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New road bike advice for a MTB'er


Zawillow

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Hi all,

 

After years riding my MTB I did the CTCT on a borrowed road bike this year - this opened my eyes to the other side. So I'm looking for a new road bike - one could say that I'm starting my n+1 journey. I have very little roadie experience and would appreciate some advice. My criteria (based on bits of input I've received so far):

 

  • Opting for new or demo bike for warranty and peace of mind
  • ~R25k budget
  • Strong preference for Carbon
  • Ideally 105 groupset
  • Bike will spend time on the trainer, longer weekend rides (when I'm not on the MTB) and a few of the more common races during the year 

I've found 3 options that I think will work:

 

Cannondale SuperSix EVO 105 (New 2020) - R27.5k

https://bike-addict.co.za/collections/road-bikes/products/cannondale-supersix-evo-carbon-105-2020

  • I like the looks and meets all criteria, but a little bit more expensive than the other options

 

Trek Emonda SL5 (Demo 2019) - R25k

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/road-bikes/404010/trek-emonda-sl5-demo-bike

  • Good looking bike and I've read good things about it, but its a 2019 model and a demo

 

Merida Scultura 5000 (New 2020) - R25k

https://www.cyclelab.com/product/merida-scultura-5000

  • Some Ultegra components, but not sure about the looks and I'm not a fan of the bright red 
  • Scultura 4000 could also work

 

Keen to get some opinions between these three options, please let me know your thoughts. 

 

Thanks in advance. 

 

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Depending on the geometry you pref... Have a look at the Giant Defy

Endurance Geometry with hydraulic disc brakes

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Hi all,

 

After years riding my MTB I did the CTCT on a borrowed road bike this year - this opened my eyes to the other side. So I'm looking for a new road bike - one could say that I'm starting my n+1 journey. I have very little roadie experience and would appreciate some advice. My criteria (based on bits of input I've received so far):

 

  • Opting for new or demo bike for warranty and peace of mind
  • ~R25k budget
  • Strong preference for Carbon
  • Ideally 105 groupset
  • Bike will spend time on the trainer, longer weekend rides (when I'm not on the MTB) and a few of the more common races during the year 

I've found 3 options that I think will work:

 

Cannondale SuperSix EVO 105 (New 2020) - R27.5k

https://bike-addict.co.za/collections/road-bikes/products/cannondale-supersix-evo-carbon-105-2020

  • I like the looks and meets all criteria, but a little bit more expensive than the other options

 

Trek Emonda SL5 (Demo 2019) - R25k

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/road-bikes/404010/trek-emonda-sl5-demo-bike

  • Good looking bike and I've read good things about it, but its a 2019 model and a demo

 

Merida Scultura 5000 (New 2020) - R25k

https://www.cyclelab.com/product/merida-scultura-5000

  • Some Ultegra components, but not sure about the looks and I'm not a fan of the bright red 
  • Scultura 4000 could also work

 

Keen to get some opinions between these three options, please let me know your thoughts. 

 

Thanks in advance. 

 

 

The Super 6 Evo MkIII with 105. No need to read further

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Looks great, but I'm 183cm - so looking at size 56 or 58 depending on the model

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Have you considered a Gravel bike, and just put skinny tires on it for when you want to be on the road?

 

I am also more of mountain than a road biker, but the versatility of the gravel is awesome in my opinion. It's my go to bike at the moment. 

 

But if you are very competitive and want to achieve "results" on the road - I like the Trek Emonda you listed

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Have you considered a Gravel bike, and just put skinny tires on it for when you want to be on the road?

 

I am also more of mountain than a road biker, but the versatility of the gravel is awesome in my opinion. It's my go to bike at the moment. 

 

But if you are very competitive and want to achieve "results" on the road - I like the Trek Emonda you listed

 

Did think about going gravel, but suppose that'll be the bike I get after the road bike. I'm not competitive, actually need all the help I can get which is why I'm going full road bike first. 

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Just remember, not all carbon is equal.

 

So I have been told, that's whats tempted me towards the Trek, but I would assume the Cannondale would also be great.

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So I have been told, that's whats tempted me towards the Trek, but I would assume the Cannondale would also be great.

 

 

The Cannondale has won roadbike of the year awards across the globe. Its a great bike. It's really really good.

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Hi all,

 

After years riding my MTB I did the CTCT on a borrowed road bike this year - this opened my eyes to the other side. So I'm looking for a new road bike - one could say that I'm starting my n+1 journey. I have very little roadie experience and would appreciate some advice. My criteria (based on bits of input I've received so far):

 

  • Opting for new or demo bike for warranty and peace of mind
  • ~R25k budget
  • Strong preference for Carbon
  • Ideally 105 groupset
  • Bike will spend time on the trainer, longer weekend rides (when I'm not on the MTB) and a few of the more common races during the year 

I've found 3 options that I think will work:

 

Cannondale SuperSix EVO 105 (New 2020) - R27.5k

https://bike-addict.co.za/collections/road-bikes/products/cannondale-supersix-evo-carbon-105-2020

  • I like the looks and meets all criteria, but a little bit more expensive than the other options

 

Trek Emonda SL5 (Demo 2019) - R25k

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/road-bikes/404010/trek-emonda-sl5-demo-bike

  • Good looking bike and I've read good things about it, but its a 2019 model and a demo

 

Merida Scultura 5000 (New 2020) - R25k

https://www.cyclelab.com/product/merida-scultura-5000

  • Some Ultegra components, but not sure about the looks and I'm not a fan of the bright red 
  • Scultura 4000 could also work

 

Keen to get some opinions between these three options, please let me know your thoughts. 

 

Thanks in advance. 

So, I was lucky enough up until February, to have a Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL5 Sagan Edition as part of a barter arrangement between my business and a Specialized retailer. And when that contract ended I had no idea how I would be able to affordably replace that bike and not feel short-changed. I bought the new 2020 Cannondale SuperSix Evo Ultegra Disc and I can tell you that I have not felt like I'm on less of a bike for single second. It's a bit heavier than the Tarmac by some margin (over 1kg) but I've PR'd more segments in the 3 months I've had this bike than I did in 18 months on the Tarmac. It's an absolutely superb machine (the frame is wonderful) and I couldn't recommend this bike more highly - pick the Cannondale; the frame is superb and you won't regret it!

post-103640-0-74043600-1591013277_thumb.jpg

Edited by GuyKilfoil
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Did think about going gravel, but suppose that'll be the bike I get after the road bike. I'm not competitive, actually need all the help I can get which is why I'm going full road bike first. 

 

I would have progressed the other way, gravel first then road. But that being said, the N+1 strategy doesn't care about the sequence  :).  So buy the bike you "need" at the point where you "need" it.

 

Just clicked on the SuperSix link, and I would like to revisit my previous suggestion. That SuperSix is Super nice. 

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I'm going to throw a spanner in the works here. 

Get something with hydraulic discs.

 

After many many many years struggling with rim brakes, the only bike to ever stop properly with rim brakes was my 90's Alpina, everything else was just a pull 'n pray effort.

Now that I have discs I can feel how my confidence on the bike has come back because I know I can stop when I need to.

 

You coming from a MTB I'm assuming that has disc brakes, might feel uneasy with rim brakes.

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