PINNACLE ROAD BIKES - ANY GOOD??

[Jon C C on a Bianchi]

Hi

Sam's outgrown his Bianchi (he's grown about a foot in 6 months!!) and I'm looking to get him a new bike. We're on a bit of a budget and don't really want to go much more than £800-£900 especially if he continues to grow at his current rate!! Anyway, he needs a compact - I don't want him pushing too big a gear - he's only just turned 14, and i happened to see a Pinnacle Laggera 2 (or something like that) in the Evans sale - good spec - Ultegra gears etc, carbon forks and stays.

Can't find any reviews on the internet. Does anyone out there know anything about the bike?

Thanks in anticipation

Jon

[Marky Mark]

Here a start for reference if you need one

[url]http://www.pinnacle-bikes.co.uk/Bike-Range/Road/Lagerra/?contentId=1275[/url]

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

The list price for a Lagerra 2 is £999 and has a number of "upgrades" over the Laggera 1 (and shedding 1/2 kilo into the bargain.

It is an alloy frame with carbon seatstay, Fulcrum 7 wheels and a Shimano Ultegra groupset (each to their own....)

It would seem to me that £800 is pretty good value for that bike.

If you want to consider an alternative, the Boardman range have received pretty good reviews from Bikehut at Halfords (not pushing this just because my son works there either).

Plowman Craven use Pinnacle bikes, but like any top end pro products is nothing to go by.

[Alan M]

I sometimes cycle with the owner of Evans, Gary Smith and he speaks highly of the manufacturer and the specification - the bikes with pink colouring and handlebar tape look surprisingly smart and the specification is designed for a road team sponsored by Evans is OK - I will send you Gary's email address - he likes chatting about Pinancles

Alan

[Andrew G]

Depending how convenient it is for you, you could pop in, or call, Pearson's and see what they are currently stocking. When I got my first bike (after many years) I got my Ambrosio from there. It had a lower spec groupset than the one you mention but was £600. They'd also have upgraded the groupo if the piggy bank had been bigger. My Dad's LeMond also came from them

Not sure what they're current stocking apart from the bling Ridley's but could be worth a call.

[Jon H]

[quote="Alan M"]I sometimes cycle with the owner of Evans, Gary Smith and he speaks highly of the manufacturer and the specification - the bikes with pink colouring and handlebar tape look surprisingly smart and the specification is designed for a road team sponsored by Evans is OK - I will send you Gary's email address - he likes chatting about Pinancles

[Alan M]

[quote]Not very surprising as Pinnacle is Evans' own brand.

[Will]

My understanding is that Pinnacles are actually pretty decent, and certainly good value for money

While you would expect that not to be the case - as Evans are generally derided as a bike retailer - experienced biking friends who have managed / worked in various branches of Evans have (begrudgingly) spoken very highly of them.

[Jon H]

Another possibility, if the only issue is outgrowing the bike, is to get a new frame and transfer the kit from the Bianchi to the new frame. Then again, if you buy a whole new bike you re-coup some of the cost by flogging the old one, or keep it for spares.

£800-900 for an Ultegra spec'd bike does sound pretty good - you're likely to get a higher spec by buying a shop own-brand like this instead of paying for the name on one of the big bike companies.

[Jon C C on a Bianchi]

Thanks, gents, for all your help, ideas . I need to take a deep breath and have a think. I nearly bought the Pinnacle on Saturday for £810 in their sale but got cold feet. Knew nothing about the make and if I'm honest a bit worried about Evans' after sales service - but it looked a good buy at the time and from what you say probably still is. I'll keep looking and if anyone knows of a good second hand bike for someone 5'11'' let me know.

Thanks again

best wishes

Jon

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

Don't forget if you're going down to Evans at gatwick, Halfords with their range of [url=http://www.boardmanbikes.com/]Boardman[/url] bikes are just down the road [url=http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/storelocator_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_langId_-1]here[/url]

[Alan M]

I checked with Gary Smith today and they are made at the same factory as Pinarellos. Not sure what this means but Gary felt that the quality is similar and the costs are low because Evans cuts out the brand and dealership costs by sourcing directly from manufacturer to shops. Another guy whose opinion I would value rode one for 2 weeks in Mallorca and was favourably impressed.