Oldie newbie needing bike advice

jasper1961
jasper1961 Posts: 3
edited June 2008 in Road beginners
Hi, New to this forum, i'm looking to buy a new road bike up to about £800, i've spent the last week or so trawling the web and the LBS where i live in York, In the LBS i've found what appear to be reasonable deals but having not bought a decent road bike for Ten years or so i'm a bit out of the loop on what i should be looking for, Can anybody out there give me some advice on the following :-
i've spotted a GTR series 3 for £500,(RRP 800) that seems to have a decent frame/forks and the components are (i think) middle to lower end Shimano, but i don't seem to be able to find many reviews on GT road bikes ?
I've spotted a Wiliers xenon which is the at the lower end of their spec but looks to be a nice bike although again i don't know a lot about them ?
Two Trek's have also caught my eye, a 1.2 @ £500 and a 1500 @ £720, The frames/forks appear to be similar with the expected difference in components between them for the difference in price, Does anybody have any experience of these bikes and what ishould be looking out for ? i require the bike for a daily commute round trip of 20 miles and for some training rides to keep some fitness when i get the time,
Any advice greatfully received,

Comments

  • AndyChud
    AndyChud Posts: 39
    have a look at the Stevens series, they do some nice bikes for good prices, they have a decent bike(Stevens Stelvio) with a nice carbon fork, shimano 105 groupsets. This particular bike is going at 1099€ (about 750£-800£). Check it out -

    http://www.stevensbikes.de/2007/index.p ... pment#info

    They do some other nice bikes going up in both price and quality.

    I'm not sure how available they are in the UK...

    Hope this helps.

    Andy
  • Diogenes
    Diogenes Posts: 1,628
    The treks are decent machines at the price, but that does not mean you will find one comfortable.

    Talk to your local cycling club members and find out which local bike shops they know and trust. Then get yourself along for a chat. It is often better if you can get in during a weekday when the shops are generally less busy and the staff can spend time with you.

    Try a few machines in your price range. Now is a good time to be looking as many of the shops are discounting last years models.

    Good luck.

    D :D
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    a few/couple of bike shops that i rate in York

    cycle heaven

    york cycle works

    and

    fulford cycles

    just in case you had not found them :wink:
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • jasper1961
    jasper1961 Posts: 3
    Many thanks for the advice fellas, i'm on my way shopping,

    Cheers,
    K
  • walker
    walker Posts: 1,527
    going back to the original post how does the 2007 GT seires 4 fair up then? I can't get near one at the moment to give it a try (local shops dont have the 2007) but i've seen them knocking around on the web below 350 - seems a steal.
  • sicrow
    sicrow Posts: 791
    On posts there are a lot of votes for the allez range from specialised which range from £500 - £800 but the best thing to do is get your local specialised stockist to let you try one and see what you think personally if you don't like then try another manufacturer etc etc
    http://www.action.org.uk/sponsor/simoncrowther
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    The Trek 1.2, 1.5, 1.7 etc series are the 2008 bikes. The 1500 will be a 2007 or earlier bike so should be sold at a discount.

    £800 is my budget, and I'm finding the choice quite bewildering. My shortlist isn't very short

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