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Looking at buying a new road bike, carbon preferably as hoping for a change from my very heavy Genesis Croix de Fer. I have looked into a Cube, Agree GTC Pro but can also buy a bike from Ribble Cycles for a similar price. Any thoughts as regards these two brands for quality
It sounds like you're looking for value for money rather than brand exclusivity? Canyon would be top of the tree for my money if that were the case.
Have you looked at Dolan as well?
Like Ribble they offer a bike-build option on the website & their l'etape frameset is £400 (last time i looked) and cheaper than Ribble.
Must say i own a l'etape bike and am very happy with it.
Many thanks.
I've also a L'Etape - I cant recommend it enough, and the fact you can 'build' the bike for size (stem length, cranks etc.) on the web site is great. However I would be tempted by one of these if I was looking again.....
[url= http://www.merlincycles.com/felt-f5-road-bike-2014-71838.html ]Felt F5 ([s]£1499[/s] now £999 on Merlin)[/url]
A couple of friends have carbon Cubes.The lowest model has a different frame to the others.They both got quite a bit of discount off the rrp.
Sizing is a bit odd but they seem pretty good for the money.I have an alu one and love it.
If you're certain of your sizing then Canyon would be tempting me.
we have 3 cube bikes in the house, cant fault any of them on spec or quality.
road bikes come up small, my normal size is a 54cm, but on the cube i got a 56.
im 5'10" with a 30.5" inside leg.
its only fair to add, i received a discount on all of them, although i would happily have paid full price.
This Vitus got a great write up on RoadCC
[url= http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/vitus-bikes-venon-road-bike-2014/rp-prod107024 ]Reduced £1149 - £760[/url]
I love my MEKK. Good value imho
This is mine
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/mekk-2g-poggio-p30-ultegra-2013/
Spec.....carbon.....spec....carbon, etc.
Ride one, see how it feels. Then decide.
There's way more to a good bike than cheap shit crabon fribe and an Ultegra rear mech.
Rose have some pretty good bikes at tremendous value, and have a greater range of options than Canyon
On the other hand the Canyon CF SLX frame won the Giro this year and is being raced in the TDF. I'm not suggesting that makes it absolutely better than any other frame you could buy including those from Rose, but it does instil a certain confidence that the OP might appreciate.
I bought a Cube Agree Pro GTC (2013) in March.
Moved from an alu Airborne and what a difference! Quality frame with a smattering of Ultegra and 105, Mavic Aksiums and Easton finishing kit. Got it from CRC for £930 (was £1400).
Was also initially looking at a Giant Defy Composite which was lovely but £670 more...the reduced cost made it a no-brainer for me.
Unrelated; but you're not the Team Aldi that did the Leeds/Liverpool blog by any chance?
On the other hand the Canyon CF SLX frame won the Giro this year and is being raced in the TDF. I'm not suggesting that makes it absolutely better than any other frame you could buy including those from Rose, but it does instil a certain confidence that the OP might appreciate.
Canyon seem to be having a lot of problems with their carbon CF SLX frame cracking at the top of the seat tube - see Bikeradar for more details - some people have had 3 frames crack.
Chinese carbon frame, seat post, stem and bars + ultegra and mavics from merlin.
Its hard to look past the Planet X offerings for value, or poke around last years models and get something a bit more pimp, there has been some nice offers on Bianchi Vertigo's in the recent past that have nearly drawn me in for example - lesser spec but beautiful bikes.
Interesting thread. How does the Ribble quality and customer service compare to others? Any views?
I quite like the look of a Ribble R872 based build....