which bike

notaclue74

Hello,

Apologies if this is in the wrong section of the forum - I'm new to this. I'm after some advice on which bike to buy when my work's cycle to work scheme opens next month.

I'm 36 years old, 5'10", around 13stone, of average fitness and am planning on commuting at least 3 times a week. It is a 24 mile round trip along a mixture of country lanes and the odd stretch of A road. It is pretty hilly. I'm also toying with the idea of entering my first triathlon, with the goal very much of finishing it alive rather than any concern for the time - so basically the commute is more crucial than the triathlon!

My budget is around £600 but as I haven't actually been on a bike for about 5 years (!), I'm after some advice. Various friends have recommended the boardman hybrid range from Halfords, whereas others have said I must get a road bike rather than a hybrid. The guy in Halfords didn't seem to know much about the boardman bikes, but the reviews I've found have been excellent.

I've also been recommended the specialized secteur for £599.

Help!!!

Any pointers much appreciated

ilm_zero7

I would say that from reading your email the tone of what you write favours a hybrid - surely a better commuting bike, a more relaxed seating position and more comfortable on a 3 x a week basis etc

It great that you have a goal of a tri-athlon which you would need to train up for, and would need a different bike for. Personally I would make that a goal and look at buying a bespoke tri-bike secondhand nearer the time

OR.. by a second hand commuter and save for a nice new tri-bike

notaclue74

thanks for the reply. Are you familiar with the boardman hybrids? the reviews look great, but the only shop that didn't fill me with confidence, was Halfords!

danowat

In my experiance, don't get a hybrid, they do nothing better than a road, or MTB.

A roadbike is as comfortable as a hybrid, infact, my 4 x 35mile commute is so much more comfortable and quicker on my road bike, than on my hybrid.

As for tri's, just stick a set of aero bars on a roadie, no need for a dedicated machine.

notaclue74

thanks Danowat. Can anyone recommend a good road bike for around £600 that would suit my commute? 12 miles each way, lots of hills and country lanes with the odd pot hole...

danowat

I use a Specialized Allez, we don't have much in the way of hills though....

MaxwellBygraves

+1 on the road bike. Are there any good cycle shops near you?

notaclue74

there are. I'm in Bristol, but am limited to the cycletowork scheme, of which halfords is a partner with my work. I've been into a few shops and have found all of them really helpful, but when I google the bikes they recommend, I can find them much cheaper on the net. Halfords on the other hand were very pleasant, but didn't really fill me with confidence about the fitting side of things. I'm wondering whether the boardman range is for me - either the hybrid or road, and then maybe getting a fitting at a different bike shop if I'm not happy with that aspect? from what i gather, they're pretty good value

does anyone out there own a boardman? or know anything about the release of the 2011 models which is within the next few weeks I think...

thanks for reading

I'm

danowat

Lots of people on here own Boardman bikes, and they tend to wax lyrical about them......

notaclue74

that's good to know. my mate has a boardman hybrid - not sure which one - and is very happy with it.

ShutUpLegs

danowat wrote:

Lots of people on here own Boardman bikes, and they tend to wax lyrical about them......

But to add balance, they've never ridden anything else.

seanoconn

ShutUpLegs wrote:

danowat wrote:

Lots of people on here own Boardman bikes, and they tend to wax lyrical about them......

But to add balance, they've never ridden anything else.

They'll probably never need to either.

£600 new, you won't go far wrong with the specialized allez or boarman road comp. both excellent. The specialized has a slightly more relaxed geometry.
£600 second hand you might find yourself a real bargain.
There's nothing wrong with a sporty lightweight hybrid if thats what you fancy. Specialized sirrus and boardman hybrids are both popular.

unixnerd

£600 second hand you might find yourself a real bargain.

+1 You'll get a better deal on a used bike even against a new one on the Cycle to Work scheme. Loads of folk get bikes with good intentions then barely use them.

bakerstreet

notaclue74 wrote:

there are. I'm in Bristol, but am limited to the cycletowork scheme, of which halfords is a partner with my work. I've been into a few shops and have found all of them really helpful, but when I google the bikes they recommend, I can find them much cheaper on the net. Halfords on the other hand were very pleasant, but didn't really fill me with confidence about the fitting side of things. I'm wondering whether the boardman range is for me - either the hybrid or road, and then maybe getting a fitting at a different bike shop if I'm not happy with that aspect? from what i gather, they're pretty good value

does anyone out there own a boardman? or know anything about the release of the 2011 models which is within the next few weeks I think...

thanks for reading

I'm

If you have to buy from Halfords you really only have a couple of choices. Carrera or Boardman! I'd go for the Boardman.

bakerstreet

notaclue74 wrote:

there are. I'm in Bristol, but am limited to the cycletowork scheme, of which halfords is a partner with my work. I've been into a few shops and have found all of them really helpful, but when I google the bikes they recommend, I can find them much cheaper on the net. Halfords on the other hand were very pleasant, but didn't really fill me with confidence about the fitting side of things. I'm wondering whether the boardman range is for me - either the hybrid or road, and then maybe getting a fitting at a different bike shop if I'm not happy with that aspect? from what i gather, they're pretty good value

does anyone out there own a boardman? or know anything about the release of the 2011 models which is within the next few weeks I think...

thanks for reading

I'm

If you have to buy from Halfords you really only have a couple of choices. Carrera or Boardman! I'd go for the Boardman.

notaclue74

thanks for all your comments. I'm not tied to Halfords, I can use specialized too. What is the verdict on this one?

http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.u ... %20SECTEUR

I've been recommended it by a couple of people. How would that compare to the allez if I were to go down the specialized route. seanoconn, when you say 'more relaxed geometry' - what does that actually mean in practical terms (sorry new to this!)

unixnerd

You'd be a bit more upright on a Secteur than an Allez, it's a more comfortable commuter bike I'd say. I was thinking of one myself when they first came out but got a used Cannondale instead.

seanoconn

notaclue74 wrote:

thanks for all your comments. I'm not tied to Halfords, I can use specialized too. What is the verdict on this one?

http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.u ... %20SECTEUR

I've been recommended it by a couple of people. How would that compare to the allez if I were to go down the specialized route. seanoconn, when you say 'more relaxed geometry' - what does that actually mean in practical terms (sorry new to this!)

As you're not used to road bikes, the lower riding position might feel uncomfortable at first. The geometry ( frame design ) of bikes varies. With allez and more so the secteur, the riding position is relaxed, ( not too low ) where the boardman comp is an aggressive riding position ( quite low )

Flexibility plays a part as does what type of riding you're doing. Try before you buy.

danowat

Theres nothing at all uncomfortable about the Allez, and I am no lithe super racing snake!!!.

If its fitted properly, it will be comfortable, else I wouldn't be able to ride over 125miles in one hit on mine without any issue.

IME, the Allez is a perfect all rounder, I've done commuting, short circuit crits, TT's, sportives, audaxes and its handled everything I can throw at it, and after over 3000 miles in way less than a year it still looks as good as new.

However, I would say that these days, I would imagine the above to be true for pretty much most (all?) of the same bikes around that price point, don't be put off by a bike not being of "sportive" geometry, a non "sportive" geometry bike won't be uncomfortable.

I really don't think there is a bad choice at the same price point out there TBH

notaclue74

thanks for all your advice, much appreciated. I think I'm going to go with the specialized - I hadn't realised the geometry of the boardman and I'm more confident of the fit with specialized. I'm now getting greedy. In all honesty, what would I gain from going with this one?

http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.u ... UR%20SPORT

other than a cooler looking bike

nightoff

I don't think you will go far wrong with the Secteur. It was on my shortlist for a new bike. I had a half hour test ride on one and found it to be very comfortable and pretty quick.

In the end I upped my budget and went for a Bianchi Via Nirone which I love. If I only had £600 I would probably have bought the Secteur.

notaclue74

hmmm, just been recommneded the giant defy 2 by the bike shop most local to me - ie by someone who travels the same roads. Looks pretty good spec, and yes I know the buget is creeping up

any thoughts on that?

bakerstreet

notaclue74 wrote:

hmmm, just been recommneded the giant defy 2 by the bike shop most local to me - ie by someone who travels the same roads. Looks pretty good spec, and yes I know the buget is creeping up

any thoughts on that?

Had mine since September of last year. Most of miles are commuting and its stood up well. However I have had a few problems. Chain has been replaced and I've had the shop tighten up the spokes too. Nothing too drastic though.

I also looked at the Specalized and the Trek and I read loads of reviews and as a beginner I decided that any of them would be a good buy as a beginners bike as long as the fit is right. What swung it for me was the customer service of my local Giant shop.

mattshrops

Just a little something for you to think about...... if you really get the roadie bug you might want to get yourself a nice shiny all carbon number(ahh my precious), then this first bike would become your winter bike. now depending on the old finances you might spend a bit less on this one i.e. one of your earlier choices, or if cash aint too much of a worry.......

Reallistically nearly all new bikes are fabulous- set your budget- check specs for like for like- pick the one that makes your fun sized mars bar melt

notaclue74

mattshrops wrote:

Just a little something for you to think about...... if you really get the roadie bug you might want to get yourself a nice shiny all carbon number(ahh my precious), then this first bike would become your winter bike.

haha! I can see how that is going. To be honest, with the cyclescheme the difference between 600 and 720 is only a few quid a month and if it gets a better bike, then I figure it is worth it. I'm going to test ride the giant at the weekend hopefully - of all the shops I've been to, they were the most helpful and knew the hills I'm going to have to climb to get to work!

thanks for all your comments, all really helpful