Trek 1.5 2010 Road bike good first road bike

metalmonkey

I'm looking for a bit advice around getting my first road bike.

I took this bike for a test ride today;

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/tre ... e-ec019720

I have never ridden a road bike before, but really liked it and now I would like to get one
The one thing I do want on the bike is the same gear shifting as on this bike, they are easy to use. Also should I clip in? What shoes and pedals are great for the riding I have mind?

I already have a mounatin bike, so have lights, pump, helemt and some cycling gear but I will need more...I can't get this on the cycle to work scheme, as I'm paying for mounatin bike till November and will be leaving my current job so no point in signing up for it.

I intend to use the bike for cycling to work and building my fitness up again so laps of Richmond Park ect maybe some sportive as as they look fun.

I need a 54cm bike, I have short legs 29" and I'm 5 7" if thats of any help. I'm also getting over injury to my right shoulder, back and arm if that makes any difference.

Thanks

d70ar9

I got a 2009 Trek 1.5 for my first bike absolutely loved it - found it so comfortable to ride Im 6ft and got the 56cm - i recently upgraded all of its components as i liked the frame so much.

I see the price has gone up quite a bit i got mine new for £605.

Unfortunately i got hit by a taxi last week and the bike is a write off - gutted.

I would recommend the bike though

metalmonkey

Thx for the reply, well that sounds good.

Any reason why i should buy it? Or buy something else instead...

chasrock

got my TREK a few months ago - love it. I'm same size as you and got a 52cm. Clipping in is well worth it, once you get the hang of it (doesn't take long).

metalmonkey

The 54cm seems to fit me fine...dam this is tempting to go and buy it now!

How do you cope when you come stop at traffic lights is it easy enough to clip in and out knowing what i'm like i will forget that i'm clipped in

brucebanner

metalmonkey wrote:

The 54cm seems to fit me fine...dam this is tempting to go and buy it now!

How do you cope when you come stop at traffic lights is it easy enough to clip in and out knowing what i'm like i will forget that i'm clipped in

I have the same bike in the same height and I've had it for ~2 months. I'll post a pic when I get home.

Regarding clipless, I use the Look Keo Classic Road Pedals with Mavic shoes. I fell over 3x at the lights, once bending the handle bars which I had to fight to straighten again. I would suggest you practice on empty roads until you're entirely confident you can clip in and out. Strangely, I find clipping out to be far easier than clipping in.

In retrospect, I think I would have bought a cheap carbon bike. The bike will get dirty quick.

All in all, it's a very good commute bike.

metalmonkey

Thought how much would a cheap carbon bike be?

I want to use for than just commuting as well, the guys at evans said it should ok for that...

Also for my first road bike, I would have though I won't get much benfit out of more expensive bike.

sherer

this is a great first bike and a very good purchase. You can't go wrong with it my mate has the same bike and he loves it, I have the older Trek 1000 as my first bike.

With clipless even after years I still unclip well before lights and always find it helps to unclip when at the top of the pedal stroke although others find the bottom or 6 o'clock works best for them.

Practice against a wall first and do this for 15 mins or more before setting off. Remember everyone falls off.

I have some Shimano R540 pedals

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shi ... s-ec006321

Very good as they have a wide area so even if not clipped in you can still turn the pedals.

I usually leave one foot still in as well unless I am resting so I can pedal on one foot if I need to

metalmonkey

sherer wrote:

this is a great first bike and a very good purchase. You can't go wrong with it my mate has the same bike and he loves it, I have the older Trek 1000 as my first bike.

With clipless even after years I still unclip well before lights and always find it helps to unclip when at the top of the pedal stroke although others find the bottom or 6 o'clock works best for them.

Practice against a wall first and do this for 15 mins or more before setting off. Remember everyone falls off.

I have some Shimano R540 pedals

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shi ... s-ec006321

Very good as they have a wide area so even if not clipped in you can still turn the pedals.

I usually leave one foot still in as well unless I am resting so I can pedal on one foot if I need to

Which shoes do you use on the bike, to go with the pedals?

d70ar9

Shoes and Pedals go for:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Shima ... e=googleps

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/dhb_M ... 360033176/

£70 for compatible shoes and Pedals

Being MTB ones they are easier to clip in and out of and are double sided (perfect for beginners)
Also seeing as the shoes are MTB the cleats are nicely recessed and easy to walk in.
Have done well over £2000 miles on this combination and have had no problems...

sherer

I use a pair of Nike's but I bought them 9 years ago and not available now.

metalmonkey

I have had a bit of rethink, been to a few more cycles shops and found that this may be a better deal;

http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/categ ... e-10-35496

its a Specialized Allez Elite 10

This bike seems to have better reviews and people in the shops give a more postive review of the bike, also I have found one cheaper than the trek as well! Just got to wait for it to get into the store to go a for a ride on it, tbh its raining so hard as I type I'll wait for it to stop!

metalmonkey

Any thoughts people?

nochekmate

You can't really go wrong with the Spesh Allez Elite (does the current model also have carbon stays as well as carbon forks)

Can be picked up for approx £500 secondhand usually

gbsahne001

or the focus cayo from wiggle @ the moment it's on sale for £999 for a full carbon bike with 105....... just wish I had a spare grand at the moment.

metalmonkey

gbsahne wrote:

or the focus cayo from wiggle @ the moment it's on sale for £999 for a full carbon bike with 105....... just wish I had a spare grand at the moment.

You know that probally is a good bike, but I can't jusity spending that much on my first road bike...

keef66

You're aiming to spend the right amount on a first bike. The Spesh Allez or the Trek 1.5 would be perfect. I'd get the one which feels best on the test ride, or failing that, the one you like the look of best.

Since you're in London get a good lock and some insurance.

metalmonkey

Well I went for the Spesh Allez Elite overall its a better bike than the trek but I would the postion is more aggresive than the Trek.

So far I have ridden back from the bike shop, then to the store to get food for dinner then a few miles down the road but I really enjoyed the ride, its amazing how quick the bike is, I didn't think it would be as quick as it is.

I'm sure as I ride it more and gel with the bike and become comfy then I can exploxer its full potential.

Do you really need a track pump to get the tyres up to the right pressure? I have a Topeak Turbo Morph Pump

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/top ... p-ec008137

already will that be enought for my road bike too?

So I just a need a lock, shoes, pedals.

You don't need loads of clothing to start of do you? I have a rain jackect, gloves, shorts with click faster undershorts, bib tights and three jerseys. I was thinking a few more tops and another pair of undershorts.

keef66

Well it says the pump gauge reads up to 160 psi; not quite the same as saying it will inflate your tyres to that pressure. Try it and see how it goes. 90-100psi seems to be what people use for 23mm tyres. I run my 25's at 70-80 for comfort.

I have the Topeak Road Morph which is so good I still haven't bought a track pump 2 years on

RiderontheStorm

metalmonkey wrote:

Well I went for the Spesh Allez Elite overall its a better bike than the trek but I would the postion is more aggresive than the Trek.

What justification do you have for this statement ? Given a week ago you were all set to make the right choice

father_jack

If it's a work bike full length mudguards are a must. Unless you live in Death Valley. hmm £800 for Tiagra Mate's Tiagra bike cost £550 :shock: