Carbon Road Bike - £599.99 + £19.95 Delivery @ Start Fitness

First off I no nothing about this bike, but do a lot of cycling and am "interested" in bikes in general.

My gut feeling about his would be:
Carbon by its very nature is expensive so for a 'like for like' bike Carbon vs Aluminium you would expect to pay a chunk more for the carbon version.This is a cheep bike regardless of weather its Carbon or not. as the cost has gone into the carbon, cost cuttings will have been made in the componentry. for this price point you could probably get a better spec aluminium bike.

This is of course only my opinion, but i think it is worth a consideration

Edit:
youtube.com/wat…rXM check this out

Cheers Nick appreciated, I can honestly say its a mine field buying a bike! Do you spend £300 on average one or 600 on one that seems a lot better or go for the jugular and hit big bucks first on the basis you know you'll enjoy it!

Reminds me of the first baby pram purchasing! :-)

If you're going to leave it outside EVER then don't spend more than £50....

Tbh you have got to ask yourself am I gonna really start road riding or do I prefer mtbing, trail centres etc with the odd bit of road riding ?

if your looking for a racer you can't go wrong with some of the decathlon or merlin cycles deals that pop up on here now and again, as the guy before said for that sort of money in this deal I would buy an aluminium framed bike with a carbon fork

I am tempted by this. The review are quite good and it looks to be more expensive everywhere else.

not sure on the size your after but this is a very good bike for the original price of £750...Its now reduced to £550.

.decathlon.co.uk/ult…tml

I went mad and bought a custom titanium frame, Rohloff hub etc for a total of about £3500. I really don't think that it was 'worth' it in terms of performance (I have a 26 mile commute across London) BUT I love it. There is a point where money spent on a bike offers diminishing returns to most people (me included) and it's finding that point which is the key. I reckon a £800 commuter bike is top notch for 99% of people and maybe £1000 road bike...

keithbereal

not sure on the size your after but this is a very good bike for the … not sure on the size your after but this is a very good bike for the original price of £750...Its now reduced to £550..http://www.decathlon.co.uk/ultra-700-af-road-bike-105-id_8324331.htmlRead lessRead more

The Ultra 700 AF at Decathlon, that frame is nearly half a kilo heavier than the Axe Edge Compe!

This has gotta be hot, just cos its rare to see campag discounted like this... and its all decent branded parts.

Need to add £19.95 for delivery.

This is a cracking deal if you're happy to go campag and only 10 speed. You won't find a better bike for the money.

Remember it's easy to put a newer lighter groupset and put wheels on as and when you want to upgrade. Nobody will find a better sub £500 bike out there

bradlyillingworth

The Ultra 700 AF at Decathlon, that frame is nearly half a kilo heavier … The Ultra 700 AF at Decathlon, that frame is nearly half a kilo heavier than the Axe Edge Compe!Read lessRead more

yeah but its £70 cheaper and just recommended as he only wants to spend about £500.
Personally I would take the 105 over the Veloce components but thats just my preference.
Not that it makes a difference but isn't this a 2013 frame

Campag gears(Veloce though) rare to see on bikes this cheap.Blooming cheap deal.

keithbereal

yeah but its £70 cheaper and just recommended as he only wants to spend … yeah but its £70 cheaper and just recommended as he only wants to spend about £500. Personally I would take the 105 over the Veloce components but thats just my preference.Not that it makes a difference but isn't this a 2013 frame Read lessRead more

450g is massive! Buy the heavier bike and then take your £70 budget and see if you can make upgrades that'll shave that kind of weight. I'd say it's impossible! Forme don't make cheap frames either, so I'd rather have this decent carbon frame than a 1400g entry-level alloy frame. It's no contest here really.

spatter

I went mad and bought a custom titanium frame, Rohloff hub etc for a … I went mad and bought a custom titanium frame, Rohloff hub etc for a total of about £3500. I really don't think that it was 'worth' it in terms of performance (I have a 26 mile commute across London) BUT I love it. There is a point where money spent on a bike offers diminishing returns to most people (me included) and it's finding that point which is the key. I reckon a £800 commuter bike is top notch for 99% of people and maybe £1000 road bike...Read lessRead more

Don't think your mad, wealthy yes, but not mad.

keithbereal

not sure on the size your after but this is a very good bike for the … not sure on the size your after but this is a very good bike for the original price of £750...Its now reduced to £550..http://www.decathlon.co.uk/ultra-700-af-road-bike-105-id_8324331.htmlRead lessRead more

I've called Start, the Axe Edge Veloce is 8.16kg for a 53, that's 740g lighter. Worth the £70 all day. I'm going for one!

morrig

Don't think your mad, wealthy yes, but not mad.

​I've only got one bike and it does around 125 miles a week. I probably spend about £300 a year on it and I've had it for seven years. So it ends up great value. And it's still probably worth £2000!

and my handlebars snapped at Hammersmith tonight. so that was fun

Is the Axe edge 105 shimano a better deal? Or worth going £50 extra for the SRAM Apex? OR 100 for the Centaur Campag?

you pay all the that money and still have to pay delivery.

Hi the 12k carbon frame is entry level but its not full 105 its a mix of cheaper bits

nice find, bikeradar review.
bikeradar.com/roa…40/

If your into cycling you will know £500 buys you nothing

If I was you I'd be inclined towards the second hand market (just make sure they have receipts). Bikes have a 30% depreciation the first year then 20% the second. So you can pick up some bargains, and if you don't like it then you will almost get your money back. Also if you do then maybe look at outlaying the serious cash. There are plenty of second hand bikes that haven't seen much action. If you decide to go new then the decathlon bikes many not look the prettiest but get good reviews as value for money.

see if your workplace does a 'bike to work' scheme.
That allows you to buy a higher spec bike for less money and over approx 18mths interest free.

By the looks of it , it's a carbon wrap around an aluminium frame

This is a good buy, forme have been round a while and make good frames, (my brother has one and with 5000 miles on it says it's good) veloce is a 9/10 score for budget group set. What's not to like? Enjoy your ride.

nigelconstantine

By the looks of it , it's a carbon wrap around an aluminium frame

How did you get to that conclusion?

or last years bike from a shop...

Campy, extra coffee shop points

planetx.co.uk/i/q…ike pick one of these up 2nd hand for £500 then if ya don't like cycling you will get always get ya £500 back

richsmith460

I've called Start, the Axe Edge Veloce is 8.16kg for a 53, that's 740g … I've called Start, the Axe Edge Veloce is 8.16kg for a 53, that's 740g lighter. Worth the £70 all day. I'm going for one!Read lessRead more

Weight is pretty immaterial provding assuming the bike weighs no more than 10kg unless of course you Cat race. It's key to get a bke that has geomtery that's comfortable for you. The decathalon bikes are good but have quite a low head tube.

afroylnt

Weight is pretty immaterial provding assuming the bike weighs no more … Weight is pretty immaterial provding assuming the bike weighs no more than 10kg unless of course you Cat race. It's key to get a bke that has geomtery that's comfortable for you. The decathalon bikes are good but have quite a low head tube.Read lessRead more

​was just about to comment the same thing. A cup of tea and some toast before a ride will be roughly 0.5kg so ultimately unless your bodyweight is below 60kg stop panicking about grams and shift some pounds.

Veloce or SRAM apex or shimano 105???

robm612

​was just about to comment the same thing. A cup of tea and some toast b … ​was just about to comment the same thing. A cup of tea and some toast before a ride will be roughly 0.5kg so ultimately unless your bodyweight is below 60kg stop panicking about grams and shift some pounds.Read lessRead more

Likewise on what you carry with you. I ride MTB and see guys worrying about saving 1/2 kg on a new frame and then see them fill a 3 litre camel back and chuck it in their pack. 3 litres of water adds 3kg!

Ps this is a hot deal as the frame looks very upgradable

looking to buy my first road bike would this bike be a good purchase?

robm612

​was just about to comment the same thing. A cup of tea and some toast b … ​was just about to comment the same thing. A cup of tea and some toast before a ride will be roughly 0.5kg so ultimately unless your bodyweight is below 60kg stop panicking about grams and shift some pounds.Read lessRead more

​Half a kilo for toast! That's about thirty slices!

Nice price for a Campagnolo equipped carbon frame. Bargain!!