Completely New To Road Cycling, Need Advice For A Road Bike

londonrunner
londonrunner Posts: 26
edited July 2009 in Road beginners
First of all hello everyone here (first post) :)

right im in the annoying position of having my house burgled and bike stolen (when you are still in your mid teens this hurts a lot) :( this was about a week ago and ive gone from just being angry to contemplating a new bike. (my former bike was a Dawes hybrid which i loved) as well as this for my age i am a pretty reasonable middle/long distance track athlete. Before my bike was stolen i was considering replacing it with an entry level road bike as im considering trying out duathlons and triathlons and possibly making the switch, the problem i have is not knowing what to buy in terms of bike and also what to look for and avoid in term of specs. i understand most of the cycling jargon :) but have no knowledge of who are good and who are bad cycling brands. id really appreciate suggestions about road bikes (that should not exceed £400) and also what are the key things to look for in specs in an entry level bike. i intend to put clip on bars on this bike (as i obviously cannot afford a tribike :P) and im new to all this so please be nice :)

thanks :)

Comments

  • londonrunner
    londonrunner Posts: 26
    appear to have somehow posted this topic twice, sorry all. until i found out how to delete the ther can replies be kept to this thread.

    thanks :)
  • LeighB
    LeighB Posts: 326
    If you have a Decathlon store the Btwin Sport 1 at £269.95 looks ok.
    Raleigh Airlite 200 £399.99 ( I have an older version as my winter trainer and its given good service).
    Carrera Virtuoso £319.99 from Halfords.
    If you can stretch a bit over budget Carrera Vanquish 08 £479.99 is well spec’d and I think good value.
    Giant Defy 4 £475.

    Some bikes get bad press due to poor set up but with a little care these bikes will give good service. The bike I use for Sportive events is a Giant SCR4 which is classed as an entry level bike; I have used this for three years and its been fine. Regarding competition use don’t think a better bike gives better results, put a good rider on any of these bikes and they will get good results.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/21286698@N06/
  • sheffsimon
    sheffsimon Posts: 1,282
    LeighB wrote:
    If you have a Decathlon store the Btwin Sport 1 at £269.95 looks ok.
    Raleigh Airlite 200 £399.99 ( I have an older version as my winter trainer and its given good service).
    Carrera Virtuoso £319.99 from Halfords.
    If you can stretch a bit over budget Carrera Vanquish 08 £479.99 is well spec’d and I think good value.
    Giant Defy 4 £475.

    Some bikes get bad press due to poor set up but with a little care these bikes will give good service. The bike I use for Sportive events is a Giant SCR4 which is classed as an entry level bike; I have used this for three years and its been fine. Regarding competition use don’t think a better bike gives better results, put a good rider on any of these bikes and they will get good results.

    All true.

    Dont forget to save some cash for the clip on tri bars and clipless pedals.

    The BTWIN is a decent specced bike for the money.

    Best upgrade on any entry level bike will be new wheels and tyres, thats where you will get the biggest improvements in speed and feel IMO.

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