Help I need a new road Bike, I'm new to the game £400-500

sarjaydri

Hi Everyone

This is my first thread and need some advice on choosing a road bike as a beginner. I'm aiming to try a triatholon next year and wish to buy a decent bike to have a go. I'm doing it for a challenge and hobby and wont be the slightest bothered if I came last as long as I've enjoyed it. Can anybody advise, I need to get some gear as welll. A decent bike I appreciate for you lot is well over 500, but in my eyes thats my limit for now.

Appreciation all round if somebody can point me in the right direction :roll:

paulwakefield

Plenty of bikes around the £500 mark, if you can stretch another £100 you could get the Trek 1.2 which I;ve got, I like it very much.
But as I'm sure people on here will tell you, try to go for a 2009 model if you can find one, as their not only cheaper but better equiped in the main. Unfortunatly I didn't listen to that advise and plumped for the 2010 model, but I ain't complaining !
Of course you can go down the second hand market if you wish.

Pross

I was in the same position a few weeks back. But before buying, and assuming you are in employment, check to see if your employer runs a Cycle to Work scheme. This allows the employer to effectively rent you a bike and they and you don't have to pay income tax on the payments (and probably no VAT either). At the end of the lease period you will normally be able to buy the bike for a small charge. The result is the bike costs around half of what it would have otherwise so you may be able to go up to the £1000 mark (which is the maximum value under the scheme) and you are basically paying on interest free credit. However, don't go down this route if you don't expect to stay with your employer for the lease period (usually 12 or 18 months) as you will be liable for the full cost of the bike if you leave.

If this isn't an option I would go with the above advice of the Trek 1.2 if you can still get a 2009 version (about £600). All 2010 models are more expensive and / or less well equipped. Remember though that everyone is different so try a few out at your local bike shops as geometry of frames can vary and you want something that feels right for you.

Gav888

Ive got a Saracen Tour 3, £530 new at the moment and a really good bike, has Sora stuff, with STI levers and for me it was a good newbie bike, but now im after something carbon

If your interested its in the for sale section for £400... that way you will have some spare cash for clothes etc..

nicktheluddite

I've got a Dawes Giro 400 which I just use for road riding, not racing or tri/TT. In retrospect I'd get something else (cheapest Trek/Giant etc) BUT the Dawes cheap racers tend to get good reviews as budget time trial bikes on account of their frame geometry. Don't forget to budget a bit of cash (no idea how much - sorry) for some tri-bars.

speedo

Go for a trek - you will not be disappointed,but go to a trek dealer who will be able to give you the correct advice relating to frame size / saddle height etc etc

psdrage

Hi

Given the price increases this year due to exchange rates, I would go second hand.

There are some lovely bikes on eBay, I have purchased 4 from eBay.

Giant SCR 1.0 is excellent value comes with full 105 Spec and for around £450 - £500 pounds.

Regards

Peter

pud77

I'd second what psdrage said above about ebay. £500 a few years ago would buy something pretty decent new but with the price increases these last couple of years, the second hand market is really where you should be looking. Take your time. Plenty of research. Above all, make sure you get the right size. Good luck.

Slow Downcp

+1 on second hand for your budget, but if you want new and have a store clsoe to you, this is a good buy:

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/sport-2-54-57-69568191/

Don't let the brand worry you - I bought a Decathlon Rockrider MTB last year. Absolute bargain, lighter and better specced that any of the competition for the money by far.

baldspot

can't go wrong with the Giant Defy range. Should get an 09 Defy 3 for £500

sarjaydri

thanks alot for your input i really appreciate it , i'm going to have a think then decide one of my mates suggests a Boardman Performance Hybrid Bike Comp Large 09? what do you think? torn with a trek or a giant???? help

Matt the Tester

nicktheluddite wrote:

I've got a Dawes Giro 400 which I just use for road riding, not racing or tri/TT. In retrospect I'd get something else (cheapest Trek/Giant etc) BUT the Dawes cheap racers tend to get good reviews as budget time trial bikes on account of their frame geometry. Don't forget to budget a bit of cash (no idea how much - sorry) for some tri-bars.

hey mate im getting a dawes giro 300 and i was wondering if you have rode on one? if you have was it any good?

El Diego

Ribble cycles have amazing spec bikes for the money.

bourney

go for the trek

ketka82

Tonnes of Boardmans going seriously cheap on ebay at the moment!

I got a Road Comp from Halfords back in spring for £550 (ex display down from £650) and it's been a perfect training bike for me. No probs whatsoever and it goes like a cracker up hills. You do get an awful lot of bike for the money but just make sure its been put together properly!!