Having liked my Rockhopper so much, I opted for a Specialized Allez when I made the transition to a road bike. Went for the Elite version with the compact chainset (over the model below with a triple chainset). Have lost a little at both ends compared to a triple but can still get over Shooters Hill on it with my full camelbak rucksack on so no complaints. Its very comfy, sporty geometry and I can do a ride between 1-5hrs on it with no aches and pains. Huge difference in braking power compared to the Rockhopper though. You really have to have your wits about you and think a good 10-20 yards ahead
Can recommend the guys at Bromley Bike Company. They know their stuff and spend a lot of time with you setting the bike up correctly.
Depends where you are Razil, but I don't think many would recommend a time trial bike as a practical commute. You're more stretched out, bad for a dodgy back, and you're center of gravity is more forward so if you hit a pothole downhill on a road you don't know you'll find yorself supermanning without your bike.
They changed the cycle to work to a £1000 a few years ago, although I know some employers like councils setup their own things prior to cycle to work. The canondale super six, groupset 105, was said to be a superb bike last year and doesn't look to have changed much. It's £1800. Wrong time of year to buy though, buy in August and you could have got £500 off of it for the 2010 version. I'd imagine same deals would be available next year, as big ticket sales are down and 20% VAT will hit harder as well.
[cite]Posted By: ColinTat[/cite]Depends where you are Razil, but I don't think many would recommend a time trial bike as a practical commute. You're more stretched out, bad for a dodgy back, and you're center of gravity is more forward so if you hit a pothole downhill on a road you don't know you'll find yorself supermanning without your bike.
They changed the cycle to work to a £1000 a few years ago, although I know some employers like councils setup their own things prior to cycle to work. The canondale super six, groupset 105, was said to be a superb bike last year and doesn't look to have changed much. It's £1800. Wrong time of year to buy though, buy in August and you could have got £500 off of it for the 2010 version. I'd imagine same deals would be available next year, as big ticket sales are down and 20% VAT will hit harder as well.
Thats good advice, thanks
I like the 'look' of the triathlon, vanity I'm afraid. As you say would rather have something more appropriate to do my commute 10-12 miles including shooters hill, but has to be light and fast too,
Don't buy a time trial bike for the commute - it's set up for athletes to get their heads down and travel at speed...you'll do your back in and suffer a stiff neck.
Condor are good bikes, but you pay a premium for them...if you want to do that to have a good 'brand' then go ahead - lots of happy riders, but you'll probably get better value for money from one of the 'major' brands (but lose the kudos of riding a Condor)..
Whatever you do, don't buy until January, when all the 2010 bikes go on sale.
Someone's opened a wasp's nest. Best deals are August now, as the good bikes go quick. You're left with bikes like BMC's, good bikes I'm told but don't know anyone who's ever bought one. Every time you walk throught the door at Evan's they're practically shouting at you BMC.
The £400 off the 2010 Canondale six, 105 groupset, at Evans was simply outstanding value. The Canondale six frame is worth £1200 on it's own let alone with decentish groupset and wheels. Another one to check out are Wiggle's german brand Focus, they slash their prices hugely after August sometime. They were selling their Focus Cayo carbon for a £1,000; which is £300 cheaper than you'd have got if or in 2007 before bike prices shot up. The Germans seem to setup their bikes for speed. This beaut looks a right bargain for a TT bike. You could get it and test ride for I think a week and just return it!
People can go on about super record, and sram but if I was commuting on a bike I'd take 105 every time. If you need to replace a component, it's 25% to 50% cheaper per component, than Ultegra let alone comparing to Campagnolo.
I commute Bromley to Moorgate on a 2009 cannondale Six, and I absolutely love it. I'm considering going back to the bad boy hybrid though, as I'm getting fat again having increased my beer consumption to totally nullify the benefits of the long ride and need a bike that will make me work a little harder.
Can't face the idea of a singlespeed though, although I'm told that would fitten me up really sharpish.
Comments
I like the look of this one
bike
fancy something cool looking, and pricey as I can get 50% off through the wifes work.
are triathlon bikes practical, I have lite mtn bike but want something sh*t hot to get me to work quicker.
(sensible) views please?
I'm looking at this:
http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/Bianchi_Infinito.html
Can recommend the guys at Bromley Bike Company. They know their stuff and spend a lot of time with you setting the bike up correctly.
Just a brilliant comment.
Do the words "Out-de-way" shouted as you hurtled down some slope mean anything to anyone else on here?
They changed the cycle to work to a £1000 a few years ago, although I know some employers like councils setup their own things prior to cycle to work. The canondale super six, groupset 105, was said to be a superb bike last year and doesn't look to have changed much. It's £1800. Wrong time of year to buy though, buy in August and you could have got £500 off of it for the 2010 version. I'd imagine same deals would be available next year, as big ticket sales are down and 20% VAT will hit harder as well.
Road bike - East and West Stand
That's all there is about bikes.
Thats good advice, thanks
I like the 'look' of the triathlon, vanity I'm afraid. As you say would rather have something more appropriate to do my commute 10-12 miles including shooters hill, but has to be light and fast too,
R
Condor are good bikes, but you pay a premium for them...if you want to do that to have a good 'brand' then go ahead - lots of happy riders, but you'll probably get better value for money from one of the 'major' brands (but lose the kudos of riding a Condor)..
Whatever you do, don't buy until January, when all the 2010 bikes go on sale.
The £400 off the 2010 Canondale six, 105 groupset, at Evans was simply outstanding value. The Canondale six frame is worth £1200 on it's own let alone with decentish groupset and wheels. Another one to check out are Wiggle's german brand Focus, they slash their prices hugely after August sometime. They were selling their Focus Cayo carbon for a £1,000; which is £300 cheaper than you'd have got if or in 2007 before bike prices shot up. The Germans seem to setup their bikes for speed. This beaut looks a right bargain for a TT bike. You could get it and test ride for I think a week and just return it!
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/focus-izalco-chrono-shimano-2010/
People can go on about super record, and sram but if I was commuting on a bike I'd take 105 every time. If you need to replace a component, it's 25% to 50% cheaper per component, than Ultegra let alone comparing to Campagnolo.
bianchi
Trek
Can't face the idea of a singlespeed though, although I'm told that would fitten me up really sharpish.