baffled - help for soon to be road biker

cyclopsbiker

hi,
I currently commute on a MTB to work, 12 miles per day. a recent and ongoing knee injury (and a longstanding back problem) means I can't run anymore so I'm looking to up my mileage on a bike to keep fit. so I thought getting a road bike would be a good idea so I can whizz along faster plus we have CTW scheme (I think thro Evans) so it'd be daft not to use it while I have the chance.

I don't know the first thing about road bikes so any advice would be welcome - the bike shops I've been into so far have been helpful but just wondering what other peoples advice is on where to start when buying a road bike. what to look for, what to avoid. Looking to get a bike for around £1000, plus shoes (obviously actually paying much less than this on CTW scheme). I'd want to get used to the different cycling position before moving on to using the clippy shoes, so would want pedals that I can use normal shoes as well. is that possible?

hopper1

If you have to use Evans, then look at the CAAD9's...

asprilla

Most important thing is to get a bike that fits. The main difference you'll notice between Road and Mountain biking is the length of time you spend in the saddle and you'll soon realise that a well fitting bike will make you faster and further then the latest carbon frame and lightweight groupset.

Check with Evans that they do proper fitting and that they would be willing to do such things as let you swap a stem to get a better fit.

It's probably better, at your budget, to go for either a very good Aluminium or Steel frame over a cheaper carbon frame (although carbon fork and seatpost will aid comfort). Carbon is sexy, but good carbon isn't cheap.

Are you going to be riding all year round, or is the just a fair weather thing? If you are going to be out in all weathers then you'll probably want to consider a bike with full guards, or at least a bike that can have them fitted, Such as a cyclocross bike.

Think about whether you want to be carrying luggage. I commute with a rucksack, generally, but in winter when I'm usually carrying more stuff and wearing more clothes then I'm thankful for panniers on one of my bikes.

As for groupset; get the best you can once you've picked the frame.

rich164h

hopper1 wrote:

If you have to use Evans, then look at the CAAD9's...

Except that they don't do them anymore They might get reintroduced later in the year if stock starts to flow into the country again but for now they are not even advertising them, and my queries about when new stock might arrive has returned answers that they simply don't know.

cyclopsbiker

thanks for the responses
as suspected my work does use Evans - anyone have suggestions which branch to try in London?

I'll be riding mostly in fair weather - I plan to use my MTB for commuting most of the time and the road bike will be for playing. I am an all weather girl though - it was only the ice that stopped me cycling this winter, I loved cycling in the snow

rich164h

I've found the Waterloo Cut branch to be quite good. It's also Evans' road bike specialist store.

There is a new (flagship?) store in the West End which might also be good but I must admit tht I've never been in there. It's supposed to be the biggest in London so there might be more choice of bike to look at and try.

lucan

Loads of bike shops are involved in the CTW scheme in my area. It might be worth shopping around to see if any more of yours are.