Total beginner, considering these bikes...opinions please??

OSOH

Hi

I've never actually used a road bike before, had a Raleigh ladies 'mountain' bike for 10 years and recently been using an ancient 12-speed Raleigh Pioneer hybrid. General consensus seems to be that a road bike would be much more useful, and I've actually reached the stage where I'm considering it. Problem is, of course, cost; hence I have been looking at a couple, one from the dreaded Halfords which seems pretty highly rated, and significantly reduced, and another from allterraincycles as they offer 0% finance.

Just wondered if anyone has any advice on the below bikes please, or suggestions of good value (i.e. not rubbish, but not a rip off) alternatives?

http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/114042.html
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... &source=td

Not sure how much difference a ladies-specific bike would make? The Giant appeals I must say, only problem is the shop is a fair distance from me so I wouldn't be able to size it. At least with the Halfords bike I could presumably try it and get the fit, even if I then had to pay someone else to correct setup faults it still seems a good price? If buying outright, instead of on 0% finance, my budget would probably be max. about £400, but I don't really have any idea what to look out for.

Alternatively, can anyone please recommend a bike shop in Bristol or surrounding area which may have something actually decent under my budget? This would seemingly be the best choice, but again being a beginner I don't want to risk being ripped off. And any suggestions on specific models would be fantastic if at all possible?!

Thanks for your time, still thinking about it but I'm hoping the purchase turns out to be feasible and justifiable. I've started cycling 8.5 miles to work, and think the motivation to do it, instead of taking the car, would be higher with a decent bike!! The hills are also rather a deterrent at the moment on my heavy hybrid, even more so on the mountain bike.

John.T

The Carrera is a runout model and is only available in Large. It also only has an 8sp double chainring set up. The Giant is much better specified with better gears and a triple chainring.
If you want the bike mainly for commuting and a bit of leisure riding something like this would do the job nicely. You can also fit mudguards easily which is useful on those days when it rains later.
http://www.specialized.com/gb/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=39273&eid=121
Have a look here.
Bristol Specialized Concept Store
12-14, Park Street
Bristol
BS1 5HR
0117 929 7368
Have a look at the Sirrius and Vita ranges. The Vita is women specific but it is what fits you that matters. Be careful when looking. It is easy to get seduced above your budget to something that you do not really need. The next model up has always got a bit nicer looking this or that. Only strech the budget if you can see real benefit.

OSOH

Thanks for your reply. I'm hoping to look round various bike shops today so I'll have a look at the one you mention. Looks like the Carrera's out then if only large, I'm only 5 foot 6. They did have other Carrera models, also discounted but not as heavily, but not sure of the brand.

Does the Giant seem reasonable value for the price? Obviously it's something that will be given a lot of consideration before buying, but I'm not sure what I'm looking for, which is why I'm not really looking much at the secondhand option. Also just spotted another Giant ladies bike, considerably cheaper, not sure where the difference in price comes in?
http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/giant-fc ... 44990.html

Thanks again, I'll have a look round the shops and hopefully return with a few more options. At risk of sounding stupidly girly, I do like the colour of the Avail 3!! Not sure if 27 gears would be too many though, seems like a lot of time spent shifting, but suppose there's one way to find out.

Just realised, while thinking about the cost...the Giant actually works out about the same as a year's car insurance. JUST the insurance! Not very interesting I know, but a slightly shocking reminder to me of how much the car must cost me over the course of a year!

OSOH

Sorry, just noticed the Specialized link! I am actually interested in trying drop handlebars rather than flat, but still worth considering, price dependent.

John.T

The Dolce models have drop bars. (You can find them on the Specialised site) Go in to Spec and have a look. If they are as good as my local Spec shop they will have experienced staff, a wide range of bikes (probably other makes as well) and a fitting service. You will be spending a fair bit of time on the bike so it is worth spending a bit getting the right one. Tell the shop what you want it for, ask about things like mudguards, racks etc. IMO guards are essential for commuting unless you can have a complete change of clothing at work. Even then putting wet stuff on to go home is not nice. You will notice that 2 of my bikes have them and even the MTB has sort of. It is amazing how much even these keep off.

sicknote

The carrea you where looking at can be got in medium and come out as the best budget bike for the money in Cycling plus not so long ago.

John.T

The OP is 5' 6" so a medium would be a bit big also.
OSOH. There is a Giant shop in Bristol here. http://www.zerogcyclecorp.com/zerog_bedminster/contact.htm
Google is your friend. It is better to buy from a shop you can get too. Get known and you get even better service.

bice

Carrera seems a good cheap brand to me. What at a Vanquish?

I would not worry too much about women-specific fits - some of which strikes me as just marketing - but do pay extra for a comfortable fit rather than fancy components.

OSOH

Thanks for your suggestions. I have now been round various shops in Bristol; Halfords do not have the Carrera in stock (typical), and other places looks like I'm looking at £500 up unless I go for a Claud Butler or a Barracuda (£350), and not sure how good these would be. Possibilities include Trek 1.2 (£550) and Dawes Giro 4 (£500). Tried clicking on the Zero G link given, but only advertises Specialized, Cube, Wilier, Cannondale and Trek - no Giant? Tried a couple of bikes, looks like medium would fit heightwise, just the reach that's a bit of a stretch but been advised on solutions for that.

Still a bit unsure TBH. The Giant is seriously tempting me, especially as it's on finance, but the downside is that I didn't really want to order online; their shop is in Yorkshire, so if I had problems I'd be rather stuck. Another option is to wait until Halfords have more stock (maybe Fri apparently) and try the Virtuoso then. I did like the Trek and the Dawes, but a bit above budget really as unavailable on finance.

Decisions, decisions! This is the problem with having a choice...I'm hopeless. As so many places seem to be out of stock, I think it's something I'll have to keep researching over the next week or so.

Thanks for your time

OSOH

Whoops, sorry - just found the 'Giant' section on Zero G website!!

sicknote

I am not saying not to go for any of the others but you can also get the Vanquish in small, if that helps.

OSOH

Thanks. The Vanquish looks a nice bike, bit over budget as I can't get finance on it, but worth looking into. Looks like the small would be too small for me, out of the ones I tried this morning a 50cm was pretty small but OK reach, while the 53 and 55 fitted heightwise but stretched me, the small Carrera is 46.5cm. I'll have to see if they have a medium in stock in any of the stores nearby, going to Zero G tomorrow to try a Giant for size so can make a day of it!

Thanks again, even more options coming up here I'll be glad when I've had chance to try them and see which are most comfortable!

John.T

Reach is more important than height. It is easy to raise or lower a saddle but altering the reach can only be done properly by changing the stem. Going too long or too short in the stem can affect how a bike handles somewhat. The only reasons to go for a larger frame are if the reach is too short or the head tube is too short meaning you can not get the bars high enough for you. There are ways round the latter problem though. Never move the saddle forward to shorten the reach.

OSOH

Just to update, I went into Halfords today and they finally had the Carrera in stock. Medium fitted well, though of course the drops will take some getting used to. Decided I couldn't justify the extra £210+ for the Giant (£255 if bought locally), due to money being tight, and finance realistically not the best idea. I have paid a deposit, and collect Saturday evening!

Thanks for everyone's helpful advice, here's hoping that all goes smoothly. Just got to ebay the old hybrid now...off to take pics!

sicknote

Hope enjoy it as much I have getting back on a road bike

OSOH

Thanks Just hope the Halfords experience will be pain-free, rather worrying to see that on their list of tasks for work experience placements was bike building!! Still, even if I have to get it properly set up elsewhere, seems pretty good for the price. Roll on Saturday so I can give it a go!

kingrollo

You will be fine - just check the bike over best you can - the cables will probably stretch . after t.he few rides - but halfords should offer a free service...or take it somewhere else
don't forget your mini pump spare tubes, etc - for when the first puncture hits !

OSOH

Oh yes, punctures :roll: As long as I don't get a tyre split like I recently did on my old hybrid...what fun, the fully inflated inner was bulging out of the split and rubbing against the frame, not much i could do with that other than walk the 3 miles home!

I actually bought a mini foot pump recently with a bag to attach to the frame, have yet to use it but hopefully should allow me to achieve a higher pressure, I'm useless with hand pumps. Annoying to have to wait, now I know I'm getting a new bike I'm less keen to use the hybrid, just want to be on the new one! Should be quite a big difference.

Thanks again for everyone's help, and if you see someone wobbling slowly around Bristol on a blue Carrera, feel free to have a laugh on me!!

KiNgOfThEmOuNtAiN

Hi, I guess im too late but i'll just give you my scenario.

Had £500, looking on ebay i could've got a bianchi via nirone..

I thought, hold on i'm blowing my money on something that A:dont know if ill like it B: adjust to it..

So it thought why not look around for'retro' bikes..

Ie-dawes, raleigh, peugeot etc

I decided to get a peugeot-do it up a bit, and its abbsoloutley brill...

Whatever you do dont blow your money with £400

Because money talks at £1000..

')

OSOH

Hi, thanks for your response.

I wouldn't really know enough about what I was looking for to go for a much older used bike, e.g. whether parts are OK or on the verge of needing replacement, how good quality the components are, etc etc. The Carrera, for the money (£320), seems to be a pretty highly rated bike; budget wouldn't really stretch any higher without using a finance deal, which I eventually decided wasn't my best option. I'm not really a cycling fanatic (using the term in a very positive way, so please nobody take offence!!), just enjoy leisure rides and would like to get a bit quicker on the commute than when I'm using my hybrid or, worse, the mountain bike.

I am actually in the process of attempting to fix up an old Dutch bike, as a learning experience, but as that is heavy and has 3 gears (in Bristol!!) it will probably mainly be used on leisure rides along the cycle paths. The idea is to have one real oldie and get the pleasure out of getting it into shape (hopefully :? ), and the new bike for practical purposes and longer, hillier rides; bye bye mountain bike and hybrid.

Thanks again for all suggestions, this forum is a huge help. Can't wait to pick up the new bike tomorrow evening!! I realise that as it's not an expensive one it won't be anything like top or even middle of the range, but I don't need that; I just need something budget but decent that can cope with regular casual and commuting use. Believe me, I'm nowhere near quick, especially up the hills! I also don't have any desire to progress to any of the cycling-related sports as I get fitter, it's purely for enjoyment, transport and social rides.

KiNgOfThEmOuNtAiN

That's fair enough.

OSOH

Well, picked up the bike today. First impressions, seems nice, bit on the heavy side for a road bike but then I knew that before buying. Definitely easier on hills! After I'd had to go back to Halfords to find out how to shift down gears :oops: Never occured to me that the brake levers would control gear shifts! However, within half an hour, 3 separate problems...chain rub on the front derailleur in bottom gear, rear brake misaligned and rubbing, and a bit of rubber on the back axle (not sure what it's there for) rubbing and making an incredibly irritating, constant squeak! Yes, Halfords, I was wary, but couldn't turn down the cost difference.

Does anyone by any chance know please, through personal experience or recommendation, if there is a good Halfords in Bristol to go to for adjustments? They've clearly not test ridden it properly or would have picked up on these noises. Stupid thing is, they've had it 3 days for a 'safety check' and proper setup, before they'd allow collection! Thinking that if there's another store that's better, may be less hassle-free to go there rather than going in and out of the closest one. Don't want to risk any adjustments myself in case they claim I've messed it up!

On the positive side, once sorted out I will hopefully really enjoy this bike. Seems a lot easier than I was expecting, thought I'd be weaving all over the place on a twitchy, skittish bike until I got used to the difference!