20k for a bike - newbie

[amoryns]

have a newbie friend who can spend 20k on a new bike. As a 1st timer she is saying she only wants to buy a bike once and never again (I will not let her in on the secret that when the cycling bug bites you need a new bike every year....)

 

so what would you suggest would be a good buy?

 

She is looking at the following but I am not a big fan of aluminium especially if she is looking at doing good times and not just fiffeling around...

Frame CAAD8, Optimized 6061 Alloy, BB30

Fork Cannondale Ultra, Carbon Blades, 1-1/8"

Rims Alex RC24

Hubs Formula RB-51, RB-52

Spokes Stainless Steel, Bladed

Tires Schwalbe Lugano 700x23c

Crank FSA Gossamer BB30, 34/50

BottomBracket FSA BB30

Chain Shimano 105

Rear Cogs Shimano 105, 12-27

Front Derailleur Shimano 105, Clamp 34.9 mm

Rear Derailleur Shimano 105

Shifters Shimano 105

Handlebars Cannondale C3 Compact

Stem Cannondale C3, 31.8 mm

Headset CAAD8 Si, 1 1/ 8

Brakes Tektro R580

Brakelevers Shimano 105

Seat Post Cannondale C3, Carbon wrap, 27.2 mm, 300 mm

Saddle Cannondale Stage crmo Rails

Seatpost Cannondale C3, Carbon wrap, 31.6 mm, 300 mm

[I-FELT-the-FORCE]

I would say taht is a bit steep for what she is getting. I am pretty sure she can get a better specced bike for R20K. The Canondale Aluminium is really light, so it wouldnt make a huge difference if she bought the Carbon frrame.

My worries here are the Shimano 105's, Tektro Brakes, and Alex Rims?? Just looking at the frame pricing and if I take that away from the R20K, I would say she is WAY overpaying for the bike.

Shop around a little more would be my suggestions.

Just my 2 cents worth.

[amoryns]

nope this specific one mentioned here is not 20k, little less, but she has 20k to spend. I am also not a fan of those tektro brakes and fsa crank

Edited January 20, 2011 by amoryns

[bikemonster]

Cannondale is positioned as a premium brand, so your friend may be able to get better bang for buck by looking at other brands.

 

Nothing wrong with alu at all.

 

Somebody will be along shortly to spin the BS that carbon makes for a cushioned ride and alu makes for a harsh ride. It's utter rubbish in the real world.

 

The right bike is the one that makes your friend's heart go pitter patter, and a 105 groupset is an excellent level...for anybody, newbie or experienced cyclist.

['Dale]

I would say taht is a bit steep for what she is getting. I am pretty sure she can get a better specced bike for R20K. The Canondale Aluminium is really light, so it wouldnt make a huge difference if she bought the Carbon frrame.

My worries here are the Shimano 105's, Tektro Brakes, and Alex Rims?? Just looking at the frame pricing and if I take that away from the R20K, I would say she is WAY overpaying for the bike.

Shop around a little more would be my suggestions.

Just my 2 cents worth.

I am cool with the CAAD series - aluminium.

The 2011 edition is stunning.

[Spinnekop]

Cannondale Alu is some of the fastest bikes around!! Ask any Criterium racer!!!

 

That said, I think for R20k she can get better equipment on the bike!! FOR SURE!!!

[amoryns]

hubs, wheels...any opinion on that?

[amoryns]

she is looking at the caad8 as well as the caad10

 

the caad10 is about 20k and the caad8 7k less...is there really such a big difference between the 2?

[I-FELT-the-FORCE]

Agreed, the Aluminium series is awesome, and really light, hence I said, go for it on frame alone. Just think she could get more (components and rims wise) for her money.

NOT detracting from the frame Mr Air "dale"bender

[splat]

What about Giant TCR composite or a MERIDA SCULTURA EVO 905 ?

 

Carbon frames with mostly Ultegra

[amoryns]

splat how much for the giant. is it full ultegra?

[I-FELT-the-FORCE]

Giant is HOT.

Merida, just too fine for words (but that might just be a little biased )

There is the thing right there. You can get both of these around the R20K Mark, better specced than the Canondale

[amoryns]

or what about the ktm strada?

[whitesox]

Sent you a PM

[Edge_Design]

That is definitely not R20k's worth of bike... If she happens to fit on a 54cm, I could probably get a brand new carbon ISP frame, SRAM Force (SRAM Red BB30 crank though), 1360g wheelset and alu finishing kit (post, stem and bars).

 

Why not look at some of the smaller brands where you get higher spec groupset/wheels etc. for the same price (the frames are basically the same really, the price just changes when you stick a big brand name on it). For R20k you should get at least Ultegra/Force I reckon and some decent components.

 

For R20k she could also look at the carbon Cannondale Six 5, but don't think that is really a major upgrade over the alu version and definitely not worth an extra +-R7k (IMHO).

[I-FELT-the-FORCE]

or what about the ktm strada?

 

I haven't seen one of them on the road. Would actually be interested to know how it goes.

Giant is full Ultegra as far as I know.