I know it's all been asked before,but......

LazySumby

Hello all. First time poster so be gentle with me . As you've probably guessed, I'm gonna ask for advice on what bike to get. My last few bikes have been MTB's, so I'm not totally 'in the know' on Road bikes. My budget is £700, but the missus has said i can go to £800 if i really need to(lucky ol' me|)

I've noticed most people seem to be going for the Spesh Allez sports,so thats one to look at. Others I've seen at my local LBS are the Orbea Gavia and Aspin. I can't seem to find much out about the Orbeas,so any advice is welcome. Another LBS carries Bianchi bikes, so they're an option too!!

I'll be using the bike for getting to work and eventually some long distance rides and events.

Thanks in advance for any help

Cheers.

overmars

My first road bike was a Spesh Allez. I think its an ideal bike for riding to work and a few long distance jaunts. I upgraded it to 105, got handbuilt wheels... um, I changed everything except the frame!! Recently bought a Trek 1400.

You get what you pay for really. £800 could have got you a Bianchi from the Evans sale. Shop around a bit.
Sorry I can't be more help. I'm sure someone will be along to tell you more!

the_jackalcp

Your looking at all the right bikes. As mentioned already Evans have some pretty good deals on at the moment., I seem to remeber a Bianchi 928 with Chorus or centaur for about £900 which was half price. That would give you a very nice bike, better than anything from the most recent releases that you could get.

Shopping around is the key really. The big chain shops have good deals this time of year and you will pick up a nice bike. Consider Cannondale and Trek otherwise you are on the right lines. Just go for the one that fits the best.

domtyler

Focus Cayo is only slightly over budget at ??999.99 from Wiggle. Full carbon frame, Ultegra groupset, Mavic Aksiums.
________
WASHINGTON DISPENSARIES

alfablue

domtyler wrote:

Focus Cayo is only slightly over budget at £999.99 from Wiggle. Full carbon frame, Ultegra groupset, Mavic Aksiums.

Good choice, or the Focus Cayo Triple might be a good choice with a triple chain set (as you are coming from MTB). The groupset goes down to 105 (perfectly good), but the price is lower too - £864. They are highly rated, they come fully built ready to ride, and have a 7 day test ride - keep or return scheme - they collect it FOC and refund you - seems risk free..

alfablue

Looking at the Cayo Triple, I see it is a 2007 model, they have plenty in stock of various sizes, except the Large is said to be discontinued - so 2008 models should be coming soon. This means that 2007 prices may drop further shortly (though sizes will start to run out) or you may want to wait for 2008 models.

aberfeldyweather

You can get a Raleigh Airlite Carbon for £820.

20 speed Campagnola with Ergo shift
31.8mm Alloy A-headset stem and alloy road bar
San Marco Ponza saddle on a FSA Carbon seatpost
Mavic CXP22S rims on sealed bearing hubs with Michelin Speedium 23c tyres
Tektro alloy caliper
Carbon
-
Miche 10 speed casstte 12-25t
Campagnola Veloce 10x2 speed
nil
700C
Mavic CXP22S
Stainless
Formula sealed bearing hubs 36h w/QR
Michelin Speedium 23c tyres
Intergrated in shift lever
Alloy 31.8mm race bar 420mm wide
Integrated alloy
San Marco Ponza
FSA carbon SL-280CW
Alloy 31.8mm A-headset stem 90mm
FSA Omega Road 34tx50t
KMC DX10
FSA integrated with chainset
Campagnola
Campagnola Veloce
nil

stevec205gti

I know you may be new to this road bike lark - but it's CAMPAGNOLO !!!!!!!!

Pagem

http://www.buyabikedirect.co.uk/product ... o&pid=1586

redddraggon

stevec205gti wrote:

I know you may be new to this road bike lark - but it's CAMPAGNOLO !!!!!!!!

What's wrong with that?

alfablue

I think they mean that's what is RIGHT with that (personally I wouldn't get too hung up about Campag/Shimano - though I have a preference for Shimano STi shifters - yikes - I revealed my hand)

aberfeldyweather

stevec205gti wrote:

I know you may be new to this road bike lark - but it's CAMPAGNOLO !!!!!!!!

i will pass that on to the webmaster Ash Cycles, or is it Osh Cycles?

JustRidecp

aberfeldyweather wrote:

stevec205gti wrote:

I know you may be new to this road bike lark - but it's CAMPAGNOLO !!!!!!!!

i will pass that on to the webmaster Ash Cycles, or is it Osh Cycles?

Its like that on the raliegh website! Check it out!

http://www.raleigh.co.uk/bikedetails.aspx?ID=2920

stevec205gti

It was more to do with the fact that all the bikes that were listed were spelt Campagnola - heathens!!!!!!

LazySumby

Thanks for all the replies. Have to say,the Focus Cayo does look nice(I may be shallow,but I want a bike that looks good as well as rides good ). Not sure if the boss will let me stretch that far though!!!

Do i take the fact that the Orbeas are not that good,or is it just that no one has or had one???

the_jackalcp

I think Orbea bikes are quite good, it is just not a big brand over here at the moment. Another brand from the spanish market is BH. Again not a large following in this country but pretty good value and I know their flagship bike is extremely highly rated. Both are worth considering, you may have trouble finding them at the bargin prices of the bigger names thou.

Mark Alexander

Firstly welom to the light side. You have 2 options. spend as much as possible and get a better spec'd bike. or stick to the £700 budget and collect the brownie points with the missus.

The Specialized Allez is a solid performer and a Bianchi is too. Go to your local LBS. Have a word with them. As for the Campag/ Shimano, I'm on the fence as I don't want to open that can of worms. I like differnt aspects of both

Orbea are good bikes but I don't know about the low-end ones. The TT bikes I know are great.

Rich Hcp

get a 2007 Spez Allez Sport.

Looks great, I get loads of nice comments.

Rule 1 look cool

Rule 2 get fit!

fidbod

Hi,
I upgraded from a hybrid to my first road bike over the weekend and managed to pick up an Allex Elite for £700 at LBS which seems to be the going internet rate as well.

It is super fast, light and I would thoroughly recommend one if you can find in your budget.