in under my £1000 mark. Is it worth the extra dosh compared to the Elite?

I have just checked the specs and the only difference I can see is the Comp has the carbon rear stays, all the other stuff is pretty much the same.

Weather its worth it is a decision only you can make, ideally by giving both of them a go. The next model up (the roubaix) is a full carbon frame an most people say that it is extreamly good a dampening out the bumps, so I should imagine the comp will be halfway between the Secteur elite and a roubaix.

I can say with certinty "I am very happy with mine!"

 

[e-rider]

I see you are in Norwich, which shop would you recommend - or do you recommend online?

Well, I never use any of the Norwich shops. Specialized Cycles on Connaught Road is good but they have extremely limited stock - it's a small shop. All the other shops in the City are complete crap IMO.

I always shop online (but beware of that too - plenty of crap online retailers).

If you are somewhat of a beginner or don't really know too much about bikes then online shopping could be a disaster. You will really need to try before you buy. Unfortunately all the shops in Norwich (Streetlife, Pedal Rev. etc.) will expect full payment upfront if you want to order something - they all keep nothing in stock - so for that reason you might as well buy online and save a few quid at the same time.

Safe bets online are wiggle.co.uk and chainreactioncycles.com in terms of free delivery and decent customer service (most of the time). Evans online is OK too, especially as it means no contact with their shop staff which are useless - they have a good returns policy etc.

There are others too but I'll let someone else recommend them. I think only Evans and Wiggle offer a free bike trail period and free return if you don't like it. check on their websites for details.

 

[PaulSecteur]

If you are happy to shop online, then this will be worth a look... http://www.wiggle.co.uk/verenti-kilmeston/

I was having a hard time deciding between the Kilmeston and the Secteur, I think it was only because I could get hands on with the Sectuer that my mind was made up - it just felt right and I had the debit card with me.

Verenti is wiggles own brand, and as such they offer a 28 day test ride. So if you dont like it, or even order the wrong size just send it back. It even gomes with full mud guards. Its usually £900 but now down to £750.

 

[Kingwill]

Well that's given me more food for thought.

I like the look and sound of the Secteur Elite but as you all say I need to get hands on.

As I'm spending, what for me, is a large sum then I don't mind travelling to give it a test ride.

From what Tundragumski tells me my local shops would want payment before getting the bike in. Does anyone know where I can go that would hold stock to let me test? In East Anglia preferably!

 

[PaulSecteur]

I cant recommend anywhere in east anglia, but if you can phone a specialized concept store to check what you want to have a look at is in stock, Im sure if you take some ID and a credit card they will let you demo one.

In fact, I went to the Stafford concept store on the day it opened with the intention of buying a 2010 Secteur, but as it was a new shop they didnt have any 2010s.

Next day I happend to be going passed the one in brum, so popped in. I got chattin to the chap and they had one in my size. I asked about a demo ride expecting to either have to book it or have some ID. He asked if I had a drivers license with me but I didnt. I offered to leave my credit card and car keys and he said No, just have a demo! 15 mins later I was at the till!

I have to say I was impressed with the concept store. The bike was immaculate, the setup was perfect and the chap even did a fitting to make sure it was the right size. I dont know how that compares to other shop.

 

[accountantpete]

Dunno if this includes concept stores - but it may help

My link

 

[Zoiders]

I cant recommend anywhere in east anglia, but if you can phone a specialized concept store to check what you want to have a look at is in stock, Im sure if you take some ID and a credit card they will let you demo one.

In fact, I went to the Stafford concept store on the day it opened with the intention of buying a 2010 Secteur, but as it was a new shop they didnt have any 2010s.

Next day I happend to be going passed the one in brum, so popped in. I got chattin to the chap and they had one in my size. I asked about a demo ride expecting to either have to book it or have some ID. He asked if I had a drivers license with me but I didnt. I offered to leave my credit card and car keys and he said No, just have a demo! 15 mins later I was at the till!

I have to say I was impressed with the concept store. The bike was immaculate, the setup was perfect and the chap even did a fitting to make sure it was the right size. I dont know how that compares to other shop.

I am one of back2bikes lot down the road, I haven't been in the spesh store yet but I may go and press my grubby nose up against the window this week and cry tears of joy at all the shiny things.