I've been put in charge of procuring a road bike for Wilkie's attack on the Corto in May. My suggestion of a super record equipped carbon job in my size (you can put the saddle down) was met with silence and a raised eyebrow. So.
Budget under a grand.
Minimum spec 105 or veloce
Best I've come up with so far are a Cube Axial ladies road bike 105 with ultegra rm and Easton E30 wheel and a Kona Lisa rd with a similar spec and Shimano RS10 wheels both around £850. Anything better out there? Not much choice at this spec and price both are sale bikes. Is a ladies road bike necessary for a woman of 5' 7" - was told women have proportionately longer legs than men so require a frame with a shorter top tube.
Your thoughts please.
Comments
there are way too many bikes that would do the job in that price bracket so it would be best to take her to a few bike emporia so she can try a variety
as for a ladies specific model - this is an individual choice. many ladies - my missus included - feel better set up on a standard model than a ladies specific, despite all the reasons why a ladies one should be better (shorter toptube, narrower bars etc) and Wilks might feel the same, which is why she should try some.
is she going clipless? if so, can we see the videos??
I've persuaded her that would be best FB
can find plenty of bikes under a grand but not with the spec
ps. I think it's serious she's already bought some clothes to train in.
and by chance - this review just popped up on Bikeradar for the Giant Defy . looks like a good option for £999.99.
Mmm....what's your view on the Wiggle Varenti Millook?
Went to the PSOF site but couldn't find anything for sale.
Verentis are fine bikes but don't buy a bike online unless you know what you want - go talk to a shop and try a couple for size
Just in case any good I've been eyeing up a planet X bike for ages but having to wait until wedding cash sorted before know if can afford it. Sorry rambling but one thing learnt is that when they have a return and they can't sell it as brand new they flog it cheap here and here
Depending on when you look there as some relatively speaking right bargains. Just because you have a grand to spend, doesn't mean you need to spend all of it through. That could buy a lot of wine.
FB we went into an Evans but they didn't have anything the right size-although they did offer to get a couple in. The prospect of going from shop to shop with Wilkie trying all the bikes is not one I relish - this is the person who puts the shopping down and walks out if there's more than 2 people in the que to pay.....we're not talking patient here! Although I totally agree.
I'm not even sure if thats a good price or not to be honest.
Every so often they do have some stuff thats silly prices just because there is a scatch on the frame or like some of those custom build and the buyer cancelled. It's look of the draw as to what they have and when but been looking every few weeks and if I know what I was doing would be quite temted to buy the parts on returns and just build a bike from them.
Oh, you're serious? In that case, take her for a dirty weekend in Ludlow. Have dinner in one of the 3 Michelin star restaurants and pay a visit to Epic Cycles. They will find a bike for her and, most importantly, will make sure it fits.
That's all very helpful (!), but you've all overlooked a very important element - what COLOUR should it be??
More importantly Wilkie just make sure the helmet, bottles and shoes accessorise well. It will all look good with your yellow and black bike top though
I've found the very thing!
Although this one is quite groovy too:
I love my Planet x and went to the bristol shop where andy measured me all up and got the bits all in the right place.......
I really only popped in to see if you meant *that* Wilkie; it seems you do
...but yes, Epic Cycles is damn good and Debbo is selling some nice kit at the moment.
*that* Wilkie? You mean there's more than one??
I visit to Ludlow would be fab, I'm sure, but it would add considerably to the cost (especially if we took up Mister W's dining recommendation )
This bike business is already costing me a fortune - makes running kit look an absolute bargain!
Especially when you get the body kit and big bass box on the back in a true Essex style.....
Pfffffft!
It will be minimalist
(ie. cheaper!)
Jelly,
I recently got a Garmin cadence sensor for £32 from Amazon (Pentagon GPS).
And the answer is....... (drum roll please)
.
.
GREEN!
First go round the car park completed, bring on the Corto!