Need help choosing a new bike - we can help?

CaerlyrOsprey

Hi,

I'm looking for help and advice regarding the purchase of my first road bike. I am currently riding a Saracen Clever Mike hybrid, which has been an expensive mistake on my companies Cycle to Work Scheme.

I am riding about 100 to 150 miles a week all on rural roads. But, I want to extend these distances and I am prohibited by the geometry and ride of the Saracen.

My budget is £1000, and so far I am tending towards the Giant Defy 1 or 2.

I am not looking for speed, the main consideration is getting a bike to do Sportives on, and also not feeling I have wasted yet more money.

I visited Evans today and saw a BMC they had on offer for £1099, which also seemed a good purchase. But, I am confused by the other brands which I could consider. Ie BMC, Willier, Boardman, Cube, Specialised.

Help! Am really confused! My sanity and marriage won't stand another hybrid mistake.

Thanks,

Kevin.

redrian

Hi,
I'm searching for an access akin TT bike - what are your recomendations? account of <1000
ThanksHi,
I'm searching for an access akin TT bike - what are your recomendations? account of <1000
Thanks

kieran2012

Hi, I have been cycling for about 18 months now on a hybrid and am wanting to take it further. I have been looking at many road bikes but most are way out of my price range! I am only 15 and so can afford little more than £300.
I have just found this bike on Ebay and was hoping someone could give me some feedback on it please?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Race-Lite-Tou ... 1037wt_952

any other suggestions would be helpful too

alfablue

No, its nasty. Get the Carerra TDF from Halfords or better still the virtuoso or vanquish

xcMuttley

Hi, im looking for some advice on this bike http://www.formebikes.co.uk/bikes/road/longcliffe4.php
As it will be my first road bike i dont want to spend to much, but i have been offered this new for £400 is this good?
Seems similar spec to £600 trek/specialized bikes to me,
Should i hold my horses and wait for a second hand bike? Or snap this deal up? (I sort of know what im looking for i have refurbished and repaired plenty of bikes but i have come from mountain biking so everything is a bit diffrent)
Please point me in the right direction as i need to ring the shop about this bike tommorow afternoon.
Thank you in advance

gotlief

hi im looking at getting a bike on finance and most prob needing part assembling. Iv seen this viking carraro d'ambiezhttp://www.rutlandcycling.com/42237/Viking-Carraro-D-Ambiez-915SL-2012---Road-Bike.html?referrer=froogle1?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=froogle&amp;utm_campaign=pid42237 and really like the look of it but not sure if viking and this bike in particular is worth taking the plunge for. The other bike i like is the raleigh 100 2011 model @ £329. Could you give me some pointers please.

gotlief

sorry dont know how to post a link

alfablue

xcMuttley wrote:

Hi, im looking for some advice on this bike http://www.formebikes.co.uk/bikes/road/longcliffe4.php
As it will be my first road bike i dont want to spend to much, but i have been offered this new for £400 is this good?
Seems similar spec to £600 trek/specialized bikes to me,
Should i hold my horses and wait for a second hand bike? Or snap this deal up? (I sort of know what im looking for i have refurbished and repaired plenty of bikes but i have come from mountain biking so everything is a bit diffrent)
Please point me in the right direction as i need to ring the shop about this bike tommorow afternoon.
Thank you in advance

Its not such a deal, microshift shifters don't get a good press, but you may think they are okay. I would go for a 9 or 10 speed. Get down to Halfords and look at the Carrera bikes, or Decathlon if you are near one; these are the only real bargains, unless you pick up a discounted 2012 model.

xcMuttley

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... fAodLmIAhw

Hi again, been doing some more research today and found one of these at £450 (A bit over budget) But they will take offers, is it worth a punt or not? Seems a pretty sorted bike especially if i can get it for £400?

bopper7

Hey everyone i'm having trouble deciding which bike to go for. It will be mainly used for an 8 mile commute and weekend rides. I've narrowed the choices down to
Cannondale CAAD8
Cinelli Experience
Trek madone 2.1
Canyon roadlite 6.0

I've heard really good things about all of them so wanted some advice some people who've ridden or know more about each to help me.

Thanks

timeforanewbike

Beginner looking for a road bike in LA - advice needed!

I used to ride 10 speed road bikes long ago and now interested in getting back into it.  I live in LA, in a flat part of town and want to go out for a morning ride for an hour or so.  I have a max of $400 to spend.  I completely realize you get what you pay for.  But for now, I want to buy a bike that will get me going for a little while.  I'm looking at these bikes (57-59cm) on Craigslist.  Any particular one that screams "best deal"?  Thanks so much for any input!

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/bi ... 18811.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/bi ... 62550.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/bi ... 69414.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/bi ... 27179.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/bi ... 99885.html

whitestar1

I have a budget of £300. Thiniking of the Triban 3. What do you think? Anything better? Will be used at a cycle club, club runs and the occasional sportive.

fatreg

Hi,

I need some help if poss..

I am joining the Bike2work scheme and adding some money, so am looking at somewhere around £1500. Do I;

- get a higher spec AL bike
- get a low-mid carbon bike
- get a low Ti bike

for AL was looking at the De Rosa Milanino
not really looked at carbon (I have a giant TCR C2)
for Ti was looking at Van Nicholas Mistral

I am not new to cycling, just want to get back on the road, I did have a lovely Al Fondriest when I was younger, sold it in an act of stupidity, bought the Giant, don't overly like carbon, always feels like it could snap at anytime, new bike will be used for riding to work.....(7 min walk) and day rides, a little give is always welcome, I live by the seaside, so will occasionally not be on the smooth virgin tarmacadam.

I welcome all thoughts on what to do, I live in Dorset but am willing to travel to get a bike (I went to Leicester to get the Fondriest) I've always dreamt of a Ti bike so fear that could be clouding my thoughts..

Ta!

talk2sachinj

Hej Guys,

I want to buy new bike with Ultegra gear set, Carbon front fork & Aluminum frame. Please advice "value for money" bike.
I live in Sweden. I can buy on webstores in Germany or UK.
Thanks !

Sachin

corky7

urgent.

looking for a road bikegeneral use mainly but with some commutes to work 30 miles return.

looked at cube peloton £610
giant defy's
scott speedster s50/55 £599
obrea aqua £650
cannodale syapse or caad 8
dolan perfissio £699
very confused please help looking at spending around £700 i know its not a lot to spend.

RubbishCyclist

I was looking at a few bikes around the £700-£800 mark, i finally decided on a CAAD 8 Tiagra after Evans price matched it down to £700 and gave me a free track pump. This review swung me and i love the colour scheme!

http://road.cc/content/review/50515-can ... ad8-tiagra

Its a very comfy bike to ride and absorbs a lot of the rubbish road surfaces i ride on.....all in all very happy.

Dougall

Hi,

I'm looking a getting a bike through C2W at the start of the year. - ALready own a Scott CR1 but looking to get something that'll cover a few bases.

Basically somethign that'll suit commuting, double up as a training bike ( so mudguard fitting is essential) & preferably have the option to fit a rear rack so a bit of light touring is an option.

Budget-wise looking at spending up to the full £1k on it.

Anyone got any ideas?

peaceful

Any advice? Who knew purchasing a bike could be so complicated!

I live in Raleigh, NC and decided I wanted a bike to help rid me of the dreaded middle-aged spread. I’m 5’3” and 130 lbs. I stopped by a local bike shop to take a look and figured out I need a short bike (duh), probably a 13-15” frame. But after that I see it can be very expensive!! I’m thinking I should get a street bike or a hybrid. The bike store lady suggested that I buy a bike similar to the bike the person I would ride with uses. The guy I’m dating used to ride and has a Specialized Crossroads.
He is in worse physical shape than I am but at 6’5” I’m thinking I’ll probably have trouble keeping up with him.

He lives in Virginia and we travel back and forth every weekend, alternating each time to save the other one from driving so much.. He’s in Martinsville VA where there is an abundance of steep hills, so I’m thinking I’d need 21 gears to have any hope in making it to the top of ‘em. I expect we’ll do some street riding but mostly taking the bikes to local greenways. Soooo, I need a car bike rack too.

My goal isn’t speed, but weight could be an issue with carrying the thing back and forth.

I saw this one at the local bike shop, and liked it because it comes with all the stuff that I thought came standard on all bikes that weren’t made for trails or racing. I like the fenders and rack, a kickstand!, But still have sticker shock from the price http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2013/Ca ... omens.aspx

What’s a girl to do??

DLW

Apologies, it looks like I posted this in the wrong area originally...

DLW wrote:

Evening all

I'm looking to buy my first road bike, something to commute to and from work on (12 miles per day). I'm 5' 11", I'm told that means I need a frame sized between 56 and 58cm. I've been looking fairly intensively and it seems that to buy new the best I can get for value is Decathlon's B'Twin Triban 3 - http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-id_8167038.html

The 'spec':

Aluminium frame/Carbon forks
Groupset: Shimano 2300
Wheels: Btwin Sport
Weight: 10.5kg

I would be perfectly happy buying that bike in a couple of weeks time when they get stock in. However I've been offered a second-hand Flanders frame bike, and am asking you guys if it's better 'spec' and better value. The B'Twin would cost £300 and the Flanders £200. Here's the details of the Flanders:

Frame: Flanders 7005 Aluminium/Alu forks
Shimano gear shifters
Kalloy seatpost wih a Sora seat
Shimano sora gears/casette
Shimano RS20 wheels (16 spoke front, 20 spoke rear)
Tyres: Continental Sport
Look pedals
Size: Medium (current owner 5' 9")
Age: 8 years
Weight: '8-9kg'

The above doesn't mean too much to me. Basically, I know that carbon and Shimano is good, that's about it! My only real worry is that if the Flanders is better, is that it's too small for me. But I can try it out for size first. Would appreciate big time any help and also suggestions as to which bike you would go for

Thanks.

TheDid

Hello (first post after spending some time reading the forums)!

I noticed that there are a lot of recommendations for entry-level bikes at the £300 point (Carrera TDF or Decathlon Triban 3) and then the next one up seems to be the Boardman at £680.

I'm trying to work out the trade-off by going for a Specialized Allez for £550 (the basic model) - it's got alloy forks whilst the Decathlon bike has carbon. Does it make a big difference?

Is it worth the extra £200 for the Allez or is the real jump up in quality not felt until the £700 price point?

For a first bike would the £300 price point be suitable? I want to commute to work 4miles each way and have a go at a couple of sprint triathlons next summer.

MBJ27

Hi,
I'm looking for a mens bike and i don't really know where to start.
He's 5"11, and so i'm thinking probably 56", we would love it to be second hand as the budget it 250GBP.
Doesn't have to be anything special mainly for commuting and perhaps dabbling in other road riding.
Thanks!
Mara.

bigdaddibare

Hello. Which of these should i go for Raleigh airlite 100 ( £330 tredz ) or Btwin triban 3 ( £299.99 decathalon ) or if there are any others that you would suggest ( moneys tight ). It's mainly for about 8 miles to and from work and sunday mornings until the wife and kids realises i'm gone !! Thanks.

Xherdan

bigdaddibare wrote:

Hello. Which of these should i go for Raleigh airlite 100 ( £330 tredz ) or Btwin triban 3 ( £299.99 decathalon ) or if there are any others that you would suggest ( moneys tight ). It's mainly for about 8 miles to and from work and sunday mornings until the wife and kids realises i'm gone !! Thanks.

I bought a 2011 model Airlite 100 (different colour, curved top tube and Schwalbe Lugano tyres, everything else identical to the 2012 model on Tredz) in late August and am really pleased with it. I don't have much to compare it with admittedly but I chose it over the Triban and have done about 600 miles on it so far and not regretted my decision. The frame is the same as on their higher budget Airlite 400 apparently.

skybie

I am looking at the Scott speedster 60 compact or 1.1 Trex for my first road bike. I would like a ladies bike but i don't like the colours, i know people might say it has nothing to do with the ride but as i am paying between 500 to 550 i really need to like the look of the bike as well.
Has anyone got any views on either bike good or bad? Many thanks.

pkripper

Has anyone had an answer on their original q?

skybie

No

COMET99

I'm new to road cycling – been a mountain biker for years and now decided as many have to purchase a road bike as I'm racking up a lot of miles commuting on a MTB bike. I also want to eventually start entering sportives and join a club.

I've got two bikes in mind...these are the Cannondale Caad8 105 and the Focus Culebro 2.0. I'm unsure which one is better really, apart from one of them having a slightly better group set compared to other and obviously slight differences in prices. Could you help me decide which one I should go for please...?

Gkamg

Hello friends,
I found your email adress to at bike radar's site
So after many hours spending on net i come to 3-5 choices at the price range of 2000 to 3000 euros.Some of them are,bianchi infinito ultegra, cannondale supersix 3 ultegra, giant defy adnvanced 1, specialized tarmak sl4 expert.
If you suggest anything else into the price range or one of the above bikes i am open to suggestions .
Thanks guys
George
Cyprus

Laser man

Hi, I'm looking at the £2000 price point but obviously lower would be better.
I can get a Madone 5.2 for £2000 or a Specialized Tarmac Comp for £2200, are these good options, if so which one is better?
I was also looking at the Rose range with Ultegra or Force, but I don't know what to do.
Any advice would be great, thanks.

starbuck

I'm looking to get a bike on my company's bike to work scheme. I've got a budget of £1000 and looking for a bike which will be good/comfortable for sportives/all day rides, and I'll be riding it year round.

I've been looking at the Giant defy 1, and also seen that Merlin have a Sensa Trentino SL Pro 2013 within my budget as well. I think the defy comes with either 105 or tiagra spec. The sensa has ultegra shifters and front/rear mech which for just under a £1000 seems great (haven't seen any other bikes at this price with ultegra).

I've also seen a Planet X Pro Carbon within my budget, which is supposed to be a good bike but I don't know what carbon quality at £1k is like.

Any comments on the above 3 bikes? I know the giant is highly rated but I haven't heard what the sensa's are like.

Are there any other bikes I should be looking at for around this price (or lower priced?).

I already have helmet, spd shoes, and other cycle clothing you normally have so I can afford to spend the entire budget on the bike if it's worthwhile (if I get a cheaper bike, I can always get more cycle gear/accessories).