Road bike recommendations

Depends on the brake too I guess

The new version of Xeon RS; Pro-SL has similar pricing.

Again. Normal.

I have trust issues with weather and roads in this country

Also normal. Solution - own winter/rain/hack preferably with weather protection of some kind.

And, that's a stupid place to keep small change.

Yes, but which one?

How do I tell which post you're referring to?

apologies, still geting used to it all

"One that fits. With a groupset you like the feel of.

In a colour you like.
^ this. And a warranty on the frameset and maybe a crash replacement scheme if you're into that kind of thing."

Sure...

The one that fits best. With the groupset you like best in the colour you like best

;-)

Have you done much riding already? Do you know what sort of fit you're after?

I had raceblades on my roadlite, they worked. Sort of. If you ever rode on muddy roads or road with salt on everything just clogs up. That's only with a 25c tyre on an open pro too - heaven forbid you use a wide rim.

Having full guards and proper clearances is the only way to winter.

apologies, still geting used to it all
"One that fits. With a groupset you like the feel of.
In a colour you like.
^ this. And a warranty on the frameset and maybe a crash replacement scheme if you're into that kind of thing."

Go to a good shop, get them to measure you up and ride a bunch of bikes, buy the one you like the best.

Failing that, there is always the lfgss way: listen to people on the internet who (mostly) haven't a clue, guess your sizing based on more internet advice, agonise over need for disc brakes and di2, order an expensive bike from abroad with mixed reviews of aftermarket support , receive bike, slam stem, don't ride it much, and report for duty in the "lower back pain" thread in 2 months time.

Sounds like the best plan, recommendations for good bike shops that do all that?

^^ brilliant.

Basically don't try an buy your "bike for life". Get something that'll see you through the next few years as you get into it.

^^ Swift, Mosquito, Condor, Bespoke, Action bikes, Brixton cycles, Sigma sport etc

Foffa

Bon Velo in Herne Hill and Micycle in Islington are also good independents. For chains: Cycle surgery are a bit better than Evans in my experience.

But they don't sell Cannondale

Jus' sayin

There are other bicycle manufacturers, Howard.

LIES

In seriousness though I've always found CycleSurgery's selection a bit forgettable - although the Yeti (ahem, MTB) framesets buried at the back of the original branch are much sexh

So do everything that Miro says, then buy a CAAD10 with 6870.

#fanboys have spoken.

That'd be a fine bike. A Caad8 if you can deal with the headtube – you can put guards on those, then make it the winter bike eventually.

I am a Cannondale fanboy, true - but what else is as good as the CAAD10 for the money?

Not including anything from Trek or Specialised, obviously.

Planet-X stuff is great value, but second hand values are around the same as a packet of Skittles, Rose is in the same boat as they're relatively unknown over here.

Bianchi is a joke, I guess Willier might do something, Genesis would be worth a look thinking about it but not sure what you get at that price point.

You could also try places like the Giant Store in St Pauls - huge range of bikes (from a single manufacturer obviously) to test ride and helpful/friendly staff.

I'd forgotten about Giant, good call.

I am a Cannondale fanboy, true - but what else is as good as the CAAD10 for the money?
Not including anything from Trek or Specialised, obviously.

Giant TCR advanced 2
Cervelo s2 105 2014 can be had for around 1500 too.

One of those Genesis Volares with Enve fork
Group set
Wheels
Finishing kit

Job done