Entry level road bike: B'Twin vs Merlin vs Mekk Pinerolo

mostly wrote:

I would get this 

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/323873/products/cannondale-caad8-claris-8-...

Great frame £399. Bargain. 

What he said. Classic frame - and you could gradually upgrade the groupset if you take to cycling.

Vejnemojnen wrote:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/verenti-technique-sora-2016/

 

the only retarded thing about this bike is the 11-28 cassette, which is annoyingly useless.

 

change it to a 13-26 or a 14-25. large jumps are making cycling a pita.

 

and you would never use the 11-12t anyway if you live on flatlands, on the slopes, just tuck in and lay along the top tube

 

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-hg50-9-speed-cassette/

Totally disagree with this. Had 11-28 on my compact and now semi-compact and wouldn't swap it for anything. Missus on it since last week too and loves it already.

Can do anything from climbing at high cadence to sprint training. Never once felt it was a PITA. Shifts are smooth all the way. Been using Ultegra and Dura Ace so not sure if that makes a difference.

OP, agree with the guys above. Go eBay and post the bikes here for evaluation of not sure. I spent £550 on the missus' entry level Sora Bianchi new and it was pants. Had to change everything on it. Finishing kit was nearly as expensive as the original bike. Frame must have been good as it rode sweet after new wheels, bars, post etc. The Sora is bad though. 

Sold after a few months, she outgrew it way faster than expected. 

eBay all the way. I'd get something with 105 around £500 quid, then if I outgrew it, keep it for the winter bike, or just flog off for nearly the same money. 

unconstituted wrote:

Vejnemojnen wrote:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/verenti-technique-sora-2016/

 

the only retarded thing about this bike is the 11-28 cassette, which is annoyingly useless.

 

change it to a 13-26 or a 14-25. large jumps are making cycling a pita.

 

and you would never use the 11-12t anyway if you live on flatlands, on the slopes, just tuck in and lay along the top tube

 

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-hg50-9-speed-cassette/

 

Totally disagree with this. Had 11-28 on my compact and now semi-compact and wouldn't swap it for anything. Missus on it since last week too and loves it already.

 

Can do anything from climbing at high cadence to sprint training. Never once felt it was a PITA. Shifts are smooth all the way. Been using Ultegra and Dura Ace so not sure if that makes a difference.

 

OP, agree with the guys above. Go eBay and post the bikes here for evaluation of not sure. I spent £550 on the missus' entry level Sora Bianchi new and it was pants. Had to change everything on it. Finishing kit was nearly as expensive as the original bike. Frame must have been good as it rode sweet after new wheels, bars, post etc. The Sora is bad though. 

 

Sold after a few months, she outgrew it way faster than expected. 

 

eBay all the way. I'd get something with 105 around £500 quid, then if I outgrew it, keep it for the winter bike, or just flog off for nearly the same money. 

how many sprockets does your cassette have?

A 11spd 11-28 is very different to that of a 9spd. 

the two extra cogs make the transition between gears smoother.

I always have a very unpleasant feeling when I have a good cadence, feel great pedalling, and when I switch gears, the next cog is 2teeth different, as opposed to 1.

For someone, who is not very strong with incredible power, two teeth jumps are actually noticeable and hindering.

Vejnemojnen wrote:

unconstituted wrote:

Vejnemojnen wrote:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/verenti-technique-sora-2016/

 

the only retarded thing about this bike is the 11-28 cassette, which is annoyingly useless.

 

change it to a 13-26 or a 14-25. large jumps are making cycling a pita.

 

and you would never use the 11-12t anyway if you live on flatlands, on the slopes, just tuck in and lay along the top tube

 

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-hg50-9-speed-cassette/

 

Totally disagree with this. Had 11-28 on my compact and now semi-compact and wouldn't swap it for anything. Missus on it since last week too and loves it already.

 

Can do anything from climbing at high cadence to sprint training. Never once felt it was a PITA. Shifts are smooth all the way. Been using Ultegra and Dura Ace so not sure if that makes a difference.

 

OP, agree with the guys above. Go eBay and post the bikes here for evaluation of not sure. I spent £550 on the missus' entry level Sora Bianchi new and it was pants. Had to change everything on it. Finishing kit was nearly as expensive as the original bike. Frame must have been good as it rode sweet after new wheels, bars, post etc. The Sora is bad though. 

 

Sold after a few months, she outgrew it way faster than expected. 

 

eBay all the way. I'd get something with 105 around £500 quid, then if I outgrew it, keep it for the winter bike, or just flog off for nearly the same money. 

 

how many sprockets does your cassette have?

 

A 11spd 11-28 is very different to that of a 9spd. 

the two extra cogs make the transition between gears smoother.

 

I always have a very unpleasant feeling when I have a good cadence, feel great pedalling, and when I switch gears, the next cog is 2teeth different, as opposed to 1.

 

For someone, who is not very strong with incredible power, two teeth jumps are actually noticeable and hindering.

Yeah there we go.. that's the difference. I'm on 11 speed. My bad.

Sora is definitely going to be 9 speed, and many others. Sorry, wasn't thinking!