First Road Bike - £500/£600 budget, what do you think?

mattrixdesign2

Hi Guys

I hope you can offer my some advice, I have been into biking since I was a young kid, owning BMXs and several MTBs, recently after having a family I have been out of the biking seen, but recently got my Specialized Rock Hopper out and riding again. Thing is I am doing more road riding, and would like to try a racer My budget is tight, so not looking to spend more that £600 (prefer about £500!). I have spoken to a mate and read a recent mag and these are the bikes I have in mind:

TREK 1.1 Road
£499 (local bike shop)

SCOTT Speedster
£599 (local bike shop)

Specialized Allez Sport Double 2010 Road Bike
£599 (Evans)

Pinnacle Sentinal 1.0 2010 Road Bike
£499 (Evans)

Boardman Road Bike Comp SC Medium
£499 (Halfords - have issues with them not setting it up properly, as the last bike a bought the disc brakes did not work and I had to collect from another store!)

I want to start with a decent (for the money!) light Frame, with functional components, that are easy to upgrade.

I was always quite good at going uphill on my MTB, tackling very steep climbs, so not sure what kind of gearing I need?

The bike would not be raced, but will be doing a 60m charity ride in a few months, it will also be used to commute to work, long days out, so would prefer comfort over a race position.

Sadly my work does not do a Cycle to work scheme

I would consider second hand, but would need to know what suits my size, I am a skinny 5ft 8".

I look forward to your replies

PH5121

I had the same budget, and a similar mtb background to you.

I liked the Boardman comp but at £700 was out of budget - the sc you list is single speed. A bit extreme for me as a first road bike.

I have actually gone for a bike not on your list, from the Giant Defy range. I cannot tell if it is any good as I ordered it yesterday and it is due tomorrow. I looked at local bike shops and liked the Giants riding position so didn't try any other makes of bike.

I have gone for the 2010 Defy 3, I phoned a bike shop about a 2009 model they were advertising, but in reality they didn't have, so they did me a 2010 at the same price.
If it hadn't been for the deal I was offered I would have gone for a Defy 3.5 at £525.00.

mattrixdesign2

Thanks - do you mind PMing me the shop/deal?

CarleyB

I was going to suggest the Giant defy 3. Though it is a mans bike its what i think I will be getting. Not seen as good reviews for the womens specific.

STEFANOS4784

I'd go second hand i reckon. Somethhing like this seems pretty good;

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fondriest-Carb-Le ... 255ab67eb4



Just make sure you inspect it thoroughly and get the guys address

Lillywhite

STEFANOS4784 wrote:

I'd go second hand I reckon.

With a £500-600 budget so would I.

Much better value. Don't forget that a new bike includes probably 30-35% to cover both VAT and dealer profit.

Bunneh

New bikes also come with a warranty on parts and frame, second hand ones don't. Get a receipt for it if you can and from someone with 0 sales or comments it could be dodgy, so really do your homework before parting with your hard earned.

nochekmate

I'd go second hand too. You can get a lot of bike for that sort of money

Keep an eye out, the bargains are out there if you look hard (and are probably not looking to buy a bike with a full carbon frameset - although they are available at your £600 budget secondhand).

PH5121

I found it difficult looking for something second hand as some one new to road bikes. I am happy to admit that I don't know what I am looking at! That is why after months of searching the classifieds and E bay, and being surprised at what 2 or 3 year old Giant SCRs were bringing on E bay, I decided to buy a new one.

I am sure I will regret not spending an extra couple of hundred and getting something better, but at this stage I have not been on a road bike for nearly 20 years since I got my first (Muddy Fox) mountain bike.