- #BUDGET ENDURANCE ROAD BIKE FULL#
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It is sharp, fast and responsive to inputs. Regardless, this is a rapid bicycle that would be as happy punishing the daily commute as it would be goading more expensive bikes during the weekend competitive ride.Ĭreated using Cannondale's Tube Flow Modelling design process, the CAAD Optimo’s SmartForm C2 Aluminium construction is lighter and offers the rider more feel through the bars than other similarly priced premium alloy offerings. Of course, there has to be a some compromise and this comes in the form of slightly naff Tektro R315 brakes and Shimano's Tiagra gearing, which is pretty good but not quite as sharp as 105 or the range-topping Ultegra (but you'll never get that at this price bracket). Much like the Vitus, the money buys bags of carbon fibre that has been tested to within an inch of its life inside Chris Boardman's very own wind tunnel, which means you get very similar innovations to those found on the top of the range Boardman bikes for a fraction of the price. In fact, we'd happily stick this in joint first place it wasn't for our editor's twitchy OCD getting the better of us.
#BUDGET ENDURANCE ROAD BIKE FULL#
The addition of punchy disc brakes and a generally excellent finishing kit (the saddle is comfortable and sporty) makes this a two-wheeled weapon that anyone will enjoy riding fast.īoardman has been hitting the jackpot year after year with its sub-£1000 bicycles and its latest full carbon-framed SLR 8.9c is another absolute belter. They are also now shod in rather cool Vee Road Runner tyres with Roubaix-esque white walls.Ī little refresh of the eye-catching silver and black paint means it now looks the part too, making the Zenium an almighty machine out on the open road. Last year's model opted for a middling Shimano wheel set but Vitus now has its own line, which is light and strong. Although, we would love to see some 105 action on there in order to keep the shifting precision and overall reliability levels up. Still, it is extremely stiff and the power transfer through the Shimano Tiagra drivetrain is excellent. The sleek carbon fibre frame looks the part and keeps overall weight down to 9.6kg (they shaved a teeny bit off the old model), which is ridiculously light but perhaps not as featherweight as we have come to expect from this high-tech material.
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It is amazing that such specs can be purchased for a mere £1000, as it would take a bit of a bike boffin to realise this isn't some sort of bank loan brute that you'd see rolling up to the start line of a professional road cycling race. That said, Ribble offer exactly the same frame with a Shimano 105 groupset for £1,299 - well worth the extra expense in my humble opinion. It will often skip a sprocket or require on-the-fly tuning to avoid those unwanted spitting noises from the rear cassette. The only bugbear is the Shimano Tiagra groupset that, despite Ribble's rigorous pre-delivery inspections and tuning, proves unpredictable and doesn't offer the crisp shifting that's required by those entering sportives or enjoying longer rides. Granted, this isn't as pointy or responsive as some of Ribble's speedy carbon numbers, but it's a damn sight easier on the derriere, with bumps and small potholes soaked up by the frame and fork pretty well.
It feels solid to ride yet remains comfortable over longer distances.
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The Mavic Aksium wheel choice also looks pro, the angled rims and flat spokes rolling well over a variety of road surfaces.ĭisc brakes at this price can be a bit hit and miss, often leading to more headaches than they are worth, but the Tektro MD510 proved powerful and free from irritating rubbing noises during our time with the bike. It looks exceedingly good straight out of the box, with its glossy white paint job and subtle flashes of red ensuring it punches well above its weight in terms of premium appeal.
The ability to specify the exact Ribble you require via its excellent online configurator is a neat touch, meaning you can essentially grab yourself this model with wildly upgraded wheels, saddles, seat posts and the like but let's stick to the most basic machine.
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