Flat bar road bike - Seeking inputs

[Elsior]

Hi all,

First post here, glad to find an Aussie cyclist forum. My wife and I are looking to get into cycling, mostly will be weekend ride on bike trails and the occasional grassy, dirt areas, but will consider long distance riding as we get fitter and more experienced. We're both new into cycling and would appreciate your feedback.

I'd like the bike to have the following features:
Flat bar (planning to add bar ends)
Rigid, alloy frame (to save cost), preferrably light weight (11kg or less)
Hydraulic disc brakes
Ideally 32mm tyres minimum (for comfort)
Carbon fork (to absorb vibration)
Preferably the drivertrain is not too entry level (the closer to 105 the better), not familiar with other brands

We've been going to bike shops, but haven't had the chance to visit all the ones we plan to visit. So far, we're considering:
1) Specialized Sirrus Elite Disc
2) Cannondale Quick 1 Disc
3) Giant FastRoad 1 SLR
4) Merida Speedster 400

Went to Trek shop but none of their FX models had disc brakes.

Any opinions on these bikes? Or do you have other models to add?

Cheers.

[Thoglette]

Inputs? Have a look at the Specialised Sequoia before you give up on the drops. CroMo rather than alloy.

As Sheldon said: most people who don't like drops just don't like the way they've been set up. Usually very agresssively.

[StevOz]

How about a Fuji?

Ticks all the boxes and is shiny.

http://www.fujibikes.com/au/bikes/city/ ... solute-1-3

[redsonic]

If I was in the market to replace my flat bar, I would jump at a Jamis Coda Elite. Ticks all your boxes, except CroMo frame with carbon fork (an improvement over aluminium, in my opinion):

https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/flat- ... /102839485

[robbo mcs]

Before you rule out drop bars take one of the "endurance" drop bar bikes for a test ride. The bar sits higher, so similar geometry to a flat bar but not quite as wide. There are lots of options out there that otherwise tick your boxes.

Any of the flat bar bikes bikes you have mentioned are going to do a reasonable job. Things to think about are whether you will want to add a rack at some stage. If so, check for mounting points.

[koshari]

If I was in the market to replace my flat bar, I would jump at a Jamis Coda Elite. Ticks all your boxes, except CroMo frame with carbon fork (an improvement over aluminium, in my opinion):

https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/flat- ... /102839485

very nice indeed. pretty exxy though.

[Elsior]

Hi all, thanks for the advise. We went to more shops today and test rode a mix of flatbar and dropbar endurance road bikes, including Giant Contend SL1 (replacement to 2016 Giant Defy Disc 1), Merida Ride 100 and Merida Secultura 100 (the higher end model wasn't available, but could be ordered in).

Took my wife and I some time to get used to the dropbar, but we loved it! We thought the Secultura's riding position was still upright enough and its flatbar didn't make my wrists sore like it was ith Merida Speeder 400 (flatbar road bike).

I suppose we also need to test ride Specialized Sequia (as suggested above), Trek Domane and Cannondale Synapse. Any other recommendations for endurance bike?

Also how important are disc brakes? Ideally we want them on the bikes, but that pushes the price up significantly. Should we aim for better drivetrain with having rim brakes as a tradeoff?

[DavidS]

I have a flat bar and a drop bar, both have their advantages, go with what you prefer not what someone else recommends. Take the bikes for a reasonable test ride, the geometry is very important.

I have V brakes on both bikes, discs are meant to be great but V brakes are very effective, rim brakes work fine. Yes they are less effective in the wet but the rims dry out quickly enough and brakes work. That said, I think I will look for discs next time I buy a bike.

DS

[Elsior]

I have a flat bar and a drop bar, both have their advantages, go with what you prefer not what someone else recommends. Take the bikes for a reasonable test ride, the geometry is very important.
DS

Thanks DavidS. We did test a couple of drop bar endurance bikes and found the hand position on the hood more ergonomic.

We're now considering cyclocross bikes as well, so far the ones within our price range are:

Giant TXC SLR 2
Merida Cyclo Cross 500

Going to test ride more bikes next weekend.

[robbo mcs]

Keep doing test rides. You are doing the right thing, and will find something that suits you. Try and do some long rides if possible.

Discs are nice to have, but shouldn't be a deal breaker. With dropbars hydraulic disks tend to give more leverage and make it easier to apply full brake force from the hoods. This is something that those with small hands, especially women, tend to find helpful.

[DavidS]

Hmm, I have fair sized and strength hands, so maybe discs are more of an advantage for some.

Elsior, drop bars do offer some ergonomic advantages, since I have RSI, I do take a lot of notice of this. Flat bars are fine, but a lot of people prefer drop bars and there are more hand positions easily available.

When judging bikes also remember different brands and models have different geometry. The aspect which decided on the Cannondale flat bar for me was the relationship between saddle and handlebars, it suited me. Similarly, the first time I jumped on the Allegro it felt right and even on long rides it works for me. Many differences in the same sorts of bikes and when you find one that suits it makes a big difference.

Good luck.

DS

[Elsior]

I've been advised that re disc brakes, get hydro because mech doesn't self-adjust for pad wears. So that rules out Giant TXC SLR 2 and Merida Cyclocross 500.

But then I found Polygon Bend RV, for $1600.

https://cyclingtips.com/2016/11/polygon ... ke-review/

It's got everything we need at the same pricepoint. Full Shimano 105 parts, hydro disc, carbon fork, good tire clearance, etc.

Only catch is it's available online only, through Bicycles Online, with 14 days return policy with full refund.

Anyone has had experience with Polygon and/or bicycles online?

I assume for servicing I can still take it to my LBS?

[koshari]

I assume for servicing I can still take it to my LBS?

or you can learn to do it yourself.

[celeste boy]

I've been advised that re disc brakes, get hydro because mech doesn't self-adjust for pad wears. So that rules out Giant TXC SLR 2 and Merida Cyclocross 500.

But then I found Polygon Bend RV, for $1600.

https://cyclingtips.com/2016/11/polygon ... ke-review/

It's got everything we need at the same pricepoint. Full Shimano 105 parts, hydro disc, carbon fork, good tire clearance, etc.

Only catch is it's available online only, through Bicycles Online, with 14 days return policy with full refund.

Anyone has had experience with Polygon and/or bicycles online?

I assume for servicing I can still take it to my LBS?

One of the guys I ride with bought a Polygon 29er MTB for about $1700. Loved it and since then 4 others have upgraded their old MTB to one of these. No problems with any of them and they have done a few km by now.

CB

[Elsior]

Thanks all, I'm dead set on Polygon Bend RV then. Now just a matter of getting the right size without being able to test ride...

I'm 173cm tall with 172cm wingspan. Based on their sizing guide, it's Small/Medium.

My wife is 164cm tall with 157cm wingspan. Based on their sizing guide, it's Small.

I plan to order one Small/Medium first for both of us (as I'm most likely that size anyway) to try on. It it suits her too, I'll get another Small/Medium for her. If she feels it's too big, I'll get a Small for her.

Is this the right way to approach this?

Or should we test ride bikes with similar geometry to simulate the feel as close as possible? If yes, any idea of such bikes?

PS: When testing other models (Merida Scultura, Giant Contend Disc SL1) I was on a Medium.

[Mububban]

Anyone has had experience with Polygon and/or bicycles online?

I assume for servicing I can still take it to my LBS?

Whilst some bike shops might give you !! BAN ME NOW FOR SWEARING !! for bringing in a bike you bought online rather than in a store, I think only a moron turns away business. Car mechanics work on all brands of cars, if they turned business away that's money they're losing. No different for bike mechanics.

[Yakobaj]

Hi Elsior, whats your take on the Polygon Bend RV!
Fairly interested in one myself, but havent been totally sold on it yet. Much appreciated.