£1200 Road bike - should it be fully carbon?

I like the idea about my bike getting sun screen when i can't be arsed to buy it for own skin... ;)

More fool you then:

don't genesis do a reasonable budget steel road bike?

or have a bob jackson built at cavendish?

don't genesis do a reasonable budget steel road bike?

or have a bob jackson built at cavendish?

they did an 853 road bike (dunno if it is available this year) it's horrible. dull to ride, and the supposed qualities of steel were not evident, something not quite right with the geometry. to me it felt a bit twitchy at speed but ponderous through the slower turns. something didn't add up with the rake/trail and the rest of the angles. the alloy bike (Aether?) was totally different, did a fast 75miles on one and could have happily ridden it all day.
using an expensive tubeset doesn't always guarantee a good riding/handling frame.

@ sparky,

got a soma smoothie from Mosquito about two years ago, steel frame with a carbon fork, but pretty sure they could source you a steel fork, or you could source one yourself if its that important to you. I was considering getting a pegoretti from mosquito, one of the condor's or a de rosa from brixton cycles.

ultimately you might be better (read cheaper) getting something off the peg from one of the british framebuilders, that will be mentioned anytime someone thinks of getting a steel frame.

You have to get something carbon for that kind of money!

http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/acatalog/C18_Offer_SL_Pro_Carbon_-_Medium.html

or A full dura ace one for a couple hundred more.

http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/acatalog/SL_Pro_Carbon_7900_DA_Wheelset.html

Planet X sloping top tubes are ugly :p

I have the same dilemma at the moment, road bike for £1200.

I think the problem with OTP is that the finishing kits seem a bit crap, I know I will end up spending £300 on Ultremo Rs, Thomson seatpost, Fizik Arione saddle, Deda Zero 100 stem and Newton Shallows.

Although the Condors are a bit overpriced for Deda tubing, I think at least the finishing kit can be swapped out for a reasonable price in the shop?

Is it just me, or is there nothing exciting on the market at the moment? Was chuffed when I found out I had Cyclescheme, now feeling a bit... meh.

they did an 853 road bike (dunno if it is available this year) it's horrible. dull to ride, and the supposed qualities of steel were not evident, something not quite right with the geometry. to me it felt a bit twitchy at speed but ponderous through the slower turns. something didn't add up with the rake/trail and the rest of the angles. the alloy bike (Aether?) was totally different, did a fast 75miles on one and could have happily ridden it all day.
using an expensive tubeset doesn't always guarantee a good riding/handling frame.

aha. i know one existed, had never ridden it tho. couldnt find it on the site so i guess thyey must have discontinued it.

Is it just me, or is there nothing exciting on the market at the moment? Was chuffed when I found out I had Cyclescheme, now feeling a bit... meh.

Simple answer is that Cyclescheme shouldn't be limited to £1,000. It's all a bit dull ('meh' if you will) below £3k...

I'd agree with you there. Have had a few carbon frames but as a big guy found that they were rather flimsy underneath me. I have always been a lover of aluminium or even the traditional Reynolds steel frames: they just seem to feel far sturdier. In addition, I am a bit of a parts lover so would always try and build up a bike with top notch spec and a slightly cheaper aluminium frame. Just my thoughts on the whole carbon fibre v aluminium frame dilema!!

What are the BMC Streetfires like? My current Cycle Scheme bike is all paid off and mine now and I desperately want a haf-decent road bike. The 5k bling machine is gonna have to wait a while for now.

there are interesting bikes out there you just have to search for them. there are quite a few Italian framebuilders out there. olmo and tommasini along with a few others still build quality steel frames. 1k is a bit limiting though:-)

[quote=C2;807073]Planet X sloping top tubes are ugly :p

maybe ugly but super value , very comfortable and a smother ride than alu ......

i would vote planet x anyday :)

1k is a bit limiting though:-)

Tell me about it! Putney Cycles let me use the full Cycle Scheme 'allowance' and pay cash for anything I wanted that went over the grand. I imagine other shops in London wouldn't have an issue doing the same so at least that gives me a few more options.

I know this is an annoying 'how long is a piece of string' question but sort of money would get me a decent first road bike that would keep me satisfied for a year or two. You know - something to learn the ropes on? £1.5k do it?

Ride quality compared to steel fixed can only get better right? :D

Tell me about it! Putney Cycles let me use the full Cycle Scheme 'allowance' and pay cash for anything I wanted that went over the grand. I imagine other shops in London wouldn't have an issue doing the same so at least that gives me a few more options.

I know this is an annoying 'how long is a piece of string' question but sort of money would get me a decent first road bike that would keep me satisfied for a year or two. You know - something to learn the ropes on? £1.5k do it?

Wilier Mortirolo

Tell me about it! Putney Cycles let me use the full Cycle Scheme 'allowance' and pay cash for anything I wanted that went over the grand. I imagine other shops in London wouldn't have an issue doing the same so at least that gives me a few more options.

I know this is an annoying 'how long is a piece of string' question but sort of money would get me a decent first road bike that would keep me satisfied for a year or two. You know - something to learn the ropes on? £1.5k do it?

Try spending £1.5k on the ribble bike builder, with the racing sportive frame, as a base. Should be able to put something nice together.
The one I've put together in case of an unsuspecting lottery win consists of:
Racing Sportive frame + forks
Campag 11 speed Chorus Groupset
Campag Neutron wheels
(mountain climbing set-up. Lots of gears and light wheels)
and comes in at just over £1.9K

Wilier Mortirolo

+1
or for the Alu lovers, I'd be tempted by this Pinarello.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinarello/fp2-105-2009-road-bike-ec017689
£1.5k with Shimano 105

I've been reading about the cervelo s1 and it does really appeal, but after sticking a decent gruppo and wheels on its going to be well on the wrong side of £1500
This seems to be a good buy, sram rival on the normal cayo carbon frame with a snazzy paint job , £1300. Not meant to be the comfiest ride though?
Also tempted by a planet-x ultegra at £1200.

What are the BMC Streetfires like? My current Cycle Scheme bike is all paid off and mine now and I desperately want a haf-decent road bike. The 5k bling machine is gonna have to wait a while for now.

budget frame. full alu with carbon stays - TBH I'd be sceptical that it's not going to be too harsh - alu plus massive stiff "lug" is not going to be forgiving, expecially in your size.

my money would be on a planet x (value for £), a focus, or something from Condor's sale in a couple of weeks.

I think flickwg has one, so maybe ask him? not sure how uesful this will be as his is a 61cm or something

Ride quality compared to steel fixed can only get better right? :D

um. compared to a really quality good steel frame, ride quality can only get worse. but you get a lighter (and sometimes more responsive) frameset. That might or might not melt in the sun.

Just my opinion, but as the boardman and the focus seem to be race machines, I would'nt go for them. I'd be more inclined to get something marketed as a sportive mount. At the end of the day, I'm not in the TdF, and am more inclined to get from A to B quicker and happier if I'm comfortable.

I'm thinking....
Ribble Racing Sportive
Wilier mortilo or izoard
Bianchi C2C something
Spesh Roubaix
etc..

(disclaimer: I'm getting old)

um. compared to a really quality good steel frame, ride quality can only get worse. but you get a lighter (and sometimes more responsive) frameset. That might or might not melt in the sun.

+lots

um. compared to a really quality good steel frame, ride quality can only get worse. but you get a lighter (and sometimes more responsive) frameset. That might or might not melt in the sun.

Couldn't agree more. I must admit to liking the carbon forks on my road bike, but the frame itself is 631 and comfy as fuck, despite 700x22 tyres at 130psi and bloody stiff wheels. No doubt one could build a carbon frame that comfortable, but it'd be a custom job which would cost more than the framebuilding course did (and be more vulnerable to crashes, and harder or impossible to repair, and unlikely to last as long). Weight saving is always nice, but the frame isn't a huge component of overall bike weight anyway, much less of bike+rider weight.

[quote=C2;807073]Planet X sloping top tubes are ugly :p

maybe ugly but super value , very comfortable and a smother ride than alu ......

i would vote planet x anyday :)

http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/?p=4990