Help me pick a bike

matthewperk on 10/07/2014 - 22:01

Hey Guys

So I'm in the market for a Road Bike to get me the 30km to work every day.

I'm a 188cm 94kg guy.

I'm currently riding on a Reid single speed and have been training to get my fittness up to complete the daily ride (currently doing 25km in an hour relatively comfortably).

I'm ideally looking for a quality bike (happy for it to be second hand) to help ease the ride with a few extra gears! Looking for something with 105 gearing or equivelent.

I've been looking around and come across two options second hand that I'm interested in:

a 2009 Avanti Vivance running 105s with the wheelset having been upgraded to an ultegra wheelset.
The other option is a Cannondale CA008. The Cannondale is the same price ($600) but only comes with Alex RC24 rims.

What's peoples thoughts on picking between those two for the same price? And has anyone come across another quality deal that would be worthwhile also comparing?

General Discussion

Comments

  • fertiliser on 10/07/2014 - 23:55
    +1

    105 gear will be fine for you

    as you're buying second hand, whatever you do make sure the bike is the right size for you!

  • matthewperk on 11/07/2014 - 00:06

    Yeah all over that. Thanks though it's definitely solid advice :-)

    Any opinion on which of the above two bikes would be the better choice?

  • blitz on 11/07/2014 - 00:18

    Yep, you've left out the most important variable - what sizes are the frames?

    • matthewperk on 11/07/2014 - 09:01

      Thanks, I'm working off the assumption that both frames will be about right, but I won't know til I actually go see them in person (which I'm planning on doing this weekend)

      The Avanti is a 56.5cm
      The Cannondale is a 58cm

      Any suggestions of which option is the better bike though (assuming they are both the right size for me)?

      • blitz on 12/07/2014 - 13:03

        It's going to come down to how it rides, and how comfortable you feel on it. I'm your height (twins!) and 58cm is close to my ideal size. 56.5 would be alright, but it would put me slightly lower down in a race position.

        I think I would choose the Cannondale, if I had to choose one of those two. You can always replace the wheelset, and with a good frame you won't notice a crummy wheelset as much.

  • kingsville on 11/07/2014 - 11:25
    +1

    I'd say there are both quality options.

    How old is the CAAD?
    The current model can be had for $1099 new: http://www.bikes.com.au/p/8771746/cannondale-caad8-5-105---r…

    I like the sound of the wheelset on the Avanti, but if it has been in heavy use since 2009 it might not be the best option. Wheels will cop a beating on regular commuting, especially if you ride ride/hail/shine - sealed bearings will help prolong their life.

    Since you have a 30km commute I understand why you are looking at road bikes, but I have to admit I've found my favourite commuter to be my cyclocross bike - fatter tyres and disc brakes, but still have drop bars.

    What ever you get, don't forget to play around with the fit (flip/change stem, etc) and consider clip in pedals if you don't already have them.

    edit: If you are in Melbourne, this might be worth watching: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Giant-OCR-Zero-Large-with-a-few-u…

  • matthewperk on 11/07/2014 - 11:45

    It's a 2011. And yeh I know you can get some great cyclocross bikes and new roadies for just over $1000, but to be honest, I was initially budgeting around $500, but am stretching it a bit more to get a 105 setup with a decent brand frame.

    I'd happily consider a cyclocross bike if the right one came along at the right price!

    Once I purchase it, first step will be to take it to my LBS to get it fitted for myself.

    EDIT: thanks for the link. I've added it to the watch list and made a bid!

    • kingsville on 11/07/2014 - 12:26
      +2

      If it is 2011 it may have the 5700 levers rather than 5600 levers - the newer ones are more comfortable for me and the brake cables are hidden. Newer tech means your bike won't look as dated if you care about that, but I'm not sure if the function (cable pull) is any better.

      some LBS change for even a notional bike fit, or will expect you to buy the parts off them for any changes - where as used stems are super cheap on eBay. If you are near Melbourne's inner West I'm happy to share my thoughts and try some different stems over a beer.

      • matthewperk on 11/07/2014 - 13:00

        Cheers mate, I may take you up on that.

        I'm definately not in need of the latest tech.

  • Cheaparoo on 12/07/2014 - 00:55

    Have you considered some budget new bikes? Here's the best value ones:

    $749 Flight Aspire 2 from Amart - Has full Shimano 105 group set. Bloke there says the frame comes from the same factory that makes their premium Boardman bike frames. Good for the $$. Only thing I noticed was the crankset was a standard 52-39T, not a compact 50-34T and I believe it was a 12-25T cassette. Gearing that is not well suited for hilly areas. Had Shimano 501 wheels shod with Continental Ultra sport tyres and a San Marco saddle. Good looking quality bike for the $$.

    $748 Reid Falco Elite similar specs to the Flight at a similar pricepoint. Though I'd take the Flight over a Reid anyday of the week.

    $699 Malvern Star Oppy A3 - BikeForce. Has the 2013 10-speed Tiagra groupset, compact crankset and even a
    12-28T cassette. 2013 10-speed Tiagra (4600) is as good as the 5700 105, just a fraction heavier and not so blingy.

    The Flight has better components with the 105 parts but the Oppy has better hill climbing gearing. Guess depends on what you want to use the bike for.

  • blitz on 14/07/2014 - 20:00

    Well OP, what did you choose?

  • matthewperk on 14/07/2014 - 20:43

    Ended up being an easy decision. The Avanti seller ended up deciding to keep it. The giant on eBay went for more than I was willing to pay for something so old.

    So I ended up picking up the Canondale CAAD8 105 for $600.

    :-) very happy. Putting new peddles on it now and will give it a once over to get rid of a little bit of grease and dirt.

    Thanks for the help!

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