First ever road bike advice

ocaaaaa
ocaaaaa Posts: 55
edited March 2009 in Road beginners
Hi all,

Am looking to buy my first ever road bike - never ridden a road bike before, but I do a lot of commuting on the road so I think it's about time.

I currently commute around 70-80 miles per week, using an old jump bike which is only ever used on the road with knobbly tires, so I'm sure I'll be in for quite a suprise - going to try one out tomorrow.

After some discussion with my local shop, I'm looking at the following :

http://www.noahsark.co.uk/cannondale-sy ... -1275.html

Anyone here have one of these? Good choice?

Comments

  • ademort
    ademort Posts: 1,924
    Nothing wrong with the bike, but for that price there are plenty of others with better spec to think about.Have you looked at the Planet X, full carbon and Durace groupset. Or the Focus range also good frame and groupset. Just wondering is there any special reason that you chose this bike, or was it recommended by your LBS.
    Ademort
    ademort
    Chinarello, record and Mavic Cosmic Sl
    Gazelle Vuelta , veloce
    Giant Defy 4
    Mirage Columbus SL
    Batavus Ventura
  • STEFANOS4784
    STEFANOS4784 Posts: 4,109
    What a refreshing question :wink:
    I was looking at getting one of these but went for an internet bargain.
    Much better to get it from LBS because they'll fit you up. I've ended up having to change quite a few bits, after getting an internet bargain. Luckily the helpful folk on here have been great otherwise i would have put up with it and it would make my enjoyment less much( :? )(sorry pedents)


    Really nice bike by the way and Cannondales hold there value prety well, tet ride and enjoy, you blatently will :D 8)
    winter beast: http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr34 ... uff016.jpg
    Summer beast; http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr34 ... uff015.jpg
  • ocaaaaa
    ocaaaaa Posts: 55
    Yup this is what was recommended by LBS and I don't have too much choice where to buy as I'm using the tax free scheme.

    I was considering buying cheap on the net but I really want something I've tried and got fitted the correct size etc.

    I'm really looking forward to trying a road bike to see what the difference is on the road compared to my current jump bike (Dr Jekyll)

    The LBS has mainly Cannondale bikes, also some cheaper ones which are aluminnium but I got tempted by Carbon, I originally set myself a budget of £500 but gone a bit over that now :lol:
  • simon_e
    simon_e Posts: 1,707
    ocaaaaa wrote:
    Yup this is what was recommended by LBS and I don't have too much choice where to buy as I'm using the tax free scheme.
    C2W means you can use any participating dealer. The big chains manage it themselves while independents pay cyclescheme.co.uk (IIRC) a fee. It would pay to look around, if for no other reason than to confirm that you are sure you like this model.
    ocaaaaa wrote:
    I originally set myself a budget of £500 but gone a bit over that now :lol:
    That happens an awful lot ;-)
    Aspire not to have more, but to be more.
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    Be wary of the sting in the tail with the tax free bikes:-

    Some suppliers add a surcharge 10% - or will not discount at all sticking to RRP

    Don't forget the fair market value a further 5% after you have made all your monthly payments.

    Go for the bike you want\like - don't limit yourself to scheme bikes - often you can get a discount, 0% finance - or put in a interest free credit card for 10 months (marks and spencers) - then set up direct debits .......or go for a cashback card - which reduces the effective cost further.

    If C2W works out cheaper fine - but using the techniques above - you can get pretty close - then think do I spend the extra £100 on the bike I really want ! (Yes !)

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