You get a lot of people on here asking about buying their first road bikes, often with a budget of less than $1000. The usual brands are always recommended Cell, Reid, Polygon etc.
Discussions of these brands often draw out very polarizing opinions, at the extreme ends there are the brand snobs that say they are all crap and recommend to spend extra to get name brand bikes while the Reid fanboys seem to think their bikes are the best and that all other bikes are just massively overpriced.
Anyway BikeRadar has done a review of the Cell Lapa 2.0, Polygon A5 and Reid Falco elite (w/aksiums). This is the overview http://www.bikeradar.com/au/road/gear/a ... kes-40753/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
and if you click on the links on that page you can find the individual reviews of the bikes. Quite an interesting read, given that there are so few real reviews of these bikes.
On a personal level, I have only had experience with the Cell and the Reid reviewed. Cell bikes have really lifted their game with their bikes this year and you can tell just by looking at the bike that a lot of effort has gone into designing the frame, they share many similarities with many big name brand frames. (IMO)The Reid frame looks a little generic and that seemed to be the opinion of the reviewer as well.
Finally a comparison/review of the "cheaper" road bikes
-
- Posts: 119
- Joined: Sat Oct 19, 2013 4:14 pm
Finally a comparison/review of the "cheaper" road bikes
Postby Homo Suburbiensis » Thu Apr 17, 2014 10:33 pm
-
- Posts: 78
- Joined: Thu Jan 02, 2014 4:20 pm
Re: Finally a comparison/review of the "cheaper" road bikes
Postby jaythefordman » Thu Apr 17, 2014 11:21 pm
Saw those reviews yesterday. Very good comparison indeed.
- rodneycc
- Posts: 2879
- Joined: Mon Oct 14, 2013 1:50 pm
- Location: Melbourne Eastern Suburbs, Victoria
Re: Finally a comparison/review of the "cheaper" road bikes
Postby rodneycc » Sat Apr 19, 2014 9:33 pm
Yeah nice reviews. I must admit I've really hadn't taken much notice of the Lapa before because the more expensive Omeo had all the fanfare (and thats a really nice bike!). So will have to pay a bit more attention to the Lapa.
With the other reviews well the triple crank on the Polygon is an epic fail. Would of been right up there by the looks with one small change.
And my old favorite, the Falco elite well sounds more like the reviewers couldn't get their size right to be honest which would of affected the review a lot I'd imagine. They are prob right that it is a little harsh on the ride but most alloy bikes are like that (and thats usually why you opt for a set of 25mm conti gp 4000s tyres to smooth it out a bit!). But I was a little surprised at the lowest mark.
Sent via Tapatalk so expect the odd typo and mis-posting!
With the other reviews well the triple crank on the Polygon is an epic fail. Would of been right up there by the looks with one small change.
And my old favorite, the Falco elite well sounds more like the reviewers couldn't get their size right to be honest which would of affected the review a lot I'd imagine. They are prob right that it is a little harsh on the ride but most alloy bikes are like that (and thats usually why you opt for a set of 25mm conti gp 4000s tyres to smooth it out a bit!). But I was a little surprised at the lowest mark.
Sent via Tapatalk so expect the odd typo and mis-posting!
2013 BMC TM SLR01;2013/14 Bianchi Inf CV
2013 Lynskey Helix;2013 XACD Ti Di2
2013 Giant TCR Adv SL1;2014 Giant Defy Adv SL
2013 Lynskey Helix;2013 XACD Ti Di2
2013 Giant TCR Adv SL1;2014 Giant Defy Adv SL
- rodneycc
- Posts: 2879
- Joined: Mon Oct 14, 2013 1:50 pm
- Location: Melbourne Eastern Suburbs, Victoria
Re: Finally a comparison/review of the "cheaper" road bikes
Postby rodneycc » Sat Apr 19, 2014 9:44 pm
Btw for $1100 I'd go for a Giant Defy 1 or 2 on sale. And thats not being a brand fanboy but rather its just a great bike and has been so for a number of years now.
Sent via Tapatalk so expect the odd typo and mis-posting!
Sent via Tapatalk so expect the odd typo and mis-posting!
2013 BMC TM SLR01;2013/14 Bianchi Inf CV
2013 Lynskey Helix;2013 XACD Ti Di2
2013 Giant TCR Adv SL1;2014 Giant Defy Adv SL
2013 Lynskey Helix;2013 XACD Ti Di2
2013 Giant TCR Adv SL1;2014 Giant Defy Adv SL
-
- Posts: 1426
- Joined: Fri Jun 07, 2013 8:51 pm
- Location: Canberra
Re: Finally a comparison/review of the
Postby lobstermash » Sat Apr 19, 2014 10:33 pm
Spot on. I also found it funny that they spent $200 on an upgraded wheelset, then rode it on $5 tyres.rodneycc wrote: sounds more like the reviewers couldn't get their size right to be honest which would of affected the review a lot I'd imagine
The Lapa looks like a great bike. I really like Cell's new roadies.
For what it's worth, I wouldn't have been put off by the triple on the Polygon. A 42t chainring is really nice for rolling terrain if you're lazy like me and don't like shifting rings all the time.
Return to “Buying a bike / parts”
Jump to
- General Australian Cycling Topics
- Info / announcements
- Buying a bike / parts
- General Cycling Discussion
- The Bike Shed
- Cycling Health
- Cycling Safety and Advocacy
- Women's Cycling
- Bike & Gear Reviews
- Cycling Trade
- Stolen Bikes
- Bicycle FAQs
- Serious Biking
- Audax / Randonneuring
- Retro biking
- Commuting
- MTB
- Recumbents
- Fixed Gear/ Single Speed
- Track
- Electric Bicycles
- Cyclocross and Gravel Grinding
- Dragsters / Lowriders / Cruisers
- Children's Bikes
- Cargo Bikes and Utility Cycling
- Road Racing
- Road Biking
- Training
- Time Trial
- Triathlon
- International and National Tours and Events
- Cycle Touring
- Touring Australia
- Touring Overseas
- Touring Bikes and Equipment
- Australia
- Western Australia
- New South Wales
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Victoria
- ACT
- Tasmania
- Northern Territory
- Country & Regional
- The Market Place
- Member to Member Bike and Gear Sales
- Want to Buy, Group Buy, Swap
- My Bikes or Gear Elsewhere
- Cycling Brands
- Cannondale
- Garmin
- Giant
- Shimano
- Trek
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users
- All times are UTC+11:00
- Top
- Delete cookies
About the Australian Cycling Forums
The Australian Cycling Forums is a welcoming community where you can ask questions and talk about the type of bikes and cycling topics you like.
Bicycles Network Australia
Forum Information
Connect with BNA
Brought to you by Bicycles Network Australia | © 1999 - 2024 | Powered by phpBB ®
This website uses affiliate links to retail platforms including ebay, amazon, proviz and ribble.
This website uses affiliate links to retail platforms including ebay, amazon, proviz and ribble.