Road bike recommendations

I have a Zero 3 and think it's brilliant. Had a great time in the Alps with it, good climber and fun on my first proper balls out descents. Just want to get some new wheels, and the seatpost / saddle were awful so they went pretty much immediately.

Nice bikes are Genesis, but I would say that, owning an Equilibrium as well...:)

My winter bike is custom ti. Hand brushed finish. So most scratches buff out with a brilo pad. I only went custom because I wanted a fatbike with specific handling.

For summer nothing beats carbon for me. Plus as I fit nicely on several OTP framesets (not most though tbh). I wouldn't spend out for custom.

Depends on whether you want longevity and winter use. And whether you feel you need custom features I guess.

I'm forever dropping shit on my toptube. Multitools etc. The ti doesn't show this. The carbon has a handful of paint chips and scratches. I should just leave my turbo trainer bike thong in place.

Lol chill out mate. I've never spent 4k in one whack.

Rubbish. You could easily get a full build for 4k.

Awesome! Glad to hear you've been enjoying it.

I am a former Equilibrium owner too (former due to massive crash rather than conscious decision to part), so maybe I am biaised as well, but test riding the Zero put a smile on my face in the way the others I looked at just didn't.

For instance Synapse was perfect on paper but just didn't do it for me and I came away feeling like I wanted to want it whereas I fell properly for the Zero. But that is totally a weird personal reaction and I know that the 'Dale is a wonderful bike.

Seriously - the specialised is probably a decent shout.

There's a lot of snobbishness on this forum about big name bike manufacturers - but all of their top line bikes are bloody great.
I've ridden and owned my fair share of bikes and the best I've ridden are, in this order:

1) cervelo r5 (currently owned) - r3 is also a good option if you don't want to drop all that on a frame. Just a perfect bike- stiff, comfortable, light with great handling.

2) Specialised s-works tarmac. Maybe a bit boring, but bloody amazing to ride - just does everything you ask it to.

3) Bmc team machine. Stunning ride quality, beautiful finishing - but not as light or sriff as the other two.

Other great bikes - Felt f1, cannondale super six evo, and the top line Madones.

Plus one for 'big brand' bikes; I love my Madone.

Cervelo R3/5 or Tarmac will probably get my vote from Dan's list as I don't see the current madone to be an all round bike since they drunk the aero kool aid.

Also Supersix evo. And my personal fav Domane koppenberg.

I really like the supersix evo... Then I look at the bloody massive ugly seat stays, and then look at the seat stays on my r5...

It's worth mentioning also that every single aero bike (with the exception of a TCR advance - but not sure how aero they actually are) I have ridden or owned has handled like a pig and/or been really uncomfortable. They're also noisy.

One of the worst bikes I've ever ridden was the 2013 cervelo s5. Awful thing. Fast as hell, but was like riding a gate. The s2 I owned for a year or so was really fast, stiff and I loved it, but it did beat you up.

You need to have a go on my madone and I want to have a go on your R5 ;)

Also the non aero bikes mentioned here are refined over years with pro team feedback etc; They haven't changed much and stood the test of time so there must be something good about them.

Also Focus Izalco Max.
And another exciting thing is SRAM wireless.

I'd buy one of these*. Love my disc variant. Good geo and rides nice.

Then spend the spare cash on zipp 303 clinchers.

http://www.swiftcycles.co.uk/6971/products/2016-focus-cayo-ultegra-di2-road-bike.aspx

2015 even cheaper and same bike. http://www.swiftcycles.co.uk/1560/products/2015-focus-cayo-2-0-road-bike.aspx

*if he doesn't want titanium, which I'd do first.

I am loving my carbon synapse w disc brakes.

I would look totally lolz on your madone!

My felt AR1 handles amazingly on descents, is stiff as on climbs, and is of course fast on the flat. It's pretty comfortable too, in terms of absorbing road buzz. Not outstanding on broken surfaces though. Fine for me. But that's were a more traditional road bike wins out. I still right off the newer aero road bikes.

My mate moved to a timemachine from a grandfondo. Loves it, doesn't find it uncomfortable at all.

Tarmac, Super 6, team machine, F series felt, r series cervelo, gallium pro.......

Lots of nice bikes if you just want a nice balance.

The more 'traditional' (i.e - not aero) top end bikes really float over stuff, and have some spring in them. Whereas, IME aero bikes are a bit 'dead' and feel like you're riding through stuff, rather than over it.

I rode a timemachine once - was basically a TT bike with drop bars. Didn't really like it, but.. horses for courses. I don't race road bikes, only track - so I just want something that handles well and is fun to ride.

I think there's some truth in that.
I'd still replace my felt with another aero road bike if it died though. Seems to suit me. So long as the front end isn't compromised in the pursuit of aeros.

No point being aero, if you don't have the confidence to ride super tight in a group, avioding shit on the road, that you spot at the very last second. Without taking every one out.

No point being aero, if you don't have the confidence to ride super tight in a group, avioding shit on thermal you spot another very last second. Without taking every one out.

Quite.

I think.

Silly keyboard.

Hello - would like a recommendation that has nothing to do with £4k budgets or aeros. My dad's looking for a new road bike that he can do some touring on. Basically, I think he wants something between the Genesis Equilibrium and the Croix de Fer: i.e. good quality steel, rim brakes but with necessary braze-ons and mounting points for guards and racks. Looking for something light and fun enough to enjoy riding unloaded, but that will be sturdy enough to tour on. Something with a bit more craft and quality - and less weight - than Kaffenback/Surly etc but we're not talking a custom budget here, maybe £1.5k max, ideally less. Thinking of the Condor Fratello, any other suggestions? Cheers

Equilibrium looks like it'll do the job .. not light; almost 2kg for frame only.
Otherwise 900euro-ish Rychtarski of Spirit, Max mix with Columbus Hiver forks.

You're not really going to get a touring bike under 10kg

Thanks for this - light enough to be enjoyable to ride I think, but Equilibrium isn't well equipped with useful braze-ons and tabs. Would prefer something with more versatility in this regard - i.e. actually having mudguard and rack mounts... Rychtarski is an interesting idea, but I think my dad is probably too traditional and will want to be able to go and try the frame out before buying...

Depends on your understanding of a touring bike, but I don't see why you can't get a steel frame with necessary contact points to weigh less than 10kg? You could always swap wheels/fork in and out depending on usage to cover both requirements?

He can try Equilibrium and then get it built with added braze ons and lighter tubing?
Or add braze ons to Equilibrium.