Go for the Giant. Frame 1st, then groupset and replace the wheels with super groovy 2nd hand ones.
Or just by a 2nd hand rim brake bike at incredible bargain prices.
3 Likes
I voted propel, itās good value for money and I like the look of them.
1 Like
3 Likes
Iāve had cheap bikes, so no appeal.
1 Like
fairy nuff but if anyone is looking for a decent cheap commuter, seems pretty decent. Looks like have upgraded to 105 too since we bought them for the boys, think they had Sora.
4 Likes
Ride quality can be āsortedā with chubby good quality road tyres; especially if you CBA with latex tubes.
2 Likes
As a winter bike and still cost friendly especially for the more limited c2w schemes it is a bargain
They mention that in the article, although the chainset is some āin houseā alloy special and Iād also wager the cassette and chain are too.
However, it still looks like a damn fine bike for commuting 
Rack mounts, guard mounts and 105 - what more do you need? Wellā¦Iād class gears as an absolute luxury for commuting, you only need a 48x17 and youāre sorted.
The fact that this bike is Ā£900 and the nearest branded competitor is Ā£300 with Sora, too, is madness 
I paid Ā£1,234 for my Ribble 725SL Endurance back in April 2019 
and that included a Ā£150 wheel upgrade, Ā£40 tyre upgrade and Ā£45 mudguards - meaning the bike was only Ā£999
Itās a fantastic bike and a joy to ride. Just wish Iād got it in blue/copper instead of another winter bike in white 
5 Likes
My commuter is fine, bikes through SE Londons Finest Potholes with aplomb.
Put the rack and panniers on last weekend
6 Likes
good to have a snack on that commute 
2 Likes
Thatās a cute bike, nice discount on those child sized ones, too 
2 Likes
Iāve got the Trek Emonda ALR 6 myself and itās the best bike I have ever had. Worth every penny!
3 Likes
So Iām finally pulling the trigger and submitted my benefits update yesterday. Stupidly, Iād thought Iād get my voucher straight awayā¦
no idea how long it will take.
Thereās a discount on Tarmac SL6 (105 group) and a discounted base Diverge (Claris) as well Iāve lined up.
A bike I can trash off road and a bike I can really motor on road.
6 Likes
Got an email saying I wonāt see my voucher until MAY worst of all times to buy a bike.
So I now have another month of fucking around trying to decide what I want.
Almost all my outdoor riding is on a commute. Iāve done two club rides in the last 12 months. Hoping to do another next weekend.
I have my Argon 18 tri bike so races are sorted.
Iām gravel-curious. Iād like some off-road on my commute to avoid potholes and have fun.
My plan was Ā£2.2K tarmac sl6 basic and Ā£0.7K diverge basic. The diverge Iād use for 2/week spring/summer commuting and local solo trail rides. The tarmac for spring/summer weekend 3-4hr blasts.
Have I got this the wrong way around, get a cheap Allez sprint for the weekend blast and spend a few K on the gravel bike Iāll use more often?
Or convert my tourer to gravel for the summer and spend more on a weekend race bike? Four bikes feels too much clutter. If only I could use my tri bike at the weekends.
3 Likes
Spend the most on the bike youāll use the most I would say.
Can you use the tourer for commute?
Spend the rest on a Diverge Carbon and a second set of road wheels/tyres?
Weekend blasts should be Argon 18 surely?
1 Like
Yeah it typically has to wait until the next payroll cycle then add another 2 weeks for the providerās admin. 5 weeks for my voucher this year.
2 Likes
Itās too hilly and busy on the London borders to enjoy riding a tri bike.
2 Likes
1 Like
What about 3t Exploro racemax? Get a cheap wheel set to run your gravel tyres on and use a better set of carbon hoops for road. 1 bike for both, will allow you to get a better groupset.
1 Like
This is top of the list at the moment. Found one in store with a heavy discount, tried it on the rollers, fits well. Felt good ramping up the power. Not the same as getting it out on the road though.
Edit: Anyone know the difference between 23 and 24? Cant find anything online except the SL version.
2 Likes