Some advice on which bike to choose for my first road bike

andy46

hello everyone

i've decided to buy my first road bike and would like some opinions on the 2 bikes that i have narrowed it down to, as i am not sure about which has the better components and i would like the best bike for my money, and also a bike that would be worth upgrading parts over time.

2010 specialized allez sport double

http://www.specialized.com/gb/en/bc/SBC ... temId=8096

2010 trek 1.2

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/1_series/12/

i have seen both bikes in the flesh, and like them both. Both are also within my budget of £650.

also if anyone would like to suggest any other models within budget please feel free

thanks for your help.

andy

JohnnyAllez

Both good bikes, If you must buy new I`d go with the Allez (I`m biased though) but the frame is good and worthy of upgrade.

IMO I`d look for a better spec bike second-hand, you`ll get a 2008 or dimialr Allez Elite for less than your budget, which has a lot better components, and a better frame with carbon rear end and all-carbon fork. Plenty of bikes about bought "on a whim" and hardly used before collecting dust in the garage.

Or look out for a nice frame and build it up yourself with a reasonable groupset (cue "which groupset is best, Shimano or Campo" threads ) Latest 9 speed Tiagra groupset for £260, wheels for £150, leaves you £250 for a frame and bits and bobs to finish it. Easily do-able You`ll end up with a good bike with better spec for the same money.

Seen these? http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/specialed ... ERA&bike=1

milese

I got a second hand Spesh Tarmac Comp for £670 on ebay, riden once and like new.

I'd look out for a bike with 105 groupset in a sale. I also bought a Giant SCR 1.0 for £490 2 years ago.

Failing that, if you want to get one from your LBS ask them for a discount (should always get -10%), and buy the bike you like the look and ride of most.

giant_man

Good grief neither. There are probably loads of better potential bikes out there, Giant being one of them.

andy46

giant mancp wrote:

Good grief neither. There are probably loads of better potential bikes out there, Giant being one of them.

at my lbs they have this Giant (this is actually my lbs site)

http://cycleways.net/product.aspx?id=485

i thought the Trek was better spec'd for the money, mainly the rear derailier :?

STEFANOS4784

Not alot in them really, entry level bikes, i'm sure you'd be happy with any. Try and test ride them if you can.
Alternatively(if you know your size) You will get a lot more bang for your buck buying second hand.

andy46

am i right in thinking that there isn't much difference between Sora and Tiagra derailleurs then?

Please excuse my lack of knowlege, i will learn :oops:

STEFANOS4784

I doubt you'd notice the difference in the derailleur, i have a 105 groupset but derailleur is Sora and can't tell. The biggest changes come with the shifters. A lot of people don't like the little thumb button that comes on Sora...

andy46

STEFANOS4784 wrote:

I doubt you'd notice the difference in the derailleur, i have a 105 groupset but derailleur is Sora and can't tell. The biggest changes come with the shifters. A lot of people don't like the little thumb button that comes on Sora...

thanks for your advice, i'll try to get some test rides sorted. i'll also try and do some more research and maybe look for a good second hand bike. decisions decisions :?

JohnnyAllez

Seen this??

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/forums/vi ... t=12676652

andy46

:shock: now that has given me something to think about

JohnnyAllez

He who hesitates is lost What have you got to lose? If it sn`t right for you you`ll sell it again for the same money and move onto skateboards or something

nochekmate

With a budget of £650 you are moving into the realms of a second hand carbon road bike. I have bought and then sold a number of bikes in the last twelve months and for your budget (or thereabouts) have had the following:

Trek Madone 5.0 £600
Specialized Roubaix Elite £425!!
Scott CR1 Team £680
Kuota Kebel £725
Pinarello Prince alloy/carbon £700
Condor Baracchi £700

All of these would blow the new bike options out of the water in terms of ride quality and components and indeed desirability for possible resale value in the future.

billyjean2004

If you can put up with it being from Halfords then The Boardman Comp is your best bet, £650 and has Shimano 105 rear mech and good other parts. They are also doing £50 worth of free kit of your choice with it.

Good buy.

On the other hand I wanted to go under the cycle scheme and have gone for the Giant Defty 3 as my first road bike, chose it over the Allez in the end as the Specialized was to plain looking, but thats just personal taste.

Happy hunting

andy46

just a quick update, had a go on a trek at the weekend, and didn't really like the shifters as you can't reach them without putting your hands on top of the bars.

i also went into halfords and really like the look of the boardman (although i am tempted to spend a bit more and get the team)

i'm sure i'll make my mind up soon :roll:

Buckled_Rims

andy46 wrote:

just a quick update, had a go on a trek at the weekend, and didn't really like the shifters as you can't reach them without putting your hands on top of the bars.

Yeah, Sora really is a love it or hate it type trigger. It can get very frustrating in the drops.