Comparasion - Road Bike

The Madone is clearly spec'd better than the rest, but it's also more expensive by a good bit. Personally I'd spend the extra money, but that call is really up to you and what you're willing to spend.

Thanks a lot Ayeyo,

I do think like you. Best option = more money 🙂

From the cheaper options Im guessing they are more or less the same?

Thanks,

IMO the Trek 200 frame is also a bit better than the Specialized A1 frame. The better Specialized alloy frame is the E5.

Of the ones you listed I would go with the Trek Madone 2.1, it has the far superior 105 derailleurs the others go cheap on.

But personally, you're going to hate me, but I wouldn't get any of those you listed! I would be looking at the Jamis Icon with 105, or the Tommaso Aggraziato found only on line and spec'd with Ultegra. In the UK Wiggle.com has the Ridley Orion with 105 on sale for $1410, just a bit more than the Trek Madone but it is all carbon, or go with the less expensive Ridley Fenix 7005 SE that has the same 105 stuff the Orion has but comes with an aluminum frame for just $1,061. You can even go to Ribble Cycles and go through their bike builder or special edition bikes (the better deal) and build to suit, for the example the Ribble Evo Pro Carbon Naked with Shimano 105 is $1500 US dollars not including pedals.

Thanks Froze!

Have you ever heard of B'TWIN bikes? looks like a great deal, but Ive never heard of that brand or if its reliable:

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/btwin-mach-700-road-bike-id_8290154.html

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/fc-5-road-bike-white-id_8221750.html

Yup, you pay a little bit of a premium for those T and S brands.There are other choices out there. Jamis is certainly one. Others include Fuji (way improved in recent years), Giant, GT, and even Diamondback. The latter is trying to improve their "box store" image and has made some big strides the last few years.

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by mpre53
IMO the Trek 200 frame is also a bit better than the Specialized A1 frame. The better Specialized alloy frame is the E5.

True, but if you check the "Secteur" and "Tricross" line, even the higher-end specification bikes are built with A1.

Maybe the A1 can tackle road bumps a bit better? "Secteur" and "Tricross" are endurance and cyclocross frames.

But the S-Works Allez frame, which is:

-E5
-Tapered headtube
-Smart weld

costs only 800usd and that frame is also used in the multiple thousand S-Works Allez bike.

If all the parts are available then it sounds like a good deal.

But then there is also the CAAD10 from Cannondale which is a very good Alu-racer too. But havent seen that sold frame-only.

Anyway, I'm using an A1 Allez, it's got almost 6000km on the meter and only things that broke so far are the fork and I got a free replacement from the warranty.

Scraped a bit paint too but that would probably be alot more damage on a Carbon Frame.

But no, it doesnt climb as well as the 10r Tarmac that I did a test on the other day. In a straight line not many differences, except maybe the carbon absorbed road bumps a bit better and accelerated faster.

Guru seems to make some nice carbon racers and they are doing some good sales on their last seasons bikes.

Of the ones you listed I would go with the Trek Madone 2.1, it has the far superior 105 derailleurs the others go cheap on.

But personally, you're going to hate me, but I wouldn't get any of those you listed! I would be looking at the Jamis Icon with 105, or the Tommaso Aggraziato found only on line and spec'd with Ultegra, or this bike with full carbon frame and fork and 105 components on sale but limited in sizes available: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/kestrel/road-bikes/talon-road-bikes-105-xiv.htm, or this bike also full carbon and 105 see: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/kestrel/evoke3_105_road_xiii.htm Browse around

Some bike brands I didn't mention because I'm not sure what is available in the UK, but price wise there is also bikes like the Kona, KHS, Felt, and Raliegh, that are LBS sold bikes that tend to be less expensive than the major brands like Trek etc. due to lower marketing cost overhead. So if mail order scares you, I got my last bike mail order and I'm real happy with it, then try one of those brands at your LBSs in town.

I think that both Ribble and Wiggle have stores too in the UK.

Hi, Im about to purchase my new bike not without saying tanks to all of you. To be honest Ive leaned a lot with all your feedback. I've collected all the details about frames, gears, etc- from this, and other online communities - and these will be the last 3 options after trying both bikes. To be honest very similar riding, but maybe you think that some expects are better than the others?

evanscycles.comdolomite five 2014 road bike ec054871Open ↗ wiggle.co.ukverenti insight 03 105 2014Open ↗ wiggle.co.ukverenti belief sr20 tiagra 2014 1Open ↗ Thanks a lot again 🙂 btw Froze. great video. I think the "pay for a brand" thing can be applied to many purchases we do everyday 🙂

That's a tough call because there's a pretty non-trivial price spread between those bikes and it's going to be up to you and what you're willing to spend for the marginal gains offered. The Insight is nearly double the price of the Belief and is obviously superior to the other two, but it should be for ~$500 more. That's like asking what new car you should buy then listing a Hyundai, a Pontiac, and a Lexus.

The Pinnacle looks like it compromises on brakes and a pretty mehhhh FSA BB and crankset, but is otherwise nicely equiped. The Belief is an entire groupset down from the Insight and at a 40% price difference, it's not even a valid comparison.

In my opinion, since you've already decided to drop from name brand to off-brand bikes, you might as well go the rest of the way and just get the entry level Belief with the Tiagra kit. The performance difference between 105 and Tiagra is minimal and something you likely won't even notice. Spend the money you save on pedals, nice shoes, and some accessories or clothing. Also, Wiggle customer service is outstanding, some of the best of any online retailer I've experienced. I'd lean towards one of the bikes they're selling just for that reason.

Yep, I just added the Belief because of its price, 9.4kg with aluminium frame. I haven't tried Tiagra myself though.

Pinnacle was a good ride, and you are right. There was a big difference with the breaks. 8.5kg and Shimano 105 was really good experience.

And for the Insight well, I just wanted to try the carbon frame - although its still 8.80kg, with 105 Shimano.

Thanks for the review about wiggle. To be honest i gave them a call and they inform me very well about options without just thinking about the higher price.

The biggest difference between the Pinnacle and the Belief is the wheels. RS-11s are a better set than the cheap Alex ones on the Belief. It's the difference between a $200 set and a $50-$60 set. Both have FSA cranks, but Gossamer is higher in the model line than Omega. As far as the brakes go, in my experience, Tektro isn't great, but they're better than Tiangra. I hate the Tiagra brakes on my new Synapse, and I've had Tektro before. I have a set of 105s on order. If it was just a case of Tiagra vs.105 on the drivetrain, I'd rate it a push, value wise, but you should get more life out of the Shimano wheels. They're one step above entry level in Shimano's line-up, and you won't outgrow them as fast as you get better. You might get 2 years on them before "upgrade-itis" kicks in. They're not race wheels, but you usually find them on the better aluminum frames, and the mid-level carbon, in most bike brands.

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by AyeYo
In my opinion, since you've already decided to drop from name brand to off-brand bikes, you might as well go the rest of the way and just get the entry level Belief with the Tiagra kit. The performance difference between 105 and Tiagra is minimal and something you likely won't even notice.

Also, Wiggle customer service is outstanding, some of the best of any online retailer I've experienced. I'd lean towards one of the bikes they're selling just for that reason.

The first paragraph above, in my opinion of course, I disagree with. I test rode the Tiagra (9 speed), 105 (10 speed), Ultegra, and Dura Ace several different times because I was contemplating what to put on my new bike I got last year. I immediately dismissed the Tiagra because it shifted slower with less authority and the STI levers felt cheap. However, if you're not concerned about the function as much as you are about the cash the Tiagra is as low as a person should go and still get really good reliability out of your components because Tiagra uses more steel in it's construction it does make a durable system which would probably be the better choice for commuting or touring. 105 is less finicky of all the groups, once it breaks in then it's a set and forget type of system; 105 like I said above does have cleaner crisper shifts. 105 vs Ultegra there was barely a difference between the those two, and between Ultegra and Dura Ace another barely difference. And doing this comparison stuff and talking with people I discovered two tricks before I purchased my bike and the folks at Adrenalin Bikes all agreed with; first trick was for $36 extra was to swap the 105 RD for the Ultegra; 2nd trick was for $15 swap the Shimano basic cables for Dura Ace 9000 cables. What those two things did was make the shifting (and braking) as fast as Ultegra and feel as smooth as Dura Ace. The front derailleur doesn't matter because all front derailleurs don't shift fast like the rear and you don't use it as much anyways, what's odd with the front derailleur is that the STI shifts just as fast as my older friction front derailleurs!! Actually what's really weird is that my older SIS shifts the rear derailleur faster than STI!!!! Almost putting the STI at a shift rate on par with my top of the line friction, and that is comparing Dura Ace STI with Suntour Superbe. But now I'm off subject a tad.

Please note, I did say in the very first sentence that was my opinion.

I have heard from other forums that Wiggle customer service is indeed outstanding.

I forgot to mention something, Dura Ace hubs are outstanding, they seemingly will spin forever, all the others below DA won't. My understanding that DA hubs are using cup and cone vs the rest using sealed cartridge hubs, I couldn't tell any difference between any of the lower level hubs. Someday I'm going to have my RS500 wheels rebuilt using DA hubs instead of 105.

Thanks guys,

Tomorrow I'll try the Verenti. I wrote an email to wiggle and they give me 30 days to ride.

My choice will be between these 2 bikes. Pinnacle is now on sale in Evans for £800)m, but still, £100 difference won't change my life 🙂

evanscycles.comdolomite five 2014 road bike ec054871Open ↗
wiggle.co.ukverenti insight 03 105 2014Open ↗
Because I can always change the components in the future. What do you think about the frames of both? Verenti comes with carbon frame

Pinnacle Verenti
Frame: High modulus 24 ton UD carbon fibre Vs Pinnacle 6061-T6 double butted aluminium alloy
Fork: High modulus 24 ton UD carbon fibre Vs Full carbon, tapered steerer, fender eyelets
Wheelset: Fulcrum Racing Sport, clincher Vs Shimano RS-11 wheel set
Front & Rear Derailleur: Shimano 105 Vs Shimano 105 FD-5700
Shifters: Shimano 105 Vs Shimano 105 ST-5700
Brake Type: Caliper vs Tektro
Brakes: Shimano 105 (STi), 10 speed vs Shimano 105 ST-5700
Chainset: Shimano 105 vs FSA Gossamer
Bottom Bracket: Shimano Hollowtech vs FSA External
Cassette: Shimano Tiagra vs Shimano CS-4600 12-25T
Tyres: Continental UltraSport, 700x23c vs Kenda Kriterium K1029 25c

Ride both then decide, personally, and I mean that has strictly my opinion, I don't like aluminum bikes they have a finite life expectancy, in other words they fatigue, depending on how much you ride it if could be worn out in as little as 5 years or last a lifetime if rarely ridden, and it can corrode due to environment, sports drinks, and sweat. CF does not fatigue nor corrode. Again just an opinion.

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by AyeYo
The Madone is clearly spec'd better than the rest, but it's also more expensive by a good bit. Personally I'd spend the extra money, but that call is really up to you and what you're willing to spend.

This. Like they say, "buy cheap, buy twice"

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by Roberlui
Thanks guys,

Tomorrow I'll try the Verenti. I wrote an email to wiggle and they give me 30 days to ride.

My choice will be between these 2 bikes. Pinnacle is now on sale in Evans for £800)m, but still, £100 difference won't change my life 🙂

evanscycles.comdolomite five 2014 road bike ec054871Open ↗
wiggle.co.ukverenti insight 03 105 2014Open ↗
Because I can always change the components in the future. What do you think about the frames of both? Verenti comes with carbon frame

Pinnacle Verenti
Frame: High modulus 24 ton UD carbon fibre Vs Pinnacle 6061-T6 double butted aluminium alloy
Fork: High modulus 24 ton UD carbon fibre Vs Full carbon, tapered steerer, fender eyelets
Wheelset: Fulcrum Racing Sport, clincher Vs Shimano RS-11 wheel set
Front & Rear Derailleur: Shimano 105 Vs Shimano 105 FD-5700
Shifters: Shimano 105 Vs Shimano 105 ST-5700
Brake Type: Caliper vs Tektro
Brakes: Shimano 105 (STi), 10 speed vs Shimano 105 ST-5700
Chainset: Shimano 105 vs FSA Gossamer
Bottom Bracket: Shimano Hollowtech vs FSA External
Cassette: Shimano Tiagra vs Shimano CS-4600 12-25T
Tyres: Continental UltraSport, 700x23c vs Kenda Kriterium K1029 25c

The components are comparable, except that the 105 crank/BB is probably better than the FSA. Just as an FYI, CS-4600 is the product code for Tiagra, on the cassettes. Which is the least important of any component on the bike.

Hi guys,

I just want to thanks you all for your help here.

At the end my winner is the Verenti 0.3. I feel in love with the carbon frame.

AyeYo, you were right about wiggle customer service. They called me before the purchase to confirm that Ive 30 days of free ride, but what is more impressive, I asked the to change the rear brake to the right handle (Im Spanish and this is sometimes very dangerous when reacting quickly). They said "No problem, we will do it at no extra cost" - another shop that I won't mention wanted to charge me £40 for that.

Thanks again for your feedback 🙂