MTB to Road - Another Newbie looking for help please....

Funkyfreddy1

HI All,

I currently use my Mongoose MTB as my commute to work (8-15 miles one way depending on route) but its not ideal - well that’s what I'm trying to convince myself anyway

I have the opportunity to get something through a work Cycle to Work scheme using "Cycle Solutions" (Wheelies) - but what ??

http://www.cyclesolutions.co.uk/c6/Road-bikes.aspx

I haven't had a road bike for some years and technology has moved on so far but the choice is baffling (as it was with my MTB !). I've read quite a few threads on here and other places as to recommended models but again I'm struggling to really get anywhere and narrow it down.

Budget in my mind, probably around £700-£900(before scheme). Commute is 16-30 miles daily on roads depending on the way I go. I'm not really looking (initially) to go beyond the commute and the odd leisure ride. I'll still have my MTB for the muddy stuff.

Appreciate its been asked zillion times before but any suggestions from experienced eyes as to which of the crop available that would perhaps stand out and represent good value over some others would be most welcome.

Many thanks.
Cheers

night_porter

While it would be tempting to consider the Felt because of the Shimano 105 groupset my personal choice for commuting would be a Shimano Tiagra 18 speed compact from Cannondale, Bianchi, Giant or Tifosi.

Highly regarded frames and a good solid groupset that suits commuting perfectly. Plus they will all hold their value pretty well because they are good bikes.

I would however suggest trying some of them out before commiting to buy as comfort and fit is much more important than looks or labels.

Rich Hcp

I agree with Night Porter. Don't get blinded by component spec.

The frame is important, but not as important as the fit.

I found the fit on my roadie more critical than my MTB.

You'll love it when you get it and then you'll start using it for more than commuting.

I love having one of each, i can do what I want

mikey0303

I'm in a similar position as I'm just switching to road from mtb

Ive got a Cube Attempt coming later this week which is a touch over your budget, but before I stretched my budget a little I was looking at the Cannondales too

Funkyfreddy1

Rich Hcp wrote:

I agree with Night Porter. Don't get blinded by component spec.

The frame is important, but not as important as the fit.

I found the fit on my roadie more critical than my MTB.

You'll love it when you get it and then you'll start using it for more than commuting.

I love having one of each, i can do what I want

Thanks for your (and Night Porters) feedback - I think I'm goig to need a little more time to make the choice.

The CTW scheme ends soon but with holidays and other commitments I just don't really have the time to do some serious research and would hate to make a snap decision and then regret it. As you both suggest I should ensure the "Fit" is correct.

Thanks.

Funkyfreddy1

mikey0303 wrote:

I'm in a similar position as I'm just switching to road from mtb

Ive got a Cube Attempt coming later this week which is a touch over your budget, but before I stretched my budget a little I was looking at the Cannondales too

Thanks Mikey - the Cube looks a very nice machine. Enjoy !

I like "Tidy" so the idea of the inner cable routing is appealing !

I'll be looking out for your thoughts :-)

chiark

I'm in exactly the same boat as you... the c2w scheme is what kick started my interest in buying another bike to go with my MTB.

Completely agree with the 'don't get blinded by components': it's the frame and fit which is the important thing. The components work.

I used (abused?) Evans cycles very good test ride service to find the difference in bikes, and tried a Cannondale CAAD8 against a Synapse, both in 54... Then I tried an Allez, and another Synapse in 56, which felt great. Also looked at Cube, Focus, Kuota, Bianchi and Orbea, but didn't (and couldn't) get a test ride.

I ended up with the synapse 56 with a 105 groupset, but would have been happy with the Tiagra too. I'd decided against Sora, but the only downside was the thumb button to drop a cog... It's as if they've done it deliberately to make people move up the range

Very pleased with the bike so far. Out again today on it

Funkyfreddy1

chiark wrote:

I'm in exactly the same boat as you... the c2w scheme is what kick started my interest in buying another bike to go with my MTB.
....
I used (abused?) Evans cycles very good test ride service to find the difference in bikes,
...

Moning,

Thanks for the input - appreciated. Sounds like your happy with the choice - have fun

My nearest LBS's are small independants (which I like and would prefer to support) but none of them were too keen on letting me take anything out when I was looking at MTB's a while back.

There is an Evans I could get to - do they have a "selection" of bikes you can try from their local stock or will they let you take anything out you might be looking at ?.....

....I was also going to ask what they needed from you and how long they let you out but having just looked at the Evans site it seems to be detailed there !

I've convinced myself to wait now do some research without rushing when I can although it will mean missing the curent scheme

Meanwhile I just watch and admire others new rides on here !

Cheers

chiark

Cheers, I am doing

I do feel like I somewhat abused Evans, as they were helpful but at the end of the day I bought from my LBS (Drake Cycles) who had what I wanted in stock and were supremely helpful.

It seems that evans would let me take out whatever I fancied that was on display, and they did have a lot on display! I had to fill out an indemnity form saying it wasn't their fault if I died, and that if I damaged their bike it was my problem...,I had to leave a credit card with them - that's it. They lent me a helmet and offered lights and a high vis jacket, which I declined.

I ended up not buying through the cycle to work scheme as I could only buy from halfords, and I'd rather give money to someone with a little knowledge of the subject. The chap I spoke to didn't have the first clue, and despite being given the option to bail and admit he didn't really know, he pressed on spouting utter fabrications... I also wouldn't use the bike to cycle to work, so it feels like I'd be buying the bike under false pretenses - and besides, the savings aren't all that compared to a good haggle

cloggsy

chiark wrote:

Cheers, I am doing

I ended up not buying through the cycle to work scheme as I could only buy from halfords, and I'd rather give money to someone with a little knowledge of the subject. The chap I spoke to didn't have the first clue, and despite being given the option to bail and admit he didn't really know, he pressed on spouting utter fabrications... I also wouldn't use the bike to cycle to work, so it feels like I'd be buying the bike under false pretenses - and besides, the savings aren't all that compared to a good haggle

I think that is short-sighted to be honest; Halfords have some good bikes which you can buy boxed and build them yourself, or if you are not competent, take to your LBS and have them build them for you. I have a Boardman Team Carbon which is an awesome bike IMHO; if it said Cannondale on the frame, the bike would have been priced at £2,500! For every f'wit at Halfords there are some good, knowledgeable people there too, it seems you have to go in during the day to speak to someone with knowledge as the 'counter-monkeys' tend to come out in the evening!

Still, its your money and you choose how to spend it!

All the best with whatever you choose!

chiark

Expanding on that a little, as it does look short sighted: the real deal killer was 'no test rides', not that it was Halfords per se - I know that they're not the UK's biggest bike retailer just by luck! I had never ridden a modern road bike, and there's no way on earth I was about to spend a grand without knowing it wouldn't cripple me .

My priority was that I wanted support and advice, particularly on fit, as i know nothing about the road side of things. I'm sure Boardman do make good bikes, but I couldn't get a test ride and that was a deal breaker - same as all the mail order only stuff.

The staff attitude in Guiseley in Leeds was disgraceful... The Kirkstall branch are a lot friendlier, York Road seemed competent too but none had the enthusiasm or detailed knowledge of any of the local bike shops.

Sorry, this is somewhat O/T, but at least you can see more of the reasoning, and that c2w isn't the only way to buy a bike!