boshk

Still deciding and researching on my first bike.
Riding mostly paved road and cycle paths, only a few 4deg hills.

Some of the bikes are still on 2016 sale, some are new.
There's so much info and variety, just wanna see if anyone has opinions or experience with these bikes

2016 Merida 3000 disc Tiagra .$1180....carbon frame
2017 Cannondale synapse disc Tiagra $1140
2016 Giant Defy 2 around $1050....if they still have stock
2017 GT grade alloy Tiagra $900
...or wait until I visit UK in Feb for a 2017 Specialized a Diverge Elite DSW for $1200

All apparently can take 28mm tires for more comfort and stability.

San Pedro

I would like the Merida for the carbon frame, but try all the bikes and go with the one that fits the best. If they all fit, then go with the best looking one.

How are the roads in HK? Is it pretty crazy riding through the city?

shafter

Get the one you think is coolest. I'm not kidding.

I have a Giant Defy and love it.

sh00k

the trek emonda s4 is a great value for what you get. if you are diligent, you can find an lbs that has a 2016 model in your size. not sure if 28mm tires would fit on it though...

a friend of mine got one and paid $1,300 after tax. yes, it's a couple hundred dollars more than your options but the frame is all carbon and the entire bike has tiagara. no cheapo swaped out parts here.

fwiw.

hsuehhwa

They're all decent. Just ride.


If you're in the US, among the four the Cannondale might have the best resale value, in case there's a near-future upgrade.

Elvo

Fuji Altamira 2.0 Road Bike

boshk

Thanks! found a huge article on road bike and endurance bikes. Interesting read.

Did a basic Stack:Reach ratio on the bikes I am thinking about, a few are race road geometry based on the article.

Stack:Reach greater than 1.5 is considered as Endurance-->more comfortable geometry
Less than 1.45 is Race road

My size, Medium, 50-52cm...Synapse, Defy, Ride and Anyroad came out on top as 'more comfort geometry'

2016 Anyroad 2 or 1, size Medium, Stack=596, Reach=363, Ratio 1.64
2017 Cannondale Synapse 51cm, S=557, R=368, Ratio=1.52
2016 Ride 3000, S=50cm, S=555, R=376, Ratio=1.476
2016 Defy 2 Disc, Med=48cm, S=567, R=377, Ratio=1.503
2017 Diverge Elite 52cm, Ratio=1.45
and the Allez is 1.36!....but sitting on the Allez, it didn't feel that bad.

Wishing they had demos here to try...

San Pedro

I can give you a good price on a 2015 allez elite, 52cm, if you're willing to come to Japan.

boshk

hehe, thanks, too far though