New road bike advice

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/bmc-team-machine-2017-105-worth-%C2%A32100/1319026164

Can anybody educated please provide their thoughts on this for me, does it appear good VFM?

The seller personally thinks that its a great deal!!

It's also the worst photograph of a bike I've ever seen

Overpriced I'd say, maybe others will chime in.

In this person's defence, the bike does look basically like new, so you can look up stock pictures to get a better idea of the bike (not that that excuses the lack of pictures of course). It seems to be this one: https://www.evanscycles.com/bmc-teammachine-slr02-105-2017-road-bike-EV273212, last sold for ~£1.6k. The 2016 version got good reviews, e.g. here: https://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-bmc-teammachine-slr02-105-50259/

Honestly, if it actually is in such a good condition with such little use, and there's proof of purchase as mentioned, and it is the 2017 version, I'd say it's not horribly overpriced at £950. That being said, I'd still say it should be a bit cheaper.

Thanks for that, I couldn't find the retail links for some reason

Yeah it doesn't appear a great discount. I think I've seen 2018 bikes of similar spec going for circa £1k brand new

cheers

On the other hand, EvansCycles is selling the 2018 version (the cheaper of the two!) for £1.9k: https://www.evanscycles.com/bmc-teammachine-slr02-two-2018-road-bike-EV302694, and personally I can't spot a massive upgrade? Basically, slightly different wheels and tyres, a computer / camera mount on the stem, and of course an updated frame.

So if you were a person looking at buying that bike new, getting the 2017 version with little use for <£1k is a pretty good deal.

I suppose a good discount and a good deal are quite different things

I'm unsure its good enough of either to tempt me away from what I actually want

Yeah if it isn't really what you're looking for, I wouldn't go for it - it's not 'a great deal' in the sense of that you'd be making out like a bandit.

I'll keep trying! thanks for your input

My thinking was based on what Hippy and others were saying earlier. 105 groupset, decent wheels, no BMC logo and a steel frame instead of carbon and you would get a brand new Ribble for similar price. I'm sure there are other options with carbon frame if that is your priority for a bit more. Second hand I'd be hoping to snag something with Ultegra and nice wheels that would offset the peace of mind buying new gives you around that £1000 price. I guess it is whether you are angling toward buying an above average spec bike as a bargain second hand (with the sometimes annoying side-effects that used-buying has) or a lower specced 1st hand.

Yeah, I think what speaks for this specific bike is that it really is pretty new and looks like it hasn't seen much use at all (which should be verified in person though), and with proof of purchase and it being a new model there shouldn't be as many unknowns as there are for other general 2nd hand buys.

However, I don't think it's quite fair to compare it to the Ribble bike quite like that. First of all, even that option is already £1.1k for a 105 bike, and secondly - rightly or wrongly, a carbon frame is perceived as a pretty big upgrade from a steel one.

So yeah, if you're just looking for a generally decent road bike, you can get something cheaper for sure and this isn't a fantastic opportunity. But if you're looking for a carbon frame bike in particular, things look a bit different. Though as I said, I would definitely try to haggle the price down a tad still.

True, I think you make good points about that one. 👍
I suppose you almost need to have a list of the things that are most-least important: steel/alu/carbon, gruppo, 2nd hand/1st hand, disc/caliper etc.

I'm open to both. I would rather buy new and spend a little more to get exactly what I want. If new, and for that money, I'd want something a bit louder than the Ribble, cheers for the suggestion though

If I can nick a good second hand deal great. I would expect a better deal than the BMC I just shared off Gumtree

if you're just looking for a generally decent road bike, you can get something cheaper for sure and this isn't a fantastic opportunity.

That pretty much sums it up. I won't pursue it, I'd rather spend more on even a second hand bike to get a better package

Good idea, however if I go by that list I'll end up with a Emonda ALR disc

Maybe January will be a good time to prowl Gumtree, ebay etc. for second hand Canyons

The seller said he'd let this go for £1500 which seems good value to me.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Bianchi-Aria-Disc-Shimano-105-2018-Aero-Road-Bike-55cm-Celeste-RRP-2750/283212138670?hash=item41f0c248ae:g:C1MAAOSwF2FbvfGN:rk:3:pf:0

Here it is new, and the cheapest I could find in my size.
https://winstanleysbikes.co.uk/bianchi-aria-aero-ultegra-disc-compact-2018-bike?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1_39--DP3gIVBOWaCh052Aj4EAkYASABEgLJUvD_BwE#bianchi-aria-aero-ultegra-disc-compact-2018-bike-celeste-black-frame-57cm

Is this a good deal? No Campag components, discs...

No Campag components

Not relevant really. But take the celeste out of the equation and you would not even consider it.

Campag was discredited earlier in this thread, so I was just going on that

Is it no good?

Does any body have an opinion on the current Vitus range?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/vitus-venon-cr-disc-road-bike-105-1/

I know nothing about disc brake standards and thru-axle options, but I’d like a new ‘4-season’ bike for training/commuting (mudguards & rear pannier).
Any bad points to this?:
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/FRVISB/viner-strada-bianca-carbon-adventure---gravel-frameset

I'm after a cheap-ish 'aero' carbon road bike with disc brakes. Based on a geometry comparison to my current whip (Kinesis Aithein), the Merlin Inferno seems like a pretty good match. Does anyone have any experience with Merlin-badged carbon frames? Can't see much about this particular model on the internet but others do seem to get complimentary write-ups

https://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-inferno-carbon-disc-road-frameset-123122.html

are they using aliexpress images with merlin logo photoshopped?!

Could be but I'm no potatochop expert.

Bike seems real enough: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sb03o_XvAhM

not a bad price if you want to avoid the hassle of importing and worrying about customer service I think ..

Triban Gravel RC 520 for £799.99
https://www.decathlon.at/triban-rc-520-gravel-id_8504030.html
FRAME
New Triban Evo frame made of aluminum 6061 T6, comfort geometry with adapted Sloping.
Weight: 1780 g in size M. Stable and versatile frame: possibility to attach the mudguard and luggage carrier. Compatible with up to 36 tires. The specially manufactured frame ensures high lateral stiffness and good absorption of vibrations. In addition, our even more easily accessible quick release system offers a high degree of rigidity.
FORK
New Triban-Evo fork with bars made of carbon and aluminum stock, 1 1/8 '' Aheadset. This fork combines comfort with low weight and precision.
The carbon has been redesigned to provide good lateral rigidity and filtering of frontal vibration.
Recesses for attaching a front porter.
Maximum load fork: 8 kg.
Eyelets on the wheel axle for attaching a mudguard.
Compatible with tires up to 36 mm.
BAR / STEM / HEADSET
Triban Gravel aluminum handlebar with 16 ° flare for excellent grip and outstanding comfort.
Handlebar width (center / center):
XS / S: 420 mm.
M / L: 440 mm.
XL: 460 mm.
Stem:
XS / S: 80 mm, M: 100 mm.
L: 110 mm.
XL: 120 mm
DRIVE / CIRCUIT
Shimano 105 R7000 shifter, Shimano 105 R7000
derailleur, Shimano 105 R7000
rear derailleur, 11-speed with long shift cage,
Total weight: 843 g
So-called Shadow switchgear for better protection when cruising. The rear derailleur remains underneath the cartridge and does not protrude beyond the seatstays, reducing the risk of tearing.
CRANK / CARTRIDGE
MICROSHIFT cassette CS-H110 11x 11/32
(11/12/13/14/15/17/19/21/24/28/32).
Compact Shimano RS 510 50x34 crankset. Length of crank to bike size: XS, S: 170 mm, M: 172.5 mm, L / XL: 175 mm.
BRAKES
Disc brakes TRP HY / RD, mechanical on hydraulic pistons. Reliable and efficient. 160 mm front and rear windscreen.
Anti-compression brake cable JAGWIRE for precise, effective braking.
Semi metallic brake pad TRP (version M515 / M525).
IMPELLERS
Wheels: Triban Tubeless Ready Light *
Aluminum 6106 T6.
ETRTO dimensions: 622 x 17 C.
24 mm high for more lateral rigidity.
Steel cross spokes for more rigidity (28 each in front and back). Gasketed Cartridge Bearings. Weight
per Pair (without cassette and without QR): 2,000 g

• Replacement Kit Not Supplied Required (Contents: two tubeless valves, two rim bands, and one bottle of puncture resistant fluid)
  TIRE
  Tires: Hutchinson Overide 35 Tubeless Ready
  350 g
  Skinwall Folding
  HardSkin reinforcement over the entire tire tread
  Resistant carcass: 66 TPI.
  Dimensions: 35c-622/700 × 35c
  Min. Pressure: 3 bar / 43 PSI
  Max. Pressure: 5.5 bar / 80 PSI
  Mountain pressure with hose: 4.5 bar at the front, 5 bar at the rear (75 kg driver)
  SADDLE / SEATPOST
  New saddle Triban ErgoFit. Hammock construction for more comfort. Triban seatpost made of aluminum. Simple saddle adjustment, diameter: 27.2 mm, length: 350 mm in size M / L / XL, 250 mm in size XS / S
  The natural flexibility of the seat post filters through its 27.2 mm diameter vibration and vibration for more comfort out
  PEDALS
  Incl. Flat pedalsWe recommend the use of flat or SPD pedals