Sorry In Advance - Another Best Bike Question
JoeW1968
Posts: 16
Like I say, I'm sorry in advance for asking this question.
I am looking for my first road bike in over 20 years. I could just about live with spending up to about £700, but in reality I am trying to limit my budget to around £500. I currently use a 2008 Cube LTD Race Mountain Bike as my only bike and it is great, but I fancy something a bit lighter and more nimble.
I have picked up the June 2009 issue of Cycling Plus and have noted with interest that the Carrera Virtouso from Halfords (£330), got the winning verdict in a test of 5 bikes around the £400 mark.
I would be perfectly happy to buy this bike (brand snobbery doesn't bother me), as it would probably do me fine for a year or so at which point I could think about upgrading. In addition the price is a real bonus as I don't want to spend too much this year - (3 week holiday to Australia in October still to be paid for!).
I would just appreciate some views on whether this really would be a perfectly good first bike, or can someone point me in the direction of a better bike with an upper price limit of £500 (£700 at a real push). It will not be used for anything other than some basic training runs near home - no racing, no commuting.
I will say again, sorry for asking the regular "best bike for £xxx question", but many thanks in advance for any replies given.
I am looking for my first road bike in over 20 years. I could just about live with spending up to about £700, but in reality I am trying to limit my budget to around £500. I currently use a 2008 Cube LTD Race Mountain Bike as my only bike and it is great, but I fancy something a bit lighter and more nimble.
I have picked up the June 2009 issue of Cycling Plus and have noted with interest that the Carrera Virtouso from Halfords (£330), got the winning verdict in a test of 5 bikes around the £400 mark.
I would be perfectly happy to buy this bike (brand snobbery doesn't bother me), as it would probably do me fine for a year or so at which point I could think about upgrading. In addition the price is a real bonus as I don't want to spend too much this year - (3 week holiday to Australia in October still to be paid for!).
I would just appreciate some views on whether this really would be a perfectly good first bike, or can someone point me in the direction of a better bike with an upper price limit of £500 (£700 at a real push). It will not be used for anything other than some basic training runs near home - no racing, no commuting.
I will say again, sorry for asking the regular "best bike for £xxx question", but many thanks in advance for any replies given.
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Comments
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Sounds like the Carrera would do you admirably for the money. If its a good frame then after a few thousand miles you could simply upgrade the wheels, tyres and gears for not much.
Worth finding one to try though, just to see how comfortable you are in the saddle...
...or you could look at s/h.. but then theres a LOT of options down that road.
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Specialised Allez at £540 or Giant Defy 3 £570 would be a good bet.Rich0
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RichA wrote:Specialised Allez at £540 or Giant Defy 3 £570 would be a good bet.
Of the guys I speak to in the LBS's they all seem to think that the Defy's are over priced for what they are. :? I'll admit they do look very nice. The Allez looks nice, but the Boardman could be another option in that price bracket.0
