Your First Road Bike

rogerthecat

Hi, I was wondering what your feeling would be for an entry level Road Bike?

I have a Budget of (£600.00 (+/-) £50)?

I have looked at Cube and Giant so far but am not restricted to brand, however they all seem very much of a much-ness.

I am looking to ride 200Miles a week to begin.

Thanks

PS I am a large chap if that has any bearing, (no pun intended)

OOtzen-Booty

wheres the option for OTHER?

rogerthecat

It was the sixth option, however by the looks of things, I can only have 5 options, but feel free to mention the Bike in a reply.

Thanks

Flash 72

what about boardman :?

phreak

You had me at the 'riding 200 miles a week to begin' bit

I have a Giant SCR 1.5, which is around about your budget and it's served me well.

wolleur

Consider a boardman comp, you get an excellent spec for the price and it's a light rigid bike.

The ritchey DS comp wheelset is seemingly bomb proof (1000 miles and I haven't needed the spoke key), I did weigh 14st, now just under 13st...

One caveat- if you do go this way then either build it yourself or get your LBS to build it depending on your familiarity with bikes. The service level from Halfords is inconsistent, and the only downside to these bikes.

keef66

Boardman, Cube or Focus represent best value for money IMO

STEFANOS4784

Pre-loved is the way forward at this price point.

kingrollo

The specialized stuff is a nice balance between looks and components.

have you looked at Ribble - some of there stuff is good.

The boardman bikes look good value - depends of how much you want components - over looks\finish & what the bike will look like in 3 years

Flasheart

I was juggling with either the Cube Aerial 09 from my LBS or the Boardman Comp from Halfords( only available there) as options, as Giant (in my price range) really didn't really do anything for me tbh.
After reading all the "horror stories" on these forums about the monkeys that Halfords employ to build their bikes, I opted for the Cube.
Shooting down a descent at 36mph into a relatively sharp curve, I didn't really want to chance by neck on a dodgy build.
And so far so good

rogerthecat

Guys thanks a bunch on all the input, I have been told today that the Cube Aerial has just gone up by £100.00 which I was initially considering, and after reading sooooo many other forums, I am a stones throw away from going for a Orbea Fleche 2009, which was not mentioned here I know. The Boardman was a none starter as it comes from Halfords, not being a Bike guru, the last thing I wanted was to trust my skin to a Monkey with a Spanner, shame really. The Giant Defy 2.5 was almost there but I need a 60cm bike, and after a good chat with my LBS, the Orbea was the one for me. What was mentioned though; was that at this price range(650) a bike is a bike is a bike, to a degree, not his words my poetic licence, not sure your take on that.

Anyway thanks a bunch

vision267

Got a scr2 last year first road bike in 20 years.I think that the cube range looks like better value for money, better specs for your buck.Not that the giant scr is bad it is excellent but a little heavy.Why not think about a focus bike i sold my giant to my younger brother and bought focus cayo.There are some very good focus aluminium bike in your price range.

Flasheart

rogerthecat wrote:

I have been told today that the Cube Aerial has just gone up by £100.00 which I was initially considering, and after reading sooooo many other forums, I

It was £649.00 when I bought mine and had been for a few m onths, maybe it was the 2008 model that you initially saw. Maybe it's worth saving up for a couple more weeks rather than compromise on a bike you may not be happy with?

rogerthecat

@Flasheart, by all accounts the rate of the Euro played a major part in this price rise. so the Aerial is now according to my LBS £750.

Flasheart

OMG you're right.. :shock:
I only bought mine Saturday...so glad I nagged the Mrs when I did