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Help me decide

by kwells1979
Mon, Mar 02, 2015 11:05
7

I am looking into getting my first road bike. My budget is limited and being 6’4” also limits my availability. Looking to buy a £700 value bike for approx £500 by buying last season etc.

After much research, I have narrowed it down to the following:

Cube Peloton 2013 £499 (reduced from £749)
Link

Felt Z85 £599 (reduced from £949 supposedly)
Link

The Felt has Shimano 105 gearset (but still uses it’s own brakes) this is the only bike I’ve seen using 105 gears at this price. The seat, wheels and tyres are Felt’s own brand so I don’t know how that compares to the various makes that Cube use.

I like that the Cube has internal cables which makes it look nicer but which is the overall better bike? The Felt is slightly over budget but if the 105 and other details makes that much difference then I can stretch to it.

The bike will be used for fitness during the week and longer rides at weekends. Any help is appreciated.

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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7 comments

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wycombewheeler | 9 years ago
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"I like that the Cube has internal cables "

Look great, but are a real pain when you eventually need to change your gears. Getting the cables through the frame took as long as the rest of the set up for me.

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notaclimber | 9 years ago
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When you say narrowed it down, have you actually been to a local bike shop and ridden both?

I'm now buying a new bike, it would be cheaper to get it on the internet however just asking at the shop for wheel buy back got me 5% off the bike, just ask for a price match especially in this price bracket. The great thing about going to a local bike shop, talking about it with the staff has meant that my new bike is the correct size for me and has had bits changed FOC to fit me better, i.e. longer stem and wider bars. You wouldn't get this from an internet purchase, you would just get a bike that you had guessed on size. You'll find the shop may also recommend other frames which would suit you better.

The important thing though, once you go to your local bike shop, buy from them, never use their advice and then go and buy from somewhere else.

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dst | 9 years ago
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Just to add, have you seen the B'Twin?

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/alur-700-road-bike-id_8290145.html

Nearly complete 105 groupset (chainset and chain are B'Twin's own, cassette is Tiagra).

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Welsh boy | 9 years ago
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Which one do you prefer? There is no point buying a bike a total stranger recommends because "the rear mech is better" or some other random reason. Go for the bike that you prefer, the one that excites you and that you will want to ride in all weather. It is pointless having a bargain which you dont want to ride, you are better off having something you want to use. Both bikes look good, go with your preference, in a few years time you can start upgrading or even look for a new bike but for your first road bike both are excellent choices.

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kwells1979 replied to Welsh boy | 9 years ago
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Welsh boy wrote:

Which one do you prefer? There is no point buying a bike a total stranger recommends because "the rear mech is better" or some other random reason. Go for the bike that you prefer, the one that excites you and that you will want to ride in all weather. It is pointless having a bargain which you dont want to ride, you are better off having something you want to use. Both bikes look good, go with your preference, in a few years time you can start upgrading or even look for a new bike but for your first road bike both are excellent choices.

Great response, thank you. If you had said that one bike was a complete dog I may be influenced. But being a newbie I'm not sure I'll notice that much difference between the two.

I'm near to a cube dealer so am going there at the weekend to check sizing. Unfortunately not able to use the cycle to work scheme as I drive 60miles to work. I did wonder how theyd know if I used it for work but seems a bit dishonest.

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Bristol Bullet | 9 years ago
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It's a no-brainer, of the two the Felt wins hands down.

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allanj | 9 years ago
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The first question has to be whether you have access to a cycle to work scheme, which will undoubltedly make your budget go further?

Of your two choices, the 105 is a big step up from Sora, the Cube wheels are probably a little better but there's not much in it.

I assume you are looking to buy online so can't try the bikes- how far have you got with speaking to local shops about what they have in stock that you could try? Anything left over from last year at this stage should be worth some negotiation over.

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