Road bike recommendations

310mm from insertion line to rails. Oddly, 27.2 x 410 Thomsons have 25mm more usable length than most other sizes, so 335mm if you use a 27.2 with a shim.

Is a generic aluminuim frame pretty much the same across the board ? I'm looking at these road bikes (on cyclescheme) which more or less have the same groupset (Tiagra or Veloce) and equipment.

Cannondale CAAD8
BMC Streetracer
Colnago Prima
Cinelli Experience
Merckx AMX1

I'd imagine the best one out of these is going to be the one that fits me the best ?

I think you've answered your own question there.

If you've got the money to buy them find the time to go and test ride them.

I dont think you can generalise alu frames so much. But those you've listed in the current alu top 10, and all very good.

Without aking the time to check, I'm pretty sure the geometrys of those vary a lot. So, yes, thats going to be the deciding factor.

How do you interpret stack and reach when comparing frames ?
Does a High Reach/Low Stack gives an aggresive position, Low Reach/High Stack more upright ? How would the following differ ?

BMC Streetracer '57' - Stack 57.4cm, Reach 39.5cm
Cannondale CAAD8 '58' - Stack 59.2, Reach 39.5
Merckx AMX5 '56' - Stack 58.9, Reach 38.3

Annoyingly, Bianchi don't provide the stack and reach for the 1885, the '59' is probably the bike that's fitted me the best. Can't measure it either as it was stolen....

Fucking triathletes with their actually useful and meaningful frame measurements.

Fuck you.

How would the following differ ?

BMC Streetracer '57' - Stack 57.4cm, Reach 39.5cm
Cannondale CAAD8 '58' - Stack 59.2, Reach 39.5
Merckx AMX5 '56' - Stack 58.9, Reach 38.3

Assuming a 11cm x -10° stem and 5mm spacer on the BMC, then

CAAD8 11cm x -17° stem and no spacer will drop the bar 1mm

AMX5 12cm x -17° stem and no spacer will raise the bar 1mm

In both cases, the reach to the bar will also change by 1mm.
In other words, you could probably make any of them fit with a stem in the normal range.

I wa thinking more of handling geometry. e.g. My BMC has a fecking short wheelbase, which fits nicely with a fecking short rider. But I cant believe it would suit everyone.

CAAD9 or Six13?

Another alu bike in your budget is the Lapierre Audacio 400. The frame gets great reviews.

It's a shame I can't wangle a Canyon on Cyclescheme, otherwise the Roadlite AL6 will be the clear winner I think.

Thanks mdcc_tester, i have a feeling I'll end up plumping for the BMC

think I'm gonna go for the ribble new sportive racing with ultegra

think I'm gonna go for the ribble new sportive racing with ultegra

Just to confuse matters. The merckx is an another option with similar sportive geo.
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/33054/Eddy-Merckx-EMX-1-Ultegra-Road-Bike---2011.html

think I'm gonna go for the ribble new sportive racing with ultegra

That was my second choice also - was very very tempted but in the end took the stealth, nothing between them really, though if it's anywhere as good as my stealth you're going to love it.

Have ordered a Canyon Ultimate CF 8.0 - Athena and Mavic Krysium Equipe. After a short angst over colour and size, I plumped for white and a 52cm with a 90mm stem. Bit annoying that they charge you 20 euros to choose your stem length, but the overall saving is so great, what the heck. It will take 8-14 days to come, which will feel twice as long. I am not a weight weeny, but will be about 3kg lighter than my current road bike. A step change for me. Eeeee!

Whoar. Nice one.

I'm a seat post and some assembly grease away from completing a Burls ti road build, though not feeling very deserving of it having bailed on another group ride today due to back pain grr

Have ordered a Canyon Ultimate CF 8.0 - Athena and Mavic Krysium Equipe. After a short angst over colour and size, I plumped for white and a 52cm with a 90mm stem. Bit annoying that they charge you 20 euros to choose your stem length, but the overall saving is so great, what the heck. It will take 8-14 days to come, which will feel twice as long. I am not a weight weeny, but will be about 3kg lighter than my current road bike. A step change for me. Eeeee!

The biggest ride impact when going with a quality carbon frame, will be the stiffness/smoothness ratio. You'll be wonder how something so brutaly fast feeling, can also feel so cushioning.

So true.

I was genuinely amazed the first time I took my tcr for a spin, and after the weekend I'm always surprised how harsh and rattley my Condor Pista feels.

Bet he looks back to check his rear tyre is still inflated.

Bet he looks back to check his rear tyre is still inflated.

I do this ALL THE TIME on my Bob Jackson after riding either the carbon roadie or the Feather. It just feels a bit lumpy by comparison. Although, for sheer bounciness, it's not a patch on the '80s Peugeot I ran for a while.

I find the ride quality on my BJ and Surly pretty lovely. Lightness, speed and better ride quality? Guys you're getting me even more excited.
[blush]

My BJ Vigorelli is vertically stiff and laterally compliant i.e. worst of both worlds.

Alu Specialized with carbon forks and seat stays is like a sofa by comparison and Cervelo S2 is even more comfortable than that but feels as stiff when I'm sprinting as a Planet X track. Carbon layup techniques = witchcraft.

My BJ Vigorelli is vertically stiff and laterally compliant i.e. worst of both worlds.

Alu Specialized with carbon forks and seat stays is like a sofa by comparison and Cervelo S2 is even more comfortable than that but feels as stiff when I'm sprinting as a Planet X track. Carbon layup techniques = witchcraft.

This^

My BJ Vig is a nice cruiser. But is a vibrating noodle. Compared to decent carbon.

I really had not expected carbon-fibre to generate enough voodoo to include comfort.

My BJ Vigorelli is vertically stiff and laterally compliant i.e. worst of both worlds.

Pretty much the same as my Merckx. I love it, but it's like Rymans Division 1 South, compared to my Champions league S-Works