Which Road Bike - Advice Please

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Lango8181

New Member
Hi All,
I am looking at buying a bike to start commuting into work on, while combining it with something that I can use at the weekends for touring around. Nothing to serious, mainly a bike that is reliable as I will be doing about 20 miles per day during the week.
After a lot of looking around I think I have narrowed it down to the following three bikes:
· Cube Peloton (2009)
· Bianchi Via Nirone 7 Xenon (2009)
· Focus Variado Expert (2009)
I like the look of all the bikes but feel that the Focus and Cube are better equipped than the Bianchi. However, the Bianchi does have that amazing Italian styling.
Can anyone give me their views on which is the better buy out of the three.
Also, I would be open to suggestions on other options around this sort of level.
Thanks
 

Wigsie

Nincompoop
Location
Kent
Have you ridden any of them? looks are important I will concede that, and they are all good looking bikes. Components wise the 105 shimano you cant go wrong with really but again some folks will swear by Campag. IMO its very important to sit on a few and have a go on the bikes first... my brother has a Bianchi and it looks great but to me it just feels odd compared to my Specialized Allez.

I was looking at £750 - £1000 bikes and there are some cracking bikes out there (cannondale six/Caad 9, Scott and Ribble the list goes on). The Trek 1.7 is VERY nice but personal preference led me to an Allez Elite.

No one can tell you which is best for you, you have to decide yourself... which is half the fun!
 

wafflycat

New Member
Have you ridden any of them? The key is to get a bike that *fits* and is comfortable. Example, Wigsie thinks a Bianchi feels 'odd' and yet I have two (San Remo & Via Nirone) and love them. We're all different shapes, sizes, and like different things. I would say, however, that whatever make you get, whatever the colour scheme, the most important thing is comfort: fit, and only you can decide which one is best for you. Also, expect to change the saddle on whatever bike you get - you may not, but it's often the first thing to be changed. Again, we've all got somewhat different rear ends and what is being cradled in heavenly clouds for one is like sitting on a razor blade for another..
 

gbb

Squire
Location
Peterborough
Hi Lango...
If you're looking at components, the Cube and Focus are better equipped (Shimano 105 against Xenon/ Mirage mix on the Bianchi)..but then are they more expensive than the Bianchi ?

That said, ive had two Bianchis...both Xenon, and they've behaved flawlessy (apart from a very slight buzz from one of the shifters on rougher roads)
The wheelsets on them are relatively bombproof, never broke a spoke, never had to have them trued etc etc.

If i could afford it, i'd go for the 105 equipped bikes. For looks, i'd go for the Bianchi. I love mine to bits. I commute on mine in the summer, its very manoeverable in traffic, very easy to accelerate on...and of course, then there's the longer rides as well.
 
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Lango8181

New Member
Thanks guys,

I am trying out the Cube and the Bianchi on Friday, but am unsure where I can try the Focus. I live in the London area and as far as I can make out it is only Wiggle that stock Focus'?

Is 105 better than Xenon?
 

Mortiroloboy

New Member
Lango8181 said:
Thanks guys,

I am trying out the Cube and the Bianchi on Friday, but am unsure where I can try the Focus. I live in the London area and as far as I can make out it is only Wiggle that stock Focus'?

Is 105 better than Xenon?


105 is ShimaNO's third up in it's groupset heirachy which goes- Sora, Tiagra, 105. Xenon is the bottom of the Campag range, and as from 2009 has been withdrawn from the Campag line up which now starts with Veloce which is comparible with 105. so to answer your question (and although I prefer Campagnolo), yes 105 should be better, simply because it comes in a higher spec level in the ShimaNO line up than Xenon does in the Campag line up.
 

Cubist

Still wavin'
Location
Ovver 'thill
BikeRadar reviews state the Cube is a lot of bike for the money. I have Cube MTB's, and can confirm that they are an excellent quality, high spec bike for the money. It shouldn't really matter, but they are absolute head-turners, and are anything but ten-a-penny.
 

jimboalee

New Member
Location
Solihull
If it were me, it would be a toss-up between the Bianchi and the Focus.

The Cube is straight out the window based on the weight of the frame.

I would plump for the Focus. 105 is superior, and considering the frame's weight, it can be upgraded to be lighter.
 
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Lango8181

New Member
Thanks for all th advice guys.

I think I am narrowing it down to the Cube and Focus, as they both have Shimano 105.

Does anyone know how i can test ride the focus?

Thanks
 

Scoosh

Velocouchiste
Moderator
Location
Edinburgh
Lango8181 said:
Does anyone know how i can test ride the focus?
Wiggle are the only suppliers of Focus bikes. They do a 7-Day Test Ride on all their bikes (they know people are always told to "try before you buy" ;))

I haven't used it myself but equally, haven't heard any negative comments about it either :blush:

HTH and let us know how you get on.
 

Randochap

Senior hunter
Lango8181 said:
I am looking at buying a bike to start commuting into work on, while combining it with something that I can use at the weekends for touring around.

Onece again I'm left wondering why no one has pointed out that these are racing bikes -- as one reviewer says of the Bianchi: "the ideal platform to begin your racing career."

Are you planning to race? If not, these bikes are inappropriate for your stated use; they are neither commuter bikes, nor weekend tourers. The gears are relatively high and there is no provision to attach proper mudguards or rack. If you don't mind riding to work with an ungainly rucksack on your back while being sprayed with mud, then OK, these will be spritely bikes. If on the other hand you want something that will carry you and kit back and forth to work and then have a comfy tour around the countryside on the weekend, then there are better compromises -- like a sport tourer, tourer or "cross" bike.
 

gbb

Squire
Location
Peterborough
Randochap said:
Onece again I'm left wondering why no one has pointed out that these are racing bikes -- as one reviewer says of the Bianchi: "the ideal platform to begin your racing career."

Are you planning to race? If not, these bikes are inappropriate for your stated use; they are neither commuter bikes, nor weekend tourers. The gears are relatively high and there is no provision to attach proper mudguards or rack. If you don't mind riding to work with an ungainly rucksack on your back while being sprayed with mud, then OK, these will be spritely bikes. If on the other hand you want something that will carry you and kit back and forth to work and then have a comfy tour around the countryside on the weekend, then there are better compromises -- like a sport tourer, tourer or "cross" bike.

In the purest sense, you're right about the Bianchi (and the others for that matter) not being a 'commuter ' bike (neither are the others). But that doesnt mean you cant.
I commute very successfully in the good weather on 'racing' bikes, always have. I see another guy commuting on a Bianchi Via Nirone quite regularly...mind, his bike filthy, mines not :headshake:.
Perhaps Lango can clarify what sort of touring he means...just cycling round or something more serious.
Its also a valid point about mudguards etc. You'll struggle to use it comfortably in the winter Lango. You can buy raceblade mudguards of course...but it'll be hard to take any of these beauties out in the depths of winter. I know i dont.
 

Tynan

Veteran
Location
e4
Condor Fratello

steel frame, carbon forks, comes with proper full mudguards and rack, spec any gearset you want

there, I've said it
 

Randochap

Senior hunter
gbb said:
In the purest sense, you're right about the Bianchi (and the others for that matter) not being a 'commuter ' bike (neither are the others). But that doesnt mean you cant.

No it doesn't ... but why would someone want to?

I'm right, not just in the purest sense; I'm right in a general way.

If someone was sure they were going to race (and how does a neophyte know that?) and could only afford one bike, then that might be a reason to press a racing bike into use as a commuter. Otherwise, you're going to suffer the inconvenience and discomfort of a twitchy bike without convenient accessory options 90% of the time only to enjoy a modicum of sportier characteristics on (unloaded) weekend summer rides.

Even the average weekend warrior would actually be better served by a sport tourer that will ride more comfortably and carry a small load better.

Most people, in fact, out riding today's race-style bikes would be better served by the kind of bikes that once filled the roads of the UK a couple of generations ago. These were practical bicycles with relaxed angles, suited for comfortable yet sporting forays into the countryside and carried their owners back and forth to work on a daily basis, yet they were often found in competitive events on the weekend.

That knowledge seems to have fallen before car culture and bike industry propaganda.

On edit: Just to give an example: This bike is my overall favourite of my six bikes (4 presently on the road). It weighs 30 lbs with all it's accessories, incl racks, bag, pump, etc. Yet it serves as an incredibly comfortable commuter, long distance bike and general all-round utilitarian machine. But I also occasionally take it out on my weekly 60 mile group training ride and have no problem taking my turn in the 35-40 km/h paceline. It certainly eats up the road when it carries me contentedly on 200-300 km day rides.

I love my 18lb sport tourer (20lb.+ w/ accessories) which nonetheless has clearances and braze-ons for mudguards and rack, but if I could have only one bike, as much as I too am tempted by the racy bling, it would likely be the classic 650b randonneuse or something very much like it.
 
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Lango8181

New Member
Fair comments about the possibility of getting something more comfortable. I do not need to take anything with me apart from what I can fit into a small rucksack.

Like gbb I also see many people commuting on racing bikes and like the option of having something fast and agile. Although I am just planning to use it for commuting and the odd weekend ride it would be great to have a bike that could be a bit more serious if I wanted it to be.

Just cant seem to look past the option of a fast, slick racer!!!
 
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