Recommendations needed - BEGINNER ROAD BIKE

paulcuthbert

Hello everyone. I'm not new to cycling- i've used a Raleigh Hybrid for all my riding for 5 years now. But i think it's time to invest in a proper Road bike.

What sort of things should i look for to get a good one? I don't have that much money- so i'd be looking to spend less than £500 on it. Can anyone recommend me a good bike to start out on?

Thanks

N0bodyOfTheGoat

The bargain of the moment is the 2008 Specialized Tricross Single found at Pearsons for a steal price £275. This same shop earned a good reputation on this forum earlier in 2008 with the Giant Bowery (another single speed bike) going for £225, again heavily undercutting the competition!
http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/product/ ... _NOW_27499

This bike is supposed to be happy both on the road and cross country (you can use traditional narrow tyres for road); it can take full mudguards and pannier racks (good boxes to tick for a commuting bike); it has a more unique shape and livery.

Being a single speed bike, this may not be suitable for a hilly environment!

STEFANOS4784

Personally i'd keep an eye-ball peeled for e-bay bargains, i think you'll get much more for your cash

EssexSuffolk

The usual suspects at that price point are bikes such as:
Specialized Allez
Trek 1.2
Giant Defy or SCR (2008 model, replaced by the Defy)
Chris Boardman bikes from Halfords (very well specced for the price, get a lot of good reviews on here).

There are others, but best thing would be go down to your LBS and try some of these. Fit is crucial, and they'll all have subtly different geometry, so trying them out is essential.

markos1963

I would spend a few quid on a bike fit session to find out your size/fit options and then spend the rest on a quality used road bike that might have been selling for over a grand a couple of years ago.Ebay is okay if you know what you are doing, try the classifieds on this site or in the cycling press. Don't forget most people will sell their bikes without pedals so factor in the cost of what you want to use. Lastly be realistic about what you want to do,race,charity rides, sportives. TT's and touring. all need different bikes or different compromises. No point in buying an out and out racer if you want to tour Europe or a tourer if you want to go sub 25mins for a 10TT.

Mettan

paulcuthbert wrote:

What sort of things should i look for to get a good one? I don't have that much money- so i'd be looking to spend less than £500 on it. Can anyone recommend me a good bike to start out on?

Thanks

One thing to consider is whether you want a Double, Compact or Triple - if you're new to road riding and plan on doing any Hilly Sportives in the near future a Compact or Triple might be best. Have quick search on this site for more info.

Mark_K

I've just place an order for one of these as my first 'proper' road bike for 20 years
Bang for buck i think it takes some beating !!!
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=25459

Just cant wait for it to arive now i feel like a big kid again :roll:

STEFANOS4784

Mark_K wrote:

I've just place an order for one of these as my first 'proper' road bike for 20 years
Bang for buck i think it takes some beating !!!
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=25459

Just cant wait for it to arive now i feel like a big kid again :roll:

That looks like a great deal :shock:

And it's shiny outa the box, i love my Kuota but bein off e-bay an cpl o years old (frame that is, had brand new everything else ) i did feel a little disapointed with the feeling that it's not 'really mine'. P.s love it though .............But then i love my Cannondale just as much :roll: :arrow:

STEFANOS4784

STEFANOS4784 wrote:

Mark_K wrote:

I've just place an order for one of these as my first 'proper' road bike for 20 years
Bang for buck i think it takes some beating !!!
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=25459

Just cant wait for it to arive now i feel like a big kid again :roll:

That looks like a great deal :shock:

And it's shiny outa the box, i love my Kuota but bein off e-bay an cpl o years old (frame that is, had brand new everything else ) i did feel a little disapointed with the feeling that it's not 'really mine'.
P.s love it though .............
But then i love my Cannondale just as much :roll: :arrow:

STEFANOS4784

STEFANOS4784 wrote:

Mark_K wrote:

I've just place an order for one of these as my first 'proper' road bike for 20 years
Bang for buck i think it takes some beating !!!
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=25459

Just cant wait for it to arive now i feel like a big kid again :roll:

That looks like a great deal :shock:

And it's shiny outa the box, i love my Kuota but bein off e-bay an cpl o years old (frame that is, had brand new everything else ) i did feel a little disapointed with the feeling that it's not 'really mine'.
P.s love it though .............But then i love my Cannondale just as much :roll: :arrow: