Buying new roadbike

[Sourav Mandal]

Hi,

I want to purchase a new decent road bike. But the story does not end here. I'm facing the problems what an average newbie normally faces. Here is the details...

Purpose of the Bike: To get more involved in Cycling but not racing.

Background: I had a Hercules Act 110(7speed Shimano Tourney) then I switched to Firefox Road Pro 2200(shimano Sora 3300 8 speed). I have done many trips like Savandurga,Shivgange,Kanva Reservoir,Ramanagar,Bheemeshwari Nature camp,Makalidurga and Nandi Hills(twice) etc. The current road pro is heavy and the geometry is extremely aggressive. The head tube is the smallest I ever seen on a road bike. I changed the stem and adjusted to a more upright position but still I don't like the overall feel of the bike. 

 

Budget: around 60k.

Shortlisting: Over last few months, I have tested a lot of bikes. Here is the summary...

Btwin Triban 3: At 39k it is a nice bike, good overall feel but didn't like the 2300 shifters also heavy compared to other bikes. 

Btwin Triban 5: Same feel like its sister but again on the heavy side even with the carbon seat stays and fork. Also didn't like the Shimano Sora 3400 at this price point. Comes at 49k.

Trek 1.1 2014: I tested the 2013 trek 1.1 but the Trek's H2 geometry is same for the 2014 models. But interestingly, 2014 model has carbon fork and has new Shimano Claris shifters(2400).Finally no thumb shifters from Shimano. Anyway, very nice feel, more endurance suited geometry and the handling is good. Also cheap at 50k compared to other big brands like the Bianchi,Specialized.

Specialized Allez: I didn't test the entry level Allez(2300) but had a test ride on the Allez Elite(Tiagra). The bike looked stunning and so is the feel. Incredibly light,stiff and nimble handling. No doubt, this one is one of the best aluminum road bikes out there and Bikeradar magazine gave it the award of best road bike under $1000. But, here in India everything comes at an insane price point. Entry level Allez(2300) comes at 63k with disappointing aluminum fork. Sora version is not available in India. Tiagra model comes at 92k.

KHS Flite 350: This one comes cheap (58k) compared to other equivalent models of big brands and geometry is heavily on the Endurance side. Equipped with Sora, this bike is surprisingly very light and comes with a carbon seat post and fork. But due to taller head tube the handling is not so agile. And I don't like the paint job also..:p..My biggest concern is the KHS brand of which I'm bit skeptical. Warranty is also 5 years while others provide lifetime. But warranty covers only frame and fork and not any accidental damage. So not a big deal. But unfortunately, I didn't get to spend much time on this bike so little bit ignorant of the overall feel.

Cannondale Caad8: Initially I was not looking for it because I heard everywhere that no Cannondale road bikes are available in India after 2012. But recently I got a Caad8-7(sora) in the RR Cycles Madivala. And in no time, the dealer, Rakesh assembled one for me to have a test ride. I always knew that Caad8 is very popular throughout the world for its design,geometry and feel. And I immediately fall in love with the bike after the test ride. This is no doubt, the lightest aluminum bike I ever lifted. Specification tells 9 kg. Anyway, superb handling and the geometry has nice balance of Race and Endurance. SAVE micro suspension is a nice additional feature. The bike also looks amazing. But the price is bit high at 65k.

Scott Speedster 40: I didn't have a test ride but this bike is very light but is the geometry is entirely racing oriented. Comes at 63k

Bianchi Via Nirone 7:  I tested it long ago so can't recall much about the ride(about a few meter..:p). It looked good. Via Nirone comes in their Coast to Coast(C2C) line of endurance geometry. The sora version comes around 65k. But no stock in my size..:(

I'm inclined to Cannondale Caad8 at this moment but I'm not so sure. We will buy two bikes. Lolz..there is one friend who rides with me with his old Act110.  MRP of the Caad was quoted around 69k in RR Cycles Madivala and the dealer, Rakesh is giving discount of 4k on each bike. Shouldn't we expect more??...Has any one dealt with RR Cycles Madivala?...And I need your suggestions over the purchase (which bike, which store, Warranty bla bla). Do i need more test rides on the others bikes before finalizing the deal?

[Sanath Kumar S D]

Very recently I bought Fuji Sportif 1.1C 2013 model

http://archive.fujibikes.com/archivebikes.php?prodid=2345&prodname=Sportif%201.1%20C

You are welcome to have a test ride . . .

Thanks and Regards,

Sanath Kumar S D

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Regards,

Sanath
+ 91 988 019 4896

[suman paul]

You have done good amount of research. If you tell what you want to do with the bike - brevet, race, long rides, tours etc. Then people can give appropriate feedback. Every bike comes with particular usage. This is one of the favourite topic in the forum 😄

thank you & regards

suman  

+91      9886300685

[Arvind P]

this is lot of info buddy. i am going to bookmark this page :)

[Pradeep naidu]

Actually I m confused what u need,, endurance or race frame.. .?

---

From: suman paul
Sent: ‎13-‎12-‎2013 09:57 PM
To: Sourav Mandal
Cc: bangalor...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [BBC] Buying new roadbike

You have done good amount of research. If you tell what you want to do with the bike - brevet, race, long rides, tours etc. Then people can give appropriate feedback. Every bike comes with particular usage. This is one of the favourite topic in the forum 😄

thank you & regards

suman  

+91      9886300685

--
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[anil s kadsur]

Pradeep,

"Purpose of the Bike: To get more involved in Cycling but not racing."

very truly,
anil s kadsur
http://kadsur.blogspot.in/

---

From: Pradeep naidu <pradee...@gmail.com>

Sender: bangalor...@googlegroups.com

Date: Fri, 13 Dec 2013 22:34:45 +0530

To: suman paul<suma...@me.com>; Sourav Mandal<mandal....@gmail.com>

Cc: bangalor...@googlegroups.com<bangalor...@googlegroups.com>

Subject: RE: [BBC] Buying new roadbike

[anil s kadsur]

Sourav Mandal,

With the info you provided here I feel you should go for Cannondale Caad8.

"Purpose of the Bike: To get more involved in Cycling but not racing."

If above is the purpose, how come you did not consider a 'tourer' and you are clear not going to be racing.

very truly,
anil s kadsur
http://kadsur.blogspot.in/

---

From: Sourav Mandal <mandal....@gmail.com>

Sender: bangalor...@googlegroups.com

Date: Fri, 13 Dec 2013 19:05:33 +0530

To: <bangalor...@googlegroups.com>

Subject: [BBC] Buying new roadbike

[Pradeep naidu]

Dude,, u dont know wat I m talking abt...pls stay away

---

From: anil s kadsur
Sent: ‎13-‎12-‎2013 10:38 PM
To: Pradeep Naidu; BBC; Suman.paul.BBC; Sourav Mandal

Subject: Re: [BBC] Buying new roadbike

Pradeep,

"Purpose of the Bike: To get more involved in Cycling but not racing."

very truly,
anil s kadsur
http://kadsur.blogspot.in/

---

From: Pradeep naidu <pradee...@gmail.com>

Sender: bangalor...@googlegroups.com

Date: Fri, 13 Dec 2013 22:34:45 +0530

To: suman paul<suma...@me.com>; Sourav Mandal<mandal....@gmail.com>

Cc: bangalor...@googlegroups.com<bangalor...@googlegroups.com>

Subject: RE: [BBC] Buying new roadbike

Actually I m confused what u need,, endurance or race frame.. .?

---

From: suman paul
Sent: ‎13-‎12-‎2013 09:57 PM
To: Sourav Mandal
Cc: bangalor...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [BBC] Buying new roadbike

You have done good amount of research. If you tell what you want to do with the bike - brevet, race, long rides, tours etc. Then people can give appropriate feedback. Every bike comes with particular usage. This is one of the favourite topic in the forum 😄

thank you & regards

suman  

+91      9886300685

On 13-Dec-2013, at 7:05 pm, Sourav Mandal <mandal....@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi,

I want to purchase a new decent road bike. But the story does not end here. I'm facing the problems what an average newbie normally faces. Here is the details...

Purpose of the Bike: To get more involved in Cycling but not racing.

Background: I had a Hercules Act 110(7speed Shimano Tourney) then I switched to Firefox Road Pro 2200(shimano Sora 3300 8 speed). I have done many trips like Savandurga,Shivgange,Kanva Reservoir,Ramanagar,Bheemeshwari Nature camp,Makalidurga and Nandi Hills(twice) etc. The current road pro is heavy and the geometry is extremely aggressive. The head tube is the smallest I ever seen on a road bike. I changed the stem and adjusted to a more upright position but still I don't like the overall feel of the bike. 

 

Budget: around 60k.

Shortlisting: Over last few months, I have tested a lot of bikes. Here is the summary...

Btwin Triban 3: At 39k it is a nice bike, good overall feel but didn't like the 2300 shifters also heavy compared to other bikes. 

Btwin Triban 5: Same feel like its sister but again on the heavy side even with the carbon seat stays and fork. Also didn't like the Shimano Sora 3400 at this price point. Comes at 49k.

Trek 1.1 2014: I tested the 2013 trek 1.1 but the Trek's H2 geometry is same for the 2014 models. But interestingly, 2014 model has carbon fork and has new Shimano Claris shifters(2400).Finally no thumb shifters from Shimano. Anyway, very nice feel, more endurance suited geometry and the handling is good. Also cheap at 50k compared to other big brands like the Bianchi,Specialized.

Specialized Allez: I didn't test the entry level Allez(2300) but had a test ride on the Allez Elite(Tiagra). The bike looked stunning and so is the feel. Incredibly light,stiff and nimble handling. No doubt, this one is one of the best aluminum road bikes out there and Bikeradar magazine gave it the award of best road bike under $1000. But, here in India everything comes at an insane price point. Entry level Allez(2300) comes at 63k with disappointing aluminum fork. Sora version is not available in India. Tiagra model comes at 92k.

KHS Flite 350: This one comes cheap (58k) compared to other equivalent models of big brands and geometry is heavily on the Endurance side. Equipped with Sora, this bike is surprisingly very light and comes with a carbon seat post and fork. But due to taller head tube the handling is not so agile. And I don't like the paint job also..:p..My biggest concern is the KHS brand of which I'm bit skeptical. Warranty is also 5 years while others provide lifetime. But warranty covers only frame and fork and not any accidental damage. So not a big deal. But unfortunately, I didn't get to spend much time on this bike so little bit ignorant of the overall feel.

Cannondale Caad8: Initially I was not looking for it because I heard everywhere that no Cannondale road bikes are available in India after 2012. But recently I got a Caad8-7(sora) in the RR Cycles Madivala. And in no time, the dealer, Rakesh assembled one for me to have a test ride. I always knew that Caad8 is very popular throughout the world for its design,geometry and feel. And I immediately fall in love with the bike after the test ride. This is no doubt, the lightest aluminum bike I ever lifted. Specification tells 9 kg. Anyway, superb handling and the geometry has nice balance of Race and Endurance. SAVE micro suspension is a nice additional feature. The bike also looks amazing. But the price is bit high at 65k.

Scott Speedster 40: I didn't have a test ride but this bike is very light but is the geometry is entirely racing oriented. Comes at 63k

Bianchi Via Nirone 7:  I tested it long ago so can't recall much about the ride(about a few meter..:p). It looked good. Via Nirone comes in their Coast to Coast(C2C) line of endurance geometry. The sora version comes around 65k. But no stock in my size..:(

[The entire original message is not included.]

[Pradeep naidu]

Pls go for bainchi nirone.. I have 105 nirone 7..
Its an amazing bike.. I abuse my bike and still it performs the best...

It has that racing frame look and its built for endurance .. I never knew my frame was an endurance  untill Naveen mentioned its coast to coast c2c..
I have cut my headtube and made it very agressive,, and its an awesome bike...

My vote bianchi...

---

From: Sourav Mandal
Sent: ‎13-‎12-‎2013 10:41 PM
To: Pradeep naidu

Subject: Re: [BBC] Buying new roadbike

Endurance.....

Sourav Mandal

Biomaterials Lab, c/o- Prof.

Bikramjit Basu,Materials Research

Centre,Indian Institute of Science,

Bangalore

I'm inclined to Cannondale Caad8 at this moment but I'm not so sure. We will buy two bikes. Lolz..there is one friend who rides with me with his old Act110.  MRP of the Caad was quoted around 69k in RR Cycles Madivala and the dealer, Rakesh is giving discount of 4k on each bike. Shouldn't we expect more??...Has any one dealt with RR Cycles Madivala?...And I need your suggestions over the purchase (which bike, which store, Warranty bla bla). Do i need more test rides on the others bikes before finalizing the deal?

--
biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)
 
are you a part of the bicycle racing scene?
Visit www.bangalorebicyclechampionships.com for more details
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You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Bangalore Bikers Club" group.
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[anil s kadsur]

Pradeep,

I am dumb, can please help me understand I will treat you with coffee next time, let me also learn something in the process.

very truly,
anil s kadsur
http://kadsur.blogspot.in/

---

From: Pradeep naidu <pradee...@gmail.com>

Date: Fri, 13 Dec 2013 23:01:04 +0530

To: anilk...@gmail.com<anilk...@gmail.com>; ‎BBC‎<bangalor...@googlegroups.com>; Suman paul BBC<suma...@me.com>; Sourav Mandal<mandal....@gmail.com>

[Pradeep naidu]

Sure dumb guy, meet me for coffee ayeee..will explain from the start..

---

From: anil s kadsur

Sent: ‎14-‎12-‎2013 06:28 AM

[Arvind P]

lol

On Saturday, December 14, 2013 6:59:07 AM UTC+5:30, pradeep wrote:

Sure dumb guy, meet me for coffee ayeee..will explain from the start..

---

From: anil s kadsur
Sent: ‎14-‎12-‎2013 06:28 AM
To: Pradeep Naidu; BBC; Suman.paul.BBC; Sourav Mandal
Subject: Re: [BBC] Buying new roadbike

Pradeep,

I am dumb, can please help me understand I will treat you with coffee next time, let me also learn something in the process.

very truly,
anil s kadsur
http://kadsur.blogspot.in/

---

From: Pradeep naidu <pradee...@gmail.com>

Date: Fri, 13 Dec 2013 23:01:04 +0530

To: anilk...@gmail.com<anilkadsur...@gmail.com>; ‎BBC‎<bangalor...@googlegroups.com>; Suman paul BBC<suma...@me.com>; Sourav Mandal<mandal....@gmail.com>

[Karthik Vijayakumar]

Could you please explain for the general public here, what exactly you are trying to say. I too believed that an endurance oriented bike wouldn't have an aggressive geometry and would be more suited for something like brevets, while those with race oriented geometry would be more aggresive and be more suited for racing. Of course touring bikes are a completely different ball game, and hence doesn't come here. You seem to hinting that this is not what the distinction b/w. Could you please explain?

-Karthik

--

[Pradeep Naidu]

Karthik,

I mean not only aggressive geometries are  used for racing,, ,  endurance geometry bike doesnt mean you cant race at all, For example paris-roubiax races require different race geometry compared to the regular road races. Actually its even more technical than i know, i have understood in just bits and pieces and in a larger sense. i have watched few videos and there is lot of technology which goes in making correct frames for particular races. may be better guys like sree and others can explain.

Yesterday sourabh tested my bianchi and said its the best test ride till now. And i have confused him even more now... lol

--

Pradeep Naidu S

www.facebook.com\leopardskyn

[Nithin Philip]

@sourav ... thanks you for this post. You have reflected my thoughts almost exactly :P

I am looking to buy road bike as well. My budget is around 80k so I had narrowed down to either 1) Trek 1.5 2)Bianchi Nirone C2C (tiagra) and 3) Fuji Roubaix 1.3 (comes with the 105).

I think once you finalize the frame.. the durability and feel of the shifters is paramount.. i was advised not to go fr Sora shifter but stretch the budget a bit more to get tiagra ones.

With you requirements in mind you should consider the fuji roubaix as well.

Regards,
Nithin Philip

[mahapatra]

Sourav and I have narrowed down the list. Finally, it has all boiled down to Bianchi Via Nirone 7 Sora vs Cannondale Caad8 Sora. Yesterday, we had a test ride of Pradip's Bianchi and honestly, I have never felt the comfort of that sort on a roadbike when it hits the real bangalore road. I have never tested the cannondale on the road, so can't say anything about the comfort. But Cannondale always boasts their SAVE micro-suspension integrated in the frame so I'm least worried about the comfort on road. Last but not the least, Cannondale Caad8 has some real weight advantage (you can easily feel it) over all the bikes we tested but anyway I always believe that best bike is what fits you the best. Ultimately, that will only count in the long run. Also, I would like to thank Pradip for the test ride. For the first time, I had the privilege of riding a cycle on the road that holds the tradition of more than 125 years and personalities like Fausto Coppi, Marco Pantani and Jan Ullrich..lol

 

[Sre3-P0]

Hello Saurav,

You can check out the Fuji Sportif 1.1C.  Cycling Boutique: Experience Center.

Our address is:

Cycling Boutique - Experience Center™
1st Floor, "Brindavan", 4th B Cross, Michael Palya, Opp. George Thangiah Complex
80Ft Road, Indiranagar
560038 BANGALORE, KA

Contact: +91-8277276424/+91-9538949110.

Cheers,

[crg]

Hope you don't mind me pointing this out.

You experienced the Bianchi's ride but assumed the Cannondale's ride--huge difference.

[mahapatra]

We had test rides on both cycles but bianchi on the road and cannondale on the trainer and few meters in the shop..:p 

[crg]

I stand corrected.