As far as I know "AL" vs. "ALR" marks differences in the quality of aluminum used. ALR bikes typically have lighter frames etc. Thanks for your work, love your videos!
you're on a roll ! much to my enjoyment :) Love your vidz, they are good material for road bike enthusiasts who like to daydream about buying a hundred bikes, and also your videos are super relaxing and funny. Thanks
thanks, that was informative. really shows how little you now get for your money. Would be good to see a £2k-£3k version of this, as I feel that's what your average "serious" amateur may spend on a bike bike. Also, may i draw your attention to the Sensa range of bikes at Merlin Cycles. I just bough the aero bike from Sensa, the Giulia Evo, which is full ultegra for £1999 [albeit on sale].
I have the Van Rysel EDR Ultegra from Decathlon. Cost £1300 but has gone up to £1500 which is still good value considering has full Ultegra and Fulcrum Racing 4 wheels that are over £300 for wheelset alone. The 105 version is £1200 and got a 4.5/5 review on Bikerader.
Thanks to this video I’m going to buy a mint condition 2006 Trek Pilot 5.2. All carbon made in USA, ultegra groupset, 8.2 kg. A lovely classic for $500 usd
I feel there are a lot more advantages to the Paradox bike than it got credit for. The unbutted aluminium frame and high tensile steel forks will last a very long time and take a lot of abuse. The bike isn't really worth stealing so you can just take it anywhere because even if it is stolen its not a huge financial loss. All the parts are super cheap to replace. There is nothing proprietary fitted to the bike. You'll soon lose the 5kg difference off your own body weight riding it up hills etc. You've got loads of money left to enjoy spending elsewhere. If you drop anyone on it you its practically a harakiri moment of insult and dishonour for them. I think the Carrera Virtuoso is the entry level road bike to consider at Halfords, its a nicer frame, mainly Claris components, mechanical disc brakes and a pretty decent all round bike. The Paradox is very limited by its freewheel so doesn't have very good high gearing because of the larger 14T cog of the freewheel. It's a slow bike not just because of its weight but its basic Tourney groupset and freewheel. The Virtuoso can compete quite well with many of the big brand bikes costing £800-1100 nowadays but the Paradox can't basically. Curious about the Giant Contend AR, I believe the AR stands for 'any road' or something like that. It's like somewhere between a road bike and gravel bike. It is slightly beefier with wider tyre clearance. I wasn't sure if that bike fitted in with the other bikes. Feels like its more gravel than road except still using road groupsets.
missing the arrrriba intro. tour of britain has been really good racing, im glad i live in the commonwealths as our only eurosport channel on tv is the ad-free version! allez elite weight is off a comment from your 105 video 😉
On the subject of cable operated disc brakes, a simple cost effective upgrade is to fit TRP spyre twin piston calipers. Having used these for over 2 years I can reccomend them without hesitation.
Coming to this in mid-2022, and bicycle inflation has been joined by "real" inflation :( And bikes and groupsets have gone up even more in the last year!
If I were to upgrade I'd get a model from a few years ago. It would be cheaper and generally speaking I prefer all the older colour schemes, so much is black and grey or neutral colours now. I think the new Cannondale's in particular look so boring compared to a few years back
too much decisions to make ,, i am actually in a huge dilemma myself . i am about to buy a road bike ..but decide if the trek domane al 4 or trek emonda alr 4 ,, they both are around my budget . any advice would be awesome ,, thank you
Lots of folks on a FB Spe Allez page say they are fitting 28c tires . No bigger though. I removed the 26c spesh roadsport tires , installed 25 c Conti GP 5000 tires. They ride just as smooth, perhaps smoother. The Allez is a great bike. I had a gravel bike prior, a Giant Toughroad and the Allez rides much smoother. The Toughroad really vibrated which was tough on my hands.
I thought it would be the opposite: People will be scrambling to buy them up, and maybe even for the spare parts. You'll be surprised how many people prefer mechanical over electronic... I don't think they'll be any fire sale of mechanical Ultegra and Dura-Ace groupsets.
I do wonder how much of this inflation has to do with the Cycle to Work scheme being up to £1000. If everyone can now get a bike for that value on the scheme I imagine these bike manufacturers make a bike for £1000 that maximizes their own profit
Great review of a poor reflection on the state on the cycling industry! One side note would be that tiagra is vastly improved...but wow, it's painful feeling like we're being milked (for 80p!) 😰
Im disapointed in the bike companies. the rush to disc brakes is silly and a huge added expense for recreational riders. cable disc brakes are no better than rim brakes. If I was looking to get into the sport, one look at the prices and I would find a different sport. Paying more and getting a heavy claris equipped bike ? NO THANKS. do we look like patsies ? I guess we do. An excellent video that mirrors what I have seen as an enthusiast interested in bicycles.
This makes me feel depressed. We're paying more for less, even when taking inflation into account. It's hard to change the mentality that Shimano 105 is the bare minimum...
Crazy how much bike prices have increased. Great video sir!
As far as I know "AL" vs. "ALR" marks differences in the quality of aluminum used. ALR bikes typically have lighter frames etc.
Thanks for your work, love your videos!
You definitely deserve more subscribers mate!
Couldn't find this kinda info in other videos.
Brilliant video.
Incredibly depressing, but brilliant.
you're on a roll ! much to my enjoyment :) Love your vidz, they are good material for road bike enthusiasts who like to daydream about buying a hundred bikes, and also your videos are super relaxing and funny. Thanks
thanks, that was informative. really shows how little you now get for your money. Would be good to see a £2k-£3k version of this, as I feel that's what your average "serious" amateur may spend on a bike bike. Also, may i draw your attention to the Sensa range of bikes at Merlin Cycles. I just bough the aero bike from Sensa, the Giulia Evo, which is full ultegra for £1999 [albeit on sale].
I have the Van Rysel EDR Ultegra from Decathlon. Cost £1300 but has gone up to £1500 which is still good value considering has full Ultegra and Fulcrum Racing 4 wheels that are over £300 for wheelset alone. The 105 version is £1200 and got a 4.5/5 review on Bikerader.
@@marks3620 I looked at that bike but unfortunately it was out of stock. Great value
Thanks to this video I’m going to buy a mint condition 2006 Trek Pilot 5.2. All carbon made in USA, ultegra groupset, 8.2 kg. A lovely classic for $500 usd
I feel there are a lot more advantages to the Paradox bike than it got credit for. The unbutted aluminium frame and high tensile steel forks will last a very long time and take a lot of abuse. The bike isn't really worth stealing so you can just take it anywhere because even if it is stolen its not a huge financial loss. All the parts are super cheap to replace. There is nothing proprietary fitted to the bike. You'll soon lose the 5kg difference off your own body weight riding it up hills etc. You've got loads of money left to enjoy spending elsewhere. If you drop anyone on it you its practically a harakiri moment of insult and dishonour for them.
I think the Carrera Virtuoso is the entry level road bike to consider at Halfords, its a nicer frame, mainly Claris components, mechanical disc brakes and a pretty decent all round bike. The Paradox is very limited by its freewheel so doesn't have very good high gearing because of the larger 14T cog of the freewheel. It's a slow bike not just because of its weight but its basic Tourney groupset and freewheel. The Virtuoso can compete quite well with many of the big brand bikes costing £800-1100 nowadays but the Paradox can't basically.
Curious about the Giant Contend AR, I believe the AR stands for 'any road' or something like that. It's like somewhere between a road bike and gravel bike. It is slightly beefier with wider tyre clearance. I wasn't sure if that bike fitted in with the other bikes. Feels like its more gravel than road except still using road groupsets.
missing the arrrriba intro. tour of britain has been really good racing, im glad i live in the commonwealths as our only eurosport channel on tv is the ad-free version! allez elite weight is off a comment from your 105 video 😉
Tour of Britain is on GCN racepass ad free.
any chance you are doing this kind of video again for 2023? very informative and entertaining sir
Great video.....excellent comparison very interesting.
On the subject of cable operated disc brakes, a simple cost effective upgrade is to fit TRP spyre twin piston calipers. Having used these for over 2 years I can reccomend them without hesitation.
About $130 AUD each now. And very hard to get.
that was great! do it again pleasse
good take on the latest models
Coming to this in mid-2022, and bicycle inflation has been joined by "real" inflation :( And bikes and groupsets have gone up even more in the last year!
Researched canyon and saw it at 1.5k after the last video. Then this video auto plays. Neat
Interesting and helpful.
thanks for the analytics
Noticed the groupsets are pretty cheap. How would it fit into a 1k budget to create eg full Shimano package on a bike and frame in this budget?
If I were to upgrade I'd get a model from a few years ago. It would be cheaper and generally speaking I prefer all the older colour schemes, so much is black and grey or neutral colours now. I think the new Cannondale's in particular look so boring compared to a few years back
too much decisions to make ,, i am actually in a huge dilemma myself . i am about to buy a road bike ..but decide if the trek domane al 4 or
trek emonda alr 4 ,, they both are around my budget . any advice would be awesome ,, thank you
What's the widest tires you can put on the Allez Elite 2021? (asking for gravel)? Please let me know, I appreciate it a lot!
Lots of folks on a FB Spe Allez page say they are fitting 28c tires . No bigger though. I removed the 26c spesh roadsport tires , installed 25 c Conti GP 5000 tires. They ride just as smooth, perhaps smoother.
The Allez is a great bike. I had a gravel bike prior, a Giant Toughroad and the Allez rides much smoother. The Toughroad really vibrated which was tough on my hands.
I have just ordered this week Canyon Endurance AL7 105 groupset. Let's how it performs. Need to wait for it more than one month, though :-(
Excellent choice 👌, bought one a few months ago for my son, very happy.
Thanks. But I think the most important thing is bike geometry.
I wonder, with mechanical Ultegra getting discontinued, will there be bargains to be had on this years or next years frames with that groupset?
I thought it would be the opposite: People will be scrambling to buy them up, and maybe even for the spare parts. You'll be surprised how many people prefer mechanical over electronic... I don't think they'll be any fire sale of mechanical Ultegra and Dura-Ace groupsets.
I like how both the new Dura ace and ultegra weigh more than their di2 predecessors
But you have 1 Gear more you'll never need
@@janluca8872 It depends. It could be the same range but closer gearing. But yes, probably reaching the point of diminishing returns...
al is material so aluminium The r stands for lighter, you also have sl and slr but more expensive and a small weight saving!
I do wonder how much of this inflation has to do with the Cycle to Work scheme being up to £1000. If everyone can now get a bike for that value on the scheme I imagine these bike manufacturers make a bike for £1000 that maximizes their own profit
Great review of a poor reflection on the state on the cycling industry! One side note would be that tiagra is vastly improved...but wow, it's painful feeling like we're being milked (for 80p!) 😰
Im disapointed in the bike companies. the rush to disc brakes is silly and a huge added expense for recreational riders. cable disc brakes are no better than rim brakes. If I was looking to get into the sport, one look at the prices and I would find a different sport. Paying more and getting a heavy claris equipped bike ? NO THANKS. do we look like patsies ? I guess we do. An excellent video that mirrors what I have seen as an enthusiast interested in bicycles.
It's time to... not buy a new one. 😁
ALR is trek’s higher grade aluminum
Are you a BI expert by trade? and my best beans in sauce 4 pack price today is equivalent to 6.98£
Tesco?
Quite depressing actually
Giant TCR SLR.
This makes me feel depressed. We're paying more for less, even when taking inflation into account. It's hard to change the mentality that Shimano 105 is the bare minimum...
I would rather pay for my own cremation and adopt a donkey than pay 1k for that 12 kg monster