newbie bike advice

uc1979

Me and some friends are planning on a 250 miles 3 day cycle in september. However we are all newbies. They've bought specialized secteur triples and any advice on a good beginners bike which would do well on a 3 day slog. I'm a ccomplete newbie to road bikes having only ever had a mountain bike in the past so any advice regarding road bikes in the £550-600 bracket would be great

cheers

ALaPlage

Same advice can be found on here but best thing you can do is get to your local bike shop (LBS) and try some out for size to see what fits and you feel "right" on.

Buying new then to start you off you can't go far wrong with Specialized Allez or Secteur (Secteur is a little more sit up than the Allez which is likely more comfortable for long days in the saddle and may be an important consideration). Trek 1.2 or stretch your budget a little more for the 1.5.

Bianchi do a lovely Via Nirone race bike for around £750. Also and again in the £700 bracket is the Cannodale CAAD8 which is a cracking bike although a little racier geometry than the Specialized. Halfords for the Boardman range and you get a lot of bike for your money so worth a look.

Above all go and try some out to see what you like - also consider second hand and once you know what you want see if you can find an example in good condition (Ebay an obvious hunting ground). Typically you could get a hardly used one to two year old bike costing £1200 new for around £600 to £700. Of course this will get you better spec particularly on the groupset.

If you are going with Shimano gearing you want at least Sora but better Tiagra as the gear change mech is a little more user friendly. Second hand and you may find 105 or Ultegra - just got my wife a year old Kona Lisa RD off Ebay (£1100 new) for £500 - like new and hardly ridden with 105 and Ultegra groupset and Mavic Aksium wheels. More bang for your buck.

If new is your bag then I would recommend the Specialized Allez and the Trek 1.5 (I'd go compact double but available as a triple for the sameish price) however you need to try for yourself.

uc1979

thanks, thats really useful

bobtbuilder

What sort of terrain will your ride take in?

IMO triple chainsets are hugely overrated, as they don't offer much more in terms of gearing than a compact double.

Also, I would try and find an LBS that offers a bike-fitting service. This usually costs anywhere from £50 - £100, but is often free when you purchase a bike from the shop. Your planned trip is an average of 80+ miles per day which is in the region of 5-6 hours in the saddle at a speed of 15mph. This is a long time to spend in the saddle and will definitely test your position on the bike.

It's all very well taking a bike for a 20 minute spin round the block, but what feels good for 20 minutes doesn't equate to all-day comfort.

louthepoo

you've definitely gotta have a go on the bike first to see if it suits you. I had a Specialized Allez but didnt get on with it, i ddidnt find it comfortable at all. I changed it for a Merida 903-18 and that feels like a completely new bike, i dont get any discomfort and can ride faster and further than i could with the Allez.

Thats a hell of a distance to go as a newbie, i've done a 20 mile ride at 15mph and that was plenty until i can build up to more - dont think i could do an 80 miler yet, never mind doing it 3 days on the trot!! then again i'm not fit in the slightest!!

MichaelW

What kind of luggage are you planning to take?
What kind of terrain? Flat, hilly, mountains?

speedo

Go for a TREK 1.2 double compact YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED, but make sure to go to a trek dealer

gareth2134

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... e-ec019409


This bike is one of the best bikes I have had a test ride on its got above average everything and the frame has a fantastic write up.

Read reviews you can't go wrong for the price

Goodluck let us know what you end up getting

uc1979

thanks all. got a trek 1.2 in the end. its great