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Road bike purchase advice
In the next year or so I'll be turning 50 and I'd like to celebrate with a new bike. I currently have a steel Dawes Audax Supreme that I use for everything (Commuting / recreational use / the occasional event). I love the way it rides - it seems to be quite compliant and absorbs the imperfections on the dreadful road surfaces that we have in the South West. I'd like to continue to use this for commuting and also to experiment with bike packing in future.
What I'd like is something a little faster whilst retaining a comfortable riding position so I can do events such as the Dartmoor Classic. I guess that I am after a Endurance bike wha would people recommend? It needs to be under £3k and ideally on the CycleSolutions Cycle to Work scheme. I'd quite like 105 Di2 and think that a threaded bottom bracket is preferable to a press fit bottom bracket. I should say that other than an old aluminium hybrid I haven't ridden any other bikes. So far I have considered:
Sonder / Dolan (titanium) too heavy?
Cannondale Synapse 2 (don't like the integrated lights as this is just something to go wrong and I'd rather sort out my own lights). I am slightly nervous about the lifetime / robustness of carbon bikes.
A friend of mine has suggested a Cannondale SuperSix Evo3 but this sounds way too racy / not sufficiently comfortable.
Thoughts?
Mark
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2 comments
My money would go to the Giant Defy range. The Mrs has a 2023 model last year which has 105 di2, capably handled bike-packing LEJOG, and has lots of room for easy modifications (stems, wheels, tyres etc). They seem to have managed the best combination of speed vs comfort to my eyes (and derriere), and if you google some reviews you'll see others agreeing. It really is a fantastic bike, and when it came to getting a new bike for myself (after it was stolen) I've had to spend significantly more on an equivalent brand just to avoid having the same bike - sigh.
A 2023 model will get you well under the 3k mark with a high spec if you're content to have a bit of exposed cabling. It will be carbon, and I note your concerns around longevity, but would counter that its come a long way in the past ten years and personally I feel you shouldnt discount bikes on this basis.
I agree with your assessment on the Supersix - this is a pretty aggressive racing bike and, whilst lovely, I dont think its really what you're looking for from the description.
I'd recommend test riding a Defy, most LBS's stock them, to dial in the right size for you (Giant's often come up a little larger than other brands in my opinion). I dont think you would be dissapointed.
It's obviously a very personal thing but if I was in the market at your budget I would take a serious look at the Ribble AllRoad SL Pro, currently at £2699 for 105 Di2 groupset with Mavic Cosmic wheels and 32mm tyres. Threaded bottom bracket too!