Bike Demo day
Best Bikes 2014
Having test ridden a lot of fine bikes over last few days here are my top choices
1st Lightweight Full Carbon sheer class, pretty much flawless really great handling both uphill down Valley .cost €4.4k for Frame & Forks only .
2nd -The Look 695 Aerolight very responsive and comfortable to ride .Cost Frame & Forks, Carbon Chainset, Carbon Stem and Carbon Seatpost all for €4,999.Good Value. This is nearly 2 bikes rolled into one because of the aero Frame integrated Brake Calipers. A good set of Tribars and you are away. Point of note 700x25c Tyres will not work on this bike because of integrated brake calipers setup, Small problem I think really.
Joint 3rd Lapierre and Orbea Orca both handled well Orbea very nice to climb with, just seemed to have more go in it and with its Lifetime Warranty on the Frame& Forks its hard to complain really.Both very Comfortable. Cost Frame & Forks similar enough roughly between €2,800 to €3,500.if I had to choose one over the other it would be Orbea as its one the Oldest bike companies around and I like there design features in the rear Triangle.
4th Specialized Venge did not handle as well as I thought it would ,I was a bit let down wit this bike considering all the talk. Very stiff ride though. Possibly there Royal Rapide wheels let it down for me. Cost roughly €3,750 to €4k for Frame & Forks guide price for now.
5th Giant and Cannondale was descent ride from both nothing to write home about .cost unconfirmed
Best Wheelsets :
Here again Lightweight were king just super fast roll rigid yet supply to ride. Cost €3.5k
2nd Mavic SLR full carbon smooth roll great value wheelset. Cost roughly = €1,750 to €1,900
3rd Fast Forward F6 great value Dutch Hand built wheelset well worth every penny .Cost Roughly =€1,649 to €1,700 will know better next week
4thSpecialized Royale Rapide very Basic did not enjoy them at all. Seemed to have zero roll factor and heavy enough also .Cost none given to us yet.
Best Saddles:
1st Selle Italia SLR one of the most comfortable saddle I ever rode. Cost not sure i need to find out next week and get some for stock.
2nd Specialized Ronim Evo feels very hard at first but after few Kms it beds in nicely .great value at €110 roughly
3rd Fizik Antares supremely not as good as I thought it would be still it was not uncomfortable so that’s all good. Cost roughly €140 to €150ish
4th Fizik Arione R3 here again I was surprised grand saddle no real complaints just other saddles above were better.
Well it’s been a great Eurobike 2013 viewing and testing all the 2014 products I hope my advise is somewhat helpful for you choosing your Bike for next year.
Regards
Eamonn Marrey