Upgrade options - CR1, Defy, Roubaix... Guerciotti?

[Jall]

Hi everyone,

I've been lurking for a while but never really posted. Hi!

I started riding for fitness about 9 months ago when I got a Reid Osprey Elite. Since then I've really gotten into this whole cycling thing and dropped about 15kg down to weights I haven't seen since school, so I want to reward myself a little bit (upgradeitis).

I'm looking for something nicer to ride that fits me better and I can spend all day on. I seem to like the "relaxed" geometry after riding (and liking) a couple of friends Defy's and testing a Roubaix Comp. I'm also testing a Scott CR 1 Team on Wednesday which I really like the look of and seems to get great reviews from everyone.

I'm just after a few more experienced opinions/suggestions around the $2k upper limit mark?

It seems like most bikes I'm looking at have 105, am I going to kick myself in another 6 months for not getting Ultegra? I feel like the money is probably better spent on getting a frame I really like instead of that next groupset step? I've had a few people on both sides of the argument....

I've been offered a Guerciotti Cartesio in the same price range with new 11spd Ultegra but I've never heard of this brand before?

Cheers
Jack

[rodneycc]

Hi Jack is that Guerciotti Cartesio the same one that's at Bikeforce...
i.e
http://www.bikeforce.com.au/bicycles/gu ... /102202870" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

How much did they offer it to you again ?

I haven't heard of that brand either (but that means nothing!). Bike Force isn't a bad store though and I wouldn't of thought they would offer up any old crap so it might be a good deal if you can get it for $2k say. Its got some ripper components (like the Fulcrum Racing 5's also).

Might just be worth a punt if they can fit you up and you like the ride...
Cheers, Rod.

[rodneycc]

Or there is this one that has been mentioned elsewhere for a full carbon that is well priced...(seems to be a couple of hundred more this week mind you i.e was 1300 or 1400)

https://www.cyclingexpress.com/?lang=en ... -Road-Bike" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[singlespeedscott]

Guerciotti is well established Italian company that's been around for 40 odd years. You couldn't go wrong really.

Although there's is absolutely nothing wrong with 105 I'm thinking that you should get Ultegra. Hopefully it will reduce the expensive upgraditus that will come with the whatifs, if you go down the 105 route.

[rodneycc]

Or there is this Azzurri also that might be comparable to the Guerciotti but I don't really like the Wheels on this one (rather the Fulcrums if your one comes with that).

https://www.cyclingexpress.com/?lang=en ... e&keyword=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

(now I bet that link won't work because its too long - just have a look at the other Azzurri range at Cycling Express)

[biker jk]

Or there is this Azzurri also that might be comparable to the Guerciotti but I don't really like the Wheels on this one (rather the Fulcrums if your one comes with that).

https://www.cyclingexpress.com/?lang=en ... e&keyword=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

(now I bet that link won't work because its too long - just have a look at the other Azzurri range at Cycling Express)

The Guerciotti you linked to is 10-speed Ultegra and $2400 while the Azzurri is 11-speed Ultegra. Apples and oranges.

[rodneycc]

But in the orig post he said it had 11speed ultegra. So she should be peaches

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[biker jk]

But in the orig post he said it had 11speed ultegra. So she should be peaches

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I agree if the price is the same as the Azzurri as well, as suggested by the OP.

[Jall]

Thanks for the replies guys.
The Guerciotti must be the 2014 model with 6800 Ultegra and Fulcrum racing 5's (AT)$1999.

Re. Azzurri, I'm not particularly keen on buying a bike unseen(unridden). Really want to make sure I get the fit right as I want to do a lot of comfortable k's (and I'm hoping wherever I buy it from will be able to point me in the right direction in that area.)

[rodneycc]

Yeah very sensible Jack not to buy blindly. If you are interested in the Azzurri's the Lear Sport showroom that is attached to cycling express is in bayswater melb (I only live up the road from it). Just look up lear sport, power rd, bayswater

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[Jall]

Ah, awesome. For some reason I thought they'd packed up everything and moved it offshore when the website changed.

I'll try and pop through this afternoon for a looksee.

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[rodneycc]

Might be worth a call first to see what they have in store: 9738 1633

[Jall]

Rode the Guerciotti today and actually really liked it, quite smooth over rough surfaces, got up to speed easily and the 6800 shifts like butter with much better ergonomics than my current Sora shifters (don't think I can go 105 now....). The Selle Italia actually fit well too which is a bonus and the guys are happy to swap out the crankset for compact rings. Seems like quite aggressive geometry though so I worry about how I'd go over longer distances.....

It made a bit of noise putting a fair bit of power through the right hand side pedal when in the big ring though which is a bit worrying. Hopefully just a tune up and not a flexy frame issue? Don't really know what I'm feeling for here....?

The question would be white/red or black/highlighter yellow..... hmm






Waiting for a call from CE when they get their stock of the new Ultegra Forza's in and I'll give one of them a ride as well.

[rodneycc]

Two lovely looking bikes there. I'm usually a white bike fan but I really like that black one with the highlights ( kind of reminds me of Boafs giant or Tims focas in the bike gallery. It's a big advantage you feel comfortable on it. Anyway will be interesting to see the diff with CE. Drove past a couple of days ago and the Lear Sport signage has all been replaced with CE now. So I better not call it lear sport anymore. Let us hear how you get on. Cheers.

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[singlespeedscott]

The Guerciotti's do look nice. I would prefer the white.

[antipodean]

Definitely black, white is a total PIA to keep clean.

[CXCommuter]

Go the black and yellow- every dog and their owner has white these day's

[Jall]

Well went and rode a couple more bikes today including a Merida 905 and Ride 95.... here's where I ended up. My impulsiveness didn't wait to ride the forza...
Took it for a quick burn up to Sky High and I'm pretty happy, may just need some slightly smaller bars; will see how it shakes out in the next couple of weeks. Glad I opted for the compact, makes hills (almost) a pleasure.

[singlespeedscott]

Nice choice. Some times you just need to listen to your guts. What size cassette did you put on the back to go with the compact front?

[Jall]

11-28, seems like a common option among a lot of climbers? We'll see if my legs demand the massive 11-32 once I get it out for some proper climbs.

[rodneycc]

Congrats Jack. Good job test riding a couple more then going back to the gun machine (yeah you can't wait around for a phone call - i prob would have done the same). Reckon that bike will serve you well and quell the upgraditis for sometime. So just a little ride to Sky High hey. Maybe if you live in Olinda. But that's a nice initiation ride (should of given me a wave, I live at the very bottom of that!). Just love hearing thr new bike purchase stories. In a way helps with my upgraditis symptoms!

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[rjk]

Congrats Jack. Good job test riding a couple more then going back to the gun machine (yeah you can't wait around for a phone call - i prob would have done the same). Reckon that bike will serve you well and quell the upgraditis for sometime. So just a little ride to Sky High hey. Maybe if you live in Olinda. But that's a nice initiation ride (should of given me a wave, I live at the very bottom of that!). Just love hearing thr new bike purchase stories. In a way helps with my upgraditis symptoms!

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did you see me waving on sunday, i went on the dirty 1:20 the basin to olinda in the afternnon, it was damn glorious, ended up in the chocolate dragonfly for refreshments

[rodneycc]

Dirty 1:20 ? Is that down Basin-Olinda road?. That use to be one dog of a road that one. A few new houses are down that way now so is the road a little better?. BTW, the last time I tried the 1:20 my knee packed it in and had to come back but I should try it again (just to Sassafras and back to Kilsyth South is enough for me, I couldn't imagine how hard that would be doing it in dirt!).

[cyclotaur]

Dirty 1:20 ? Is that down Basin-Olinda road?. That use to be one dog of a road that one. A few new houses are down that way now so is the road a little better?. BTW, the last time I tried the 1:20 my knee packed it in and had to come back but I should try it again (just to Sassafras and back to Kilsyth South is enough for me, I couldn't imagine how hard that would be doing it in dirt!).

It was graded about two weeks ago - should be in good nick by now, was riding perfectly before that.

[Jall]

Keep an eye out for me then guys. I'm up there most afternoons, say hi!