Road bike recommendations

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.

Which is why you have a BMC? Hand made by Swiss watchmakers in batches of 1 per year - crafted from the finest artisan carbon.. Oh wait.

FWIW - I think that TCR's are total porn

Which is why you have a BMC? Hand made by Swiss watchmakers in batches of 1 per year - crafted from the finest artisan carbon.. Oh wait.

Allways wanted something more specialist like the Storck I posted. But interesting nature of the alu/carbon mix, the stiffness, the fit, and lastly but not least, the price won me over.

Its not a dull looking bike ;)

Even with the amount of time I spend browsing other road bikes. I still think I'm going to ride it for years to come.

I just can't get over the name, Giant, and the logotype. Everything else about the TCR - yes, pron.

True, but when you think about it most viable road bike manufacturers have horrible branding/logos.

I hate the Cervelo font.

I've always had a soft spot for this (although even I would'nt put blue tyres on it). The font is horrific though.

True, but when you think about it most viable road bike manufacturers have horrible branding/logos.

I think the problem with some - Giant, Specialised - is that their visual branding seems to have no opinion whatsoever. Bland.

The problem with those that do have an opinion is that some people are going to hate it. I'm looking at you Cannondale.

FWIW I've always like Cannondale's approach, as brash as it is. Good thing they make fairly decent kit, too.

Thanks for all your help guys. I'm going to try it out again tonight and probably go for it.

Cool - good luck, let us know if you go for it :)

I've always had a soft spot for this (although even I would'nt put blue tyres on it). The font is horrific though.

Scoble bike, needz moar spacers.

It has a well short headtube. The Road Won is more scoble friendly.

The top tube slope in my size is massive. Not even sure you'd get 2 700ml water bottles in.

`ive got a serious fancy for the BMC frames with lowered seatstays like the teammachine

Gotta say the entry level Rose and Canyon aluminium bikes are very tempting as winter trainers. Both under £1k: 936 for the Rose and 869 for the Canyon, both 105-equipped. Light, too: 7.95 and 8.15kg respectively.

http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/rose-pro-sl-2000-rs/aid:604421

http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3073

^ im tempted by the roadlite frameset bloody bargain

If you're getting it as a winter trainer, make sure it can take decent mudguards.
The biggest bain of my winter riding is not having proper mudguards.
Next winter, I'll have something with full mudguards.

I loooove my full length guards on my trainer.

And the heavier the better :) those canyons and roses are nice cheap light bikes - but there are better trainers, surely.

• One Million to Skinny's post, full length mudguards are essential for the winter trainer.
  
  

I'd add disc brakes and nice fat tyres to that list, also.

Yeah disc brakes are a good shout. Gone through 2 sets of pads already over winter!

Think I'll get a cx bike. And road it up.

Gotta say the entry level Rose and Canyon aluminium bikes are very tempting as winter trainers. Both under £1k: 936 for the Rose and 869 for the Canyon, both 105-equipped. Light, too: 7.95 and 8.15kg respectively.

http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/rose-pro-sl-2000-rs/aid:604421

http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3073

^ im tempted by the roadlite frameset bloody bargain

If you're getting it as a winter trainer, make sure it can take decent mudguards.
The biggest bain of my winter riding is not having proper mudguards.
Next winter, I'll have something with full mudguards.

I bought a Roadlite frame in good nick off ebay a month ago for £110 - as a training bike / bike I don't have to wash all the time like my Sunday bike / take to Wales on the train bike etc etc. I've done about 500k on it so far - lovely bike and pretty light for the cost.

Works well as a 'winter' ish bike - though a word of warning, no chance will you get 25's and crud road racers on it. It's one or the other, so I will be running raceblades instead with the long flap thing.

I've always had a soft spot for this (although even I would'nt put blue tyres on it). The font is horrific though.

REALLY?! These are horrid...

Trade price Cervelo S2 frameset is on the horizon.... decision made

I loooove my full length guards on my trainer.

And the heavier the better :) those canyons and roses are nice cheap light bikes - but there are better trainers, surely.

Such as?

Kinesis t2/tk2/tk3, Ribble winter, Dolan Preffisio... et al.

I looked at all of the above, but couldn't get the bike fit to work for me - they were all too long, with short headtubes.

dan

I know your conudrum. Winter has been fun with 23c's and crudracers. Got a 25 on the front with some wiggling though.

I got 24's and cruds on the Merckx, but when I moved everything and put 25's on... no way, no how!

To be honest, those mudguards did my head in - pita to set up and then they always rubbing somewhere. The little noises would creep into my head during climbs and drive me nuts. I'd rather chance my hand with race blades, even if the coverage isn't quite as good.

Tried out the Giant...was too small :(