Recommendations for £700 first Road Bike

dannywright
dannywright Posts: 3
edited June 2010 in Road beginners
I'm doing my first "long ride" at the weekend (it's only 70 miles but that's a long way for me!) and I'm really enjoying training for it on my mate's Ridgeback 2008 T1 Flight. The trouble is, I've got to give it back after the weekend and want some ideas from you guys on what road bike to go for (I want drop handlebars because I think they will bemore comfortable). I have a budget of around £700.
Any ideas would be gratefully received!
Cheers,
Danny

Comments

  • RobG100
    RobG100 Posts: 40
    Specialized Allez?

    3000miles on and mines still performing nicely, its good to upgrade anyway.
  • Buckled_Rims
    Buckled_Rims Posts: 1,648
    +1 for Allez.

    I recently heard good things about the Trek 1.2. Also for a bit of Italian flair think about the Bianchi Via Nirone 7.
    CAAD9
    Kona Jake the Snake
    Merlin Malt 4
  • skyd0g
    skyd0g Posts: 2,540
    Boardman Comp
    Cycling weakly
  • wasi1984
    wasi1984 Posts: 37
    Giant Defy :D
    The New Ride as of May 2010

    http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n305 ... C03112.jpg
  • Rich Hcp
    Rich Hcp Posts: 1,355
    +1 for the Allez.

    Ultimately, you need a bike that suits and fits you
    Richard

    Giving it Large
  • chrism_scotland
    chrism_scotland Posts: 221
    +1 Giant Defy, it was close between this and the Allez but I've picked the Defy.
  • MikeWW
    MikeWW Posts: 723
    Allez, Boardman Comp, giant Defy are all good. Pick one that you really like the look of and make sure you get the right size
    www.lichfieldccc.org.uk
  • danowat
    danowat Posts: 2,877
    MikeWW wrote:
    Allez, Boardman Comp, giant Defy are all good. Pick one that you really like the look of and make sure you get the right size

    Yup, this 8)

    I've got the Allez, and its all the bike I need...for now.......
  • Gypsum_Fantastic
    Gypsum_Fantastic Posts: 172
    Another vote for the boardman comp here
  • ALaPlage
    ALaPlage Posts: 732
    edited June 2010
    Trek 1.5 plus any of those previously mentioned. Boardmans are great value for money.

    Consider second hand as you will get more for your money - typically £700 will buy you a bike costing £1500 last year - which might get you into full carbon frame and better groupset such as Shimano 105. The £700 new bracket is Sora/Tiagra territory although they are fine systems - but better if you can get Tiagra as your minimum spec. Lots of nearly new, hardly ridden bikes out there as lots of people spend money on a decent bike only to find that cycling wasnt for them or they cannot fit it into their lifestyle to justify having an expensive bike sat in the garage. I paid £1300 for a Trek Madoone with Ultegra that cost over £3000 new.

    Worth a look however you will need to know what you want first and sizing.

    Whichever way you go ensure you try some bikes out to ensure you find one that suits you in riding position as well as it is kitted out with the spec you want and that you know what frame size is best for that model and your size.
    Trek Madone 5.9
    Kinesis Crosslight T4
  • unixnerd
    unixnerd Posts: 2,864
    +1 for second hand.

    I got a barely used 1200 quid Cannondale for 400 and love it to bits. Lots of good stuff on ebay and gumtree. Just go into it with your eyes open.
    http://www.strathspey.co.uk - Quality Binoculars at a Sensible Price.
    Specialized Roubaix SL3 Expert 2012, Cannondale CAAD5,
    Marin Mount Vision (1997), Edinburgh Country tourer, 3 cats!
  • dannywright
    dannywright Posts: 3
    I'm going to take a look at the Boardman, the Giant Defy and the Allez.

    I hadn't thought of the second hand option but a good idea to be able to get a higher spec bike for the same cash!

    Thanks again, I really appreciate it.

    Danny
  • TCBLUE
    TCBLUE Posts: 30
    Owned both, prefer the boardman comp selling the allez
  • StillGoing
    StillGoing Posts: 5,211
    +1 for the Trek 1.5 although the Bianchi and williers in the same price bracket look good value too..
    I ride a bike. Doesn't make me green or a tree hugger. I drive a car too.
  • moffmcewan
    moffmcewan Posts: 83
    I just bought my first bike last friday, test rode the allez, defy, trek 1.2 but after shopping around and haggling for my life i opted for the Merida 903-18. book price £890 and i got it for £610.........i found almost all bikes in £700 range (which was also my budget) were all pretty much the same so my best advice is pick the one you like the look of, the shop you like to deal with as they vary and lastly who'll give you the best deal. i've only done 60 miles but my new wheels feel great.

    good luck and happy shopping :D

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