Best bike for £600?

slymarques

Pls forgive the obvious question, but I have just returned to cycling after 6 years motorcycling, and I'm super excited to come back. I plan to mainly commute to work (10.5 miles). I was planning to buy a hybrid bike, but after reading the various post on the subject here, I've swayed to the road bike idea.

I'm currently riding an old Dawes Giro 300. Great steel frame with sora groupsets, and feel that I can splash with a new bike.

I have a Cycle 2 Work voucher (via Halfords) for the value £600 (so that is the max that I can spend). Halfords will source any bike that they do not have in stock.

My narrowed choices to:

- Spesh Alez Double or Triple (with a rack)
- Trek 1000 Double or Triple (with a rack)
- Boardman Pro (with a seat post rack)
- Giant SCR 2.0 (with a rack)
- Focus Variado (although not sure yet if they have my size). I'm 6ft2. So I guess I'm a 58cm?

I have tested all of them with the exception of the Boardman bike (which I'm testing on Tuesday), and they feel very similar. Any advice would be greatly appreciated....

cheers,
Sly

ajg77

I'm a new convert to road riding too (I've switched from mountain biking) and I had exactly the same budget as you to buy myself a new bike about a month ago. Also like you I'm 6'2 and I think I had the last but one Focus Variado and what a bike it is! I tried the Specialized Allez out and the Focus is a much better bike! If you can find one, or don't mind going up a size it's a great bike for the money. My other option was a Giant SCR 1.0, but no one seemed to be able to get hold of a bike in my size (and in the sale too). I think that would have been my second option after the Focus Variado as the spec is also better than the Specialized.

Rich Hcp

The Focus is Wiggle's own make, do Halfords won't be able to get one....

The New 2008 Alllez is out anytime now, so it may be worth waiting

slymarques

Thank you for the advice. I'll call Halfords tomorrow to confirm if they can source a Focus or not (and if indeed they can, they will also honour the discount on wiggle, as they are the only suppliers of that bike). Although I'm still not sure if the XL60 is too large frame for me. Is there a measurement I can make to make sure?
Unfortunately the SCR 1.0 is just outside of my budget as Halford will only source bikes at RPP....
and I think the Spesh 08 range is already out:
Double: http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDetails.asp?productID=11430 £499
Triple: http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDetails.asp?productID=11431 £549

Is it worth the extra money for the triple?

Johnny Ergo

As the double is a compact that should allow you some slack for climbing (unless you're going to attempt Tourmalet soon!). By the way did you know that you can spend more than the amount on the voucher as long as you pay the difference.
Cheers.
Johnny

slymarques

Apparently there is a new ruling as of 1 April 07, that Halfords will NOT allow you to spent (at least on the bike) over the amount of the voucher. They told me it is because for the 1st year, the bike actually does not belong to you (it belongs to your company), and if you were allowed to pay on top, there will be a case for joint ownership (as part of the money was paid with the voucher and the other part by the employee). At least that is what they told me on Friday, as I wanted to spend over my voucher value, and they told it was no longer possible..... Are they right?

JustRidecp

You've stated that on all of your options you'd be going for a rack. If your planning on doing some touring then IMO, a triple would be your best option - you'll need it when you start to load up your bike.

colonel

slymarques wrote:

Pls forgive the obvious question, but I have just returned to cycling after 6 years motorcycling, and I'm super excited to come back. I plan to mainly commute to work (10.5 miles). I was planning to buy a hybrid bike, but after reading the various post on the subject here, I've swayed to the road bike idea.

I'm currently riding an old Dawes Giro 300. Great steel frame with sora groupsets, and feel that I can splash with a new bike.

I have a Cycle 2 Work voucher (via Halfords) for the value £600 (so that is the max that I can spend). Halfords will source any bike that they do not have in stock.

My narrowed choices to:

- Spesh Alez Double or Triple (with a rack)
- Trek 1000 Double or Triple (with a rack)
- Boardman Pro (with a seat post rack)
- Giant SCR 2.0 (with a rack)
- Focus Variado (although not sure yet if they have my size). I'm 6ft2. So I guess I'm a 58cm?

I have tested all of them with the exception of the Boardman bike (which I'm testing on Tuesday), and they feel very similar. Any advice would be greatly appreciated....

cheers,
Sly

firstly take hybrids and road bikes to test before you make a choice.
this is a road forum and folk are a wee biased.

I tested the allez and allez sport. they are lovely bikes and good value.
but i decided that for my purposes I didn't like road bikes. too twitchy and uncomfortable.

I was deciding between a sirrus and a genesis day01. But I chose a sirrus as its the finest combination of ride and speed I have come across (the gensis is faster and lighter but has the road bike driving position).

I eventually went for the sirrus pro. a bit pricey but the cheapers ones are great too.

have fun!

slymarques

I tested a couple of hybrids last weekend, and they feel fast too. But I really cannot get rid of a silly grin on my face when going fast (mainly downhill) and drop on the bars, and just pedal away. I think I will get more enjoyment from drop bars.

As a sidenote, I wrote an email to Specialized customer service with just that question, ie Sirrus Comp vs Allez explaining my situation, and was also adviced that the Allez would be more suitable. Only thing he mentioned is that the Allez does not have rack eyes? I actually saw one (and rode one) over the weekend, and saw the rack eyes. Can someone confirm that you can fit a rack to the Allez?

slymarques

A few answers to my own questions:
- Allez takes racks. (but really do not like the component set compared to the other 2 bikes)
- Halfords will source from wiggle and match the internet price for the Variado £595
- The frame XL60 will fit me.

So, my last choices are:

- Boardman Pro - Mix Tiagra & 105 componets + Ritchey Comp wheels + £100 worth of accesories to spend in store
- Focus Variado 2007 - Full 105 components + R550 wheels.

Any final advice guys? Would I really see the difference between the Boardman and the Variado?

slymarques

Ok. I finally went for the Boardman Comp. I tested it this lunchtime and it runs beautifully. I was not that happy about buying a bike without testing it first and it may be better, but could I really tell the difference anyway? Anyway, massive improvement over my trusty Dawes Giro 300......Thanks for the advice.....

kildare

I have commuted for 4 years with an Allez and like it a lot-but there are problems with a dedicated road bike. Due to poor road conditions and wet weather it needs a lot of maintenance and needs tyre changes and punctures are frequent. A poor road bike won't accept full mudguards-I think essential for wet weather commuting. You can get clip on Raceblades which are OK but not as good as full guards. I Ithink the ideal commuting bike does exist-theSpecialised Tricross. It looks like a road bike but is less twitchy and can take bigger tyres say 28cc which are more resistant to punctures and more comfortable, and can also take full mudguards. I don't know if this is within budget-but other cyclocross bikes are availabe. With hindsight I wish I had got one (they weren't really around when I was looking). It would have saved me money-I have an Allez for summer commuting and a Fixed bike (Pompino) for winter cycling. Nevertheless, I'm sure you will enjoy what you get-just don't get a hybrid, as they are ghastly! Good luck.
David

mailmannz

slymarques wrote:

Apparently there is a new ruling as of 1 April 07, that Halfords will NOT allow you to spent (at least on the bike) over the amount of the voucher. They told me it is because for the 1st year, the bike actually does not belong to you (it belongs to your company), and if you were allowed to pay on top, there will be a case for joint ownership (as part of the money was paid with the voucher and the other part by the employee). At least that is what they told me on Friday, as I wanted to spend over my voucher value, and they told it was no longer possible..... Are they right?

This is possible BUT I just bought a Boardman Performance Pro today and my voucher didnt cover the entire cost (so I paid it).

Having said that, as I was paying at the checkout the friendly and helpful checkout girl gave me an extra 10% discount. Halfords are running a promotion where you get 10% off any bike purchase. Only thing is the small print says it doesnt apply to Boardman bikes!

So Sly, I suspect you could be right as my experience might not be indicative of Halfords actual policy!

Regards

Mailman

guilliano

Just found this thread and was going to recommend the Giant SCR Ltd or the Ridgeback Horizon, but then read you'd bought one! Oh well

mea00csf

i actually have a hybrid for commuting and a road bike. Would take the hybrid for the commute for sure. Alot less twitchy and the more upright position makes using a loaded up backpack much easier and stable than on a road bike which i wouldn't want to do. it has also given me the option of using bridleways to extend my commute on the way home which i regularly do. hybrids definetly do have their place, also the bike racks are round the front on the business park, wouldn't want to leave an expensive road bike out there, no probs with my relatively cheapo hybrid

yodasm9

The Focus is NOT the Wiggle own brand. That is ridiculous, they are a German Brand that are incredibly popular and many national pros ride them.

Their low price is based on their ability to produce very large numbers of bikes and the German demand for value for money!

I ride the Variado Expert and it is an absolute dream. To the best of my knowledge, the main difference between the Expert and the regualr is the Ultegra gropset as opposed to the 105 (still very good) and the Fulcram Wheels. The frame is very similar apart from the colour and a cracking ride.

Light and stiff, especially for the price.

I had a Giant SCR3 before. I liked it but ultimately a wanted a better groupset and a more agressive frame.

I've have since noticed that the SCR range for 2007 are going dirt cheap on www.winstanleysbikes.com/

mea00csf

I wouldn't get hopes up on winstanleys having the SCR's in. I was after the SCR1 W which they have on their website for £600 reduced from £850. Giant have no stock left and so couldn't order them anymore so they couldn't get one for medespite still being listed on their website. They did however offer me an AWESOME deal on the new SCR 1 W. They offered me it for £680.

Unfortunately the spec has changed from triple cranks to compact doubles which was not what i was after so passed it up. Did find one of last years in stock somewhere else for £650 so still well chuffed

Zain

Hi, rather than start a new thread I thought I'd bump this one, hope you don't mind?

Ok, I've got a similar budget of £600 and I'm after a road bike for leisure/fitness riding.
I know there's some great deals on 2006 bikes at Evans etc but haven't got the foggiest about road bikes :?

5ft 11 around 80kg if that helps.

Your recommendations would be much appreciated.

TIA

guilliano

Giant SCR Ltd @ around £500-£550, Scott Speedster S50, Trek 1200..... seem to be the best of the currently available range. All in a large, although you may feel more comfortable on a medium with the saddle higher depending on your leg length

owenfackrell

I have found the giant scr ltd for £445 reduced from £650. It has full tigra including a compact double and a carbon set post it seems to sit between the 2 and the 1.
Would you say that it is good value?

guilliano

I bought the SCR Ltd (paid £520) so if you can get it for that money snap it up straight away! You won't be disappointed

Rich Hcp

I paid £599 for a 2007 Specialized Allez Sport with Tiagra, carbon seat post etc

That was from my local shop too.

You need to get down there and see what's about