Thinking of getting a bike.........again

[potsy]

One thing that did confuse me though was that the person helping me said that the Secture and Synapas are more competition orientated. Is that correct because I though the Allez and CAAD frames had the racier geometry?

The other thing was that he was saying I probably didn't need to worry about getting a Tiagra groupset and that Sora would be OK for me. While Sora would save me a bit of money, is it worth spending that bit extra?

Secteur and Synapse are the more upright of the respective ranges

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Well I went to Evans this morning as my LBS isn't open on a Sunday and they don't have anything that Evan's doesn't.

I rode a Specialize Allez and it felt like all my weight was on my arms and a shoulders ached a bit. They put that down to using different muscles groups that I'm not used to, which unless I'm being nieve, could be right as with running you don't normally use your shoulders. I also tried Trex 1.1 which did feel more comfortable unless I was getting used to it.

My next did feel hunched up on both though. Could that be just because I haven't ridden a bike for about 20 years?

As they were the only ones they had in my size, I'm going to try the Cannondale and a Specialize Secture next week before making a decision.

One thing that did confuse me though was that the person helping me said that the Secture and Synapas are more competition orientated. Is that correct because I though the Allez and CAAD frames had the racier geometry?

The other thing was that he was saying I probably didn't need to worry about getting a Tiagra groupset and that Sora would be OK for me. While Sora would save me a bit of money, is it worth spending that bit extra?

He sounds like a bit of a twonk tbh.

Wrong on both counts with the Secteur & Synapse.

What was his rationale for saying Sora would be ok for you - was Sora what he had in stock by any chance.

Go to your LBS.

 

[sleaver]

He sounds like a bit of a twonk tbh.

I did let him off a bit because he did admit that he didn't know that much about road bikes but as I knew I wouldn't be buying anything there and then and because it was quite busy, I just went along with it.

What was his rationale for saying Sora would be ok for you - was Sora what he had in stock by any chance.

He was saying that I wouldn't notice any difference between the two and that the gear change is a bit smoother. However, when he did the order for next week, one is Sora and the other is Tiagra. He said I would notice the difference.

Yep, Sora was all he had in stock in my size

Anyway, two LBS's close to me are open tomorrow, so Guess where I'll be going

One thing, is it wrong to try and ask for a bit of a discount? I find raising that subject awkward anyway so I don't want to make it any more awkward.

 

[vickster]

You can ask for a discount, if not off the bike then off any extras. My understanding is that specialized control their pricing and discounting so you may get no joy there. A 2012 bike at this time will be a better deal than a 2013 bike .

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I did let him off a bit because he did admit that he didn't know that much about road bikes but as I knew I wouldn't be buying anything there and then and because it was quite busy, I just went along with it.


He was saying that I wouldn't notice any difference between the two and that the gear change is a bit smoother. However, when he did the order for next week, one is Sora and the other is Tiagra. He said I would notice the difference.

Yep, Sora was all he had in stock in my size

Anyway, two LBS's close to me are open tomorrow, so Guess where I'll be going

One thing, is it wrong to try and ask for a bit of a discount? I find raising that subject awkward anyway so I don't want to make it any more awkward.

Definitely ask for a discount. I got 10% off my 2013 Giant (not in stock either) without asking.

 

[sleaver]

Thanks for all the help.

Apart from a helmet, what else should I be looking at getting. I've got cloths for running (which includes some lycra so I do already wear it) so would that do to begin with or should I be looking to get some cycling cloths, maybe padded shorts?

 

[potsy]

I asked for a discount on my recent purchase, like others I received 10% off
Previously I've had 10% of the purchase price of 'free' accessories.

 

[vickster]

Thanks for all the help.

maybe padded shorts?

Definitely and some mitts for your hands, will help with pressure and also if you come off!

 

[sleaver]

Been two two local LBS's today. The first one didn't have much in stock in the price range I was looking at, so he just spent most of the time trying to up sell with this bike:

http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/road/sport/madone_2_series/madone_2_1/#

I'll admit it was nice, but at £1000 and needing all the other bit's, it's a bit to much.

The other one was more helpful and they had Specialized and Giant bikes. While they didn't discount Giant, they were going more towards either the Sport or Elite Specialized.

It's left me with two questions though which I'm hoping will help me if the advice is coming from people who aren't trying to make money.

1) Tiagra vs Sora - Tiagra pushes me to the top end of my budget but is it worth it over saving a bit of money with Sora? Also, I discovered today that Tiagra/Sora isn't just limited to the groupset, so if it's not full Tiagra, e.g. if the brakes are Sora, is that going to make any difference? I'm assuming it's the groupset that will be the main thing.

2) Allez vs Secture - Is there much of a difference? They said people go for the Allez even for commuting etc and in general they didn't give the impression that I should go for the Secture. Then I though, that while I could ride the two for a test ride, they may feel fine for 10 minutes, but build up to a few hours and that's a whole different ball game. What they did say was that a proper fitting would help so could an Allez with a proper fitting be better than a Secture with a bad fit?

As you may have guessed, decision making and me don't mix

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Does the second discount Spesh' - doubt it tbh so that levels the playing field back to Spesh' & Giant.

Secteur - the two cheaper models are triples as far as I can see; is this what you want?

Latest gen' Sora is supposed to be v.good but will you 'want' Tiagra post purchase if you buy a bike with Sora?

Re: fit. The start point is really to determine what bike suits your needs and then get that bike to fit you properly if you see what I mean.

Does 'fit' mean set-up the bike for you or swap stuff like stem, saddle etc? Two very different things.

Spesh are a tad parsimonious on their spec's; have you had a good look at the Defy's?

 

[sleaver]

Secteur - the two cheaper models are triples as far as I can see; is this what you want?

I think I would be fine with a compact. After all, what's the worst that would happen other than just having to man up on hills?

Latest gen' Sora is supposed to be v.good but will you 'want' Tiagra post purchase if you buy a bike with Sora?

That's what I'm hoping to find out from people who aren't trying to take my money. For example when the first shop tried to sell me the £1000 Trex, that was just because 105 was mentioned. Is it worth stretching myself a little bit to get something better than regret it later? Is Tiagra worth stretching myself? Knowing nothing about the two really, makes it a bit hard to know if I would 'want' it later.

Does 'fit' mean set-up the bike for you or swap stuff like stem, saddle etc? Two very different things.

They meant to set it up for me by me spending 30-40 minutes (apparently) with the bike on rollers.

 

[grumpyoldgit]

Some will say that you should spend the money on a good frame,&upgrade the group set later ,very expensive way to go about things.The cheapest thing you can do,is spend the absolute top end of your budget on a well specked bike at the outset.
Your question about brakes,again go for the best,it's good to stop.

 

[Nick Stone]

I've got a Spesh Allez, had about 2 years now on the old sora, never had a problem with kit or frame, but I lusted after new sparkles and just gone the full monty and got the best I could afford that I liked and fitted, I've gone for a Scott speedster very nice, love it in fact.

Was cheeky though sized up in one shop then ordered from pedal on for the points and got a load of new kit bits, shoes, bibs and other for same price as everyone else are selling for, maybe worth a look, they do giant and the dale as well

 

[Tanis8472]

Defy 2?

I've got one. Love it
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/2013.giant.defy.2/11833/56805/

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I've got one. Love it
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/2013.giant.defy.2/11833/56805/

That's a cracking looking bike and well equipped at that price.