Road bike recommendations

Why are all the current mid-price offerings using Claris and Tiagra? I thought 105 was the bog standard?

Is 105 now too 'cool' for basic road frames?

Dad really needs a new training bike, the (old) 54cm Caad9 is killing his back, and the 56cm Specialized Roubaix (Ultegra + nice-wheel) setup is supposed to be dry/race only. Needs to be neutral geo, alu at a minimum, ie similar geo to the Roubaix or have lots of steerer for stacking, he can't ride aggressive geo any more.

Struggling to find a fair priced setup, that looks worth the money. I refuse to suggest paying over a grand for a bike that isn't even 105. Older models is totally okay.

Ideally new, rather than used, preferably 11 but 10 speed is more than fine. We could swap out the old setup, but the frame-only price needs to be worth me doing all the hard work.

He's a bit old school; he knows Cannondale, Specialized, Shimano. He doesn't like scary words like SRAM or DT SWISS (as I found out on the wheel search).

ignore luggage mounts - bikepacking.

Not a bad shout actually.

Ah but I'd be using it for commuting too and would rather like a rack...

Any reason I shouldn't get a CAADX? Could use it for cross racing too...

cheers, of all my bikes, the one that gets used the most is my 2015 caadx tiagra 46/36, great do anything bike. sizes come up big though, so whereas I usually ride a 58, found 56 was just right.

Why are all the current mid-price offerings using Claris and Tiagra? I thought 105 was the bog standard?

105 is the bog standard of high end 11 speed groupset (105, Ultegra and Dura Ace share near identical design and function), the newer Tiagra 4700 is already a lots better than the old 105, so the Tiagra is now the mid-range groupset to go for.

The new Sora, again is a massive improvement over the old one, so again it's a better value, hell the Claris is better than the old Sora too, however despite sharing similar design to the older externally routed 105/Ultegra/etc. it felt a lots slopper and plasticky.

My recommendation is to look for a bike he like with the newer Tiagra groupset, functionally similar to the 11 speed brethren, but with 10 speed (much cheaper to service and last longer).

Struggling to find a fair priced setup, that looks worth the money. I refuse to suggest paying over a grand for a bike that isn't even 105. Older models is totally okay.

What about the Canyon Endurace with the new Tiagra? it got a great geometry that'll fit your dad well (very high stack with a short reach), reasonably light, threaded bottom bracket, and a lots less than a grand (£700)

Any reason I shouldn't get a CAADX? Could use it for cross racing too...

They're nice, but the way they're set up is pretty shit, you gonna want to spend a bit more sorting out the cable housing to get it to actually work great.

Thanks, I've just been reading bits online, and it seems like Tiagra isn't a dirty word any more. But I guess it's difficult to take the groupset seriously, and I wonder if there's an option with 105?

I'll have a look at the Canyon Endurance now. I don't mind doing the legwork for bikes, but if/when I'll need to purée his food.......

I am very impressed with Tiagra, I have build quite a far bit of them in the shop and can't really notice any difference in shifting compared to 105, the only main difference is obviously the 11 speed and probably the weight.

Another option is the Pinnacle Dolomite with full hydraulic disc brakes and decent geo for comfortable riding for a grand max (105 groupset too).

full hydraulic make it a lots easier to slow down and take a lots less effort, something your dad might appericated?

Can't find any Canyon stockists in the UK (bikesy doesn't even yield a result). Nice to hear that in the real world the Tiagra doesn't feel like cheese. The disc and hydraulic thing would be nice but is unnecessary - it's another thing to learn to fix when it goes wrong (and it will go wrong).

You buy it directly from the website, they don't do brick and mortar.

The Shimano hydraulic is fairly simple and less flaffing about, does he like to fix thing himself rather than let a reputable shop to do it?

We're talking old-school. He'll preferably buy from a shop, and have a shop do the work.

In reality, the best fixes/purchases have been from my asking you lot, and doing the work for him.

So, short answer I will be the one to do any fixing, and I'm not comfortable with hydraulics and discs.

I am biased, but Giant Defy Disc 1 for 999. Comes with 105 (except crank) Trp carbon spyres, will take 25mm and guards or 28mm without.

i'm comfortable on a 60cm supersix evo with 110mm stem and setback post. Wonder how the geometry compares.

there's a possibility i could get a frameset for a good discount and just buy bits over time then have it assembled. Wouldn't be riding it much til this winter anyway tbh.

Staying with Cannondale, 2015 Carbon Synapse with 105 for £1119 ?
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p5762/CANNONDALE-SYNAPSE-CARBON-105-6-2015

if you have the time, then you'll likely to have a good deal doing it that way.

Compare stack and reach with your 60cm Supersix, so you'll be sure about your sizing.

for £1k you could do a hell of a lot worse than this, if you're a 56

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Waterford-Precision-Cycles-R-33-Road-Bike-/162014276288?

I disagree (because steel). But someone needs to rescue that.

most likely going to "pull the trigger" in a few months. Which one would you choose and why? Leaning towards the cannondale as it looks coolest :-) ..and probably has the best frame.

anything else to consider? 105 + disc + around 1kg frame. Not an adventure bike as I already have my orlowski.

also digging the near level toptube of that dale. Going for some hhsrb vibes of course

(it may be quite clear that I have already made up my mind)

Saracen Avro?

A boat anchor shit quality alu, great alu and china carbon.

The comparison isnt fair.

I would get the china carbon in rim brake variant. Given you already have a road(ish) bike with disc brakes.