Road bike recommendations

Planet-X usually do something with a SRAM mix for a grand.

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPRIV13/planet_x_pro_carbon_sram_rival_road_bike

But a good alu frame might actually be better at the same price.

Thanks mate. I don't suppose you know who stocks planet x bikes?

planet x

Shame on you Regal!

Go and stand in the corner and repeat "marginal gains" 50 times.

Will it make me faster?

If it's a very hot corner, and you are wearing a wetsuit, then kind of.

Free speed!

You have to buy the wetsuit

Haha that made me chortle

The rear dropouts look odd to me.

I know we're discussing budget stuff. But I have serious bike horn for this frameset. Its probably one of the few I'd upgrade the BMC to......and its a fecking bargin here...

http://www.hibike.com/shop/product/p3fa1906b0265da47ef1d9b551764863f/sS9171471b9a66e4978540efc613b40e88/Storck-Absolutist-Rahmenkit-Gr-57cm-blue-black-Mod-2012-Der-Artikel-weist.html

Yeah, rear entry drop-outs. To reduce axle slippage while sprinting.

An idea stolen from Klein I think?

Didn't Storck have some/has some ex-Klein guys?

Didn't Storck have some/has some ex-Klein guys?

Yes. So when I say stolen, I mean one of the designers from Klein, brought the concept with him to Storck.

Just to flag up if anyone else is considering one - Canyon's are increasing in price each day by ten pounds over the past week or so, which I assume is to do with exchange rate fluctuations.

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/defy.composite.2/9013/48851/

Tried this out today in a store where it was reduced from 1500 to 1100. Has anyone got one and what do you reckon? Seemed really nice.

Doubt you can go particularly wrong with a composite Giant frame unless the branding isn't your thing. Fair money for a top-brand carbon ride.

Only point of interest to me is the Apex group - its a bit marmite. But if you liked it, great.

We're you specifically looking for a longer distance orientated bike?

I've got a Giant TCR Composite and I love it.

Not really sure what the difference in build/materials is though.

I hired a TCR in the US - it was pretty awesome much to my disgust.

TCR more aggressive. +1 on the love.

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/tcr.composite.0/11490/55798/

Doubt you can go particularly wrong with a composite Giant frame unless the branding isn't your thing. Fair money for a top-brand carbon ride.

Only point of interest to me is the Apex group - its a bit marmite. But if you liked it, great.

We're you specifically looking for a longer distance orientated bike?

Thanks for the advise. Yeah, after something for 100 plus rides so you reckon this would be a good call?

It depends on your fit. Even the TCRs have pretty tall headtubes, the Defy is really tall and also quite short.

I own a 2007 TCR and have no complaints, still love it and plan to keep it for ages and well beyond the life of the groupset.

Giant's do have a rep for really sorted handling (with their mtbs too). It does track really nicely. Something like a CAAD10 or Willer would probably have been easier to get to fit me though.

Giant makes bicycles for a large part of the bike industry, they (like Specialized and Trek) know what they are doing when it comes to making a good bike. It may not be fashionable to say so, but you cannot argue with the R+D budgets that the bigger manufacturers have over smaller companies - you're pretty much guaranteed a light, well behaved, stiff and comfortable bike.
I love the TCR frames - probably where I will go when I've killed my S-Works.

you're pretty much guaranteed a light, well behaved, stiff and comfortable bike.

That was pretty much what I was getting at. It's not going to be pron, and you aren't going to score individuality points, but it's going to do what you want it to very well. And without any fuss, with a big name to back it up in the unlikely event things go wrong.

All on the assumption it fits :)

I'm a sucker for something a bit different. Whether its better or not, if I'm honest. But I have to say the TCRs have me pausing when browsing my local sports shops. Theres something purposeful looking about the compact shape.

Current setup...

http://www.lfgss.com/picture.php?albumid=1266&pictureid=14017

Not bad for sub £1500.