New bike - what to get - how much to spend???

JST

A tricky question with many answers I know but anyway....

After not having a bike since a Kona Lavadome in about 1992 when I was in my final year of school, a couple of years ago I got a Dawes Discovery 701 http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?W=0&Manufacturer=Dawes&UberCatName=&Cat=cycle&CategoryName=&ProdID=5360018885&UberCat=0 which I got a good deal on as it was the previous model year. I'm not sure why I didn't get road bike at the time - something to do with drop hanlebars I think :roll: Anyway I've enjoyed riding the Dawes and year or so ago started spinning classes to keep fitter which in turn has increased my interest in road cycling.

So now I want to get a propper road bike and have a few questions.

How do you work out what size frame you need, are there any specific pointers to start from?

How much do I need to spend to get a half decent bike that I wont grow out of or want to upgrade in a year or so, is there a thershold you need to spend above to get something worthwhile? I'm thinking at the mo of about £600 and don't mind getting a last years model to get something better in my price range.

Is there any particular equiment you should definately have on a bike that I should look out for when buying?

Is it worth considering second hand or do they tend to be 'well worn'?

Any other suggestions/advice/info gratefully received.

Thanks, James.

ajohn9

i recommend a focus mate, good prices, good quality
www.wiggle.co.uk

JST

Thanks Alex, just been and had a look at tthe focus bikes which has prompted another question - triple or double chainset? I plan on cycling on Dartmoor a bit so will encounter a lot of hills and Devon is pretty hill anyway, would I be better off with something with a trple chainset or is double the norm? Pro's and con's of both?

Thanks again...

rohloff-rich

A compact double is your friend

allaction

I live in the Lake District and have just came from a triple to a Compact and have to say I manage fine. Depends on your level of fitness I'd say too. I'd be surprised if there were many occasions if any where you may need lower gears than a compact provides though.

ajohn9

yeah i have a compact 105 gruppo, and i live in the peak district and it serves me just fine!!
glad i have been of some help

Rich Hcp

I just bought a 2007 Spez Allez Sport, reduced to £599, from £730

End of model year.

Just about to go out on it now 8)

brasso

I would go for the spez allez sport. I've had one for since 2004 and I love it's a great machine

Ashley_R

Decide on your budget and then be prepared to pay about 50% more once your enthusiam takes over any common sense!!

Had a newsletter from Planet X today, their carbon ultegra specc'd jobby for £999 looks a decent deal IMO

JST

a quick blast on google has found a couple of places doing a deal on the specialized allez sport.... hmmm

So what is a 'compact' double? smaller chain rings, closer in size than usual? Is it the sort of thing you could spec on a new bike or buy as an extra after?

Cheers

carlstone

I'm with Ashley_r:

http://www.planet-x-bikes.com/road/inde ... ANN_id=280

:P

only £999 :shock:

ajohn9

id personally go for the compact mate, its pretty much a double with "easier" gearing, which will help you going up any substantial hills, its a good option.
I still recommend the Focus though!!

Rich Hcp

JST wrote:

a quick blast on google has found a couple of places doing a deal on the specialized allez sport.... hmmm

So what is a 'compact' double? smaller chain rings, closer in size than usual? Is it the sort of thing you could spec on a new bike or buy as an extra after?

Cheers

As I say, I paid £599 for an Allez Sport Triple.

He is an autherised dealer , see Spez website, all of them should be able to do a similar deal

wastelander

Almost the impossible question but the best answer will always be 'one that fits you' - find a local bike store that does cycle fitting and buy the correct size. Fitting is around the £50-£75 mark but is usually refundable against a frame or bike bought from that store. I can't imagine anything worse that a bike that isn't the right size, regardless of the quality of the frame or groupset.

guilliano

Buying a road bike is the same as buying an MTB.... you need the one that suits you. I feel great on the Giant SCR as I have long legs and a short body. Someone my height but with shorter legs looking to do the same riding (fitness and maybe some sprtives in the future) would fit a Trek or a Scott better due to the longer top tube. As for how much to spend.... same as an MTB.... the best bike you can afford!

JST

Still haven't parted with any cash and am going to have to put the purchase back a couple of months due to other things cropping up :roll:

However thanks to these forums I seem to have learn't more about what I'm looking at.

I have been to another LBS to see what they have. They were very helpful and were much more road orientated that a lot of the other shops i've been to so far. They specialised in European brands and were pushing Giant, Orbea and Wilier. I had not heard of Orbea or Wilier before although I should have done as they both seemed to have been around a while. Any one have any comments on them?

The Wilier in my budget is the Escape Xenon at £699 which does look lovely but comes with the bottom of the campag range groupset. In their brochure there is the Escape Mirage but that apparently is not available. What is campag Xenon like and what would be the equivalent level from Shimano?

The Orbea would be the Asphalt Marmolada (Campag Mirage) or Asphalt Gavia (Shimano 105) both at £799 At that price thay are a direct comparision to the 2008 Spez Allez Elite...

The Giant he reccomended was the SCR 1.0 which is a little more money at £850.00 again with Shimano 105.

I love the look of the Wilier but a shame it's not available with the higher spec although I may ask if the LBS can sort something. Closer to the time I will try them and see how they feel. i have surfed the net and have found cheaper prices but feel I would benefit from having a proper fitting at my LBS as I am unexperienced.

So any comments on any of the above? Any experiences of the bikes I mention especially the Wilier or Orbea as I can't find much info on them? Which level of Campag match which level of Shimano?

Sorry to go on a bit

mea00csf

Firstly i would highly recommend getting a bikefit. I used this one:

http://www.bikefitting.com/English/Frame.aspx

Basically standing on a jig where they take some key measurements then feed it in to a computer to give you "ideal" setup dimensions. From there they will go through their catalogues and recommend manufacturers, models and sizes. I found it very helpful and and suggested there were definetly brands for me to avoid due to a poor fit and brands and models that would be good for me and what sizes to go for. It cost £35 and would be refundable against the purchase of a bike. Also, the shop would change stems, bars etc from the "standard" setup for free for you to get it setup for you.

As you're paying for the service they also spend a lot of time talking to you about what to look for for your price point, what might suit you best (eg double/triple chainsets etc) I was in the shop for over 2 hours.

I had never owned a road bike before and therefore the positioning felt VERY wierd. Not sure i would have gone with the size i bought (would have been tempted to go smaller) if it hadn't been for the bikefit, it gave me the confidence that i was buying the right size. First long ride this weekend and the fit felt great, need to do a few minor tweaks but other than that was really good. I didn't buy my bike from the shop i had the fit from as i found a bargian that was perfect for me but as an inexpensive bikefit to use as a starting point i would highly recomend it.

Dependent on sizes you can find the SCR1 cheaper. I got the SCR1 Womens for £650 about 2 weeks ago. And there were plenty of mens models around for even cheaper.

Also see if you can try out a Campagnola groupset and a Shimano and you'll know which you prefer. Also shimano's cheapset shifters (Sora) are different to the other shimanos. I hated Sora but really liked the other shimanos, other people really like campag and don't like shimano, it's personal preference.

JST

Thanks mea00csf

I have just had a look at the bikefit site and it does sound like a good idea although the nearest place seems quite far from me.

The local shop I mention above do seem very good/experienced with road stuff and will fit the bike to me and change things like the stem if necessary. However this does mean I wouldn't be able to buy a bargin off the internet. I like the look of the bikes they have (Wilier and Orbea) but was interested to see what peoples opinions were of the lower end bikes from those makes as they are not familier to me?

MikeTheGoat

I bought a Wilier Escape Xenon as my first road bike a month ago. I absolutely love it!

Coming from mountain bikes I don't really have any frame of reference for these things but I think it feels great and handles well. It's also much, much prettier than the the boring black Spesh Allez (if that kind of thing is important to you!). I've never had any problems with the groupset - i realise it's bottom of the range but it seems to shift fine and run smoothly. My MTB has full XT groupset and I haven't been too shocked by the "downgrade" to Xenon on the Escape.

I definitely agree that you should talk to your shop about fitting and try to have a test ride. I've read (on this forum) that some people really don't get on with the geometry of Wiliers so it's probably worth seeing what you think when you sit on one.

jonesy124

i think you should go for this one, I have always wanted a Cruiser
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... &langId=-1

Just imagine it with a few ribbons flowing from the handlebars, and that seat looks positively cushty! At £79 you cant really go wrong! It does mean taht you would have to buy a bike from Halfords though??

beckenham

If the Cruiser comes with Campag's I'm off for one now 8)

JST

Mike - thanks, I agree they look nice which always helps!

Jonesy Purples just not my colour although the velour seat reminds me of a lowrider interior.....I wonder if anyones fitted hydraulics to a bike before.... bouncy bouncy 8)

jonesy124

JST wrote:

Mike - thanks, I agree they look nice which always helps!

Jonesy Purples just not my colour although the velour seat reminds me of a lowrider interior.....I wonder if anyones fitted hydraulics to a bike before.... bouncy bouncy 8)

you have just set my new mission.

oldwelshman

Depends if you want a brand new bike or don't mind seconfd hand.
So far all of mine are second hand ( see in my photo album)
For anything between £550 and £800 you could get a nice carbon with top spec.
I paid £350 for 853 with 105 and £535 for full carcon with 105.
My next bike is going to be Pinarello and I am going to collect it as Ryan air flight is £25 return and I will save at leats £300 on import duty as it is 10% to import.
Hope there is no one from customs and excise on forum 8)