Which new bike?

[bonzobanana]

Very true. I should have said "rare except on supermarket or low entry level bikes".

Or anything above what many here would call a BSO

Always seems unfair to call such bikes BSO's as most of the world is riding cheap high tensile steel bikes with basic gearing or even single speed across Africa, Asia, South America etc. They are working bikes used constantly that last decades. I reserve the term BSO for those awful cheap dual suspension bikes you see that are incredibly heavy with suspension that works badly and doesn't work for very long either. A Buffalo bike is the sort of bike that sold in Africa and Halfords have exported over 100,000 basic high tensile steel bikes without suspension to Africa where they are put to daily use and have transformed lives.

 

[Sloth]

So I’m still trying to get my bum on some of these before committing.

I am now only looking at the Giant Fastroad SL1, Merida Speeder 400 and a wild card the Cube SL Road SL (have an option for a mint pre-owned). I know that the Cube I mention before is the Road Pro, not the Road SL and that the latter is a higher spec (Ultegra) but I think the geometry and frame are the same?
I am sitting on a Merida 400 next week and hope to get on. Giant FR SL1 Monday.
The Cube is the real problem as I can’t find one anywhere to sit on, and it’s the one that is allegedly the most aggressive and unforgiving geometry out of the three.
I want something that is good for exercise and can whip up a few knots when pushed, but not something that will cripple my 60 year old bones, joints and muscles after a long ride.

So far as availability goes, the Merida is reserved for me and available any day now should I want it.
The giant is two weeks away and reserved for my first refusal.
The Cube, only the pre-owned SL Road SL so far.

 

[vickster]

Why can’t you sit on the pre owned? You wouldn’t buy without trying either way?
Any of those bikes will do what you want, speed is as much down to the engine, terrain and road surfaces as the bike

 

[Grant Fondo]

So I’m still trying to get my bum on some of these before committing.

I am now only looking at the Giant Fastroad SL1, Merida Speeder 400 and a wild card the Cube SL Road SL (have an option for a mint pre-owned). I know that the Cube I mention before is the Road Pro, not the Road SL and that the latter is a higher spec (Ultegra) but I think the geometry and frame are the same?
I am sitting on a Merida 400 next week and hope to get on. Giant FR SL1 Monday.
The Cube is the real problem as I can’t find one anywhere to sit on, and it’s the one that is allegedly the most aggressive and unforgiving geometry out of the three.
I want something that is good for exercise and can whip up a few knots when pushed, but not something that will cripple my 60 year old bones, joints and muscles after a long ride.

So far as availability goes, the Merida is reserved for me and available any day now should I want it.
The giant is two weeks away and reserved for my first refusal.
The Cube, only the pre-owned SL Road SL so far.

Like @vickster says, have a pootle on the pre-owned ... would be my pick unless they want daft money?

 

[Sloth]

Why can’t you sit on the pre owned? You wouldn’t buy without trying either way?
Any of those bikes will do what you want, speed is as much down to the engine, terrain and road surfaces as the bike

Mate, it’s a 2 hour + drive away so I’m reluctant to do that just to try it for size. To check out and buy yes, but just to see If it fits is a bit far if I can find one local to sit on?

 

[Sloth]

The pre-owned Cube is asking around £1100 so could get the others new for the same price.

 

[vickster]

The pre-owned Cube is asking around £1100 so could get the others new for the same price.

You didn’t say it was miles away.
Just get one of the ones from a local retailer, try them out and buy the one you prefer. If new to bikes, good to have the support of a local shop in case of issues and for the 6 week checks. New you get warranty too

 

[Sloth]

Thanks, yeah should have me the distance thing!
Based on the 99 Spokes comparison
https://99spokes.com/en-GB/compare?...sl-1-2022;*z.MD|w.700,merida-speeder-400-2022
there’s practically nothing in it geometry wise, and nothing that I can see to justify the Cube as ‘unforgiving’ or even a more aggressive position?
I am new to this though so perhaps I’m missing something?

 

[Alex321]

Thanks, yeah should have me the distance thing!
Based on the 99 Spokes comparison
https://99spokes.com/en-GB/compare?...sl-1-2022;*z.MD|w.700,merida-speeder-400-2022
there’s practically nothing in it geometry wise, and nothing that I can see to justify the Cube as ‘unforgiving’ or even a more aggressive position?
I am new to this though so perhaps I’m missing something?

I have the Cube Attain GTC - not the same bike, but not that different in geometry, and it doesn't cause my 63 year old bones any problems (so long as I stay on it!)

 

[Sloth]

Good to know thanks.
The pre owned Cube is a great spec and looks almost like new but the call of a brand new bike with warranty is also strong 🤔

 

[Grant Fondo]

The pre-owned Cube is asking around £1100 so could get the others new for the same price.

What year is it?
Brand new in small not a huge amount more?
https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/bikes...MItpbAroaA-QIVTOztCh1q5A12EAUYASABEgIblvD_BwE

 

[Sloth]

So I managed to sit on (not ride) a 2021M size Giant Fastroad SL1 earlier this week.
It felt a little too aggressive (too much reach and drop) and I felt too much pressure on my hands.
The bike was nice enough but didn’t blow me away with sexiness or leave me wanting it at any cost. Perhaps my expectations were too high?
Anyway, there’s a new 2022 model on the new ‘metal’ colour available for me should I want it in around a week. Perhaps I need to try it again to be sure.
Meanwhile I’m hoping to try a new 2022 Merida Speeder 400 today, which looks like it could be less aggressive in it’s geometry) so will let you know my thoughts on that (should you be interested).

 

[vickster]

So I managed to sit on (not ride) a 2021M size Giant Fastroad SL1 earlier this week.
It felt a little too aggressive (too much reach and drop) and I felt too much pressure on my hands.
The bike was nice enough but didn’t blow me away with sexiness or leave me wanting it at any cost. Perhaps my expectations were too high?
Anyway, there’s a new 2022 model on the new ‘metal’ colour available for me should I want it in around a week. Perhaps I need to try it again to be sure.
Meanwhile I’m hoping to try a new 2022 Merida Speeder 400 today, which looks like it could be less aggressive in it’s geometry) so will let you know my thoughts on that (should you be interested).

Maybe the Giant was too big?

 

[CXRAndy]

So I’m still trying to get my bum on some of these before committing.

I am now only looking at the Giant Fastroad SL1, Merida Speeder 400 and a wild card the Cube SL Road SL (have an option for a mint pre-owned). I know that the Cube I mention before is the Road Pro, not the Road SL and that the latter is a higher spec (Ultegra) but I think the geometry and frame are the same?
I am sitting on a Merida 400 next week and hope to get on. Giant FR SL1 Monday.
The Cube is the real problem as I can’t find one anywhere to sit on, and it’s the one that is allegedly the most aggressive and unforgiving geometry out of the three.
I want something that is good for exercise and can whip up a few knots when pushed, but not something that will cripple my 60 year old bones, joints and muscles after a long ride.

So far as availability goes, the Merida is reserved for me and available any day now should I want it.
The giant is two weeks away and reserved for my first refusal.
The Cube, only the pre-owned SL Road SL so far.

The difference in so called speed between each will be so minimal, its not even worth considering.
Comfort, comfort comfort, then equipment.

If I can ride at 21mph for 80 miles on a titanium framed tourer geometry road bike. you don't need an aggressive setup

 

[Sloth]

Maybe the Giant was too big?

Perhaps but the LBS in question thought not. Question though, If I did go to a small, that may reduce the reach but wouldn’t it also increase the drop to the bars due to the frame being smaller? I mean I’d still need to get the seat height up enough to get my legs right on the pedals?