New road bike buying advice

You'll struggle to get a new bike with the spec you want for £1500. Probably stuck looking at s/h.

https://www.halfords.com/bikes/road-bikes/boardman-slr-8.9-disc-mens-road-bike-2021---s-m-l-xl-frames-365622.html?stockInventory=undefined
£1,750

Yeah that one ^ Spend the leftover on those posh TRP long drop callipers, some Swissstop BXP pads and some 32mm tyres, you'll end up with a lighter better bike than a disc brake equivalent.

Edit: d'oh, Luv2ride sneakily changed his post 😂

can you buy parts on cyclescheme? 105 di2 is circa £1100, add the finishing kit up to £1500. second hand carbon frame and wheels and you have a weapon for less than £2K

Double edit.

This is on budget with hydro Tiagra

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/road-bike-ncr-cf-tiagra/_/R-p-332106?mc=8642642&c=GREY

I really want a carbon bike, with a Shimano 105 groupset and hydraulic disc brakes.

You've just described exactly the bike I bought last year, a Canyon Ultimate CF SL 7. I got mine for £2099, the problem now is that they're £2599!

https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/road-bikes/race-bikes/ultimate/cf-sl/ultimate-cf-sl-7/3315.html?dwvar_3315_pv_rahmenfarbe=R101_P01

They do finance options and CycleScheme though.

I think you'll struggle to find that spec for £1500 unless you're looking S/H...

Thanks for the suggestions so far. The Decathlon one is OK but tiagra and oos. The Boardman looks good but I think I prefer the Wilier. I think you can buy parts on Cyclescheme but don't really want/need di2 and want to keep costs down(ish).
Keep them coming!

Look at bike discount.

Are 2x gravel-ish bikes out of the question, such as https://www.merlincycles.com/orro-terra-c-105-hydro-gravel-bike-2023-286347.html ?

That looks really nice! Between that and the Wilier at the moment for me. Thanks.

Oh. That Wilier was showing as about £1660 when I posted. Now £1999. Maybe it was a mis-price which I alerted them to by posting here!

Anyway, I guess it's between the Boardman and the gravel bike now, although I must admit that after a think I'm leaning more to a road bike than gravel.

Don’t think they do Cyclescheme but this is close price wise:

https://www.lyonequipment.com/bikes/pgr/salsa-warroad-carbon-shimano-105-700c__3191

That looks amazing, actually. Thanks. However, they don't have my size (52).

Orro on the merlin site... lots of Orros doing miles in Sussex

https://www.merlincycles.com/orro-gold-evo-105-mix-carbon-road-bike-272438.html

https://www.merlincycles.com/orro-gold-evo-105-carbon-road-bike-274980.html

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/p/vitus-zenium-cr-road-bike-105

carbon/105 £1359

can you buy parts on cyclescheme? 105 di2 is circa £1100, add the finishing kit up to £1500. second hand carbon frame and wheels and you have a weapon for less than £2K

Or way cheaper, get a 105 7020 groups from Wiggle for £440 and some nice wheels, nice frame and all the finishing kit for under £1500. Bike prices have got a bit stupid but when you can get a groupset for £440 I am not sure what is making up the remaining £1560 on something like the Willier as without checking I would guess the wheels, tyres and finishing kit are nothing special

The Vitus looks great for the price but none in my size. If they did have my size I think I would order it today!
I hadn't realised that you could get the whole 105 groupset for that price - worth looking in to!
The Orros are either mechanical disc brakes or oos but a good shout so thanks.
The Wilier is showing as £1665 on my laptop and £1999 on my phone so will try to get in touch and see what the actual price is.

Ive got the Boardman SLR Disc 105; one the best bikes I’ve ever owned. Better ride than my 6k giant. I’ve upgraded the hoops, carbon seat post & saddle.

Great feedback on the Boardman, thanks. It's definitely a contender.

https://startfitness.co.uk/products/merida-scultura-4000-carbon-road-bike-2023-titanium

That Merida is nice but way above what I want to spend. Am trying to source the Vitus in a small as that is a great price.

Great feedback on the Boardman, thanks. It’s definitely a contender.

The stock bike is fine I just upgraded the wheels as I'm a heavier rider. Put a pair of Hunt's on.

@darstadlydick you looking for a small? I was tempted by this before I bought my ribble as it was cheaper and didn't care about getting carbon over alu.

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/p/vitus-zenium-crw-road-bike-105

Thanks but that is a women's specific road bike and I did confirm with crc that they don't accept Cyclescheme so I'll give that one a miss.

There isn't actually any difference between the two. shame about the cyclescheme.

I found it in stock at Wiggle, which I think does do Cycle scheme, but apparently there are some differences: The Zenium CRW Disc bike is a focused on meeting the needs of female cyclists. The finishing kit is female-specific, offering narrower handlebars, a shorter stem, shorter cranks, a women’s saddle, and Shimano’s new 105 ‘short-reach’ levers.

Apparently, the men's bike may come back in stock in a couple of weeks so will keep a look out.

In case you missed it the second Orro I posted is full hydro 105, and cheaper than the Willier

Appreciate it. Unfortunately it is out of stock and they don't seem to have my size anyway.

Same crank length
same shifters
slightly narrower bars (better for aero TBF)
Stem is 10mm shorter at 90mm which is probably better suited to you anyway
saddle the same

Cycle to work paused on CRC/Wiggle. will be back towards the end of the year. I'd be looking else where if you want a bike the now. Going to struggle to get anything near the spec of the vitus for the money.

Why not an alu bike?

Yeah just realised that Wiggle aren't doing C2work either. So it looks like the Boardman is the front runner at the moment.

I've had both alu and carbon in the past and just have a personal preference for carbon.

Hi,

I had a Boardman Carbon (c9 I think) for three years, did about 15000 miles on it then hassle with BB coming loose in frame, and rims wearing out twice. Good bike tho.

Got a Ribble to replace it 30 months ago.Ribble 872
I got the cheaper Tiagra, cable disc version. So impressed. slightly heavier, but just feels better/stiffer. 13000 miles in now and only replaced pads a few times and the chain once, and a snapped brake cable (That was fun, downhill versus a John Deere coming up!!) Tyres swopped to GP5000 for normal use.

(even got a set of spare wheels for it now fitted with WTB Exposure 30s, that fit the frame easily, use for bike packing/mild off road/gravel

Can't fault it apart from long lead time.

Planet X.

Ribble and Planet X both good suggestions - thanks. Especially liking the look of that Ribble.

Well I also have a PX Tempest which I use for road riding and it's a gem but as it's so bullet proof it's my winter road bike. My mate bought his Ribble the same time as me and has just had the frame develop a break, for the second time. We both weigh 100kgs plus.
The PX Tempest is now £2.5k though.

I used to do about 4 - 5 k miles a year but have pretty much given up road riding in ht elast few years. I do a bit of bike packing and gravel riding along with ebike DH in the tweed valley . Last year to get a catch up with my roadie pals I did a 3 day Mallorcan trip on decent trek Domane's . what I noticed was that the bike was dull and felt like my trek checkpoint . I think for value road bikes are crazy for being overpriced . I can justify 5k on a ebike but a mate has just spent the same on a top of the range Domane and whilst its lovely I cant see where the money goes.

Apart from the fact that a top of the range bike is usually more than £5K I assume the Trek Domane is the 105 DI2 bike.
105 DI2 groupset is £1200, the wheels appear to be around £400 and would estimate finishing kit being £400 so is the frame really £3,000 (Seems to be £2600 so almost yes!)

That is where the money goes, the frame being a very expensive part of it.

Just be aware if your considering buying from Planet X they are in a bit of a financial state,so if you do decide make sure you pay with a credit card or something so your money is covered, I don't know how to attach stuff but you can find the first gazette notice on companies house that will be issued on the 6th of June

That’s a weird gazette, filings are up to date and if it’s a liquidation/ winding up there would be mention of that on the gazette.

Edit: just re- read it after a coffee, I think it’s due to the fact the confirmation statement was filed late. It’s as of 14 March but filed late on 02 June.

Companies get load of warnings it’s late so I guess the “you’ll be struck off if you don’t do it by x date” recently landed and the strike off notice was already set to go.

They are trying to sell,process started this week,they have been in a bad way for a while,it's just coming to a head sadly

Looks like you’re closer to it than most. 3 new directors on the same day and the share changes don’t look positive on the face of it.

Just don't want people buy unprotected if worst happens 😔

Thanks for the heads up and sad for them 🙁

We've been looking for a nice road bike for my wife for a similar budget and conclusion is to go second hand. But the prices some people are still asking is silly.

Also a shame to read about the Planet X concerns/rumours. Big fan here and bought a tempest over winter, so would be a big shame. Worth a separate thread? I know the populace here love a good PX/OO bashing.

Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions. I have today requested a Cyclescheme voucher for the Ribble (disc, 105, carbon so perfect!).

which one? I have a Ribble endurance Al 105

This one: https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-r872-disc-anthracite-shimano-105/?childSku=BB872DBL102&affwin=Y&affid=78888&utm_source=AffiliateWindow&utm_medium=Sub%20Networks&utm_campaign=78888&awc=5923_1686040882_0aad428f477c4d9268bbcba442eeb048

I was going to suggest that but it was pre order. Did you get the X-small?

No I went for a small. Haven't ordered the bike itself yet, just requested a voucher which takes a while. I think delivery is expected in August, which I can live with.

Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions. I have today requested a Cyclescheme voucher for the Ribble (disc, 105, carbon so perfect!).

After recommending it, I hope you like it as much as I like mine, fingers crossed 🙂

PS if you're after mudguards for winter, SKS Longboard in the narrow size fit well after removing one bracket from the front one. Dry feet and arse 🙂

As an update, the bike arrived yesterday.  Went for a ride. Love it for the most part but feel the reach is way too long and I feel very stretched out. The stem is already pretty short at 80cm so not  really sure what the opinions are. RIbble's suggestion is to take it to a bike shop to set it up, which is a bit disappointing as I thought they may offer a bit more proactive help for a new bike. Anyway will have to come back to it next week as am away till then.

I've got a 70mm on mine with a positive angle stem at the top of the spacers.  x-small Id have been hunched over too much.    I would set your saddle position then look to the bars height and angle along with the hood position.  This is my first road bike and it took me a while to get to a good position.