New to the forum and looking for entry level bike

wix

Hi, I am new to the forum so hi everyone. The reason i am here is i am looking for an entry level bike, road or possibly preferring a touring bike and i wondered if anyone could help me decide.

My knowledge of bikes is very limited. I started biking a few months ago and had a GT Aggressor mountain bike but soon realised that i was biking mainly on roads and canal tracks and i found the bike sluggish. I just had that bike stolen unfortunately but was about to sell and buy a road or touring bike anyway.

I will be using the bike to bike almost every day approx 10 miles on roads and canal tracks, to possibly also join a local cycling club and also go on bike trips probably using a bike rack and paneers.

I dont know much about components either so i would appreciate anyones help on a particular bike you could recommend or components to look out for and go for. Thanks in advance everyone. Wix.

rick_chasey

http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12577960

wix

Thanks Rick

dg74

Spesh Secteur. Great bike for the price!

danowat

I don't know a great deal about bikes, but I've just brought a Specialized Allez elite, and its pretty much perfect for me, suprisingly comfortable was one of my first thoughts on it!

Rich Hcp

Anny of the Allez or Sectaur range are a good start.

It just depends on your budget.

They are decent frames and can be upgraded when you wear stuff out.

wix

thanks for your replies. I definitely want a frame which is upgradeable but to start at a budget of around £500. Whilst reading the thread sent to me on buying your first bike i picked up a lot of useful info and one bike that did get mentioned a lot was the Giant SCR range.

I am going to visit a few cycle shops at the weekend, namely Bob jacksons in Leeds.

MattC59

wix wrote:

thanks for your replies. I definitely want a frame which is upgradeable but to start at a budget of around £500. Whilst reading the thread sent to me on buying your first bike i picked up a lot of useful info and one bike that did get mentioned a lot was the Giant SCR range.

I am going to visit a few cycle shops at the weekend, namely Bob jacksons in Leeds.

After years of mountain biking, I bought my first road bike (excluding the Raliegh Equipe I had 20-odd years ago at school) last summer. I shopped around and bought a Trek 1.9, which I love. The new 1-Series seems to get decent reviews and I believe has the same frame as last year.

Have a look around, 30 seconds on google came up with this:
http://www.mikevaughancycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b1s6p2737&rs=gb

It's right in your budget and will leave you a few £££ for some goodies. The only potential issue is that Trek don't allow their dealers to ship their bikes via courier, you have to collect from the store. Still, if you can get down ro Warwick, that's a good deal !

Failing that, have a look JE James in Sheffield have this;
http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/trek-12-road-item145347.html
OK, it's £100 more, but still in your budget, it's nearer and is the 2010 model.

Either way, find a shop near you and try a few for size/fit.
Have fun

Edit: Sorry, I just noticed your comments about touring, so if you do go down the Trek route, check it's suitability with the shop.

mocev

JE James have a big selection of bikes. You could also try Racescene in Barnsley. (www.racescene.co.uk) They'll measure you up, give you good advice and they won't try to sell you something you don't need.
Failing that, join the masses and buy a Boardman from Halfords. I'm sure there's one for £500 - and I've never seen a bad review for any of their range.

ALaPlage

Go and see Craig at JE James in Sheffield. Top man and his team all know their stuff. I would second the vote for the Trek with the 1.7 and 1.9 being ideal starter bikes.

Great range in JE James and you will get sound advice without pressure.

wix

thanks everyone for your comments. I have been in to JE Cycles and i bet it was James i spoke to, a very knowledgeable guy, they didnt have a great selection of road/touring bikes in store which is why i am going to visit a few this saturday, a place called Bob Jacksons in Leeds, a place in shipley, ottley and i will try racescene too in barnsley - thanks for that tip.

I will try find somewhere that has the trek bike too - again, thanks for the tip, its good to hear someone saying they took the leap on a particular bike and loved what they bought, when your forking out so much money you have to be pretty sure its gonna be a good buy.

I was reading a cycle mag in WHSmith yesterday and theres some new Cross Cycle bikes out which are ready for road, track and even a little cross country- the lowest price starter bike was £799, i dont remember the name but i think i will pop back in and get it and have a look at cross cycles in general. Does anyone know anything about them - they sound like 'sportier' versions of a touring bike and prob without the mudguards!

fungus_the_muffin_man

Word of warning

I think everyone gets their first roadie thinking they will get one which they can upgrade as they go.

You'll quickly find that upgrading is for mugs so you'll want to go get a £2000 carbon/ titanium/ steel dream machine instead.

road cyclist = empty bank accounts

wix

I was actually thinking that by getting a bike with upgradeable frame i would be able to add to the bike in a year or so when i am more in to it and improve the bike - are you saying thats not the way to go and that just buying a top range bike is?

dg74

Think Fungus was taking the mick, mate.