My first bike...................

nozza_marc
nozza_marc Posts: 6
edited August 2009 in Road buying advice
Hi all
I'm new to this forum, my first post in fact! So hello.

A little about me, I'm not new to cycling, have been into MTB'ing on and off since my teens, more off recently. I have been getting back into cycling recently though, A because I forgot how much i actually enjoy it and B to loose some timber, quite allot actually.

I'm 31 years old and frighteningly circa 21st, I would not describe myself as unfit, I do exercise regularly, for example tonight I did a short MTB road ride of 11 miles at a average of 13 miles per hour, not bad for a porker. Given where I live road riding is the best option to be able to ride regularly from my front door so I have decided I want to buy a road bike. The first thing that enters my mind is that am I too heavy for a road bike given their lightweight designs. Not for all of them I imagine. My question being what do i need to take into consideration when buying one for example, wheel type? number of spokes? frame material?

Any suggestions on a bike? i am looking at spending around £700 to £800?

Thanks in advance
Marc

Comments

  • brownbosh
    brownbosh Posts: 602
    Battaglin Stealth won a racent group test of bikes in and around that price mark. ( think its rrp is actually £879)Nice looking bike alu frame, carbon fork and full sram rival at that price point is impressive. Wouild be a nice swift option.

    Possibly - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Kiron ... 360043854/ is worth a look too?


    And the corratec dolomiti at £899.
  • skyd0g
    skyd0g Posts: 2,540
    Have a read through this forum: http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12628247&highlight=fat+club for helpful advice in respect of your weight.
    I don't think it will be any major problem, but the guys on the thread will be able to offer you help from their own experiences. :wink:
    Cycling weakly
  • brownbosh
    brownbosh Posts: 602
    Fair point! I may have neglected to address the size issue! I was 20 stone 18 months ago. Now 14 stone 12. You will need to factor in the possible need to buy some 36 hole hand built wheels. Possibly only a rear as the wheels that come at this price point are pretty heavy things anyway! On a cheap hub with a good rim a rear will cost you about £60. Stick with an alu bike for now as a lot of carbon frames are only guaranteed up to 16 or 16.5 stone when you look at the fine print. At your price level you wouldnt be looking at carbon anyway. Other than the rear wheel be prepared for the possible need for a new saddle, and possible seat post. (i snapped the cheap alu one that came on my first road bike a bianchi). Also i personally would avoid the frames that have carbon seat or chain stays, they can be really flexible when you are heavy!
  • nozza_marc
    nozza_marc Posts: 6
    HI all thanks for the advice so far, the thing about a carbon frame makes sense, I have ben looking at the Focus Variado Compact 2009 which is looking pretty cheap at wiggle at the moment, it seems to have faired well in reviews as well. The issue i can see as well as with many other bikes in this range is that it has carbon forks, is this an issue as in the frame being carbon?

    Marc
  • brownbosh
    brownbosh Posts: 602
    The forks will be fine especially at this price point as the steerer will be aluminium.Theres less weight on the front too.

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