2016 bikes

Just bear in mind that the 11 speed doesn't last as long as even 10 speed, so take that in account with commuting.

I'd go fixed.

Have you tried the Kinesis on your commuting route? Rock hard ride, I had to sell mine, was no fun. I've had the Ribble 7005 Audax, much more comfortable.

#tyrepressure

Was running 25s @ 90psi on the Kinesis, 23s @ 100psi on the Ribble, still a better ride. Kinesis just so stiff, basically crit/race bike with mudguards.

I'd go fixed.

Bikeradar >>>>>>>>

This sounds like rubbish Ed.
If you clean stuff and replace your chain often enough it all last ages.

Plus you're sharing the workload over one extra gear so it'll last longer.

(11/10 x 100)% longer.

#science.

As a rough guide, how often should chains be replaced on geared bikes? And how many chains do you go through before replacing a cassette, again, rough guide? I have a chain-checker but wanted to know if it's worth replacing every XXXkm or so.

Actually scrap that.

I just realised the gaps between the sprockets will be narrower than 10 speed. So these will wear quickly.
11 speed cassette gaps might be pricey.

#advancedscience

That's if you use all 11 evenly.

much better to use the Chain checker.

I have put loads of km's on my current Chain. But the previous Chain lasted less than half as long as it was used over spring. Wet gravelled roads destroyed it*.

(*wears the bum of my bib shorts too)

It is your money .. combining bikes is a never a great idea. If you really really want something like that then I'd get something custom steel, mmmmaybe with discs if you go with an experienced builder with a bike that can take 32c with mudguards and 38/40c without so in summer just get rid of mudguards and put some supple tyres. Marathon supreme for winter and something from Compass tyres for summer. I'd put R685 flat mount brakes, whiskey fork (for mudguard eyelet), 6800 mechs, cranks and cassette.

Hmm, Di2 maybe not the way forward then. I've always had trouble with the 105 this bike came with. Gear cables always snapping within the brifter and shifting's never been perfect, it's either fine up or fine down, with reluctance to shift the other way. That's with perfectly fresh new cable inners and outers and fresh new cassette and chain.

I don't think I'd mind the extra stiffness of the Kinesis, but admittedly have never tried one.

@amey I've already got a combined bike, I guess. I don't really see it as an issue. I want essentially what I already have, an all-weather bike that can be used for commuting, touring and day rides but a bit fancier and with disc brakes and better, more reliable gears. If that doesn't mean Di2 then so be it, but I'm not really looking for an excuse to turn one bike into three. I can't afford it, I don't have the space and the only bike I'd be able to use enough to justify buying would be the commuter. So it may as well do everything else as well.

Custom steel sounds nice, but I can see it being significantly pricier than the Kinesis, with a longer wait too...

I generally don't bother with really wide tyres, 25c all year round seems to do the trick, but maybe I'm missing out?

Would you go for new Ultegra over new 105? What's the benefit?

Also rose bikes and mason bikes and canyon inflite etc

You're talking about an older version of the 105 groupset though, right?

Yeah, I've got the previous version.

Park Tool chain wear indicator a good way of making sure you replace it before it wear out the drivetrain.

Hmm, Di2 maybe not the way forward then. I've always had trouble with the 105 this bike came with. Gear cables always snapping within the brifter and shifting's never been perfect, it's either fine up or fine down, with reluctance to shift the other way. That's with perfectly fresh new cable inners and outers and fresh new cassette and chain.

105 shifter are normally great, it simply sound like it need a proper look at to get it to work 100%.

If you clean stuff and replace your chain often enough it all last ages.

That's what I mean, the chain wear out noticably quicker than the 10 speed.

I've replaced the chains five time this years on the 11 speed bike (twice on 10 speed, and 8 speed every 1.5-2 years)*, in the end I gave up and just let it wear out and replace when necessary as ironically it's cheaper to just replace chain/cassette once/twice a years than chains.

*all have similar mileage.

192cm (6' 3") here and looking for about same thing, I've been searching for info about new road bikes with disc brakes and big sizes for a reasonable price and my candidates are:

1- Kinesis Racelight 4S Disc 63cm (aluminum) About 890€ (£650) and 2,1kg (4,6lbs) for the frameset. Some internal cable routing and Di2 ready
2- CONDOR Fratello Disc 64cm (Columbus Spirit) 1020€ (£750) and 2,5kg (5,5lbs) for the frameset. External cable routing.
3- Soma Saga Disc 62cm (CrMo) 560€ (£415) but 3kg (6,6lbs) for the frameset. External cable routing.
4- Basso Ulisse 60cm (CrMo) 1530€ (£1125) and 2,4kg (5,3lbs) for the frameset. External cable routing, third cage, 1" headset.

Dom Mason told me by email that they don't offer a 62cm size now for their Definition Frameset (internal cable routing, aluminium, about 2,2kg and 1200€) but maybe if there where more people interested they will make a batch past christmas

I did the exact same bike 3 years ago because of the same reasons .. lack of space. I didnt enjoy riding it for several reasons (geometry wasnt one). I did a few more combine all bikes with different approach, still didnt work. You need to strike a good balance with given space and money hence going mechanical instead of Di2 and spending that money on a decent frame makes more sense to me.

Regarding wide tyres, if you are a skeptic maybe 28c with guards 32c without. I have everything between 25c and 42c; I ride 25c bikes for about 20% of whole year, the rest is 35 or 42c. You need to try a wider tyre to see the difference.

Regarding 5800 vs 6800; the money difference isnt massive but the gains in build quality is. You wont see that happen much between 6800 and 9000 where money substantially increases but the gains dont. Buy everything from Germany its way cheaper.

Depends.

I probably go through 3 a year on my main bike.
In summer I will run a semi-expensive chain, but will run cheapo £10 chains in the winter and change more often, as eventually they just become a total arsehole to clean.

Kinda agree with @amey, very difficult to find one bike to do everything. I have only one bike, it does me for commuting, long weekend rides, and a bit of gravel/light off road. If you are not planning on racing I would go for a wider tyre, 30/32mm is excellent for just about everything. I wouldn't limit yourself to 25mm, best thing to do would be go and test a shed load of bikes, see what you like and go from there.

Let's not forget the Genesis equilibrium disc at £550 rrp. Reynolds 725 and a carbon fork. Cheaper, better and nicer looking than the kinesis =]