Have just seen that planetx are doing unbuilt versions of some of their bikes

I know it's over budget but its an awful lot of bike for £499.

So long as the frame is straight when delivered, a bike can be built with some basic tools (and a couple of bike specific ones or use your local bike shop).

Its a great do it all bike

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBUBPXLDNTIAG/planet-x-london-road-shimano-tiagra-4700-disc-road-bike-(unbuilt)

 

I almost bought a London Road this time last year. I ended up with a Bish Bash Bosh, which is a similar bike but carbon fibre, branded as On One, which is a "sister" company of Planet X and got it with a decent discount in their 12 days of Christmas sale. I echo the bad feedback mentioned though, one if which will be mine. To cut a long story short, I ordered the bike and it gave an estimated build date which came and went with nobody being able to explain the delay. Eventually it came with some of my order missing and a scratch on the frame where they'd attached the front derailleur too high then zig aged it down, leaving a gouge in the paint. I had it inspected by a LBS and it was only cosmetic, thankfully. Planet X's response - if it's only cosmetic there isn't anything they can do! At this point i wanted the bike more than i wanted to pursue it and then potentially wait another 2 months and so just sucked it up. I then wrote my feedback on trust pilot to receive a message from them offering £15 worth of accessories. Needless to say i won't be using them again.

I'm very tempted by one of their carbon bikes. Would probably drive up there though to try one out and buy it there and then. They do seem great value.

I have a Planet X Pro Carbon SL with Ultegra group set. Cracking bike, and always had good service from them. However looking at some of the recent reviews they do seem to be struggling at the moment...

I've had a Dirty Disco & and Carbon 456 from them over the years, their bikes do offer good value for money but are not the highest of quality compared to other brands. They do have issues with customer service etc, I've had friends who have had issues with them, I had a positive experience with their customer service though.

Edited 19 November, 20169 yr by DarkPeakCycles

I have a Planet X Pro Carbon SL with Ultegra group set. Cracking bike, and always had good service from them. However looking at some of the recent reviews they do seem to be struggling at the moment...

 

I also have a Planet X Pro Carbon SL with Ultegra (compact) group set and it is indeed a really good value for money bike. I have added Mavic Ksyrium SL wheels to the original spec so VFM has gone down a bit! It is at the budget end of carbon frames so is not the last word in comfort (my Litespeed with Hed Ardennes wheels is a significantly smoother ride but cost a shed load more!), but it is just fine for 100 milers.

As for Planet X customer service, I do all my own bike maintenance so once bought I never bother them. Good prices on parts and usually very prompt delivery; if I ever get back into cycling they would be certainly be a company I would consider using again.

**I'm not affiliated to this shop in any way! **

 

Coops, take a look at AJ Cycles in Rushden, Northants.  Their website isn't great but they're a decent bunch and should be accommodating over the phone.  They are selling off a lot of 2016 bikes *very* cheaply at the moment on a local closed FB page.  Mainly Giants and Specialized.  Worth calling them to see what they have left.  They've been bumping a few of their adverts so may be open to an offer. 

 

Probs a ~1hr drive for you.  

Edited 22 November, 20169 yr by penguin17

Being drawn to the Boardman Road Sport at the minute.

Just seen this thread and not read all way through, but on your budget I would agree with others on second hand as for that price new quality is not great , by the best framed bike you can afford , and when something wears out relace components with better

Edited 26 November, 20169 yr by blueR36

As already said, second hand for £300/350 you will get a good £1200 when new bike especially this time of the year.

I have a PlanetX Pro Carbon which uses all 'On One' stuff to make it flat bars etc. and also one of the new EC-130-E Aero bikes, never had an issue with them and they all seem to know a lot about the bikes/components in the Sheffield store.

Hear your comments - spotted a Specialized Allez for £350.

I'm 90% certain I'll get a Planet X pro carbon as my first road bike. I want to try and help my mate train for an ironman so want something pretty good straight away. I'm really looking forward to it

As already said, second hand for £300/350 you will get a good £1200 when new bike especially this time of the year.

 

 

The more and more I read and research, the more I think that this is probably the way to go.

 

Have actually found a 2013 Specialized Roubaix Compact for £300 with upgraded 105 groupset.

This time of year is perfect for finding a used road bike. Most people dont use them and upgrade in the new year.

Still unsure what to do with my old pro carbon

This time of year is perfect for finding a used road bike. Most people dont use them and upgrade in the new year.

Still unsure what to do with my old pro carbon

 

What sort of condition is it in mate?

9.5/10 :-)

9.5/10 :-)

Size and price? :-)

Not sure to both. Ill measure and take some pics on sunday.

Expensive ride

Edited 13 February, 20179 yr by Sad555

Dont totally discount a good steel bike. I've a Charge Plug 3 cyclo-x bike and a Genesis Equlibrium disc 20 road bike and they are both beautiful, comfortable rides. I'll admit that they are £800 and £1600 respectively new, but second hand they might be in budget. Avoid a cheap steel frame though. Tend to be made of scaffold poles...

Seen a 2009 Cannondale Synapse within my budget - 105 groupset but is listed with 622x13 rims - should I be concerned with that?

any progress with this? I've done a deal on a Planet X pro Carbon that I am going to pick up Thursday morning, seen a few good deals but missed out on them, this has done less than 100 miles and has a few nice additions, will post up some pics once I have it 

Seen a 2009 Cannondale Synapse within my budget - 105 groupset but is listed with 622x13 rims - should I be concerned with that?

They sound like an MTB size to me, but I'm used to road (and road or velodrome race) wheels being 26" or 27" diameter.

Nothing to do with MTB's.

http://cyclingforums.com/threads/strange-wheel-size.425902

any progress with this? I've done a deal on a Planet X pro Carbon that I am going to pick up Thursday morning, seen a few good deals but missed out on them, this has done less than 100 miles and has a few nice additions, will post up some pics once I have it 

 

Still looking, taking my time.

 

Probably going to stick with a lower spec bike initially,don't want to fork out loads of money. Definitely can't afford a carbon one!