Which bike would you buy?

Broom Wagon · Post by **Broom Wagon** » Thu Apr 29, 2010 9:25 pm

Probably a hypothetical question, but if I had about £3000 to spend on a bike, no particular preference for make of groupset, frame material etc but would like some wheels with deep section rims (not tubs) included, has anyone anything they'd particularly recommend.

AndyM · Post by **AndyM** » Fri Apr 30, 2010 6:34 am

I'd buy the Bianchi Infinito Athena for ~£2200 and then spend the rest on a nice pair of upgrade wheels such as Fulcrum Racing Zeroes, Fast Forward F6R Carbon Clincher or maybe even zipp 404s. I know you asked for deep section rims included, but doing it this way would provide you with a spare set of wheels to put that turbo tyre on for winter etc.

Hope this helps

PhilBixby · Post by **PhilBixby** » Fri Apr 30, 2010 7:24 am

I'm assuming (given the deep section wheels) you want this for racing/TT's? Well, the bloke who punctured out of last night's EYRRL race at exactly the same place as me was a good example of an answer to this; Cervelo S1 frame for a grand, SRAM Force groupset for about £600, £400 for all the other bits. Which leaves a grand for some nice wheels - enough for the suggested F6R's, Rolf Vigors, etc.... ...the world is your lobster!

MikeG · Post by **MikeG** » Fri Apr 30, 2010 4:03 pm

What about those Mavic Carbone SLRs for wheels Steve? They can be had for about £1150. Being a fairing rather than a full carbon rim they seem pretty light for this kind of thing but are there any advantages/disadvantages to this over a full carbon rim? I was thinking of swapping my (nearly new

) Ksyrium SLs for some and getting in on this aero wheel thing too. It's all the rage!

You're lucky shopping for a nice bike - one of lifes great pleasures. Decisions decisions...

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Fri Apr 30, 2010 4:36 pm

Have you had a look at the Ribble bike builder website? Not always the cheapest but gives you ideas. The Ribble branded frames always do seem good value for money though.

As I have a soft spot for Zipp wheels Wiggle are doing a non dimple special edition version of the 404's at 30% off, now £875 a pair.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Zipp_ ... 360049075/

MikeG · Post by **MikeG** » Fri Apr 30, 2010 4:44 pm

Wow, that's a bit of a bargain!

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Fri Apr 30, 2010 4:59 pm

The question is can you live without the dimples and aerodynamic advantage

P.Uffing · Post by **P.Uffing** » Fri Apr 30, 2010 5:12 pm

Personsally and from a real value for money point of view i would highly recommend Planet X. The new nanolight looks really nice and they will build you anything, and are very good to deal with.

MikeG · Post by **MikeG** » Fri Apr 30, 2010 8:26 pm

Zipp clinchers on Wiggle now all gone - they didn't hang around!

Broom Wagon · Post by **Broom Wagon** » Sat May 01, 2010 1:03 pm

P.Uffing - the Nanolight Team Issue does look good value for money - carbon frame, Dura-Ace groupset and deep section wheels (own brand). I'm assuming you already have a Planet X and are pretty happy with it?

MikeG · Post by **MikeG** » Sat May 01, 2010 3:40 pm

The Planet-x wheels are tubs if that's an issue?

P.Uffing · Post by **P.Uffing** » Sat May 01, 2010 8:50 pm

I was recommended the PX stuff a couple of years ago by a friend who had bought one of their road bikes, and was very happy. He had owned lots of different brands and did not carry any traditionalist or any other predudices and so bought on feedback and told me the same.
I have since bought a PX stealth tt bike, a px cross bike,and On-one singlespeed mtb (PX mtb division) and also px carbon 50's deep dish rims to fit my road bike,which granted are tubs. I have not looked to see if they do clinchers if i am honest, as you had mentioned.

I am very happy with every one and love the way they ride and being a Yorkshireman, i love the way that they are priced!!
People often 'poo poo' them but they are worth a serious look, and my many dealings with them have been nothing but positive, i also buy a lot of parts and spares off them too.
Hope this helps and good look in your search

Mark

RICHARDIIII · Post by **RICHARDIIII** » Sat May 01, 2010 9:11 pm

For my two pence worth, I'd be looking at a 2008 or 2009 Look frame, (http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/look-595 ... 56060.html) and I'll sell you my Reynolds Assaults for £500!

Last year, I bought a once in a life time dream bike, and it's amazing to ride, but I still love my Look training bike that was £1100. Its a entry level Look 461, but is beautiful to ride, feels more natural in the bends compaired with my Colnago which cuts in really quick when you lean over. So I'd defo buy another Look.

Don't forget that value for money isn't everything, it's a bike, not washing up powder, so it's nice to have something that feels special, and some thing a bit different. I hardly see Looks around, and they are really classy looking with the lugged frames.

Broom Wagon · Post by **Broom Wagon** » Sat May 01, 2010 11:13 pm

No-one's mentioned Boardman Race Prepared - Sub 7kg bike, SRAM Red, Zipp 404s. I could get one of these for 3K. I know it's supplied through Halfords, who don't have a good reputation with cyclists, but if something wasn't right it would be easy to take back.

It seems good value for money and I could try it out, rather than buying something off the internet which is always a bit of leap in the dark.

MikeG · Post by **MikeG** » Sun May 02, 2010 7:45 am

I know what you mean about internet buying, but you can (by law) always send anything back you are not happy with for whatever reason so it's just the postage cost you're gambling with. The below is pretty comparable to the Boardman and also very good value

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Focus ... 360037578/

As a build it yourself at a similar price, how about...

Mavic SLRs from Parker or 2008 Zipp 404/303s from Slane Cycles at £1100
SRAM Red or D-A for £1000
2009 Scott Addict SL frameset from Westbrook Cycles at £1099 (half price just about) or Cervelo S1 (999)

A couple of hundred for other assorted bits and that's the same as the two above. If you get a discounted D-A 7800 groupset from Merlin

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=produ ... goryId=159

you can save £350 which opens up loads more discounted framesets like the one below

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/look-586 ... 46866.html

You can easily travel to J E James at Rotherham or Westbrook at Stokesley to try the frames for size too. The two ready builds are pretty hard to beat on VFM though!