IYHO ...........Best bike sub £1500

mikedobson

I'm guessing there'll be a few competing ideas here so to streamline the process a little here are my 4 key criterium:

Not a compact
Not a Boardman (unless you can make a really good case...)
Hill friendly (it's hilly where I live)
As rigid as hell (I'm a big old unit!)

Fill your boots...

Pross

When you say not a compact I assume you mean not a compact frame rather than not a compact chainset as that wouldn't tally with 3 and 4?

Why not a Boardman out of interest? They offer very good value for money and I have only heard good things about the bikes themselves - are you put off by the Halfords connection? If so, don't be as they have nothing to do with the manufacture. They may not assemble them brilliantly but any bike shop can check it over and sort out any teething issues.

My recommendation would be a Scott CR1 Comp as that is the decision I made myself. I think 2010 RRP was £1500, light but rigid carbon frame but also more of a sportive geometry which is probably better for someone big, old and unfit (I'm in that category too lol). I think it is supposed to come with compact gearing as standard although mine had a standard double.

mikedobson

Sorry, yes Criteria 1 - No Compact Frame

Cheers.