Road Bike around the £550?

Rugby Boy
Rugby Boy Posts: 4
edited April 2011 in Road beginners
Hey guys, my brother's got me in to this whole road bike thing and I'm looking for a decent first road bike, I'm quite a competent cyclist and my budget's around £500-£550, any ideas? Thanks :D

Comments

  • Duffer65
    Duffer65 Posts: 341
    This seems to be a question that gets asked quite a lot on this forum. At certain price ranges bikes are pretty much all the same give or take a few features. I would take a look at E-bay to try and see if you can get a slightly older, but better spec bike for your money. Or try and get a 2010 model in a sale if there still any going on.

    However, two popular 2011 bikes at slightly above that price are:

    Specialized Allez 16

    Trek 1.1

    If you can stretch to another £100 you will be able to get something with Sora or even Tiagra components.
    Where would you be if you fell down a hole?.. Stuck down a hole... in the fog... Stuck down a hole, in the fog, at night... WITH AN OWL!
  • Rugby Boy
    Rugby Boy Posts: 4
    What's the difference, which would you recommend ????

    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cla ... d%20butler - Claud Butler Echelon 2011

    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... pecialized - Specialized Allez 24 2011
  • Rugby Boy
    Rugby Boy Posts: 4
    Sorry, got the link wrong on the echelon

    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cla ... %20echelon
  • BR 1979
    BR 1979 Posts: 296
    Have a look at Carrera Vanquish.

    Triple butted Alu, Carbon fork legs, Tiagra Shifters on Sora Mechs, WHR500 wheels, takes muddies, £500.
  • Duffer65
    Duffer65 Posts: 341
    Out of those two I'd be tempted to go for the Specialized. But why not try a few bikes? Go to your LBS (local bike shop) or Evans and test ride some bikes and see what you like. Don't rush in to buying a bike especially if you won't be in a posistion to buy another for a year or two.

    Btw, does your employer run a cycle to work scheme? If so you could take your pick of bikes up to £1000. :D
    Where would you be if you fell down a hole?.. Stuck down a hole... in the fog... Stuck down a hole, in the fog, at night... WITH AN OWL!
  • Chris87
    Chris87 Posts: 224
    I was in the same situation and went for the trek1.1, leisurelakes were doing it for £510 with VIP membership, not sure if they still are though.

    I originally wanted the specialized allez but after having a try on them both the trek seemed to fit better.

    so far no regrets.
  • secretsam
    secretsam Posts: 5,120
    BR 1979 wrote:
    Have a look at Carrera Vanquish.

    Triple butted Alu, Carbon fork legs, Tiagra Shifters on Sora Mechs, WHR500 wheels, takes muddies, £500.

    +1, excellent value for money

    Having said that, I've got a 2010 Cannondale CAAD8 Sora - £450 on price match at Evans', if you can get one they're pretty good. I'm well pleased with mine! :lol:
    It's just a hill. Get over it.
  • mattward1979
    mattward1979 Posts: 692
    I got a Raleigh Avanti U6 with full tiagra and integrated carbon rear triangle for £600.. Reduced from £1000!!

    Cracking bike and I dont regret a penny.

    Research what components you want and try to match your expectations to a bike that you like the look of.

    No one wants to ride an ugly bike!
    exercise.png
  • Thebigbee
    Thebigbee Posts: 570
    If it was that amount in cash I would keep looking on Ebay and Gumtree because for under £500 you can get a very well specced bike.

    I didn't have that option but oh well...
  • MICHAELCYCLES
    MICHAELCYCLES Posts: 350
    For that sort of cash I'd head to Ribble:

    http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/publish.a ... n&page=1rw

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