Road bike recommendations

Geometry is race-like, if it fit you, go for it, they're great frame, a colleague got the Swiss Cross canti, which look amazing.

Don't be so fast to dismiss it as a bad thing!

I work in branding lol.

I genuinely think Tom Ritchey is one of the few guys left in big cycling who actually cares and makes great products; thats what I mean by it not being any 'special' compared to swiss cross or the break away or their superlogic stuff.

Yeah I agree; £650 aint bad; that fork is one of the lightest and nicest on the market although personally I dont like the curve on it.

The question in this country for any road bike is can you put mudguards on it? If not then its a summer bike; then why steel?

I've ridden everything and carbon wins over everything for me. Sure with a Ritchey build you will get a lot of Tumblr action.

I genuinely think Tom Ritchey is one of the few guys left in big cycling who actually cares and makes great products; thats what I mean by it not being any 'special' compared to swiss cross or the break away or their superlogic stuff.

You should read this book, there's a little backstory on Tom, and it's pretty interesting.

Book still worth reading as well, it's amazing.

All, fair points Amey - I work in adland too (so naturally a sucker).

If I was to buy one it would be moving back to Aus with me where mudguards are less of an issue. And after just thinking about that for sec - a Ritchey hardtail P-650B would be pretty nice. Back to my home trails.

Dunno why I'm even looking, came home on Saturday sunburned, starving and smiling because I'd just smashed the old Caad round epping for a few hours and absolutely loved it - and that cost me ~£600 to build. Only slightly worried about the paper thin alu walls in a 10 y/o frame...

It's the swiss cross I was looking at first before realising I don't need one.

Care to update us on your contentedness with said bike? Been looking at the Zero range. I actually prefer the livery of the Zero 2, also 105 but with non-series chainset and brakes (possibly different wheels). Did you ride a Cube Agree?

I'm really pleased with it so far - was a little unsure about the look of the frame and fork but it has grown on me. Nice tube profiles and it just looks fast, basically.

In terms of the bike itself, I'm really pleased with it. Coming from a Reynolds 520 steel frame the acceleration is lightning fast but the frame retains a similar level of comfort. Bit of buzz from the road over rough surfaces but that might be bars and stem. It absolutely flies downhill and is really confidence inspiring. According to strava it's quicker upwards too, and I've clung on to the hard men from my club for 60 miles at 30kmph avg (v quick for me!) before the obligatory bonk and drop.

The wheels on the 3 are Racing 7 LG and it does have full 5800 (which is very good - the braking is approaching v-brake standard on my singlespeed). Basically the only downside is the saddle, which is shite.

I never got round to riding the Cube, just decided to go for this. There are so many options it just gets ridiculous... The only other carbon bikes I've ridden (over v short distances) are a supersix evo (which was balls out fast but too racy geo for me) and a Bianchi Infinito which was next level shit ( DA 7900 and C24s) but didn't feel all that different from the Zero.

Next year will bring either deep carbon wheels or lightweight alloys to make it complete....

Anyway, CSB hope that helps!

(which is very good - the braking is approaching v-brake standard on my singlespeed)

Put blue swissstop on it.

Yup was thinking of getting some of those or koolstops for my planned alps trip!

Buy blues and pack some spares (they don't last very long).

O rly? Might stick with Kool Stop black then, if swissstop are that much more expensive and don't last for a decent amount of time.

I need to see this bike in person soon.

...if swissstop are that much more expensive...

They're not too bad, £20 a set.

Why blue instead of green? My greens have lasted for ages, using with Open Pro ceramics.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/swissstop-flash-pro-green-alloy-rim-brake-pads/

Blue is great for stopping power, green is good for longevity but hard wearing mean the rims will suffer.

black is good for all round general tomfoolery and preserving rims wear.

(edited for clarification).

My greens have lasted for ages, using with Open Pro ceramics.

This is why - they're hard wearing and suitable for the task.

Ah right. SS website doesn't give much info re: difference other than green is "all weather" and blues might be slightly better in the wet, but with the ceramic rims the greens are perfect in all conditions, and haven't seemed to wear the rims at all.

SS website doesn't give any information at all (doesn't mentioned whether green pads is suitable for ceramic).

Dura Ace ceramic pads is another option, Kool-stop Green specifically claimed to work with ceramic and (AFAIK) the Mavic Exalith seemed to work pretty well with the ceramic coat despite the Exalith rims not being ceramic.

The greens are suitable for ceramics. Can't remember where I read it, but yep, no worries. They're for all alu and ceramic rims.

http://www.stradawheels.co.uk/product/swissstop-ghp2-brake-pads/

The SwissStop blue V-brake ones are also suitable.

oops.... wrong thread :-/

Shimano evy tme.

I find them a lots more predictable and last a hella longer, not as grabby but reliable.

Also, sorry but still can't see what the fuss is about with the Bowman. It's still a press fit BB, doesn't have internal cable routing option, is heavier than a CAAD10, is more expensive £650 vs £630 for the CAAD10 with a 10% discount at online shops. Also the graphics are awful. So more expensive, worse looking, heavier, with less features for a slightly higher price... Is it solely because it makes reference to London? CAAD10 with the Praxis conversion BB is £678 at Westbrook Cycles if you hate BB30.

doesn't have internal cable routing option.

Most people would see this as a big plus.

My main like about the Bowman is that it have a different fit compare to the more race-like CAAD10.

Cheers, Ed. Not heard a squeak out of the Spykes yet, but damn, do they wear out quickly!

#brakedragger

A plus to not have the option for upgrading *to electronic in the future? CAAD10 isn't internal only. You have the choice with the cable stops. Surely that's a plus?

58cm frames' stack / reach are nearly equal: 39.7 / 57.7 Bowman and 39.9 / 57.9 CAAD.

Meh. Individual's choice I guess. Just can't see the sense in it.