New Bike - Bianchi/Cube/Scott/Ribble?

caad10. lighter than carbon, 1150g frame 410g fork (verified)

fast fun comfortable, buy the 2011 or 2012 model for a whopping discount. job done.

or giant defy again in 2011 / 2012 trim.

buuuut test ride! i had 2.5k budget, test rode loads of stunning expensive bikes,

ended up paying £899 for the 2011 105 version, put all the bits i wanted on, sold the stuff i removed. its now 7.2kg

I do believe Mr Fortsermann might just be able to flex the frame

LOL.

Absolutely love the 'photoshop'.

Still won't be swayed that aero bikes are just for pros.

It will increase your speed by whatever statistic you believe and more. They corner better, and are noticeably easier to push into a block headwind of anything over a force 2.

Not forgetting, the cervelo S1 is well renowned for its stiffness. I think someone once said that you'd need the quads of a shire horse to get any flex out of it.

I'd like to see the quads of the man who thinks its not stiff.

"Raleigh" wrote:

Yep, in the same way that Anish Kapoor's orbit sculpture in the Olympic park is ugly

Doesn't really do it for me, although there is a touch of Moulton in there.

Now add a slightly overweight middle-aged man riding in a distinctly un-aerodynamic position and re-run the wind-tunnel tests

p.s. I have a Ribble Sportive Bianco and it's a very nice bike for the money.

Andrew, there's no harm in checking out stock in both shops.

Hope you find something you like... no, something you love riding

Yeah.

Go to an independent bike shop, ask loads of long and annoying questions expecting them to give full answers, try every bike they have in there and drink some of their coffee which the offer you. Proceed to buy the bike online.

(don't actually do this)

And upload a picture to the Pictures of your Bike thread

There are no duff bikes these days, we are truly spoilt for choice. I'd take reviews with a pinch of salt. As regards brands, it doesn't matter what I think, what he/she thinks and what Fred from Outer Mongolia thinks. Here's what to do:

1. Visit some shops, have a look at a variety of makes & models.

2. Buy the one that fits you, and that you like best (ideally from a shop that also provides good customer service).

3. Ride your new bike with a big smile on your face, then log on and tell us about it - more than once if you're so inclined

Oh, and to get rid of road buzz, you could double up your bar tape.

Just because the pro's use full carbon, does it mean its makes a normal cyclist ride like them? Its the same as going out and buying pro kit......

This is awesome nonsense, I love it!

But there's logic in going for alu if you're buying new at your price point. If you're going second hand though... the world is your oyster. You'll get a very decent carbon frame with at least ultegra and a decent set of wheels for the mid/top end of your budget.

What size are you after? I'm selling a Condor Baracchi at the moment, 58cm.

Well AJ I have a Ribble New Sportive Racing and I've had her just over a year now and is my first road bike. I've probably done almost 1500 miles on her with a good mix of short 30 odd mile rides to longer 90 odd mile ones in both dry and wet conditions and I love it to a point!

I like the bike on the longer rides thanks to the slightly taller head tube giving you that little bit of comfort over more race orientated frames and it's a pretty decent climber with a compact group set on it. However my only gripe is on rough roads you can get a fair bit of road buzz through the frame (could be my tyres and/or pressures).

I have a full Campag Veloce group set on her plus Campag Khamsin wheels as these looked the best on a couple of other bikes I test rode before deciding on the Ribble since it was great value for money at my price range. I found similarly priced alu bikes from my two LBS's were pretty awful as you got a lot of road buzz through the frame regardless of the condition of the road.

I'd highly recommend it over a cheaper alu frame but I can totally see where a good high end alu frame would have it's merits over a lower grade carbon frame.

If you can get to test ride any of the ones your considering then I think that will help make up your mind as it will come down to how the bike feels for you rather than someone else's opinion as it's based on their experience of it.

I'm sure the S1 is a good frame, but it's pretty ugly isn't it? Plus, I don't think an aero frame makes a blind bit of difference to the average amateur rider.

The OP mentions 'tours', so I'm guessing he wants something that can take a rack and panniers. What about a steel Condor Fratello? Could be specced with SRAM Apex, rack and mudguards for around £1400, then maybe purchase a lighter set of wheels for faster rides.

http://www.totalcycling.com/a-z/frames_road/frames_cervelo/FR_CERVELO_S1...

Correct.

You have to buy it from an alternative dealer.

Elmy cycles of Ipswich do a deal, as do totalcycling.com and tri store.

I can vouch for the Via Nirone
Had mine just over a year now and still brings a smile to my face
Replaced the Vittoro's with Gators - the only thing that ive read about is other owners replacing the Mach 1 rims as they claim they are too heavy!!
I dunno - i can't really complain (they seem ok to me)
I also had the Campag geared model (my dad taught me well!!)
The geo could be so different to what you are used to though - try one first
They are also a beautiful looking bike!!
Good luck

For once, I agree in part with Raleigh. Go for top end aluminium over cheap carbon, Something with carbon forks. I don't like carbon stays though.

I have 9 upright bikes. None of which are all carbon, I believe the value is in the top alu with carbon forks.

Just because the pro's use full carbon, does it mean its makes a normal cyclist ride like them? Its the same as going out and buying pro kit......

Oh yep, Canyon Ultimate AL.

Best value ones are with force or Ui2.

What fun you'll have trawling the internet.

Before you realise that there is only one bike you need/want.

S1

Or buy a Stealth

Or a Sportive Bianco

Or a Grand Fondo

Choose between the Big Three, but if you want something classy, go for Campag (as I did)

My R872 (as the Stealth is now called) was faultless on the Exmouth Exodus - climbs and descends beautifully.

Or if you want to go high tech, Canyon are doing their excellent AL9 with Ultegra Di2 for around £1500

CERVELO CERVELO CERVELO

Why get rubbbbish carbon when you can get pro grade aluminium?

The S1 was used up until 2004 in the Pro Peleton, winning races like Paris Nice and Liege, whilst also being ridden over cobbles.

Frame - 799.99
Groupset - Sram starting from 350 off ribble
Wheels - Palnet X carbon R50's from 349.99
Finishing kit - 3T Arx Pro, Ergonova pro and Fizik Arione widely available for c. 120
Tyres - Schwalbe Ultremos starting from 20

Do it.

The slight weight penalty of the Aluminium will more than be made up for by the MASSIVE aerodynamic benefits.

Its THE cheapest way to get a bike properly developed in a wind tunnel and subsequently used by the pros.

Don't listen to what people say about comfort, tyre pressure, bar tape, saddle choice and short preference can make any bike much more comfortable.

Don't be blinded by carbon fibre, sure its great, but the Alu used in the Cervelo is a lot different to the stuff used in cheaper frames, this is the smartwall, true aero BIZ.

Also, the satisfaction of building your own bike is unmatched by anything else.

All aero bikes, Alu. and CF call the S1 'The Daddy.'

Bite the bullet.