Bike advice

Have a look at Canyon - really great bikes, not just for the money, but great bikes full stop. Will be getting cheaper and cheaper as the Euro tumbles too.

I love my second hand Planet-X. Not very glamorous, but fast, light, stiff and responsive.

I really like the look of the Cube Peloton SL for my first foray into road biking. Spec looks decent. Would this be a good choice?

dave isright about the wheel side, you can trim kilos off a bike with the right wheels, for instance fsa vision trimax (£250 planet x 1500g) schwalbe ultremo tyres (180g each Around £20 each)

300 quid that would probably knock 1.5kg off the whole bike weight (it did for my bike)

I'm sticking with my secteur comp recommendation. Can beat a lifetime frame warranty

Only buy Ribble if you like the Fawlty Towers approach to customer service.

Ribble are doing a deal on a 105 specced New Carbon Sportive for £999.

Cycling weekly voted it one of the best bikes of 2012 & must be worth a shout. I have the old sportive racer specced to Ultegra groupset & love it.

Oh Dave - how could you not big up the Jamis Quest?

I might be tempted by the Ribble Sportive Bianco, if I wasn't so besotted with the Stealth...

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/assets/images/SportiveBianco_Review.pdf

I have just bought a Condor Fratello. Mine is set up as a tourer/commuter, with SRAM Apex, 32-spoke wheels, rack, mudguards and 28 mm Gatorskins, but it still feels plenty fast when unloaded. The frame is great, stiff and compares very well to my Carbon Ribble Sportive Bianco. I spent last week on the Isle of WIght with panniers on and have been commuting in London this week.

If you can get to Condor (when they aren't busy) they'll sort you out with a bike fit etc.

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Where can you get this? At present the 105 genesis is 1300

winstanleys had it listed as £1040 but i see they don't actually have any in stock. seems to be £1169 at http://www.southwatercycles.com/ and £1,299 most other places. they don't tend to be heavily discounted because genesis don't make a huge number and they sell pretty well, for obvious reasons

Go with your heart - if you love the bike then you are much more likely to go out on it.

The 105 shifters look nicer because both cables are routed under the bar tape.

I swapped a hybrid for a steel Condor Fratello and was amazed by the difference - there is no way that the Genesis will feel slow and heavy in comparison to your hybrid. Find yourself a good LBS that is prepared to spend time working out the best gear ratios, frame size, crank and stem lengths for you. The chain stores often won't have the time or expertise to do this with you.

+1 to the advice about using 105 over Tiagra - the frame will last you forever so if you ever decide to upgrade the groupset you'll be able to do it bit by bit if you start out with a 105.

+1 for the advice about getting the best wheels and tyres you can afford. Manufacturers often spec bikes with cheap wheels and tyres that puncture easily to keep the price down and margins high. A good LBS or online dealer will allow you to spec these components for yourself so that you don't waste money on kit that you don't want.

Whatever you get I hope you enjoy the new bike.

About 3 years ago I changed my commuter from Sora to Ultegra STI and the difference was dramatic. That's a big jump in spec and to be fair the soras were just as reliable, but they felt like sponges in comparison.

If you haven't used STI levers before then Tiagra will feel great, I'm sure.

I know that Specialised concept store do a trial scheme where you can 'rent' a bike for a week for £100 and then that comes off the price... might be worth a drive to take one for a spin.

It will be hard to pull off but riding both bikes is really the only way you're going to solve this one!

You might want to check out the delivery time on the Equilibrium. I ordered one in April last year and had a three month wait for it

That aside, it is a lovely bike. Fast and comfortable. Last years model came with full 105 which I don't believe is the case with this year's.

It weighs in around 10Kg which I wouldn't say was "too heavy" unless you are looking to climb some BIG hills. Also on that front... last years model came with a 25t which can be a struggle on the steeper hills, although I think they've changed it for a 28t now.

Steel is real!

Yes, 105 Ultegra and Dura ace all kinda fit together in one group with more or less interchangeable 10sp transmissions levers etc. You give yourself a lot more options in the future with 105 over Tiagra, and actually, it's just better. Shimano kit does actually get better as you go up, it's not imagination - it works better, lasts longer and is lighter. This BS about 'being the same' is sales talk, they want you to buy the bike on the day.

Daves advice re Equilibrium seems good, I have a 'better' carbon bike but find myself choosing my steel bike 9 times out of 10 purely because I love the look and feel of it - there is value in the aesthetic experience and if something looks right to you there's a reason for it! Either roubaix or Eq would make a great first bike and will feel very fast after a hybrid, but a Eq with a set of RS80s or similar on it will AMAZE you at it's speed, comfort and poise...

Agree with the above on the 105.

Here is what you could look at leaving a bit for some extra kit
http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/detail/12secteur/secteur/

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The salesmen was telling me its purely in weight of components

naughty salesman. 105 is the cheapest of shimano's groupsets to use essentially the same lever design and mechanicals as dura ace, albeit in a much heavier build. Tiagra is entirely different internally

The Equilibrium is one of the most comfortable bikes I've ever ridden, and it handles beautifully. you can get the 105 version for £400 less than a Tiagra Roubaix, leaving you with £400 to buy some nice lightweight wheels which will make *much* more difference than a an extra half kilo of material in the frame

Ok I will openly admit to being strongly Spesh biased.

Have you checked for any Concept Stores near you as they run a test fleet usually?

Also, if you are unsure of carbon, then what about the Alu Secteur. A good friend of mine has one. He loves it and was responsible for encouraging me to give the brand a try.

Sorry to hear about the health issues and hope you get plenty of good rides on the new bike, whatever it is.

I see you are deliberating between 2 very different bikes, and I see you have limitations within yourself which will help govern your choice. I can tell you that a well set up Roubaix, with a triple chainring will beat HANDS DOWN the Genesis on climbing, comfort, handling, pretty much EVERYTHING. However, the one thing to consider is- Would you park a carbon fiber, 17lbs bike up against a lamp post and do your shopping? NO! So utility wise, you need a beater, climbing, choose an ergonomically correct, lightweight, vibration dampening wonder...and Good luck !

I can understand why you don't like the look of the Roubaix. IMHO it's a particularly ugly bike, but there are better looking carbon bikes!

I wouldn't get too hung up on frame material, just test ride as many bikes as you can and find one that fits you and is comfortable. Then take into account aesthetics. Bike choice is a very personal thing, what suits one person won't suit another.