Which bike would you choose?

[Mista Preston]

Yes another which bike thread.

So I have saved long and hard done a couple of test rides and planned a trip up north for a fit at Epic if I go for the Orbea which anyone who rides with me will know was the bike at the top of my list when my wife pipes up and says why are you not supporting your local bike shop.

I am posting as I am interested if anyone has any strong thoughts behind the following bikes which are on my shortlist.

I have 2.5k to spend (I don’t have to spend it all) I don’t want to buy a bike I cant test ride and I want to buy it at a LBS but struggling to get stock on any of them in my size.

I have recently asked for views on the Trek (thank you to all who commented) on the site and had a good response but think that I am paying extra for the name, the 4.9 is also the lower grade of carbon that Trek do where as the Spesh and Orbea are mid range carbon but I am no expert

The choices are

Specialized Tarmac Expert
http://www.thebikelist.co.uk/specialized/tarmac-expert-sl-double-2010

Trek Madone 4.9
http://www.thebikelist.co.uk/trek/madone-4.9-2010

Orbea Onix TLT
http://www.thebikelist.co.uk/orbea/onix-tlt-ct-2010

They are all good bikes but which would you choose? your thoughts assuming the test ride goes well may help me make a decision or I could just keep saving

 

[addictfreak]

Of those three it would be between the spesh and the trek for me.

Have you looked at:

http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/scott_addict_r2.html

I love mine. I have an R4 but its the same spec as this years R2

 

[Tollers]

Of those three it would be between the spesh and the trek for me.

Have you looked at:

http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/scott_addict_r2.html

I love mine. I have an R4 but its the same spec as this years R2

You dont want a Scott.....they're rubbish

 

[ianrauk]

Clive, In case you hadn't noticed. The Spesh has a 53/39 Crankset. The Orbea and Trek have Compact cranksets at 50/34.

 

[Trumpettom001]

Have a look at these:

http://www.rawbamboobikes.co.uk/gpage7.html

 

[Noodley]

They are all good bikes but which would you choose?

If that's the 3 'finalists' then I'd go with the Spesh.

If you are open to other suggestions then I'l leave that to others to convince you what to get. And start arguing amongst themselves

 

[arallsopp]

The right bike for you? The one you buy mate. You make it work.

 

[Tollers]

I'd go for the Orbea as Epic are upgrading to Krisum equipe wheelset to bring the specs in line with the others. The £500 saving is a lot of cash.

 

[MadoneRider1991]

Yes another which bike thread.

So I have saved long and hard done a couple of test rides and planned a trip up north for a fit at Epic if I go for the Orbea which anyone who rides with me will know was the bike at the top of my list when my wife pipes up and says why are you not supporting your local bike shop.

I am posting as I am interested if anyone has any strong thoughts behind the following bikes which are on my shortlist.

I have 2.5k to spend (I don’t have to spend it all) I don’t want to buy a bike I cant test ride and I want to buy it at a LBS but struggling to get stock on any of them in my size.

I have recently asked for views on the Trek (thank you to all who commented) on the site and had a good response but think that I am paying extra for the name, the 4.9 is also the lower grade of carbon that Trek do where as the Spesh and Orbea are mid range carbon but I am no expert

The choices are

Specialized Tarmac Expert
http://www.thebikelist.co.uk/specialized/tarmac-expert-sl-double-2010

Trek Madone 4.9
http://www.thebikelist.co.uk/trek/madone-4.9-2010

Orbea Onix TLT
http://www.thebikelist.co.uk/orbea/onix-tlt-ct-2010

They are all good bikes but which would you choose? your thoughts assuming the test ride goes well may help me make a decision or I could just keep saving

it would have to be between the trek madone 4.9 and the obea onix TLT

 

[ianrauk]

Everyone has their own opinion but at the end of the day Clive. You gotta ride 'em all to find which one will suit you best. You will know which one that way.

 

[redjedi]

If you're going to test ride them, then that's when you make your decision.

Also consider the "oooooo" factor. Which one do you look at and start to dribble

Without test riding them, for me it's the Orbea. Also has a touch of exclusivity about it as well, you don't see too many about.

 

[Rob3rt]

Everyone has their own opinion but at the end of the day Clive. You gotta ride 'em all to find which one will suit you best. You will know which one that way.

I fully agree, I didnt realise how different one bike can be to the next in the same price bracket until about a month ago, but the difference is phenominal.

I rode 2 Trek's, a 2.1 and a madone 4.7(because that shop only had one 58cm Trek and wanted to size me on it) and I thought they both felt like "rattley" and flighy and pretty much hated them then I rode a Cannondale and it felt so smooth and responsive.

This is my experience, but LOTS of people love Trek's, so you see peoples point every bike suits a different person, you have got to ride them to know if they suit you.

 

[gavintc]

If you are honest with yourself, your everyday club cyclist will be pushed to note the handling differences between all 3 bikes. They are quality machines with excellent frames and v good components. So, I think you can let your heart rule your head on this one. Choose the one that makes your heart beat quicker, the one that you love the lines, the colour, the feel. If you love it, you will ride it and be proud of it. And in time, you can buy some wheels to match the quality of the frame and the groupset. Nice bikes - personally I would rate them in this order; Orbea, Spec, Trek.