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So I'm looking at potentially getting a new road bike in the next few months, not had a new road bike in 5yrs, albeit barely ridden on the road in 3 1/2yrs now I must admit. That will hopefully change for 2023... Anyway... I'm after a bit of inspiration... The road bike world has left me a bit cold the last few years since everything has gone aero, fully integrated etc... I'm happiest with externally routed cables, or if they have to be internally routed they should be as damn straight a route as possible and easily replaced in minutes with nothing more than the Park internal cable routing kit to help... Minor rant over.
My needs/wants...
-All year round capable, but not boring to ride or too winter oriented.
-Not too racy geometry, but not sit up and beg... I've got relatively long legs and short torso for my height, also not mega flexible, but also hate being sat bolt upright... Reach:Stack ratio around 1.5:1 seems about right for me, so bang in the middle of the racy -> bolt upright scale.
-At least 28mm tyre clearance (which I realise is anything with disc brakes these days)
-Reasonably interesting/different to the run of the mill stuff, but without being too niche that getting hold of one or getting spares for it would be a nightmare.
-Preferably made of metal... That said, just been looking at the Wilier Garda and that does look lovely! Ticks a lot of boxes (and I've ridden many Wiliers and enjoyed them, and owned one) albeit it's only quite a low modulus carbon frame... Could be swayed any which way though, as long as it struck my fancy and was suitable.
-Happy to buy full bike or frame only, but preference for either Di2 or SRAM/Campag mechanical over Shimano mechanical... Albeit it's not a biggie any way, I'll ride whatever. Prices of Shimano groupsets are still stratospheric though I see!
Budget is totally flexible... I'd love a Condor Super Acciaio Stainless Disc frameset, but not realistically going to spend that kind of money to be honest. I've been looking at the Kinesis RTD frame which on paper really ticks a lot of boxes, and Guy Kesteven seems to love it too, but I just struggle to get excited looking at such a boring monochrome frameset if I'm honest... I guess I could of course add colour with a build! Also looked at the Mason Definition and Resolution, like the idea of both but prices seem strong compared to the Kinesis (which still isn't exactly cheap for an alloy frameset) and again not the most exciting to look at. Then there's the Planet X Hurricane, which given I have a Titus Goldrush Gravel bike that I am chuffed with is probably a logical answer, but looking at the geo table it's a bit longer/racier than I want, finding I'd want the reach of the medium but the stack of the Large...
What I really want, but sadly they seem to be no longer available in the UK due to lack of distribution, is a Ritchey Road Logic Disc... I had the rim brake version (albeit a size too small) a few years ago, it was a wonderous thing! The right size but with disc brakes would be ideal... But in lieu of that, fill my head with some other ideas!
Brother Stroma
Fairlight Strael
Ritchey are in the process of starting distribution with ZyroFisher. So might be able to get something at some point, not seen any lead times for frames though! Maybe Woods Cyclery can help with that. They do a lot of Ritchey.
I've had a Mason Definition since 2015. It's fantastic to ride, very practical, and you'll have a smile on your face long after you've forgotten the price. The finish is very high quality.
If you buy a complete bike then someone else has the pain of routing the hoses and cables for the first time, replacement is easier.
Reilly Spectre? Or a Fusion if you're feeling really flush.
Some of those Reilly’s look very nice. Others to add to the mix include Vaaru and Enigma.
Rourke custom geometry. Tell them what you want and they’ll build it.
For special metal, stainless steel or titanium. Just bought a fixed Enigma, but if you must have gears, I think they can oblige 😉
I share your comments on integrated and aero. I like my Propel and my Defy SL, but I like a metal framed bike with Record bits a lot more.
If you can wait and feel silly rich, Feather for UK or English if you want to import. The English TT bike is enough to make anyone start working on their core 🤣
Another one to consider if you can get a good deal is the Cervelo Caledonia.
I know it's carbon but to me has the right balance of comfort but still feeling quite racey.
I have always been a metal fan but this bike has been a relevation!
I have the luck of being involved in the bike trade and bought a Caledonia 5 with Sram Force Etap at a good price (couldn't afford it otherwise!)
Regards,
Max
Loads of good bikes out there, I would test ride a few and see what you like.
Personally I'd struggle to see past the big players, as the bikes are so sorted now, and great all rounders. Spesh Tarmac, Giant TCR, Trek Emonda, Cannondale Supersix... Maybe not niche, but a bloody good ride, and available in lots of specs, colours and price points...
I've had a Kinesis 4S and Kinesis Aithein, and my TCR knocks the spots off them both. Stiffer, better handling, and also more comfortable.
What's your budget?
Rourke custom geometry. Tell them what you want and they’ll build it.
I think this is almost certainly the answer most likely to deliver satisfaction... Albeit at a cost. Have spent quite a bit of time in Rourkes showroom in the past, ogling their wares! Might have to give Jason a shout and find out what it's likely to cost and how long I'd have to wait...
I’ve had a Mason Definition since 2015. It’s fantastic to ride, very practical, and you’ll have a smile on your face long after you’ve forgotten the price. The finish is very high quality.
I've heard good things, but I just can't get over the fact it's literally full custom money for an off the shelf frame! Also they just look a little dull... If it looked especially exciting, I could be a little more persuaded I think.
Brother Stroma
Fairlight Strael
Wasn't aware of the Brother... Looks half decent in the Green/Blue, albeit the dropouts, brake mount, copious amounts of mounts all over the bike are clearly a sign they're more of a gravel brand than road...
The Fairlight Strael is a funny one. I looked at these when the v1 first came out and absolutely lusted after one, then again when the v2 came out and it went bolt through, and now the v3 frame still looks lovely, but... And it's a BIG but... Whilst they do two distinct geometry versions of the bike, racey and upright... I am neither... I'm firmly in the middle! I could just about get away with either the 54T or the 56R, but would be bodging with either a longer or shorter stem than ideal, or too many headset spacers or barely any... Maybe I should just give them a shout, tell them what my ideal geo is, and see which size they recommend off the back of that that will be easiest to get closest to that... If they did a 55 "bang average" size, I'd stick my deposit down right now... Well actually, I'd have stuck my deposit down back when the v1 was announced to be honest!
Ritchey are in the process of starting distribution with ZyroFisher.
I heard that Ritchey had gone to ZF, but assumed it was only P&A not frames, as was the arrangement with Upgrade? I'll ask my contacts... There's just something about the way the Ritchey rides, it's hard to describe. It's simultaneously incredibly comfortable, but feels like you could outsprint the stiffest of carbon frames on it! Honestly, if anybody out there has a 55cm Logic frame they want to sell, I'd happily even forego discs to get on one again... Though if it's a disc version, so much the better.
Reilly Spectre? Or a Fusion if you’re feeling really flush.
Just can't really get enthusiastic about Titanium for a road bike sadly. And that's coming from someone who owns a Ti gravel bike, has had various Ti MTB's over the years too... The benefits of Ti on road are lost on me. The fact Ti always looks drab and boring is also a big turn off on a road bike for me. As much as I want an MTB or Gravel bike to blend into the background, I want a road bike to shout just how much of a connoiseur I am! 😂😉
I share your comments on integrated and aero. I like my Propel and my Defy SL, but I like a metal framed bike with Record bits a lot more.
It's like the argument for Manual vs DCT/DSG on the car forums... For sure, Shimano whether Di2 or mechanical is the "better" groupset by any sensible measure. But if this isn't just transport, and it's something to be savoured and enjoyed, and every gear change is to be an experience, absolutely nothing beat a high end Campag mechanical setup with a clean external cable run for the experience... Besides, it's VERY rare I'm needing to shift many gears in a sprint whilst in the drops, the area that Campag has continually come under flak for over the years from the racers.
I wanted a relaxed bike for road riding : commuting / Zwift but with a higher stack than my caad12 disc. Wanted mudguard mounts / rack mount on the back and similar weight frame to the caad12. Actually ordering a Dolan GXC gravel frame but to build up with my hunt road wheels and 11 speed di2 Ultegra etc.
I do quite like the look of Reilly if you fancy a titanium frame. Looks like you can customise the group set (including brand / di2 11 or 12 speed etc), wheels, handlebar width, finish colour of decals and seatpost clamp, 2x or 1x plus crank length and what size chainrings etc. Seems quite neat.
The t325d still looks a bit racey to me but there are various all road / gravel description frames so I’m guessing one of those could fit the bill.
Another one to consider if you can get a good deal is the Cervelo Caledonia.
Cheers. Hadn't considered that, largely cos I'm not particularly au fait with Cervelo... Ironically, it's probably one brand I could get a good trade deal on... A mate has a franchise in his shop and is good mates with the head brand manager, I also know one of the reps on the road quite well from his former role to be fair... Just looked at the geometry, looks like a 56 would fit me well to be fair, albeit probably have to drop 10mm off the stem.
Loads of good bikes out there, I would test ride a few and see what you like.
Basically impossible now as nobody has any stock still, everything is still on back order in the road world, and given I wouldn't be buying it from a shop they're not likely to put any effort in to getting hold of a demo bike for me.
Personally I’d struggle to see past the big players, as the bikes are so sorted now, and great all rounders. Spesh Tarmac, Giant TCR, Trek Emonda, Cannondale Supersix… Maybe not niche, but a bloody good ride, and available in lots of specs, colours and price points…
I’ve had a Kinesis 4S and Kinesis Aithein, and my TCR knocks the spots off them both. Stiffer, better handling, and also more comfortable.
I fully understand what you mean, but if buying a road bike with my head I'd just go with the cheapest one that fitted the bill... And then leave it languishing in the garage until I came to sell it on! It would have to be a heart purchase, something I'd cherish owning and riding, to make me want to give up time to ride it in the first place. I'd much rather ride the 7yr old Genesis Volare that owes me £300 and is a bit too racy for me that I have currently than any big branded bike sadly, they are like white goods to me, probably incredible at what they do but totally devoid of any soul or purpose. Besides, I'm usually inbetween their racy and endurance geometries anyway... My last carbon bike was a Colnago V1R with CK/Enve wheels... Sold it cos I just wasn't using it and needed the money elsewhere, but as an ownership experience it was thoroughly enjoyable (probably helped by the fact it was made by Giant no doubt), but it also helped that it fitted me like the proverbial glove...
What’s your budget?
There isn't one... This is about inspiration and finding something I'd be happy to get back on time and time again. Working in the bike trade has spoiled me for sure, but also I am really fussy about bike fit, aesthetics, and not least of all getting away from this endless march towards aero everything and fully integrated cables everywhere!
I’ve heard good things, but I just can’t get over the fact it’s literally full custom money for an off the shelf frame! Also they just look a little dull… If it looked especially exciting, I could be a little more persuaded I think.
Eye of the beholder, I guess. I think they look great and mine has always had admiring comments. Can't argue that they're expensive, though.
Sorry, any excuse to post my Rourke again 😎
If I didn't have a Basso Venta on order I'd be going to Rourke again for a 953 roadie, maybe semi-painted like those old Independent Fabrication frames. Those posh TRP long drop rim brakes, clearance for 32s, external cables.
Light, simple, (relatively) cheap 😍
I was going to build a Kinesis RTD with Ultegra and some other bits I had lying around but then I decided I wanted something different as I’d been riding a Kinesis TK for the last 8 years.
Looked hard at the Enigma Etape but wasn’t completely happy with the external cable routing (just looked a bit untidy). Also tyre clearance wasn’t quite as good as I wanted to be able to run 32c tyres with full guards in the winter.
By accident came across the Ribble CGR Ti and it fit my bill perfectly. Loads of clearance, ‘endurance/touring’ geometry, full internal routing, vaguely sensible price with Ultegra DI2. Supposed to come next week, but I’m not holding my breath. Ordered it with Ksyrium SL wheels and gravel tyres, and picked up a pair of the new Ultegra C50 wheels from CRC half price on Black Friday which will be my road wheels.
My choices would be the Caledonia or Enigma Evoke. For steel Enigma have the Elite, maybe worth a look.
How much does that that Cervelo trade deal extend to your internet friends OP? I’ve been quite interested in a Soloist 😉
You really do want a Ritchey, had a Logic Disc for 2 years now, its a wonderous thing.
Not ridden my rim brake Logic since, it's just been sat in the garage unloved...55cm in case you were wondering.
Sound like you'd get a lot out of a custom build. I'd get in contact with Steven Shand and get one of the low number Willow bikes - he's just started building again.
FWIW the last bike I bought was a custom steel frame, classic design inc a lugged steel fork. Slim 631 tubes, 1" head tube and all externally routed. It's an absolute joy to ride. Lacks the sprint snap of a carbon race bike but flows through curvy lanes and open B-roads and climbs short big-ring rises along the way with a feel that stiffer modern bikes can't deliver. The frameset was a project to learn from as much as wanting a classic aesthetic 4-seasons road bike and it was a real eye-opener. Before that I got an 80s style road race bike which also felt particularly good. I'm not saying the older designs are 'better', just saying it's worth considering some of their characteristics Vs the 'lighter stiffer' pitch of modern bikes.
Fairlight Strael or a Giant TCR. Heart would say Strael as I love my Faran and they are just lovely well thought out bikes. Head would say Giant TCR as frankly just a disgustingly competent fast light bike for a great price.
Something more left field and rather lovely - Battaglin: https://officinabattaglin.com/?fbclid=IwAR122w7rKR21c8UXHbIWD8NU2ygyXw8dUtLEfXYVSW_eG9EwkQ0ik8AvN8M
What I really want, but sadly they seem to be no longer available in the UK due to lack of distribution, is a Ritchey Road Logic Disc… I had the rim brake version (albeit a size too small) a few years ago, it was a wonderous thing!
Meh, they're alright I suppose, depends on who built it 😉
A quick Google finds this:
https://www.seabasscycles.co.uk/ritchey-road-logic-disc-frameset-black-and-grey.html
I sort of wonder if Fairlight offering bikes in two fits puts some people off. I spent ages considering what size to go for. Imagine if they only offered one geometry in each size you'd just buy it and be happy! Would definitely be nice to try before you buy though.
Fwiw, owner of both a Strael and a Secan and couldn't be more happy. Maybe not exotic enough for some, but I'm hoping they last me until dementia or e-bike.
That’s reeeaally nice.
Thanks! Unashamedly built to personal taste, obviously I think it's beautiful, if anyone else like it then that's a happy bonus 😎
I was about to comment on cost being similar to the Ritchey disc frameset above but mine was approx £1300 for an 853 frame with slightly more elaborate paint job, no forks, and no disc mounts/fancy headtube. Adding all of the above together would be closer to £1900-ish
I took my own advice and bought a second hand Strael 3.0, was quite lucky and got the frame-set for about 900quid.
There are always a couple knocking around on LFGSS in the classifieds, generally the older models though.
I nearly sold it on as couldn't be arsed with swapping the parts over from my CAAD13, but I'm so glad i didn't
Its the perfect balance of fast (but not racy) and comfortable (but not cumbersome).
It was baptized in the North Devon Hills a couple of weeks ago...70km and 1500m of climbing, it felt great!
Has anyone mentioned North Road Cycles yet?
Meh, they’re alright I suppose, depends on who built it 😉
😂 Was waiting for you to chime in, you (understandably so) smug git! 😂
Thing is, when I built yours, I managed to get hold of 3 57cm framesets, a 59cm, and a couple of 53's... You had one of the 57's, as did another mate of mine, sold another one through the shop and the 59 and a 53 went on ebay and I kept the other 53 for myself, fully expecting (sadly) it to be a bit too small but I gave it a try anyway...
Obviously it was too small... And I still got more than my money back on it, so not a biggie. But it did give me a taste for just how lovely they are compared to anything I have ridden before and since! I've got an 853 Genesis Volare right now, which you'd expect to be at least its equal, and whilst it's probably stiffer and judged on its own merit is a really nice modern steel bike to ride, it just doesn't have the same other worldly magic carpet ride that the Ritchey had! The Ritchey feels like you're running 28mm tubs when in fact you're on 25mm clinchers compared to even any other steel bike I've ridden, yet at the same time is every bit as responsive if not more so when you do want to push the pace a little!
A quick Google finds this:
I really want the Grey/Blue frameset if at all possible, the black is a little drab. That said, if come Feb/Mar they still have it and it hasn't shifted, might get my colleague who knows the SBC guys well to give them a shout and ask what kind of a deal could be done... Though will be chasing up other avenues potentially.
You really do want a Ritchey, had a Logic Disc for 2 years now, its a wonderous thing.
I know I do... 😩
Not ridden my rim brake Logic since, it’s just been sat in the garage unloved…55cm in case you were wondering.
Seriously... Talk to me... The road riding I do, I think I've missed having disc brakes maybe once in 5yrs... I'm only planning on any new purchase having discs primarily for futureproofness and ability to run larger tyres, but the Road Logic is happy with 28's in caliper brakes anyway I know that so... PM me if you're serious...
Sound like you’d get a lot out of a custom build. I’d get in contact with Steven Shand and get one of the low number Willow bikes – he’s just started building again.
Totally hear what you're saying... Thing is if I was getting a full custom frame built, I know I'd want it from somebody I already know and trust and somebody that's within an hour or so's drive away, should the shit hit the fan... Too many horror stories I'm afraid! I've met Jason Rourke a couple of times, but then you've just kicked me into thinking about something else funnily enough... I know the guys @ Bicycles By Design in Coalport near Ironbridge, they're about an hour from me, I had always said that "one day" I will do a frame building course but had assumed it would be for a 29er MTB, but have kinda given up on that now as pretty much ride full sus or Gravel now anyway, so maybe this might be the way to go. Given my recent issues with Cancer I've started creating a bit of a mental bucket list too to be fair... Might pop in and say hi over Christmas or the New Year and ask about availability of their courses...
Something more left field and rather lovely – Battaglin:
Not a fan of lugs sorry.
I sort of wonder if Fairlight offering bikes in two fits puts some people off.
100% this... If they'd offered one middling fit rather than an extreme race and extreme endurance geometry for each of their sizes, I'd have bought a V1... Then probably upgraded it to a V2 when that came out with discs... The stack height difference between the two 56cm frames is an enormous 36mm though! 🤯 20mm I could understand... But as it is, I'd need the 56R but with about 30mm of spacers and a 90mm stem, or the 56T with zero spacers and probably a -17deg 100mm stem and very little seatpost sticking out! Either of which would make for a very odd aestehtic... I could of course drop to a 54T which has a stack height about right for me, but would then need a 120mm stem which I'd really rather avoid...
Also, the more I look at the heavily ovalised top tube on the Strael, the more I don't like its aesthetic...
Sorry, any excuse to post my Rourke again
Holy "Gravel Bike with rim brakes" shocker Batman!
Looks lovely, but whilst I can still understand rim brakes on road for their simplicity, why on earth would you still go for them out of choice on a bike that goes off road at all?
By accident came across the Ribble CGR Ti and it fit my bill perfectly. Loads of clearance, ‘endurance/touring’ geometry, full internal routing
Whilst I can understand why you chose it, and it certainly has an element of being able to kill 2 birds with one stone with 2 sets of wheels... I already have a Ti Gravel Bike. I'm really only interested in a proper road bike here, ideally one that "feels" quite fast and exciting even if the reality is that it isn't. Gravel bikes are brilliant things, supremely capable and arguably make a mockery of most people having dedicated road bikes, but the reality is because of their bigger tyre clearances, geometry etc. they're a lot less exciting/engaging to ride on the tarmac than a proper road bike... Hundreds of times better off road mind! The thought has certainly crossed my mind about just getting a 2nd set of wheels with 32c tyres for mine and trying that on road for a bit, see how I feel about it. I think I'd probably come back quite quickly to the fact that my 853 steel Genesis Volare feels a lot better for being an actual proper road bike, and repeat this thread asking for inspiration again though! 😂
Head would say Giant TCR as frankly just a disgustingly competent fast light bike for a great price.
I've said for many years, if you're buying a road bike based upon the amount of performance available for a given price, from a quality trusted brand... A Giant TCR is pretty hard to beat.
Doesn't remotely light my fire though! I'm not fussed about going that fast, VFM, spec etc... I want something that makes me feel joy just looking at it, and want to ride it the long way to the pub for a pint where I can sit staring at it longingly, until I get to ride it home again... Any passer by "what's that, it's stunning" comments actively welcomed!
Has anyone mentioned North Road Cycles yet?
Aero carbon, full cable integration (through the head tube no less), shapes that make them look exactly like a far eastern catalogue frame special even if they actually aren't... All the things that really turn me off about modern road bikes... I'd much rather by a Giant TCR! 🤷🏻♂️ At least I'd know exactly what I was getting that way...
why on earth would you still go for them out of choice on a bike that goes off road at all?
Same as you on your road bike really, in 4 or 5 years of riding muddy CX and gravel all over Scotland maybe only once have I wished I had disc brakes, and only because I'd dinged a rim badly enough to cause the front brake to judder badly. Am actually baffled that so many people seem to think discs are essential but then most don't seem to suffer my intolerance of squealing discs so I guess it's understandable.
Or TLDR: Lighter cheaper quieter, pick 3 😎
I have a Kinesis Aithein, really versatile, run it with 28mm tyres and Di2. Absolutely love it. It has calipers, however that's hardly a game changer. It filled a gap when the headset cups gave up the ghost on my carbon frame. All the parts I already had fit it.
I want something that makes me feel joy just looking at it, and want to ride it the long way to the pub for a pint where I can sit staring at it longingly, until I get to ride it home again… Any passer by “what’s that, it’s stunning” comments actively welcomed!
Colnago Master, I believe you can just about squeeze a 28c in the rear of one.
Other than a Rourke nothing mentioned on this thread has much cycling pedigree and elan 😉
Merida Scultura Endurance or Cinelli King Zydeco, both carbon but good looking bikes with the geometry you're looking for, you could go for steel or ally but why? round tubes welded together all look fairly generic and old fashioned regardless of who makes them surely?
Or a Bianchi Sprint Disc? (in Celeste Blue of course)
Two thoughts:
1. I have similar tastes to yourself re. not into aero & hidden cables, I bought a NOS Boardman from about 2018 and it avoided those trends in favour of more classic road styling, while still offering discs and good tyre clearance. Obvs all the old bikes got sold during Covid, but there are lightly used secondhand bargains aplenty now.
2. Are you actually gonna ride the thing? I barely have mine in the two years since I got it. Could you fit slicks to your gravel bike and see if you're feeling it? (You may have done that already of course, just a thought)
round tubes welded together all look fairly generic and old fashioned regardless of who makes them surely?
Merida Scultura Endurance or Cinelli King Zydeco, both carbon but good looking bikes with the geometry you’re looking for, you could go for steel or ally but why? round tubes welded together all look fairly generic and old fashioned regardless of who makes them surely?
Meh, I've got an older Scultura, once you've had a Carbon road bike the novelty sort of wears off, it's nice enough with the blended lines and "Clean" internal routing but appeals less once you have to work on your own bike.
Re-cabling my old fashioned externally cabled bikes is much simpler than my stupid Summer dandy-horse and I'm not really any quicker on that lighter carbon bike TBH, the benefits of slightly lighter, over-integrated bikes, made from posh materials aren't borne out for mortals as much as people seem to think.
If it was a Money no-object situation I think I'd still just want a "Modern" (possibly custom) steel, disc frame with neat, external brake line routing (probably under the downtube/NDS Chain stay) and zero gear cable routing (internal or external) because I would be deliberately going for an AXS group I think (no cables = no routing to worry about). The best solution for "clean lines" as well as serviceability is probably wireless shifting these days, not poking more holes in a laminate...
😂😂
(too slow, that was in response to stoning the heretic)
I'm in the market for a new road bike and love the look of the Strael but I'm worried about the weight. I moved to the edge of the Peak in June and was struggling speed wise on the 7.75kg summer bike that's to be replaced but can really feel the difference now the crappy weather bike has come out, which is I assume the weight (9-9.5kg at a guess).
I've got nothing to add to your quandary other than you want a Ritchey and if you buy something else, you'll still want a Ritchey 🙂
Ive got a Caledonia 5 di2 version and its such a versatile bike. I also have a Basso Diamante SV for longsummer and faster rides. The Caledonia is just brilliant. all day geometry but still quick. will take 34 tyres, which I did for Flanders and the cobbles were much softer than previous years.If you can get a deal I think you will be hard pressed to find such an all rounder ..
I built up a Kinesis Racelight. It's a pleasure to ride, fairly relaxed if you want it to be, but has some nip to it if you get giddy. Has mudguard mounts, external cabling. Think it cost me circa £1200 in total, full Tiagra groupset and Mavic Ksyrium wheels. I use it all year in the wet with Conti GP5000 tb tyres, that seem to be just as good in the middle of winter than they are on a relatively dry summer day. T'other road bike is a Trek Emonda, which is just a great bike.
The Ritchey feels like you’re running 28mm tubs when in fact you’re on 25mm clinchers compared to even any other steel bike I’ve ridden
So what you really want is a nice comfy 531 steel road bike (circa 1960s with traditional geometry) updated with disc mounts. None of that light stiff light steel stuff with thinner but larger diameter (read stiffer) tubing. A longer head tube and perhaps a TCR sloping top tube in homage to the recently departed master (Burrows). As I said, go and talk to Rourke. And get some hand built wheels. SRAM electric shifting (no wires) is very nice on a steel bike too.
Nothing wrong with nostalgia 😉 I had a 531 Dave Marsh that was a fabulous ride.
I absolutely love my Condor Classico.
Steel columbus tubing. I wanted a bike with all modern parts that looked like a bike from 'a sunday in hell' Its got that more old school look of thin steel tubing, rather than the modern ones which seem oversized (thinking the holdsworth ones).
I find it comfy enough for 6 hr + rides, particularly on crap dartmoor roads.
Strong enough that you can bikepack on it.
It's dead light, got campagnalo groupset, and it absolutely flies
Its got rim brakes, but I've never found I've needed more than that on the road.
Have to say I don't know how big a tyre it will take.
Am actually baffled that so many people seem to think discs are essential but then most don’t seem to suffer my intolerance of squealing discs so I guess it’s understandable.
This interests me. My do it all bike has discs on - they work, in a fashion. I rarely have to do any maintenance (read, none!) and the stop me. They do however squeal until heated up, but then glaze over (maybe the pad compound?) and the lack power until warmed up, when suddenly they are ace. On the road, they rarely warm up.
So what are long arm canti or mini-vs' like on a do it all bike? Particularly with a 13.5st rider and some bags on board.
It’s spendy and it’s carbon but I have been delighted by my Open Up. I have it set up as 2x GRX and a set of light road wheels (Roval Alpinist) and a set of 650b gravel wheels (Stayer - excellent). On the road is it fast, planted and yet relaxed, and off road it is lively but soaks up bumps well. Sizing and ride qualities reflect Cervelo based heritage
@matt_outandabout will PM you, don't want to derail the thread any further 😂
Ha ha!
The trade deal on Cervelo is pretty good!
Unfortunately stock isn't very good still!
No sign of the Soloist yet!
Haven't even even seen one in the flesh and possibly not till the middle of next year!
We are a Cervelo dealer as well!
My Road Logic 2.0 is easily my favourite bike and as others have said I've largely found disc brakes unnecessary on the road.
I have a strael, I'm very pleased with it and would recommend. I'm not sure the two fits are about racey and relaxed, I think it's more about proportional geometry. Worth a test and the ride quality is excellent, and while it's not as quick climbing as my carbon bike (though not bad) it's very good at everything else and is incredibly confidence inspiring
@bregante that looks lovely.
I’m intrigued by going down the steel route. I’ve had a Genesis Croix De Fer and it was as heavy as an elephant and not particularly fun to ride on road.
How heavy do you think your fully built up bike weighs? I’d like to try and keep the weight close to 8kgs….
Another vote for Cervelo Caledonia - I built mine up as a frameset in the Summer with GRX 812 1 x 11 groupset, Hunt Carbon Aero 50 wheels, 32mm GP5000 TR S tyre setup in the delicious oasis colourscheme.
It's an ace bike, am well pleased. Nicely speedy enough but really versatile. The paintjob is too pretty for Winter filth though, hehe! 😀
Following on from ransos (he had my too large definition) they are lovely things to ride for ages and ages or daft audax rides 😉
I swapped to a Bokeh as I kept on doing silly things to the definition and if I’m honest it’s even comfier than the definition !
How heavy do you think your fully built up bike weighs? I’d like to try and keep the weight close to 8kgs….
I've honestly never weighed it but I'd guess it's somewhere a little over 9kg (based on an unscientific test of regularly lifting it up alongside my gravel bike which I think is about 10.5kg). It's a 57 frame. The wheels are lightish aluminium DT Swiss (about 1500g). All the finishing kit is base level aluminium Zipp Service Course SL and the saddle in the picture (now replaced) is a fairly substantial selle Italia thing so there's definitely some weight to drop from it if I felt inclined (I don't).
I have also had a Croix De Fer. The Ritchey is far more responsive than that. I had also had a similarly specced Kinesis 4s Disc but door it because the Ritchey is easily the more involving ride as well as being quicker and more comfortable than the 4S.
Well... In the greatest tradition of STW...
I now own a Cannondale CAAD13 105 disc!
Long story short... Late last night was busy reading back through this thread, and idling perusing ebay and the facebook classifieds too. Then just happened to see this Cannondale CAAD13, right size, looks good in red (they're dull otherwise!), looks like its barely been used, and the price is keen... REALLY keen... So I messaged him just to ask if it was still available, half expecting him to be a scammer at the price it was. It was immediately obvious the guy was genuine, so I asked for his phone number. Gave him a call, it was a genuine lockdown purchase that he just didn't get into, and its been hanging around, his wife is giving him grief, he needs it gone ASAP but has had a couple of vultures offering stupid prices he has turned down but doesn't want it hanging around past christmas...
So I went to see it this evening. He's done less than 100 miles on it in the 2 and a bit years he has had it! Cost him £1899 plus accessories... Current version (identical spec pretty much) is now £2300...
I didn't even haggle at £1k!
I might like it, I might not... But for the price it ws a zero risk purchase... I could sell it next week for more than I paid for it, I could sell it at Easter for a tidy profit!
If nothing else it has bought be time to properly think about this dilemma further...
Pics to follow, but this is what it looks like...
Review here... https://road.cc/content/review/cannondale-caad13-disc-105-2020-269731
No real plans just yet other than to ditch the heavy stock wheels for something lighter and tubeless compatible, fit my own contact points and hopefully ditch the semi compact rings for a normal compact setup (I am weak as a kitten right now, will take time to work back towards a semi compact setup!)...
My Road Logic 2.0 is easily my favourite bike and as others have said I’ve largely found disc brakes unnecessary on the road.
Agreed and agreed... However... I'm more concerned by being able to use 28mm+ tyres and mudguards easily, and rim brakes still preclude that sadly...
The trade deal on Cervelo is pretty good!
Unfortunately stock isn’t very good still!
Yeah I figured... The whole point of this thread (what I have just written aside!) was to give me inspiration so I could start looking and whittling down a shortlist, to then get an order in at some point in the future... That may well still happen, I just now have a more suitable bike to be going on with in the meantme.
Ive got a Caledonia 5
I'd have to go with the lower spec Caledonia, can deal with internal cable routing through the downtube, can't deal with it going in through the stem, down the headtube, all through the frame right the way to the rear dropouts!
Without wanting to be negative ned, didn’t you just say you wanted something not really racey? And that the big brands were like white goods?
Good choice bike in my view. I had the CAAD 10 Black Inc and it was an amazing bike, but it was definitely a racey geometry. Have they made it more endurance based now? Mine was my crit bike….I also had a Supersix at the same time and thought they were both either the same or very similar geometry.
Anyhoo nice bike and hope you enjoy it.
The 56 and 58 are 73 degrees parallel; about as traditional road bike geometry as you will find - see all those 60’s to 90’s steel frames. So handling will be great like your Ritchey, but stiffer and lighter with disc brakes (if that matters). I got my third cat on Son1’s CAAD8 with swapped forks and wheels. They ride really well. Till the BB30 starts to creak. I’m still a sucker for skinny tubes though, personally.
Without wanting to be negative ned, didn’t you just say you wanted something not really racey?
I'll be honest, when someone said the CAAD13 originally, I wrote it off based on my knowledge and experience of older Cannondale geometry. The CAAD13 is shorter and has more stack height, and a sloping top tube where the CAAD12 was very racy. I hadn't realised I'll be honest, and am pleasantly surprised Cannondale have mellowed their geometry a little, cos as mainstream brands go, it's the one I've always maintained a soft spot for regardless...
That said, still wouldn't have gone into it if it didn't make financial sense should I not end up liking it.
Have they made it more endurance based now?
Quite surprisingly so!
56cm CAAD10 reach... 394... Stack... 560
56cm CAAD13 reach... 389... Stack... 575
So like for like it's 5mm shorter and 15mm taller! It hasn't turned it into a Synapse, but it's a usefully better fit for those of us who don't have a personal masseuse to wile away the post ride aches and pains...
I also had a Supersix at the same time and thought they were both either the same or very similar geometry.
Yup... CAAD and Supersix hae seemingly always echoed each other geometry wise, and the same is still true... Latest Supersix is same geo as CAAD13 it seems.
I want something that makes me feel joy just looking at it, and want to ride it the long way to the pub for a pint where I can sit staring at it longingly, until I get to ride it home again… Any passer by “what’s that, it’s stunning” comments actively welcomed!
...and then you bought a CAAD13? The ugliest CAAD ever?!
Well I like it anyway.
😀
I don't mind CAAD13's at all, and would happily own one as a winter bike. Cannondales are some of the best handling bikes I've owned. But its a long way from a gorgeous Ritchey, or a hand-built Rourke 🙂
More of a Ford Fiesta than a Pinanfarina.
That'll be lovely with a better set of wheels, as you say OP.
What you got your eye on? There are some good prices on Prime wheels at CRC at the mo.
Agreed and agreed… However… I’m more concerned by being able to use 28mm+ tyres and mudguards easily, and rim brakes still preclude that sadly…
On that, 28mm tyres and TRP deep drops on my old Thorn 531c frame, with room for Kinesis alu guards. That's the maximum tyre width though.
Nice choice, very hard to go wrong with something like that. Some nice deep and wide carbon rims and 28mm tyres will have that flying along in relative comfort.
Good choice.
Been looking at a CAAD 13 myself but finding one in my size has been a challenge!
Fast but practical very much like my Caledonia though!
Regards,
Max.
More of a Ford Fiesta than a Pinanfarina.
I don’t even disagree with what you’re saying, but will ask if you’ve driven a modern Fiesta though too, especially an ST… Awesome fun! And let’s face it, with the Asbo red paint and the fact I’m about to bling the wheels up, that’s exactly what this is! 😂
That’ll be lovely with a better set of wheels, as you say OP.
What you got your eye on?
It seems that whilst most companies are guilty of hampering their bikes with crap wheels as stock, some companies are more guilty than others! Step forward Cannondale… 😂 I reckon even some Fulcrum 5 DB’s would be a massive step forward over what’s on there now!
Not 100% sure… Merlin doing Cannondales own Hollowgram 45’s for 1/2 price right now is tempting… But in a way, I’d rather stick with alloy rims. Hunt’s 34 Aero Wides are on the list, but not sure how stiff they are (I like stiff wheels on a road bike and I’m the wrong side of 90kg), get good reviews though. But then also there’s a couple of pairs of Reynolds AR29’s on eBay for cheap too, which is probably where I’ll end up going (yes I know they’re carbon but great ride quality and the shallower depth makes them a better all rounder than something 45mm+)… Though also very tempted by some Fulcrum Racing Zero DB’s too, having really enjoyed the rim brake version in the past!
The 90/120 BCD 4arm chainrings are throwing up a challenge mind! FSA only and even Windwave don’t have stock currently… 🤦🏻♂️ Watching a few 5 arm spider cranks on eBay now though also considering getting a Spidering too. No desire to spend huge money on a C-Bear BB just to fit a Shimano Chainset anyway! I’m fine with BB30 and have a stash of 6806’s left over from when I owned my shop anyway! 👍🏻
So... Irony of ironies... As is often the way when you give up on a dream, and commit yourself to a secondary choice, your dream (or something very close to it) will often present itself to you shortly afterwards!
Well blow me if I haven't just done a deal on a Condor Super Acciaio Disc with Chorus 12spd, Shamal wheels etc. with a guy in Brum who's been told in no uncertain terms by his wife that he needs to trim his bike collection down! 😂
Anyway... Deal done... Even got someone lined up for the CAAD13 it seems too, not after buying some upgraded wheels and a different crank for it though of course (will get my money back on those though).
As for mudguards...? Meh... I've still got some Raceblades kicking around they'll do... 😉
That's lovely!
Particularly like the wheels, if I go carbon I think it would be shallow like that 👍
If you're inventive and patient you can dremellise avset of PDW guards to work with almost any frame, ironically I learned this trying to fit some to a Specialized Allez that claimed mudguard clearance 🙄
The trick is to chop the front guard at the back of the fork crown, and split the year guard either side of the brake callipers. Requires some 'Sheldon's Nuts' which are clever threaded calliper bolts, and also a variety of extra PDW bridges etc.
Nice. Too nice to put Raceblades on... save those things for an old retired bike with many 1000s of miles on it.
Nice. Too nice to put Raceblades on… save those things for an old retired bike with many 1000s of miles on it.
I don't have one! Hence my comment... A strip of invisiframe up the chainstays and backs of the fork legs to stop any rubbing to the paint would suffice... Raceblades were literally invented for people who wanted to ride their nice bikes all year round, but anyway...
Thinking a 2nd set of wheels with fast rolling 35-40mm tyres on my Gravel bike for any potential winter road duties will make a better bet probably.
Gorgeous bike! Sod the guards, just hang it on the living room wall over winter.