Advice for my first road bike

James-d
James-d Posts: 15
edited January 2011 in Road beginners
Hello Everybody,

Having recently given up smoking i have decided to spent the money that i would have spent on fags on a nice shiney new bike.
I have,t ridden a road bike in ......say 20 years so some advice on what to look for would be much appreciated.My budget is approx 2000 pounds.
I have been looking at the Ribble Gran fondo,Pinarello FP2 and Bianchi Centostrade.
Probably foolish spending that amount on my first bike but i figure you only live once and it would only have been wasted on fags otherwise.
Any thoughts or advice on the above bikes would be much appreciated.

Comments

  • danowat
    danowat Posts: 2,877
    I've recently looked at bikes up to £2k, my shortlist included the Cube Agree GTC Race, Kuota Kharma, Bianchi Infinito and Wilier Izoard.

    TBH, pretty much any bike you buy from a respected make at that price point is going to be a very good piece of kit.
  • navrig
    navrig Posts: 1,352
    Spend £800-1000 on a bike which will be more than adequate as a first bike and spend the rest on a 10 day cycle training holiday somewhere warm (once you are a bit fitter and used to cycling).
  • andyoh
    andyoh Posts: 115
    OP, If you can afford £2K on a first bike then go and buy one at £2K, then go and get fit and give up the fags.
  • Lillywhite
    Lillywhite Posts: 742
    James-d wrote:


    I have,t ridden a road bike in ......say 20 years so some advice on what to look for would be much appreciated.My budget is approx 2000 pounds.

    I would suggest that you only allocate a maximum £1000-1500 for the purchase of a bike. There are some very good bikes in this price range. Don't forget that you will need specific cycling kit, good quality helmet and cycling shoes etc. otherwise you will look a right clown riding on a 2 grand bike in jeans and trainers. :wink:
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    It bloody hurts does cycling.

    You really don't need to spend more than a grand on the bike.

    You might want to spend a couple hundred on the rest of the gear.
    _
  • James-d
    James-d Posts: 15
    Ok folks thanks for your replies.
    I see the sense in what you are saying and therefore i will be a little less ambitious and look at bikes that are slightly cheaper.Im thinking a specialized roubaix or something along those lines.I figure that comfort is a tad more important considering i havent been on a bike in years.
  • amnesia
    amnesia Posts: 118
    Hi James,

    If you have the money (and you're pretty sure you're going to stick it out) then why not spend £2k on a bike. The Kuota Kharma gets my vote from your list... I am looking at a Kebel myself at the moment.

    Whatever you decide make sure you get a test ride and a proper fitting... nothing worse than spending all that dosh and being uncomfortable.

    Oh, and well done for quitting the fags !!!
    2013 Focus Izalco Pro 2.0 UDi2
    1999 Sunn Vertik II MTB - old skool !
  • mattshrops
    mattshrops Posts: 1,134
    a ribble gran fondo with ultegra for 1400. sounds good to me.its on my wish list. 8)
    Death or Glory- Just another Story
  • James-d
    James-d Posts: 15
    I have to say i do really like the look of the Gran fondo purely from an aesthetical point of view.I just dont like the idea of driving 7 hours down to their shop in preston to get fitted for one!!!
  • navrig
    navrig Posts: 1,352
    James-d wrote:
    I have to say i do really like the look of the Gran fondo purely from an aesthetical point of view.I just dont like the idea of driving 7 hours down to their shop in preston to get fitted for one!!!

    I have one on order (build next week) and I know a guy (colleague) in Culloden with one. How tall are you?
  • 1stGenRex
    1stGenRex Posts: 84
    Lillywhite wrote:
    James-d wrote:


    I have,t ridden a road bike in ......say 20 years so some advice on what to look for would be much appreciated.My budget is approx 2000 pounds.

    I would suggest that you only allocate a maximum £1000-1500 for the purchase of a bike. There are some very good bikes in this price range. Don't forget that you will need specific cycling kit, good quality helmet and cycling shoes etc. otherwise you will look a right clown riding on a 2 grand bike in jeans and trainers. :wink:

    quoted for truth.
  • James-d
    James-d Posts: 15
    Navrig wrote:
    James-d wrote:
    I have to say i do really like the look of the Gran fondo purely from an aesthetical point of view.I just dont like the idea of driving 7 hours down to their shop in preston to get fitted for one!!!

    I have one on order (build next week) and I know a guy (colleague) in Culloden with one. How tall are you?


    I'm 5 foot 8 more or less.
  • James-d
    James-d Posts: 15
    Is it acceptable to NOT where tights or lycra shorts when riding a road bike?Not really liking the idea of unleashing my uber toned body for everyone to stare at.They might get jealous :wink:
  • MikeWW
    MikeWW Posts: 723
    Hey James
    Why not treat yourself if you have given up smoking and can afford it
    I like the look of these

    http://www.rutlandcycling.com/19954/Moda-Stretto-Carbon-2010---Road-Bike-.html?referrer=froogle1&utm_source=google&utm_medium=froogle&utm_campaign=pid19954

    Various specs up to around £2k
    www.lichfieldccc.org.uk
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    James-d wrote:
    Is it acceptable to NOT where tights or lycra shorts when riding a road bike?Not really liking the idea of unleashing my uber toned body for everyone to stare at.They might get jealous :wink:

    It's not compulsory, but after a while you'll want to try it and once you do there'll be no going back.
  • MaxwellBygraves
    MaxwellBygraves Posts: 1,353
    Go for it! I would say spend around £1400, then the £600 on good kit.
    "That's it! You people have stood in my way long enough. I'm going to clown college! " - Homer
  • MichaelW
    MichaelW Posts: 2,164
    A carbon race bike is sleek, sexy and very desirable but is it the right style of road bike?

    Realistically, you may get much better value from an Audax style of road bike. You can ride them in the wet, do endurance events, everyday fitness rides, commutes and light tours.

    If you are gong to spend money, then titanium will offer better long term durability than carbon, it can take rough treatment much better.

    There are quite a few Ti builders (Enigma, Sunday, Van whathisface) who make nice bikes.
  • navrig
    navrig Posts: 1,352
    James-d wrote:
    Navrig wrote:
    James-d wrote:
    I have to say i do really like the look of the Gran fondo purely from an aesthetical point of view.I just dont like the idea of driving 7 hours down to their shop in preston to get fitted for one!!!

    I have one on order (build next week) and I know a guy (colleague) in Culloden with one. How tall are you?


    I'm 5 foot 8 more or less.

    That wont help. He's about 6' 2". I am closer in height but still too far to visit for a sit on one. I'm almost 5' 10"
  • wall17
    wall17 Posts: 20
    with £2000 to spend any bike u get in that range will be very good certainly for you if your just starting out.

    But dont spend all your money on a bike because the clothing and hardware is alot of money aswell.
  • elgordo
    elgordo Posts: 13
    Wearing good quality bib shorts (Nalini and Castelli are my faves)will increase the pleasure you get from cycling and greatly reduce the pain. I would recommend you save a good £250 for bib shorts/tights and a long sleeve and short sleeve jersey and at least £80 for proper cycling shoes.

    You may also need some pedals as not all bikes are fitted with them. Expect to pay around £40 minimum.

    Learn to love the lycra. After a few rides you won't care what people think and you will look silly in anything other than cycling gear on an expensive bike.
  • James-d
    James-d Posts: 15
    Thanks everybody for your helpful comments.
    I have been looking at the specilized allez comp2010 which i could pick up for just under a thousand pounds.The reviews for this bike seem good and i already have a specialized mtb so i think i might just go for one then that gives me a good amount to spend on clothes/pedals etc.
  • The-beast
    The-beast Posts: 140
    why not buy urself a ribble stealth with sram force groupset, that would be a wicked machine!
  • minardi
    minardi Posts: 64
    keef66 wrote:
    James-d wrote:
    Is it acceptable to NOT where tights or lycra shorts when riding a road bike?Not really liking the idea of unleashing my uber toned body for everyone to stare at.They might get jealous :wink:

    It's not compulsory, but after a while you'll want to try it and once you do there'll be no going back.

    Lycra is like crack. First you'll be like "No Way am I doing that", then when you realise how much fun users seem to be having and you'll be like "maybe I'll try that, just the once mind....". But it won't be just the once and you'll be an addict: it will seem normal. Friends, family, colleagues will mock you - say you look silly. Ignore them, they just don't understand. Once you pop with lycra, you won't stop
  • wall17
    wall17 Posts: 20
    minardi wrote:
    keef66 wrote:
    James-d wrote:
    Is it acceptable to NOT where tights or lycra shorts when riding a road bike?Not really liking the idea of unleashing my uber toned body for everyone to stare at.They might get jealous :wink:

    It's not compulsory, but after a while you'll want to try it and once you do there'll be no going back.

    Lycra is like crack. First you'll be like "No Way am I doing that", then when you realise how much fun users seem to be having and you'll be like "maybe I'll try that, just the once mind....". But it won't be just the once and you'll be an addict: it will seem normal. Friends, family, colleagues will mock you - say you look silly. Ignore them, they just don't understand. Once you pop with lycra, you won't stop

    ^^^^^ just a great comment

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