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Best bike deals for £1500? It is sale time!

As some of you may remember gobsh*tes broke in and nicked my spare road bike and bmx (nothing like a 36 year old on a kids bike!).
Anyway just found out today, after pestering the insurance company every-second-day-for-3-weeks that they're paying out the full amount. Yay!
Unfortunately they're not just handing me a cheque - it needs to be made out to a bike shop, so no eBay bargains.

So... with the sales starting. Is there anything you've seen that stands out?
I'm probably looking for a TT bike, size small (I'm 5'7").
Carbon is always good.
Campagnolo would also be handy, as I could swap wheels (Zondas) with my road bike for training.
I know the first thing many will say is Planet X Stealth but... there's just too many of them around!

I should add...
WillTri posted an Orbea Ora up a while ago that has me drooling!
If I didn't already have a road bike then the Focus Cayo Ultegra or the Planet X SL Pro would already have my cash.
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Comments

  • Jelly legsJelly legs Posts: 278
    ring tri uk mate they have so many well priced bikes its untrue.

    They have some 08 models, that as far as i can tell are same as 09 models with up to 500 quid off in some cases.
  • willtriwilltri Posts: 436
    WillTri posted an Orbea Ora up a while ago that has me drooling!
    I wish i'd never seen that bike - it driving me mad, tormenting me I tell you !!
  • ironkavironkav Posts: 259
    Has anyone tested those PLANETX bikes. The price is very decent on their website.

    I am on the hunt now for TT bike. They sound great but would like to hear some personal experiences if any.. Been testing the Argon e112 with 105components. bit pricey though here in Ireland. Could do it better if i ordered parts and built myself. The planetx bikes are well spec'd though and decent $$$.

    Anyone?
    IK
  • gunforhiregunforhire Posts: 457
    ironkav wrote:
    Has anyone tested those PLANETX bikes. The price is very decent on their website.

    I am on the hunt now for TT bike. They sound great but would like to hear some personal experiences if any.. Been testing the Argon e112 with 105components. bit pricey though here in Ireland. Could do it better if i ordered parts and built myself. The planetx bikes are well spec'd though and decent $$$.

    Anyone?
    IK
    Oy! Hijacker!
    Review here http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... arbon-8859
    Have a look in any transition, there will be dozens of them. Which pretty much speaks for itself.
  • ironkavironkav Posts: 259
    thanks gun.. being v lazy on research today.. but someone always has the answer quicky here.

    Thanks
    IK
  • ZacniciZacnici Posts: 1,385
    Orbea Ora for me drool drool ... was the previous Ordu but simply renamed it when the new Ordu (ridden by a well known contributor to this forum - can't remember his name now )

    But then as has been said Planet X are a plenty so they must be doing something right.

    Sorry that's not really helped you decide has it?
  • gunforhiregunforhire Posts: 457
    Jelly legs wrote:
    ring tri uk mate they have so many well priced bikes its untrue.

    They have some 08 models, that as far as i can tell are same as 09 models with up to 500 quid off in some cases.
    This looks pretty good: Kuota K-Factor with Campag Centaur Group Set. £1400
    http://triuk.com/web/index.php/Kuota-Tr ... e.tpl.html

    Off to find a review...
  • md6md6 Posts: 969
    If you're looking for a tri bike then this looked ok... a bit above the budget but

    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/equinox-95-ttx-2007-triathlon-bike-ec014982
  • Curly68Curly68 Posts: 21
    Carrera Virago TT (then £500 on wheels), Boardman, Ribble? Royles also have some nice bikes on sale at the mo.
    Good luck in your hunt. Pics please when you get it!
  • ironkavironkav Posts: 259
    yeah whats RIBBLES story. The bikes look great. would love a 220 review on it.. Their site is a bit of a disaster. Very misleading images.

    IK
  • [toPh][toPh] Posts: 244
    Bad customer service from what I've read, complete opposite to Planet X...
  • md6md6 Posts: 969
    ironkav wrote:
    yeah whats RIBBLES story. The bikes look great. would love a 220 review on it.. Their site is a bit of a disaster. Very misleading images.

    IK
    Kav this months 220 has a review of the rible - overall it got 7/10. Apparently very aggessive and a bit twitchy ...should be on the website - have a search?
  • risris Posts: 1,002
    not sure about ribbles, for the prices they are something has to give and i have a sneaky suspicion that it might be the frame. might be wrong though, i'm a cynical sod though and so anything too good to be true must have a catch!
  • gunforhiregunforhire Posts: 457
    Thanks everyone.
    My problem seems to be that the majority of TT bikes in the sales are Mediums. I need a small. The Orbea Ora WilTri was dribbling at is a Medium.

    Royles have a Argon 18 E80 SRAM Rival.
    http://www.royles.biz/product/4958/Argo ... val_Custom
    [img:1v81vor5]http://www.royles.biz/images/prod_4958.jpg[/img:1v81vor5]
    Looks the dogs, and has that rare factor (Trek, Giant and Specialised just don't do it for me.)
    Can't find a review though.
  • ZacniciZacnici Posts: 1,385
    Oooh - looks nice!

    As you say the rarity factor, looks the business but I can't find a review on it.

    Bit more info here:
    http://www.argon18bike.com/main.cfm?l=e ... &item=E-80
  • ironkavironkav Posts: 259
    this months you say.. I subscribed last month for the year.. still waiting on my first mag (sept) thru the front door.. The newsagents has it already.. will have a read once i get it..

    IK
  • gunforhiregunforhire Posts: 457
    The list is getting smaller - mainly due to the few Small frames out there...

    Quinta Roo Seduza (bit more than I wanted to spend and the Alex 220 wheels don't get good reviews)
    Felt B16 - who's got one?
    Argon 18 E80 (SRAM Rival) - frame isn't all carbon.
    Planet X Stealth (yeah, I know what I said before...)
    Scott Plasma CS1 2008 - Bridgetown Cycles have the frame, left a message asking how much built up.

    WilTri - that Orbea Ora at Cliff Pratts was sold last week. So put it out your mind, mate.
    Epic Cycles have one but he's not doing a 'deal'. Wants £1900.
  • gunforhiregunforhire Posts: 457
    Many thanks to Conehead for PM'ing and offering his opinions and helping whittle down and amend the shortlist.
    The new list looks like this:

    Felt B12 2009 - £1799 Sale. It was to be a B16 but Conehead has suggested 'selling a child' to get the F12!
    Great frame, Ultegra, own wheels. Shame about the paintjob. Yuk. :roll:

    Orbea Ora Tri4 2009 - found one! £1499 Sale. Excellent frame. Good wheels, basic components. Gorgeous though!

    Scott Plasma CR1 2008 frame. I've contacted Bridgtown Cycles regarding getting this built up. Just waiting for a price. Hopefully about £1500 - £1600.

    Those seem to be the most bang-per-buck full carbon bikes available around the £1500 mark in the UK in a small frame. It's worth remembering that they are all £2000+ bikes prior to sale.

    As these bikes are all over the country I'm just not going to get a chance to try them. Seriously, I could probably count on 1 hand how many small TT bikes are available in the UK just now.

    Aaaargghhhh!!!!
    I am so-o-o-o confused! I'm getting sleepless nights over this!

    The Felt B12 is the intellectual choice due to the components and wheels, Ultergra, own-brand wheels, but why did they change to that cheap looking paintjob? Reminds me of a Ribble Aero. Yuk. Need to sell a child...
    [img:ujx1dphd]http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/reviews/FeltB12-2009/SM/b1209-230.jpg[/img:ujx1dphd]

    The Orbea Ora looks lovely! Lacks the components of the Felt possibly, mix of 105 and Ultegra but the Mavic Cosmic Elite wheels make up for this. Same frame as the more expensive Ordu, albeit the 2007 frame (same as a Mr Conehead's!).
    [img:ujx1dphd]http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/images/orbea%20ora%20tri4.jpg[/img:ujx1dphd]

    The 2008 Scott Plasma is a bit of an unknown as it seems Scott have changed the Plasma range in 2009, so I'm unsure where the CS1 sits. Have yet to see what Bridgtown suggest in the build.
    [img:ujx1dphd]http://www.btownbikes.com/smsimg/26/921-3608-main-scott_pro_plasma_cr1-26.jpg[/img:ujx1dphd]

    I've dismissed the Argon E80, Qunitana Roo, and anything in a Trek or Giant.

    Will keep you posted...
  • I was at Bridgetown picking up my new bike and that Scott Frame kept jumping out a me. It looks simply sexy.

    An absolute bargain in terms of price as you know Gun.... very tempting for you I'm sure. Keep us up to speed - always nice to hear about someones decision and the result.

    Best of luck
  • md6 wrote:
    If you're looking for a tri bike then this looked ok... a bit above the budget but

    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/equinox-95-ttx-2007-triathlon-bike-ec014982

    Have you bought from these guys before, Im just a bit worried about paying so much for bikle online and it not comming:)
  • ZacniciZacnici Posts: 1,385
    Well they are a large group:
    http://www.evanscycles.com/stores

    If you use your credit card as well that will give additional protection, in fact I bought something myself off them, I think it was a turbo trainer - some time back.

    Problem buying from a distance is sizing so if you know which size you want and the bike you want to buy is a good deal (shop around you will be surprised by the price variations) then go for it.
  • Evans are all over the country. anything online can be ordered instore.
  • I've just purchased a road bike through Cyclescheme (eagerly anticipating picking up!!) and whilst looking around at the various websites for models/prices I noticed that prices have gone up for 2010 but specs have gone down, certainly for Wilier bikes anyway.

    Its been mentioned on the forum before about sterling being weaker and one of the main contributing reasons for the price hike for 2010 bikes so a 2009 sale bike would make more sense and probably leave some cash leftover for upgardes/accessories.
  • ...been a while since I updated this post and the decision has been made. I'll be unveiling my bike in a couple of weeks.

    Thank you to everyone that threw in their suggestions. BIG thanks to Conehead who bounced PMs back and forth, brilliant.
    Well it was between an Orbea Orca (Epic Cycles) and a Scott Plasma frame (Bridgestone).
    The Orbea tugged at my heart strings for a long time - the frame was beautiful but the wheels and cockpit let it down.
    The Scott Plasma 07 frame was dismissed as it would need to be bought sight unseen, and it's now the base frame in the Scott range, so fully built 2009 models were more competitive price wise.
    The Felt B12 snuck in as the new favourite, as my local dealer (Sigma Sport) could get them and I get club discount.
    Turned out they misheard and looked to get in a 2009 B2. A fantastic bike but £2200 even on sale.
    I had a £1700 insurance cheque that HAD to be spent with a shop! It's a hard life.

    Enter my Tri club. They had an ex-Team 2008 Pinarello FT1.
    My head was turned and decision made. I took it home for a test ride and spent a week with it on the Turbo trying and failing to dial it in. I had to admit defeat though - it was just too small. Sigma confirmed that there was no way that frame was going to fit. No!!!!

    ...and then, IT appeared... it's the end of the season and my club is selling it's 2009 team bikes:
    fully carbon. carbon cockpit. mavic carbone sl wheels, BUT even secondhand a clear £1000 more than I wanted to spend. Many sleepless nights followed, hours on the internet researching, hours of justifing it to myself and the WAT - the main justification being I could pay up the balance over the year.

    Ladies and Gentlepersons, I am soon to be the proud, nervous and grossly untalented owner of a 2009 Ceepo Venom (just as soon as it's present owner brings it back from IM 70.3 Florida)!
    Yes, it's a lot of bike.
    Yes, I'm not good enough... but if anything is going to spur me on over the winter it's the thought of turning up to race in 2010 and not being able to deliver the goods! I'd be that guy: All the gear and no idea!
    Photos to be posted in the Bike Porn section when IT (sex to be determined) arrives. Space has already been made in the spare room, and baby wipes purchased for cleaning purposes.

    So, 3 months ago I had a plan and budget of around £1600. 3 months later the plan is dead and I'm £1000 over budget. Damn?!
  • bad, bad person - now look what you've done - made me look at ceepo site and they've got gorgeous girlie bikes - dread to think how much but its pink so must be good:D

    http://www.ceepo.com/frames_grace.html

    http://www.ceepo.com/frames_triumph.html

    would probably fall straight off
  • huwdhuwd Posts: 228
    moonshine wrote:


    would probably fall straight off
    if youre going to fall off - makes sure the bike is worth falling off
  • gunforhire wrote:
    ...baby wipes purchased for cleaning purposes.
    That's some preparation for the over excitement on delivery day?
  • Ha I need to ask Conehead what brand of baby wipes to use and if I should go scented or unscented.

    Not bad for completely blowing a budget is it?!
    I'm selling myself on the fact that it's such a mind-boggling-carbon-everything-spec that I'll never have to buy anything for it, barring pedals and bottle cages.
    I've had to change our Home Contents Insurance in advance of the delivery.
    Plus the spare room is getting an overall just so it can be mounted on the Turbo trainer for the winter. I should mention that I haven't done anything more than carpet and change light bulbs in that room since we moved in 4 years ago!
  • Bloody hell, Gun, what a choice!! Can't wait to see the pictures.
  • moonshine wrote:
    bad, bad person - now look what you've done - made me look at ceepo site and they've got gorgeous girlie bikes - dread to think how much but its pink so must be good:D
    TFN have the 2009 Ceepo Vixen in pink - saw a girl with one last week. Very nice.
    http://www.tfn.uk.com/acatalog/Ceepo_Vi ... tpost.html
    ...and it's on sale! Go on, moonshine, you know you want to!

    [img:2e8e9oms]http://www.ceepo.com/images/frame_vixen.jpg[/img:2e8e9oms]

    This could be you! http://www.flickr.com/photos/j9/sets/72157622203268088/
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