HELP! New to road bikes!

srone
srone Posts: 16
edited September 2009 in Road beginners
Hi,

I'm trying to work out what bike to buy. Thinking about Cannondale Synapse Carbon, Trek Madone or Giant Defy 4. Which one? Also Compact or Triple.?Live in the Lakes so people are saying go for a Triple - but why? How do I determine a good fit? Lots of questions but got no answers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comments

  • pompeypoppy
    pompeypoppy Posts: 182
    A triple gives you a smaller front chainring option, which means easier gears for steep climbs.

    What's your budget? You talk about a Defy 4 (£475) and a Cannondale Synapse Carbon and Trek Madone (both £1,500+)
  • skinson
    skinson Posts: 362
    A good LBS should have a jig to measure you up correctly. Re- triple or compact, I would say you need to try each one out! I know there are some decent climbs in the lakes, but if you stay low then a compact would l be ok I imagine. I have a 50/39 double and it gets me up some decent inclines. Purely down to personal taste at the end though
    Dave
  • srone
    srone Posts: 16
    Hi,

    Giant Defy Advanced 4 comes in at about £1500 as far as I am aware. Budget is around this figure.
  • pompeypoppy
    pompeypoppy Posts: 182
    Ah, that makes more sense. You had ommited the 'advanced' part before.

    From what I have seen, the Cannondale would get my vote. All are shimano 105 drivetrain.

    If you've been a cyclist for a while in the Lakes then a double should do you.
  • srone
    srone Posts: 16
    Been riding mountian bikes for the last 7 years but not been on it for a while. Double still?
  • pompeypoppy
    pompeypoppy Posts: 182
    srone wrote:
    Been riding mountian bikes for the last 7 years but not been on it for a while. Double still?

    Your LBS should let you test ride a bike for a couple of hours. Try finding a hill and see how you get on.

    When I started, I struggled to get up a 8% slope in a 34 x 27. Three months later I was doing it in a 34 x 21. The level of improvement in the first few months and fairly remarkable when you get a road bike.

    Road pedals and shoes also help with hill climbs.
  • srone
    srone Posts: 16
    Showing my ignorance now! 34x27 etc? Have had no joy at any of my LBS's in terms of sizing - the best I've had so far is 'that looks about right'.
  • Mothyman
    Mothyman Posts: 655
    start by having a morning at LBS with a test ride - on a dry day - on each bike...I excluded the synapse immediately as it didnt feel right, the defy didnt inspire me...so it was madone vs roubaix for me......could have gone for either but roubaix pipped it.

    if it comes with a triple and you have steep hills around probably get it - but dont let that be the deciding factor over which bike...test is best
  • srone
    srone Posts: 16
    Thanks, ironically I started by looking at a Roubaix but none of the local stores had anyhting in my size, in fact the only thing I can find locally is the Trek. Don't much like the look of the 2010 Trek either. Not willing to part with my cash until I'm cetain about the size so am a bit stuck with local stores.

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