Advice on first "road" bike please

[uncle bulgaria]

Ok, I know a few of you know this story already, but for those who don’t here goes! I was a little overdue for a mid life crisis & a lot over weight! So a year & half to two years ago I decided to loose some weight. So to help with this SWMBO persuaded me to buy a bike (she’s been into cycling for ages) and ride with her to get fit. To start with she persuaded me to ride to the pub and back :P, but as I shed the weight, I up’d the miles. By the end of last year I’d done 1,400 miles, lost 6 ½ stone & worn out a chain set!

So I “modified” my bike this year (it was a Giant CRS hybrid, however there is only the frame left of the original bike, everything else have being changed!) and completed a 40mile sponsored ride for the British Heart Foundation. This was something I’d never thought I could do having spent 20+ years perfecting my life as a couch potato !

Anyway, I love my bike even though it is now an utter “mongrel” & love my cycling, so I did a daft thing & in the firm belief that you always need something to aim for I signed up for the Etape Caledonia :eek:!

Macmillan Cancer Support Etape Caledonia

I know I’ve got train, & am upping my regular mileage and thus far I’ve done about 800 miles and my regular run is 30 – 40 miles with leisurely 10 – 15 miles runs in between.

Now when I asked for advice about this in another thread, everyone said “get a road bike!”. So as my work is now supporting the cycle to work scheme (a form of salary surrender) I should be able to get a decent bike and save some money.

So finally round to the question; if my budget is around £1,000 (the actual cost should work out at around £600), what sort of bikes should be on my hit list? I’m looking for something that’s reliable and going to last & just like my car & first bike, I’m guessing I’ll eventually “modify” it too!

I really don’t know that much about road bikes, so any advice would be appreciated

[Brimma]

A lot depends on whether your employers are tied to any particular supplier or not. Some suppliers can supply a lot wider range than others, so it might be worth letting us know who you have to go through, then we look at their website, and make a reasonable recommendation.

HTH

[uncle bulgaria]

Good point, I don't know! I'll check tomorrow, but knowing my luck it'll be a big national chain that has orange & black in thier logo & sells car parts!!!

SWMBO's scheme is apparently supported by both our local "big" bike shops, J E James & Langsett Cycles. Should she need to "help out" , they should cover a good range.

However I'm just baffeld by the choice & really need some help in narrowing down the field a little! I'm a real novice here and am worried as I don't want to (and cant afford to!) make a bad choice as I'll have to live with it! Also if I am going to do some thing, I need to get on with it so I can get used to it!

[Brimma]

Don't forget the 'technicalities' of the Bike to Work scheme. You are supposed to use the bike at least 50% of the time for riding to work (hence the title), although I'm not sure exactly who, if anybody, checks. It's therefore supposedly not just a way of getting a bike on the cheap.

If it is the orange and black your choice for a quality bike is likely to be restricted to Boardmans, Boardmans, or Boardmans, although from reading some of the magazine write-ups, that might not necessarily be a bad thing.

[pete8tch]

a friend of mine just bought 1 of the boardman things , it bloody brilliant , incredibly light and trick.

no idea if its any good but i thought it was impressive , his mrs just got something similar through her ctws, dont know what it was but it was shed loads of money , she is properly into it tho and does marathons as well

[Brimma]

Have a think as well if you are likely to want to use mudguards or not. You can use clip-ons for bikes without mudguard eyes/clearance, but they ain't ever so clever. They flex more and don't offer as much protection. That's the reason I'm going for the GT Tachyon 1.0 2010. Just creeps in under the 1k barrier - flatbar with bar ends to assist climbing (my choice for comfort as I've already got a main road bike), clearance for full mudguards, and a bloody good spec list.

Another dropbar option I had a look at was the Specialized Secteur Elite 2010 - also just under the 1k barrier.

[uncle bulgaria]

Don't forget the 'technicalities' of the Bike to Work scheme. You are supposed to use the bike at least 50% of the time for riding to work (hence the title), although I'm not sure exactly who, if anybody, checks.

Thats why i was so suprised that my work was offering it, as depending on which way you look at it, my office is either my spare bedroom or 64 miles away

SWMBO's scheme is even better as her place has no provision for bike parking what so ever! The only place they can "chain" a bike to is either the nearby lamp post or the railings which protect pedestrians from road traffic & if they try this the locks are cut and the bikes removed. It seems that the council & her employer are in dispute about how should provide the cycle park!

[ap0gee1978]

If you're going for endurance rather than speed and something you could use to commute, then a proper tourer would probably be more suitable, as the tyres will be slightly wider, you'll get a triple chainset for hills (or even a hub gear! ) and lugs for mudguards and racks. Some examples off the top of my head:

Cannondale Touring Classic

Dawes Horizon

Specialized Tricross Sport Triple

[uncle bulgaria]

I don't think i'm worried about mudguards, as my present bike will become my winter/bad weather bike and can take full mudguards with the original 35c tyres. I know i'm looking for lightness as lightening up my present bike was a revelation!

Should I go for a compact triple or more traditional twin chain set? My present setup is a Diore Triple 26-36-48 with an Diore XT 11 - 34 rear cassette. I haven't had to use my "granny" ring for some time now and try not to drop into my 3rd lowest ring on the rear cassette unless it's an absolute necessity!!!!

Ok this is where you all groan and say "What the hell were you thinking!?!" but here is the full spec of my present bike:

Set off as a Giant CRS 3.0 now fitted with:

Grammo Veleno Ultra rims, Schwalbe Ultremo R 23c tyres, USE shock post, Shimano Diore 26-36-48 chain ring with 175mm cranks, Diore M770 XT 11-34 cassette, Diore LX rear Mech, Diore front mech, Avid brake leavers, Diore LX V Brakes, Diore LX rapid fire shifters, OS Tech Carbon forks, USE Atom Riser Bar, Ergon Grips, Ritchey Comp X Stem, Shimano 520 SPD pedals, Selle Italia seat & SRAM PC971 chain.

Loads of these were bought as "new" second hand items, ie stuff that had come on someones bike, but they had swapped for better etc. I found that our local bike shops were happy to gather me parts that way & thats why there is a mix of Diore, LX, & XT bits! However doing it this way, saved me a fortune compare to buying new! It was also a good learning curve for me to "find out" how a bike works!

Edited 25 August, 2009 by uncle bulgaria

[*tim*]

I agree with everyone get a road bike

In seriousness a road bike will help you out so much, I'm always surprised when I get on mine how easy it ride after being on the work bike all week. Get on the drops, 100+ psi in the tyres, proper skinny tyres, and the miles will be eaten up.

A compact double crankset should be fine for most hills, just standup and give it a bit more if you feel yourself dropping too much off the pace.

Halfords should be able to order any bike in for you, so you won't be restricted to Boardmans. Only issue is that 2010 models will be released soon and will likely be little more expensive so it might push the model you want over £1000 and out of your reach. Either that or Halfords won't be able to get the 2009 model for you due to it being old stock... Its happened to a couple of people here at work, and they had to setting on an alternative.

[Aspman]

I've got a road bike through the scheme at work. I was supposed to be picking it up today but I've got to call the bike shop so I assume there is a problem :( (---that bike we promised we'd put in the warehouse, we accidentally sold it, sorry, yours will be another two weeks:mad:---)

As far as the scheme goes (we're on Tax free bikes for work through the Government's Green Transport Initiative - Cyclescheme, provider of Cycle to Work schemes for UK employers) it says cycle to work but I live 35 miles away and there is virtually no chance of me cycling to work and I was approved for the scheme without question. It's a general fitness thing apparently, if you cycle you're less likely to be off work or need the NHS therefore both your work and the Gov benefit more than it costs them.

Anyway. At the bike shop I was pointed at the Specialized Allez and the Secteur. The Allez is a proper racer the Secteur a little more comfortable but still a drop handled roady.

I went with the Secteur because the groupset was a bit better, the ride allegedly more comfortable (it's a Roubaix frame if that means much to you) and it had triple cogs at the front so when I'm toiling up the hills to start with I can change down and not fall off.

Secteur is probably worth a look for you for similar reasons to me but you are cycling further than me.

Halfords Boardman bikes get a good write up but the Halfords service can leave a little to be desired and many people get the bike from Halfords and then pay the local bike shop to make sure they've put it together properly.

What I was strongly advised to do was to get shoes and clips, this is a bigger improvement than a better bike for beginners. So I got some Specialized shoes and MTB pedals, because you can walk in them unlike proper road shoes.

This is mine -

Evans Cycles | Specialized Secteur Sport 2010 Road Bike | Online Bike Shop

Edited 25 August, 2009 by Aspman

[Terry G]

I agree with *tim*.

Get yourself a road bike and enjoy the speed! Based on your current miles (well done for your achievements) I would avoid a triple ring and go for the compact, you will probably surprise yourself at how well you can do.

The Boardman bikes have had great reviews, in particular this one - Boardman Road Bike Team Carbon Medium 09 from Halfords Price £999.99 Now Available Built for Home Delivery (subject to availability)

That said there are loads of bikes to look at.. The Specialized ones are good. I really like Giant. But you will find an endless list of 'this one is good', so get to the shops and try some.

I read that the 2010 ranges (soon to launch) will be more expensive :thumbdwn:

[uncle bulgaria]

I agree with *tim*.

Get yourself a road bike and enjoy the speed! Based on your current miles (well done for your achievements) I would avoid a triple ring and go for the compact, you will probably surprise yourself at how well you can do.

The Boardman bikes have had great reviews, in particular this one - Boardman Road Bike Team Carbon Medium 09 from Halfords Price £999.99 Now Available Built for Home Delivery (subject to availability)

That said there are loads of bikes to look at.. The Specialized ones are good. I really like Giant. But you will find an endless list of 'this one is good', so get to the shops and try some.

I read that the 2010 ranges (soon to launch) will be more expensive :thumbdwn:

Thanks mate,

I've never been bitten by anything like this before & am loving it! I would never have believed I would have enjoyed it let alone covered the sort of miles I'm doing. I guess i'm starting to realise that as much as I love my present bike, it was not desigend for this kind of useage!

[uncle bulgaria]

Cheers all! I'm looking forawards to having a wander round this weekend checking out some of your recommendations!

Checked today. My Scheme is tied to that Oranage & Black logod dealer, so the Boardman is on the short list! SWMBO has a much better scheme which allows her 2 bikes upto a combined total of £1,500. That also allows her to use either of our two independent providers so Specialised are back on the agenda too!

Any thoughts about Trek? I've been suggested a Trek 1.9 as well.

[Brimma]

If weight is your thing, then the Boardman mentioned by Terry G above works out to be 17.38 pounds in a large size - that's bloody light for a bike costing as little as £999, and I doubt any of the big names will come close.

It is worth having a few models in mind, try to see some in the flesh, have a sit on them in the shop, or even have a test ride if they offer it. I'd be happier if you chose a bike you liked, rather than buying one which someone had recommended because they liked it.

There are also variations in the way the integrated gear/brake levers work between Shimano, Campagnolo and SRAM - something else to bear in mind - I've personally been brought up on Shimano STi's, and they are so much better than the old downtube-mounted levers IMO.

Enjoy choosing, and the subsequent riding, safe in the knowledge you're going to be getting a hell of a bike at a bargain basement cost.

[uncle bulgaria]

Ok, so I've been on several bikes and think i've narrowed it down to two. a Trek 2.5 58cm or a Bianchi Centostrade Veloce 59cm

Bianchi Centostrade Veloce Black Red White

Trek Bikes | Bikes | Road | 2.5

Both feel fantastic and I'm over the moon to have such a "difficult" decission to make, but... i'm stuck!

I love the Trek, it fits well and has the 2010 Ultegra set, which is an awsome spec. Of the 6 i went to try it was the first one I felt at home with! I was certain that this was the bike until I tried the Bianchi, now i'm torn! I love the Bianchi frame and the fit was just as good, but the group set isn't as nice as the Ultegra!

The dealer is going to see if Bianchi will do me a price on one with a 105 & Ultegra mix, but I bet it's out of my reach! To get it on my cycle to work scheme it's got to be no more than £1,500 (Trek £1,450 ish & Bianchi £1475 ish)

So do I go for the Trek which from a spec point of view is prety much a done deal, (a head decision!) or do I go for the Bianchi which could do with a bit of an upgrade at some time (a heart decision!). As i said it's a nice decision, but it will be something I'll have to live with for many years so what do I do????????

Do I go with the old adage of buy the best frame & then upgrade as it wears or do I go with the all in one package??????

[*tim*]

hmmm.... difficult decision. The Bianchi has the name and the pedigree, and the frame looks awesome with that swooping downtube, but as you say the groupset isn't too hot. The Trek has the kit and certainly doesn't look shabby at all.

You could buy the Bianchi with the view to upgrading the groupset as and when, but if properly looked after you'll easily get 3000 miles out of the kit so depending on how much you use it it could be a very long time away.

Personally I think I'd buy the Trek... Have you looked at the Trek Madone's, the 4.5 has CF frame and 105 groupset and it within your budget.... food for thought

58 cm how tall are you?

[uncle bulgaria]

At worst 6' 1"!! With a 33 - 34" inside leg!!

Have to say I agree with you! Just looking at the spec, the Trek has it as far as i'm concerned! Yes I'd thought of the Madone 4.5, but I don't know why, i just couldn't seem to get comfortable! The 2.5 just seemed to "fit" if you know what i mean! & the Bianchi was very comfortable, with a better range of adjustment than the Trek! I sort of got the feeling that I could have spent more time on the Bianchi, but... Awwww Heccckkk!!

Gawd... I've got to decide by close of play Thursday!!

[Terry G]

The good news is that you have tested your rides and have narrowed down to just two bikes.

The bad news is that they are both VERY nice machines and would serve you well.

As *tim* says, the Bianchi has the Italian rep and a fine frame.

The Trek (I actually prefer the look of it as a whole unit) has a great 'out of the box' set-up.

The ride between the two Treks is an odd one as the geometry is identical on same size (some Treks did used to be very hardcore race geometry), but perhaps the overall feel wasn't quite right.

I'm probably not the best person for advice on components (I run FSA brakes/crank and Ultegra/Dura-Ace gearset).

Personally, I would go for the Trek (by the time you are ready to upgrade the components on the Bianchi, you would be itching to buy a complete new set-up!!).

Whatever you go for, you are buying a bloody nice bike.. keep us updated!

[Terry G]

uncle bulgaria.... just noticed your location... them hills, them hills!:thumbup:

[Brimma]

Lance Armstrong was never too shabby on Treks

[*tim*]

Lance Armstrong was never too shabby on Treks

I doubt Armstrong would be shabby on any bike...

58 cm seems a little to big, especially with the compact framesets that road bike now all seem to have. I'm the same height and ride a 55.5 cm and feel I could of gone slightly smaller, I had to fit a shorter stem and its about right at the moment. Would of bought a 54 cm if they had made it in that size. Having said that, you know if you're comfortable or not.

As said both are very nice and I'm sure you'd be very happy with either, but make sure you get it bought whilst we still have some good weather

[uncle bulgaria]

uncle bulgaria.... just noticed your location... them hills, them hills!:thumbup:

Ohhhhhhh, Me Knees, Me Knees!!!

Still I've got to get ready for the Etape Caladonia next May, so i've got to get to know 'em!

[uncle bulgaria]

58 cm seems a little to big, especially with the compact framesets that road bike now all seem to have. I'm the same height and ride a 55.5 cm and feel I could of gone slightly smaller, I had to fit a shorter stem and its about right at the moment. Would of bought a 54 cm if they had made it in that size. Having said that, you know if you're comfortable or not.

As said both are very nice and I'm sure you'd be very happy with either, but make sure you get it bought whilst we still have some good weather

Yeah, I was suprised at the size as my Giant CRS is a M! Still I tried a 56 in the Trek and was knocking my knees on the bar! The moment I went onto the 58 it just felt "right", go figure?!? Had they not had the Bianchi, i'd have had the Trek there and then!

My head def says the Trek, as already said, it's just "right" out of the box. The position on the Bianchi is different, but it just felt like it was one you could hold for more miles! I guess it will depend on what is available as both of them were already covered by deposits for other customers, so I was very, very lucky they were willing to try me on them & let me have a spin!

I also guess it would be a different case if they come back & tell me the Bianchi is afordable & available with the Ultegra/105 mix! Some how I doubt it!!

Aaahh Decisions, Decisions. I'm getting worse than Damo

[Brimma]

Aaahh Decisions, Decisions. I'm getting worse than Damo

No - Damo would have bought one and sold it by now, and be upgrading the wheels on the second !