Advice on new bike please

agentgreenIreland

Hi,

Like so many people I'm joining the cycle to work scheme, but know very little about bikes.

I've done a little research and decided that I want to get a road bike as I want to be able to go for long cycles at the weekends.

I've also decided I want to spend the full €1,000 on the bike, as I believe if you are going to get one you might as well get a good one.

I have to get the bike in http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/ as that is the only place my employer deals with. We also receive a 12.5% discount on the RRP.

I'm going to get the accessories online or in my local shop at home.

I was wondering if some people here could help me pick the bike please for in and around the €1000?

http://cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/shows ... 35&order=3

I've being to the shop and unfortunately they don't have any Cube attempts left and they won't be getting them back in.

The guy in the shop recommended the Lapierre Audacio 400 http://cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewP ... duct=38519

or

the Lapierre Audacio 500 http://cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewP ... duct=38529

What are peoples opinions on this? Does the price difference warrant an extra €500?

Also there is the Ridley Icarus http://cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewP ... duct=37808

I'd really appreciate some advice. I'm a complete novice and I'm completely stomped.

Thanks in advance.

cornerblock

Hello agentgreenIreland and welcome. As it's your first bike maybe you should go for the Lapierre Audacio 400, personally I don't think you need to spend the extra €500 for the 500! I would use some of the €500 to upgrade the wheels on the Lapierre Audacio 400. Hope you enjoy which ever one you choose and happy riding.

Bobbinogs

Hi there agentgreenIreland, welcome to the forum.

There's a nice review of the 400 in this month's C+ (they liked it). Lot's of folks here would also recommend the Giant Defy 1 from the shortlist open to you. I would see if you can blag a few test rides and see how you get on, the shifters will all be slightly different (SRAM on the 500, Tiagra on the 400, for example). Also, check for mudguard clearance, etc. Not essential to have full blown guards fitted (Crud Roadracers are pretty good) but you do need about 5 mm of clearance (get a chap in the shop to test with a 5mm allen key if all else fails). You are commuting after all so you may also want to check what tyre widths are possible (I would expect 25mm will be your man but you may want to increase, depending on load).

Also, you might want to think about exactly what you will need to carry. Hopefully, a decent backpack will suffice but my wife needs panniers for her school books (no jokes please, she's a TA) so fixings for them may be something to consider.

When it comes to which bike is best, it is simple, it is the one that you like the most

rothers_bikeo

The Cube Attempt is a great buy in that price range.

agentgreenIreland

Hi,

Thanks a million for the warm welcome and thanks for the advice thus far

I tried them both in store, only on the stationary tester thing. The 500 was a lot nicer... but you'd expect that.

The 400 would end up costing me €484, while the 500 would cost me €881.

Are the componants on the 500 worth the €400 more???

How would the SRAM Apex compare to the Tiagra?

I don't think the wheels on the 400 are good, but I'm not sure.

Does the Giant Defy 1 not have some Sora componants?

Also would the Ridley Icarus or the Giant TCR 1 be better than the Lapierre 500 with the 105 groupsets?

The attempt is great, but its sold out in shop.

Thanks again for the advice.

agentgreenIreland

agentgreenIreland wrote:

Hi,

Thanks a million for the warm welcome and thanks for the advice thus far

I tried them both in store, only on the stationary tester thing. The 500 was a lot nicer... but you'd expect that.

The 400 would end up costing me €484, while the 500 would cost me €881.

Are the componants on the 500 worth the €400 more???

How would the SRAM Apex compare to the Tiagra?

I don't think the wheels on the 400 are good, but I'm not sure.

Does the Giant Defy 1 not have some Sora componants?

Also would the Ridley Icarus or the Giant TCR 1 be better than the Lapierre 500 with the 105 groupsets?

The attempt is great, but its sold out in shop.

Thanks again for the advice.

Anyone else please?

Thanks

agentgreenIreland

Would the Cube Peleton be an option?

rothers_bikeo

agentgreenIreland wrote:

Would the Cube peloton be an option?

The Peloton would be a great choice, nice bike, Tiagra groupset.

Looks good to me: http://www.cube.eu/en/road/comp-series/peloton/

agentgreenIreland

rothers_bikeo wrote:

agentgreenIreland wrote:

Would the Cube peloton be an option?

The Peloton would be a great choice, nice bike, Tiagra groupset.

Looks good to me: http://www.cube.eu/en/road/comp-series/peloton/

Hi, thanks,

I don't think it has the full tiagra groupset though... Does that matter?

What's your view on the Ridley Icarus? Worth a look?

agentgreenIreland

rothers_bikeo wrote:

agentgreenIreland wrote:

Would the Cube peloton be an option?

The Peloton would be a great choice, nice bike, Tiagra groupset.

Looks good to me: http://www.cube.eu/en/road/comp-series/peloton/

Those the cube only come in a triple too?

Peddle Up!

Bobbinogs wrote:

...my wife needs panniers for her school books

Surely those would go in the wicker basket?

KnightOfTheLongTights

NB: you can also chuck in shoes, helemt, gloves, jersey, pump & other accessories to make it up to the 1000 limit if your bike is below that - or at least my CTW scheme said that was OK.

Interesting that the limit is £1000 here, and 1000 euros there - looks like you're getting a raw deal.

agentgreenIreland

KnightOfTheLongTights wrote:

NB: you can also chuck in shoes, helemt, gloves, jersey, pump & other accessories to make it up to the 1000 limit if your bike is below that - or at least my CTW scheme said that was OK.

Interesting that the limit is £1000 here, and 1000 euros there - looks like you're getting a raw deal.

Thanks. Yeh €1,000 isn't much at all when you add things up. I was thinking of getting the Peleton and using the spares to buy equipment.

Do you guys think I'd be mad spending more on my first bike or should I just bite to bullet? What ye reckon?

Thanks for the advice so for.

hokum

Definitely worth spending a little less on the bike to give you more money for accessories. Clothes, helmet, lights, computer, pump, bags etc etc etc...it all adds up very quickly. Maybe work out what kind of extras you'd like and see how much that leaves for the bike? You could spend 1k and get a very nice ride but do you want to face shelling out hundreds more on top for gear (which you absolutely will want, even if you don't now it'll get you eventually)?

Tiagra is perfectly good by the way, nice entry level kit. Its shifters work the same as other Shimano gears with paddles on the brake levers, while the cheapest road kit - Sora - has fiddly little button things.

agentgreenIreland

Thanks for all your help so far. I've decided to go for one of the cheaper bikes as my first bikes.

Can someone please help me decide between the Cube Peleton and the Lapierre Audacio 400?

All advice is really appreciated. Thanks again