15,871 Replies to “The Bikes”

1. @the-farmer Order the Bianchi. Bianchis are cool.

2. @the-farmer Do keep in mind that they’re produced in China juste like almost every other “Italian”, “American”, or “German” brands these days. I don’t know what you’re planning to spend, but for the price of a new Oltre you can get a bespoke fame that’s hand-made in Italy according to your body dimensions and riding style and that you won’t see 100.000 times when riding a granfondo. If I were you you I’d check Legend, Sarto, Passoni, Formigli and that sort of thing. If you’re planning to spend less than 7000€ however, Bianchi is back in the game unless you’re heavy; I hear heavy riders have issues with the seat clamp and seat mast.

3. @biggles

   @unversio That mount is pretty darn cool. I need to get a go-pro.

   I was actually thinking a great mounting system would be something that went into the rear of the fi’zi:k saddles instead of a PRMS or a light. Though they should also make a mud-guard for that like i’ve seen in MSR… hello DIY!

   Brilliant little camera once you get it set up correctly. I can now put files into I-Pad directlynand edit with iMovie or Pinnacle for iPad. Uploading from iPad to YouTube slow and limited to 15minutes and 720 res. Can use MovieMaker (free on PC) with same and other limitations, but unlike iPad you can record longer (up to 1hr30min or so) to DVD. I find it best to mount obares.

4. @unversio

   @Nate RCB is stainless steel and the GoPro is light. My son just got a Hero3 Silver edition and it has the appearance that it came out of a cereal box. Small and light enough for the RCB. But I am going to test the setup with an older GoPro and case to see how vibration over 4 hours will effect the hardware.

   My GoPro fell onto Tarmac at 40km/hr when mount broke. Rough, bumpy Bowral chip/tar . Beware of excess vibration. Use shortest swivel mount to reduce unwanted forces causing failure. GoPro itself is almost urn breakable. Still works perfectly.

5. I am heavy and also not that wealthy, my budget is about £1K.

   I realise that there’snot much made in Europe nowadays.

6. @the-farmer

   The BSO is barely a year old but it probably needs new wheels, cassette, chain, headset etc etc etc. If I get a new No. 1 it will become the winter bike so these bits will get up upgraded anyway but I would do it with used parts instead, bear in mind it did only cost £300. Obviously this is down the lines of Rule #12, but I can’t stretch to Rule #25 as the tractor cost £75K ;) Budget probably £1K, use will be for sportives and riding on the rough tarmac known as A roads around here.

   SOOOO am I snob for wanting a Bianchi? Always fancied the colour of them, no other brand has that sort of identity. Trek are ten a penny and even though Faboo has a trek it still smacks a bit of COTHO. Spesh Roubaix would do nicely but also common and it’ll only remind me I’ll never be TB. Colnago, well I can’t gurn like wee Tommy. Cervelo! Nahhh could never match Franks seat post height so it would make me feel inadequate. Boardman c’mon really, Pinarello ditto.

   All comments derogatory or otherwise taken at face value and then ignored while I order Celeste Bianchi.

   You know, of course, that seat post height is inversely proportional to the length of important body parts.

7. @the-farmer

   I am heavy and also not that wealthy, my budget is about £1K.

   I realise that there’snot much made in Europe nowadays.

   You can get a Bianchi  for that ?

8. @the-farmer 1k Lbs for the frame or the bike? If its for the bike, take a close look at the Cannondale 10 CAAD. Potentially, Canyon is great in that price range, but that would mean a rule violation and I cannot support that!

9. @ChrisO

   @the-farmer

   I am heavy and also not that wealthy, my budget is about £1K.

   I realise that there’snot much made in Europe nowadays.

   You can get a Bianchi for that ?

   One of these. They don’t look that impressive up close. It’s a pretty generic looking frame with Bianchi stickers on it.

   @Mirko‘s suggestion of a CAAD 10 (or CAAD 8 for a bit less) is a good one. I am biased but my CAAD 8 105 was just about the best value for money bike in that price range in the UK when I got it 2 years ago.

10. @Spun Up

    OK, honest question. I am aware that all things Trek draw scorn and ire from many of the Velominati. I, however, like the way they ride. and I think they represent good value for the money. I am currently testing a Madone 5 with full Ultegra. I like how it rides, and my LBS is offering me a smoking deal on the chartreuse and white one because the color isn’t selling and I could give a rats ass about the color.

    I am fully aware, of course, of their sordid history with the COTHO, but I am really wondering if I should give a shit about that. I’ve tested the Colnago CX-1, the Biachi Siempre and the Orbea Orca. For the price, I like the Madone better. Should I be ashamed? Should I care? It’s not like I’m buying blood diamonds, or African ivory, or a coat made from baby seal hide.

    Thoughts?

    My problem is with the people who bought the Madone because of COTHO.  You seem to like it despite him.  Go for it.

11. @unversio

    K-Edge looks good too.

    They’re brilliant, much sturdier than the Go-Pro supplied mounts (see @DocBrian‘s story above for what happens when you use these). Fairly unobtrusive out front too, see below:

    

12. @seemunkee

    @Spun Up

    OK, honest question. I am aware that all things Trek draw scorn and ire from many of the Velominati. I, however, like the way they ride. and I think they represent good value for the money. I am currently testing a Madone 5 with full Ultegra. I like how it rides, and my LBS is offering me a smoking deal on the chartreuse and white one because the color isn’t selling and I could give a rats ass about the color.

    I am fully aware, of course, of their sordid history with the COTHO, but I am really wondering if I should give a shit about that. I’ve tested the Colnago CX-1, the Biachi Siempre and the Orbea Orca. For the price, I like the Madone better. Should I be ashamed? Should I care? It’s not like I’m buying blood diamonds, or African ivory, or a coat made from baby seal hide.

    Thoughts?

    My problem is with the people who bought the Madone because of COTHO. You seem to like it despite him. Go for it.

    I totally agree, you’re not going to make any kind of decision because of anything the COTHO did, are you? Trek bikes are good, I’m very happy with my Domane. They also have a lifetime guarantee.

13. @Mirko

    @the-farmer Do keep in mind that they’re produced in China juste like almost every other “Italian”, “American”, or “German” brands these days. I don’t know what you’re planning to spend, but for the price of a new Oltre you can get a bespoke fame that’s hand-made in Italy according to your body dimensions and riding style and that you won’t see 100.000 times when riding a granfondo. If I were you you I’d check Legend, Sarto, Passoni, Formigli and that sort of thing. If you’re planning to spend less than 7000€ however, Bianchi is back in the game unless you’re heavy; I hear heavy riders have issues with the seat clamp and seat mast.

    It is a bit against the Rules, but I picked up my fully built-up Casati second-hand for a very, very good price. Nice steel put together by hand, by my Italian brothers (and sisters!) with a nice wheelset. Deals are always, always out there on second-hand bikes. People buy them, build them up, then realize cycling is hard. I paid half of just the frameset cost for a full bike.

14. @Ron

    @Mirko

    @the-farmer Do keep in mind that they’re produced in China juste like almost every other “Italian”, “American”, or “German” brands these days. I don’t know what you’re planning to spend, but for the price of a new Oltre you can get a bespoke fame that’s hand-made in Italy according to your body dimensions and riding style and that you won’t see 100.000 times when riding a granfondo. If I were you you I’d check Legend, Sarto, Passoni, Formigli and that sort of thing. If you’re planning to spend less than 7000€ however, Bianchi is back in the game unless you’re heavy; I hear heavy riders have issues with the seat clamp and seat mast.

    It is a bit against the Rules, but I picked up my fully built-up Casati second-hand for a very, very good price. Nice steel put together by hand, by my Italian brothers (and sisters!) with a nice wheelset. Deals are always, always out there on second-hand bikes. People buy them, build them up, then realize cycling is hard. I paid half of just the frameset cost for a full bike.

    Ego te absolvo ;-)

15. @the-farmer

    The BSO is barely a year old but it probably needs new wheels, cassette, chain, headset etc etc etc. If I get a new No. 1 it will become the winter bike so these bits will get up upgraded anyway but I would do it with used parts instead, bear in mind it did only cost £300. Obviously this is down the lines of Rule #12, but I can’t stretch to Rule #25 as the tractor cost £75K ;) Budget probably £1K, use will be for sportives and riding on the rough tarmac known as A roads around here.

    SOOOO am I snob for wanting a Bianchi? Always fancied the colour of them, no other brand has that sort of identity. Trek are ten a penny and even though Faboo has a trek it still smacks a bit of COTHO. Spesh Roubaix would do nicely but also common and it’ll only remind me I’ll never be TB. Colnago, well I can’t gurn like wee Tommy. Cervelo! Nahhh could never match Franks seat post height so it would make me feel inadequate. Boardman c’mon really, Pinarello ditto.

    All comments derogatory or otherwise taken at face value and then ignored while I order Celeste Bianchi.

    Remember that Hoogerland’s “moment” came when Vacancsoleil were still on Ridley and a good Ridley can be had for Scottish Presbyterian sums and one just survived a weekend under my fat arse over the pave. What more could you possibly want? 
    

16. @the Engine

    @the-farmer

    The BSO is barely a year old but it probably needs new wheels, cassette, chain, headset etc etc etc. If I get a new No. 1 it will become the winter bike so these bits will get up upgraded anyway but I would do it with used parts instead, bear in mind it did only cost £300. Obviously this is down the lines of Rule #12, but I can’t stretch to Rule #25 as the tractor cost £75K ;) Budget probably £1K, use will be for sportives and riding on the rough tarmac known as A roads around here.

    SOOOO am I snob for wanting a Bianchi? Always fancied the colour of them, no other brand has that sort of identity. Trek are ten a penny and even though Faboo has a trek it still smacks a bit of COTHO. Spesh Roubaix would do nicely but also common and it’ll only remind me I’ll never be TB. Colnago, well I can’t gurn like wee Tommy. Cervelo! Nahhh could never match Franks seat post height so it would make me feel inadequate. Boardman c’mon really, Pinarello ditto.

    All comments derogatory or otherwise taken at face value and then ignored while I order Celeste Bianchi.

    Remember that Hoogerland’s “moment” came when Vacancsoleil were still on Ridley and a good Ridley can be had for Scottish Presbyterian sums and one just survived a weekend under my fat arse over the pave. What more could you possibly want?
    

    Argon 18….great bikes, you see another one of those on a ride out and you can dress me in stockings and whip me with old KMC chains!

17. My personal view is that if you’re on a budget go for something made to be budget.

    The big names – Specialized, Trek, Cannondale, Giant  – are good at making mass-market, value-for-money bikes. Buying their high-end bikes is like buying Lexus or Infiniti, when you know they’re really Toyotas and Nissans.

    Others are good at making more limited production, high-end specialised bikes – Colnago, Bianchi, Storck, BMC. Buying their low-end bikes is like buying a Skoda – tell yourself as much as you like that’s it’s just like a Volkswagen, but deep down you know it isn’t.

    If you’re in between, there’s Scott and Cervelo. The BMWs of cycling.

    And if you have no respect for anything including yourself then order a Canyon online, where apparently you buy the wheels and they throw in the frame and components for free. I don’t know what that’s like – even motorists draw the line somewhere.

18. @Spun Up For what it’s worth, I ride a 2005 5.2 frame that I picked up last year for practically nothing–there’s a non-profit shop in Milwaukee that’s affiliated with Trek, and every year, Trek sends them a bunch of frames that were sitting around in the warehouse as factory replacements.  So, although my frame is a design from 8 years ago, it was “brand new” when I got it.  I built it up with a 2012 Ultegra group, 3T bars and stem, good wheels, etc., and I love riding it.

    Funny thing is that it is a “team” frame from 2005, and so it has the Discovery channel logos all over it!  If I can get over the association with COTHO and ride (and love) that frame, I’m sure you’ll be okay.

19. @Mirko

    @the-farmer Do keep in mind that they’re produced in China juste like almost every other “Italian”, “American”, or “German” brands these days. I don’t know what you’re planning to spend, but for the price of a new Oltre you can get a bespoke fame that’s hand-made in Italy according to your body dimensions and riding style and that you won’t see 100.000 times when riding a granfondo. If I were you you I’d check Legend, Sarto, Passoni, Formigli and that sort of thing. If you’re planning to spend less than 7000€ however, Bianchi is back in the game unless you’re heavy; I hear heavy riders have issues with the seat clamp and seat mast.

    Or a Bonetti like my lovely steed. Again – actual custom made in italy by old blind monks on a mountain. They cook the carbon for 6 months in a traditional carbon kiln  True story.

20. @biggles

    @Mirko

    @the-farmer Do keep in mind that they’re produced in China juste like almost every other “Italian”, “American”, or “German” brands these days. I don’t know what you’re planning to spend, but for the price of a new Oltre you can get a bespoke fame that’s hand-made in Italy according to your body dimensions and riding style and that you won’t see 100.000 times when riding a granfondo. If I were you you I’d check Legend, Sarto, Passoni, Formigli and that sort of thing. If you’re planning to spend less than 7000€ however, Bianchi is back in the game unless you’re heavy; I hear heavy riders have issues with the seat clamp and seat mast.

    Or a Bonetti like my lovely steed. Again – actual custom made in italy by old blind monks on a mountain. They cook the carbon for 6 months in a traditional carbon kiln True story.

    The saddles are made by the Pope’s personal cobbler I believe…

21. @the Engine

    @biggles

    @Mirko

    @the-farmer Do keep in mind that they’re produced in China juste like almost every other “Italian”, “American”, or “German” brands these days. I don’t know what you’re planning to spend, but for the price of a new Oltre you can get a bespoke fame that’s hand-made in Italy according to your body dimensions and riding style and that you won’t see 100.000 times when riding a granfondo. If I were you you I’d check Legend, Sarto, Passoni, Formigli and that sort of thing. If you’re planning to spend less than 7000€ however, Bianchi is back in the game unless you’re heavy; I hear heavy riders have issues with the seat clamp and seat mast.

    Or a Bonetti like my lovely steed. Again – actual custom made in italy by old blind monks on a mountain. They cook the carbon for 6 months in a traditional carbon kiln True story.

    The saddles are made by the Pope’s personal cobbler I believe…

    Oops – that should of course be “the Pope’s personal cordwainer” – one has to get these things right…

22. @ChrisO

    Others are good at making more limited production, high-end specialised bikes – Colnago, Bianchi, Storck, BMC. Buying their low-end bikes is like buying a Skoda – tell yourself as much as you like that’s it’s just like a Volkswagen, but deep down you know it isn’t.

    Wouldn’t buying a high end Colnago, Bianchi, Storck or BMC be a bit like buying a Bentley, Lamborghini or Bugatti and being told by your mates that it was only really a Volkswagen?

23. @Chris

    @ChrisO

    Others are good at making more limited production, high-end specialised bikes – Colnago, Bianchi, Storck, BMC. Buying their low-end bikes is like buying a Skoda – tell yourself as much as you like that’s it’s just like a Volkswagen, but deep down you know it isn’t.

    Wouldn’t buying a high end Colnago, Bianchi, Storck or BMC be a bit like buying a Bentley, Lamborghini or Bugatti and being told by your mates that it was only really a Volkswagen?

    Especially if you don’t have a pro engine.

24. @biggles

    @Mirko

    @the-farmer Do keep in mind that they’re produced in China juste like almost every other “Italian”, “American”, or “German” brands these days. I don’t know what you’re planning to spend, but for the price of a new Oltre you can get a bespoke fame that’s hand-made in Italy according to your body dimensions and riding style and that you won’t see 100.000 times when riding a granfondo. If I were you you I’d check Legend, Sarto, Passoni, Formigli and that sort of thing. If you’re planning to spend less than 7000€ however, Bianchi is back in the game unless you’re heavy; I hear heavy riders have issues with the seat clamp and seat mast.

    Or a Bonetti like my lovely steed. Again – actual custom made in italy by old blind monks on a mountain. They cook the carbon for 6 months in a traditional carbon kiln True story.

    Or a Fondriest. A friend of mine just bought his fift one, so I guess they’re rather satisfactory machines.

25. Feck, I wish I’d never asked now and just got one. The model I fancy with a decent group set doesn’t come in Celeste. Spoke to LBS and he highly recommends a Trek! Having broken TWO bianchis, and he’s only a wee fella.

    The idea of getting a cheap frame and fitting bits to it appeals for ohhhhh about one minute ‘cos I’m a bit handless at things like that and it would be a half arsed attempt knowing me.

    I will maybe haalso look at cannondale but TBH the breaking bianchi thing doesn’t fill me with confidence. Damn and blast.

    I was in the LBS a little whole ago and there was a fantastic Look there, picked it up, went ohhhhhh that’s light, he said it should be its £7000! WTF all that for a bit plastic man!

    LBS also sells Giant but them and trek are ten a penny.

    Off to investigate ridley now.

26. @the-farmer

    If you decide to follow ChrisO’s advice, I can second (or third or fourth) the CAAD10 idea. With decent wheels and tyres, it handles well, and while I don’t know you call chip-seal in the UK it’s what I have to ride on a lot–and while I won’t use the phrase “vertically compliant” I’ll say that it’s a pretty comfy ride in addition to being easy to flick around.

    No style points, but you’ll be able to afford good components, and you’ll have a fairly light and fun bike.

27. @the-farmer

    I am heavy and also not that wealthy, my budget is about £1K.

    I realise that there’snot much made in Europe nowadays.

    I know this isn’t in your neck of the woods, but your budget is about USD$1500, this bike is a pretty good value with all the extras for ~$2100 (2 sets of wheels and a Edge 800 and a K-wing).  This is intended only to indicate how far your money can go in the used market, mind you.  DISCLAIMER:  Rule violations abound, but can easily be rectified.

28. @the-farmer

    Feck, I wish I’d never asked now and just got one. The model I fancy with a decent group set doesn’t come in Celeste. Spoke to LBS and he highly recommends a Trek! Having broken TWO bianchis, and he’s only a wee fella.

    The idea of getting a cheap frame and fitting bits to it appeals for ohhhhh about one minute ‘cos I’m a bit handless at things like that and it would be a half arsed attempt knowing me.

    I will maybe haalso look at cannondale but TBH the breaking bianchi thing doesn’t fill me with confidence. Damn and blast.

    I was in the LBS a little whole ago and there was a fantastic Look there, picked it up, went ohhhhhh that’s light, he said it should be its £7000! WTF all that for a bit plastic man!

    LBS also sells Giant but them and trek are ten a penny.

    Off to investigate ridley now.

    Take it you know which LBS to go to for Ridley up here in Chilly Jocko Land?

29. Would someone mind enlightening about second hand carbon? Velominatus Budgetightus (see what I did there?) requires frugality in all phases of life, but the thought of second hand carbon of the vintage (!) I can afford is giving me the shits..

    How old is too old for carbon forks, carbon frames, carbon rims?

    I’m wondering if updating a steel frame wouldn’t allay my fears and be just as comfy, although heavier..

30. @the-farmer
    I know how you feel about Treks but Spartacus and Ciolek seem to get on OK with them – so they can’t be all bad.  There is a certain something about Bianchis that make them sooo tempting, but my LBS stopped stocking them this year and is doing Ridleys instead. Apparently much better availability, service and after sales.  They also look pretty cool and originate from Belgium…or the Belgian part of China!

31. So, who among you will be the guinea pigs for the new SRAM hydro road brakes?

32. @Nate

    So, who among you will be the guinea pigs for the new SRAM hydro road brakes?

    Velonews just had an article about these. I just can’t get past how dorky disc brakes look on a road bike. The VN article tried to explain all the advantages, but…meh. No description of how they handle a hydraulic line to the rear brake, particularly on the rim brake system. I have cable bosses on my frame for the cables. OK, for a frame made to use these…fine. Retrofit? Bet it looks like shitte.

    I’ve wondered about other actuation systems. Being a tech head, I ponder bluetooth wireless systems, or even a hub internal brake. How about a magntic system? After all, a wheel is spinning metal. If it had a ferrous component, and interacting induced fields…braking with no physical contact? Now thats a hoot. None of this is of course ready for prime time. Worth pondering while staring at the white line tho.

    I just don’t have any problems with my current brake system. Why fuck with it? Yes, if improves wheel design, I’d be interested.

    Rather curious to see when SRAM enters the electric shifting market. That stuff is supposed to be pretty cool, but the cost? Dunno.

33. I have to imagine it is geared towarda the CX market.

34. @eightzero It’s all about more sales.  Joe Mamil has 2012 Red, will want the upgrade including the wet brakes, and guess what?  He’ll need a new frame to run the hydro lines and mount the disks.  And new wheels, because 11s Groupsan/SRAM doesn’t play nice with 10s freehubs.  So he might as well buy the Zipps.  An interesting note in all this is SRAM couldn’t go to 11 till Shimano did because of the freehub issue.

    Somewhere in the last week I read that SRAM isn’t going electric because Shimano and Campagnolo hold the key patents.  No idea if this is true but would be ironic if the US company got beat at the patent portfolio game by the scrappy Italian family run outfit.

35. What’s the feelings on aluminium v carbon. Domane 2.3 with largely 105 is £1200, domane 4.0 with

    Largely tiagra is £1500  but the cool look 4.3 with 105 is £1800. Would the step up to the 4.0 be worth it?

    And yes I know. Started off lusting after a bianchi but LBS would sell me one but didn’t recommend it and trek seem like an ok bike and the local guy stocks them, he also stocks look but I don’t think so Tim!

36. @the-farmer

    What’s the feelings on aluminium v carbon. Domane 2.3 with largely 105 is £1200, domane 4.0 with

    Largely tiagra is £1500 but the cool look 4.3 with 105 is £1800. Would the step up to the 4.0 be worth it?

    And yes I know. Started off lusting after a bianchi but LBS would sell me one but didn’t recommend it and trek seem like an ok bike and the local guy stocks them, he also stocks look but I don’t think so Tim!

    I have the “cool look 4.3 with 105” and am very satisfied with it, except I bought it one size too big (next time: first Retul bike fit, than purchase.) I was way over 100 kg when I bought it, so no stability issues at all. The frame is super comfy, yet has impressing lateral stiffness (BB90!). What I like about Trek it is that their cheaper frames have got the same innovations the expensive ones have, it is just the material that is different, i.e. aluminum or slightly heavier carbon. BTW, there’s a big story on Trek in issues 25 and 26 of Rouleur magazine. Despite their size, people still seem to put their harts and souls into what they do, and it shows. And Jens, Cio and Spartacus riding it should outweigh COTHO ten times.

    Hope this helps.

37. OK here goes…and feel free to ignore all of this…but it does crop up as a question quite a lot.

    Which Groupset is the best? – I don’t think there is a massive difference between the quality of Tiagra vs. 105, just some weight saving BUT you do get an extra gear and for that reason I would lean towards 105 because it gives you some future proofing..(unless you intend to go high end 11 spd any time soon).

    BUT – The primary concern should be the quality of the frame, buy the best frame you can for the money and upgrade as you go.

    BUT – It has to be about  which one looks the coolest with you on it.  You will have to spend many miles on the bike and if you think it looks like a piece of shit, you will probably ride like it or lose motivation..

    Which one fits the best….try them all and test ride them, you would be surprised how different bikes feel.

    I sense that there are some good deals on TREKs around at the moment there is still some toxic fallout from the COTHO association but if it were me?

    The  2.3 is a lesser frame, don’t buy it regardless of the groupsan

    The 4.0 is better

    BUT the price tells the story….the best bike in this case is the most expensive, if you cannot affor the £1800 one go for the £1500 one, if you cannot afford that then go for the £1200.  Within the same make there is clear demarkation between models (they need to do that to justify the higher end models)

    After all that…can I ask what model Bianchi it was?….I would place less emphasis on what they do and don’t recommend, ride it and see, if it feels as good as the others buy the Bianchi, remember the LBS is a business and they could actually be trying to shift stock they are having trouble selling….and that sweet Celeste look will have you marked out as a person of distinction for some time to come!

38. @Deakus

    BUT the price tells the story….the best bike in this case is the most expensive, if you cannot affor the £1800 one go for the £1500 one, if you cannot afford that then go for the £1200. Within the same make there is clear demarkation between models (they need to do that to justify the higher end models)

    My view on this is that you should bite the bullet and go for the one up on the one you think you can afford. In the long run £300 will be forgotten but you’ll have the bike for a while and you got to live with it. You may be able to get the bike shop to come down a bit or take the majority of the cash now and the last £300 next month. They’ll want to sell you the higher price bike and if you don’t ask you’ll never know.

    @Deakus

    After all that…can I ask what model Bianchi it was?….I would place less emphasis on what they do and don’t recommend, ride it and see, if it feels as good as the others buy the Bianchi, remember the LBS is a business and they could actually be trying to shift stock they are having trouble selling….and that sweet Celeste look will have you marked out as a person of distinction for some time to come!

    Not all of the lower end Bianchis are celeste. I’m not trying to shit on the entire brand, I’m sure the top end bikes are awesome but it suffers at the hands of people who think that the badge replaces their own ability with the entire history of Italian cycling regardless of the model. There’s a lot of really dirty, badly maintained examples out there owned by blokes who think it’s cool to own a road bike and doing the occasional circuit of the park on a sunny Sunday makes them a hardman. It’s the reason why ludicrously priced low end bikes end up on ebay.

39. LBS actually has 0% on bikes a the moment, the next trek dealer has 5% off, mmmmmmm. The bianchi was a via nirone I think the next one up was in red and white, didn’t come in Celeste.

40. @Chris

    @Deakus

    BUT the price tells the story….the best bike in this case is the most expensive, if you cannot affor the £1800 one go for the £1500 one, if you cannot afford that then go for the £1200. Within the same make there is clear demarkation between models (they need to do that to justify the higher end models)

    My view on this is that you should bite the bullet and go for the one up on the one you think you can afford. In the long run £300 will be forgotten but you’ll have the bike for a while and you got to live with it. You may be able to get the bike shop to come down a bit or take the majority of the cash now and the last £300 next month. They’ll want to sell you the higher price bike and if you don’t ask you’ll never know.

    @Deakus

    After all that…can I ask what model Bianchi it was?….I would place less emphasis on what they do and don’t recommend, ride it and see, if it feels as good as the others buy the Bianchi, remember the LBS is a business and they could actually be trying to shift stock they are having trouble selling….and that sweet Celeste look will have you marked out as a person of distinction for some time to come!

    Not all of the lower end Bianchis are celeste. I’m not trying to shit on the entire brand, I’m sure the top end bikes are awesome but it suffers at the hands of people who think that the badge replaces their own ability with the entire history of Italian cycling regardless of the model. There’s a lot of really dirty, badly maintained examples out there owned by blokes who think it’s cool to own a road bike and doing the occasional circuit of the park on a sunny Sunday makes them a hardman. It’s the reason why ludicrously priced low end bikes end up on ebay.

    It’s settled then…go for the 4.3 it is the best bike by a significant margin!  I would be surprised if the LBS did  not let you pay the balance on installments, they want the cashflow of the lump sum up front and they can easily slot another bike in place of the one they sell you…

41. @the-farmer, @Deakus get the Look or the 4.3 on zero percent – use your budget amount on as the deposit and then pay it of as quickly as you can to be free of the debt.

    I must stress that I am not a financial advisor and none of the above should be construed as sound financial advice.

42. @Deakus

    @Chris

    @Deakus

    BUT the price tells the story….the best bike in this case is the most expensive, if you cannot affor the £1800 one go for the £1500 one, if you cannot afford that then go for the £1200. Within the same make there is clear demarkation between models (they need to do that to justify the higher end models)

    My view on this is that you should bite the bullet and go for the one up on the one you think you can afford. In the long run £300 will be forgotten but you’ll have the bike for a while and you got to live with it. You may be able to get the bike shop to come down a bit or take the majority of the cash now and the last £300 next month. They’ll want to sell you the higher price bike and if you don’t ask you’ll never know.

    @Deakus

    After all that…can I ask what model Bianchi it was?….I would place less emphasis on what they do and don’t recommend, ride it and see, if it feels as good as the others buy the Bianchi, remember the LBS is a business and they could actually be trying to shift stock they are having trouble selling….and that sweet Celeste look will have you marked out as a person of distinction for some time to come!

    Not all of the lower end Bianchis are celeste. I’m not trying to shit on the entire brand, I’m sure the top end bikes are awesome but it suffers at the hands of people who think that the badge replaces their own ability with the entire history of Italian cycling regardless of the model. There’s a lot of really dirty, badly maintained examples out there owned by blokes who think it’s cool to own a road bike and doing the occasional circuit of the park on a sunny Sunday makes them a hardman. It’s the reason why ludicrously priced low end bikes end up on ebay.

    It’s settled then…go for the 4.3 it is the best bike by a significant margin! I would be surprised if the LBS did not let you pay the balance on installments, they want the cashflow of the lump sum up front and they can easily slot another bike in place of the one they sell you…

    Why just look at Trek. Bianccchi are great at the top end, but at  budget??? What aBout DeRosa?  There are many brands that most don’t recognize simply because they don’ t have international team sponsorship. Cube, Boardman, in Australia we have Malvern Star and Azzurri. These have high end specs for far less than the cost of low end Treks.

43. @the-farmer

    What’s the feelings on aluminium v carbon. Domane 2.3 with largely 105 is £1200, domane 4.0 with

    Largely tiagra is £1500 but the cool look 4.3 with 105 is £1800. Would the step up to the 4.0 be worth it?

    And yes I know. Started off lusting after a bianchi but LBS would sell me one but didn’t recommend it and trek seem like an ok bike and the local guy stocks them, he also stocks look but I don’t think so Tim!

    Take a sniff round a Ridley before laying down your hard earned subsidy money. You can even park your tractor outside the shop without paying in the case of the LBS I’m thinking of. Colon, hyphen, close brackets

44. @Chris

    @the-farmer, @Deakus get the Look or the 4.3 on zero percent – use your budget amount on as the deposit and then pay it of as quickly as you can to be free of the debt.

    I must stress that I am not a financial advisor and none of the above should be construed as sound financial advice.

    I should point out the Look that was just fantastic looking was £7K! Even on 0% it’s still a lot of money!

    Were talking about bikes here, sound advice doesn’t come into it .

45. I’m quite partial to remaining on the metal side of things when it comes to my road-biikes. I ride a somewhat aged Trek 1.2, now shod with a mix of Ultegra and old Dura-Ace, and I’m quite pleased with it. Post-graduation plans are either an all-Magnesium Segal (my family owns three already and they’re great frames), or a titanium steed, half-brushed half-painted with JPS Lotus accents – black and golden. The Segals in particular have that industrial look to them with the welding, the bracing and reinforcements all visible.

    On a somewhat different note, my other bike, the Felt, carried me to victory in a local TT this weekend. 22 Kilometres, out-and-back, all-out to the paincave. 34 minutes and 19 seconds of wasp-inhaling, front-hub-staring madness. Boom.

    

46. @DocBrian Good point, I thought the choice was constrained by the LBS.  Here is my starter for 10 on brands (not in any particular order of preference..all are decent brands to my mind..why not go for something different?

    Italian – Scapin, Wilier Trestina, Bianchi, De Rosa, Colnago, Kuota, Pinarello

    Germany – Cube, Ghost, Rose, Focus

    Spanish – Orbea

    USA – Specialized, Trek, Cannondale (all three mainstream, good but lacking that Je ne said quoi), Fuji, Independant Fabrication, Quintana Roo, Seven,

    Canadian – Cervelo, Argon 18

    Belgium – Ridley,  Merckx

    France – Look, Cyfac, Lapierre, Vitus

    Switzerland – BMC, Scott

    UK – Dolan, Orange, Raleigh, Condor

    Taiwan – Merida

    There that should make buying a little easier!…..the list is by no means exhaustive but I would suggest don’t buy the budget frame from anyone (not even Colnago) they are underselling quality by trading on the brand.  Go mid range and if you want to be a little different any of these would be fine…..(I am sure others will disagree)

47. @tessar

    I’m quite partial to remaining on the metal side of things when it comes to my road-biikes. I ride a somewhat aged Trek 1.2, now shod with a mix of Ultegra and old Dura-Ace, and I’m quite pleased with it. Post-graduation plans are either an all-Magnesium Segal (my family owns three already and they’re great frames), or a titanium steed, half-brushed half-painted with JPS Lotus accents – black and golden. The Segals in particular have that industrial look to them with the welding, the bracing and reinforcements all visible.

    On a somewhat different note, my other bike, the Felt, carried me to victory in a local TT this weekend. 22 Kilometres, out-and-back, all-out to the paincave. 34 minutes and 19 seconds of wasp-inhaling, front-hub-staring madness. Boom.

    

    Congratulations…oh yes I forgot FELT in my list…they from the US?

48. @the-farmer

    @Chris

    @the-farmer, @Deakus get the Look or the 4.3 on zero percent – use your budget amount on as the deposit and then pay it of as quickly as you can to be free of the debt.

    I must stress that I am not a financial advisor and none of the above should be construed as sound financial advice.

    I should point out the Look that was just fantastic looking was £7K! Even on 0% it’s still a lot of money!

    Were talking about bikes here, sound advice doesn’t come into it .

    There’s always the Museeuw’s to consider too

49. @the-farmer

    I would also jump belatedly on the Cannondale train here. If you’re a Velominatus Budgetatus, I think you’ll be hard-pressed to find better quality and value than something in the CAAD line.

50. @Deakus

    all three mainstream, good but lacking that Je ne said quoi)

    There’s only a certain amount of the old je ne sais quoi that come with a bike, after all even the most unenlightened is limited only by budget. My view is that the rest of it, the true patina of character, we add ourselves through the rides we share with the bike, in our devotion to it’s proper maintenance and it’s evolution from stock form to an extension of our own identity. As always, though, it’s a topic of differing views.  

    Good use of french, btw, reminds me of the great Derek Trotter:

    Del: One of my favourite French dishes is duck à l’orange. […] How do they say “duck” in French? 
    Rodney: It’s “canard”. 
    Del: You can say that again, bruv.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.