Claud Butler Vicenza?

Chisholm

Hello All,
I am considering a foray into road bike due to commuting to work, now I know CB has a fantastic reputation, but due to previous experience with their montain bikes (I have a 15 year old Pagan that wont die), I am considering the Vicenza 09 as I have found what i think to be a good price £599.

Has anyone got any experience with CB road bikes?

I am also considering a Boardman, but I thought I would try find out about the CB as a wildcard. Any advice much appreciated!

Gav2000

I had one for 3 years and sold it earlier this year for £350 on ebay. It served me well and was bought in a sale so I thought it was good value for money. CB isn't currently a fashionable brand but mine was reliable.

My question would be is £599 good value for the type of components the bike has?

Also, I think it comes with a 39:53 chainset, I'd recommend a compact (34:50) to allow you to get up more hills (unless you're super fit). If you get the bike and want a wider gear range it'll cost you quite a bit to change, do any of your alternatives have a compact chainset on from the start?

Gav.

Chisholm

Cheers for the reply Gav,

In my opinion the spec looks good, but I am more fluent with mountain bike gear, it being 20 years since I raced at crystal palace as a nipper.

I am fittish but bulky mostly because I am 6'4' and built like a tank.

I have attached a link to specs and picture (I think it looks tasty but then i have no taste)

http://www.discountbicycles.co.uk/biz/p ... cenza_2009

From my understanding the Tiagra groupset is good entry level kit, not up there with ultegra but solid.

I am only in the early stages of looking, so dont have tomay alternatives at the moment