The old chesnut - what bike!

[Kingwill]

Thanks again guys.

You know what, the more I'm thinking about this the more I'm coming to realise that there is the more practical road bike I should buy and then the sporty racer that I really want!


I'm going to think on this a bit more as I want to make sure I'm going to be happy with what I finally get!
Found this on the Wiggle site - Millook and likey very much but am I getting my head turned by style rather than substance?

 

[PaulSecteur]

You know what, the more I'm thinking about this the more I'm coming to realise that there is the more practical road bike I should buy and then the sporty racer that I really want!

That is exactly the same as me!

Found this on the Wiggle site - Millook and likey very much but am I getting my head turned by style rather than substance?

The verenti bikes seem to get good reviews, and are certinly worth having a look.

One of the pluses to the Secteur (and kilmeston) is that they are aliminium frames, and while carbon is better at absorbing bumps in the road, Im not so sure about how it would stant up to the ruff and tuble of commuter life, such as being in a bike shed with other bikes that cost £50 and the owners dont care for them - or yours if they tumble over. I would rather have a paint scratch on aluminium than a dent in carbon.*

One tip if you go looking at bikes like these - be careful if you pick them up from the display stand. When I picked up a Spesh Roubaix out of the stand I almost chinned myself with the cross bar, because it was so light!

*I may have opened a can of worms there!

 

[TheBoyBilly]

CycleActive magazine looks at the Synapse 105 this month and gives it a very good review. The SAVE seatstays and fork apparently give a smooth ride. It was a womens-specific model but much of their praise must stand for the gents bike too. They also tested the frankly gorgeous Tifosi (again coming in at under a grand) which really looks a brilliant Audax steed. Secteurs are fine bikes and come well recommended. You can pick up a 2010 105 5600-equipped Elite for £800 while the new 2011 version with 105 5700 components comes in at just shy of £1000. I don't know if there is much difference in the drivechain (enought to really notice I mean, but the hand position on the new style hoods is reported to be much improved)) so the 2010 would seem a bargain.

Bill

 

[PaulSecteur]

The 2011 Secteur elite has SRAM apex...

http://www.evanscycl...d-bike-ec025006

Im not convinced that I like the idea of the larger ratio jumps on the cassette, and the 105 with a triple has worked faultlessly. Although I havent found any reviews yet.

EDIT: From when I was researching bike the Synapse was a contender but I think it didnt have the rack ounts on the upper stays, but Im not sure aout the eyelets lower down. There are ways around that if you want the synapse and luggage, such as a rack that clamps onto the seatpost (Check it doesnt have a carbon seatpost!) or a carradice bag that also clamps to the seatpost.

 

[TheBoyBilly]

I stand corrected Paul, the new 105-equipped Secteur is the Comp which comes in at £1349. Its got Zerts inserts at both ends but whether that justifies the price over the Elite I don't know. I too, am going through this process of choosing a Sportive bike for next year and have trawled the internet, visited dealers and even saught advice from the Condor crew at the Earls Court show.....and I'm still undecided. The Giant TCR 1 Compact is also up for consideration. If I were more into Audax I think I would go for a Tifosi (even then I haven't totally discounted it as a Sportive ride)
I will have to make my choice soon though, before the VAT hike.

Bill

 

[e-rider]

streetlife cycles (adjacent to the Fatcat pub) is the Specialized dealer for Norwich - the shop is crap and run by idiots but they might just have one in stock that you could get your hands on.

Carbon frame and commuting surely don't mix well! And it's surely not necessary either!

 

[Kingwill]

streetlife cycles (adjacent to the Fatcat pub) is the Specialized dealer for Norwich - the shop is crap and run by idiots but they might just have one in stock that you could get your hands on.

Carbon frame and commuting surely don't mix well! And it's surely not necessary either!

You are completely right about commuting/carbon/necessary but as I say there's the bike I should buy and the one I want!

I'm really undecided what to do. Yes I'm mainly going to use it for cummuting but I've always wanted a 'fancy' bike.

Also I don't feel that it's a commute just my way of getting 30 miles of cycling fitted into my day...decisions, decisions

 

[TheBoyBilly]

...decision, decisions

lol, good though isn't it? We could all narrow a bike purchase to a sensible, cost-effective choice for a commute. But then we'd all be riding Carrera Subways ( not a bad bike, by the way) You have to have some heart in your choice and a lot of your decision will seem unfathomable to others, but only you will be riding the bike and only you will know what will make you smile on your ride.
Me? I could easily commute on a Milani

Bill

 

[Kingwill]

You have to have some heart in your choice and a lot of your decision will seem unfathomable to others, but only you will be riding the bike and only you will know what will make you smile on your ride.
Me? I could easily commute on a Milani

Bill

Bill

At last someone who can appreciate what I'm going through! I know that I should go sensible but I really want that sleek, sporty bike............ as unpractical as that is.

I think that I'll just change my commute arrangements. Get my clothes for the week to the office on a Sunday night, travel light and fast, leave plenty of time for punctures etc and really enjoy the feeling of being on the bike I want.

I turned 50 last week and I think it's time to let my inner MAMIL loose......it's my ride and I'll do it my way!

 

[g00se]

Hi,

SpecialiSed Cycles on Connaught Road sell Meridia bikes so they're worth a look. John Borwell cycles (Spencer Street I think) are another SpecialiZed dealer.

I've found Pedal Rev ok but one of the guys at Streetlife is a PITA.

CyclesUK staff are hit and miss but they have a few bikes on the floor including Cube bikes.

Here's a controversial one... the staff in the Hallfords Metro on Castle Street seem to know their stuff so don't dismiss there...

 

[gwhite]

I would have a look at Byers Cycles and particularly at their Audax bike range which sounds like the bike you're looking for. The frames are from the same stable as Paul Hewitt's machines and come with a choice of Campag or Shimano transmission. The wheels are hand-built by the owner and that's a big plus for me. I was impressed by the quality of the Campag version and it comes in your price range.


No connection with this business.

http://www.byercycles.co.uk/bikeprice 01- 01- 08/09R1008.html

 

[Kingwill]

Well I went with my heart not my head.

I decided that I'm not a commuter but a cyclist who fits his cycling around his working day.

As such I've gone for a Sportive (the Millook from Wiggle). It arrived yesterday and I'm out tomrrow for a test drive.

I'm sure anyone who followed this thread will think I'm completely bonkers but it's the type of bike I've wanted for ages and as I'm the one going to be riding it - yah boo to everyone else!

Thanks for all the advice (even if I didn't listen to it!) and hopefully I'll see some of you out on the road.

CHEERS

 

[PaulSecteur]

If its what you want, its what you want. Nobody else will be riding it for you so as long as you are happy thats job done, and from the reviews the Verentis get Im sure you will be happy.

Post up some pics and let us know what you think of it when you have been out on it.

 

[Kingwill]

No pictures yet but I've just come back from a very quick, short ride. I've had a bad cold most of the week so I wasn't up for a decent ride.

Although it was only about 8 miles it was enough for me to appreciate the bike. I've not had a road bike since I was a teenager (back in the 70's) so I can't make comparrisons with modern models. Compared to my Claud Butler Urban 400 hybrid it was like going from a Ford Anglia to a Porche!

Fast, smooth, surprisingly comfortable and so light the first mile felt very strange until I got used to the light feel and touch. I wasn't able to attach my Cateye computer so I wasn't able to take a speed reading but it was very quick compared to what I'm used to.

All I need to do is drop the seat a fraction and apart from that the bike was set up perfectly for me.

All in all I'm very happy and can wait to get some serious miles in!

 

[Albert]

I've been looking for a £1000+ ish aluminium or metal bike to compliment my stable.
I have considered the Allez (Elite and Comp), Secteur, Verenti, Pinarello F1s, CAAD 8s and 9s, Synapse and Fat Birds' cheapish Titanium offerings, Ribble, Genesis, Charge, even David Hinde (!!! - ) was considered. All nice bikes, some very nice indeed.
Quite by chance a bike leapt out at me. It does what all the above can do + it is designed to get down and dirty with an awesome frame. Job Done