First Road Bike

richard36

I would appreciate some advice

I actually have a road bike - one made by SJS Cycles that I bought for £70. It's in excellent condition but I think the frame is too big. I don't find it comfortable to ride and I'm looking to buy a much better one for about £500 - 750. I appreciate this won't get me a brilliant bike but I'm sure it will be better than the one I've got if for no other reason than it will fit me better.

I'm looking for a bike that is comfortable to ride - one that I can quite happily spend 3 - 4 hours or longer on - as opposed to a racing type bike.

I know little about road bikes and would appreciate someone recommending a bike in this price range that is very comfortable to ride. I would be happy to go for a second hand one.

Thanks

Richard

seanoconn

Sounds like you might want a touring bike, which have a more relaxed geometry than your avarage road bike, good for long rides and built for comfort at the expense of a slight loss in speed. Dawes are a popular make but could be pushing the top end of your budget new.

night_porter

Some of the very best touring bikes available are made by Thorn aka SJS aka St John Street cycles.

It would be worth taking your current bike to a lbs and asking them why you feel uncomfortable. They may be able to alter the setup to fit you better. Of course it may well be the wrong size and they will tell you that also.

I was recently looking at light tourers or Audax bikes or Sportive bikes as they are also known for the very same reason as you. Try looking at Ridgeback as well as Dawes but the lighter models.

A true tourer is built to take you around the world and may be a little more than you need but will definately be more comfortable over longer distances than a racing roadie.

Finally, the comic relief John O'Groats to Lands End was completed by celebs who were not too experienced riders on Dolan Preffisio's. I am gussing that these must be pretty comfortable bikes to ride too. Not that I have tried one, just putting 2+2 together. They cost about £700 here http://www.formbycycles.co.uk/product/5 ... uring_bike

Damn I must stop dribbling on my keyboard.

ALaPlage

If you want a "race" road bike but for long rides then look for those described as Sportive. Specialized Allez do models within your budget with Shimano Tiagra groupset - push a little closer to £1k and you will get 105 groupset which is one up in the Shimano range from Tiagra (slightly better braking and smoother gear changing).

Trek also offer good aluminium bikes and the 1.5 may be one to look at.

The most mimportant thing is to pop down to your LBS or two and have a look at what is on offer and test ride to see what you like - as in comfortable and hits the eye candy meter.

Try these off the Evans website just to get you started

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... e-ec019407

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/tre ... e-ec019720

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/tre ... e-ec019720

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/can ... e-ec020233

There are other makes out there such as Giant that also do bikes in your price range. Plus also worth considering if you have a Halfords by you that you have confidence in the staff with is the Boardman range. Great value and well specced bikes - £1k will get you a full carbon frame model and they do aluminium frame with carbon forks in your price range.

Good luck.

richard36

Many thanks for your replies

I will look at the various suggestions

Cheers

Richard

rich164h

Look at the Specialized Secteur as well as the Allez. It will be even more comfortable.