New bike help for a new to road biker

Wacky Racer

Hi all,
I have been mountain biking for quite a few years, but have recently moved to one of the surrounding villages of Evesham. There are some great roads around here, so thought I would purchase a decent road bike. Trouble is things have changed on the road bike scene since I was a kid, so hoping for some advice. I would like a low end carbon, and have looked at the Focus Cayo, but in alloy the Verenti Millook looks good for the money, both look decent for the level I am at, but I keep reading words like "novice friendly" when reviewing bikes in general. Do these bikes work for someone just starting out on the road? What should I consider when making the purchase? My fitness is quite reasonable, but I don't want to buy something that is above my level to the degree that it scares the you know what out of me, or needs a professional to to get the best from it, also I don't want something that I will be hankering to change out after a couple of months for something faster. I guess the type of bike, and pitfalls in buying wrong would be more useful than a list of bikes I should buy, but bike suggestions are most welcome.
Thanks.

FSR_XC

2 questions:

What is your budget?

What type of riding do you plan on doing? (crit racing, sportives, commuting, general club rides etc)

I think in all honesty it is quite difficult to buy a bad bike. Buying a bike that fits you and is fit for the purpose you want it for is the most important.

Novice friendly, often means a more relaxed riding position, an ideal bike for longer distances and sportives.

Carbon normally means a bit lighter, but just like a MTB, carbon frames can be made to give more comfort or a more responsive ride etc.

The best method of choosing a bike is to get out and test ride a few.

xcmad

Mate of mine has the Giant Defy - light, cheap(ish), he loves it

Wacky Racer

Thanks. Budget up to £1K, the Cayo comes in around £935 and that bike does appeal. I'm not going to be racing, just some good riding locally, I'm lucky to have great road riding straight from my door. I do want speed and will probably join a local club as I am new to the area. Most of my riding will be 25-30km, but will look at longer rides at the weekend perhaps up to 70-80km.

I'm 50 years old, so bikes have changed alot since I was a kid and very much into cycling, in fact race bikes was the only way to go in the 1970's. But, all you worried about back then was how many gears you had and what outrageous handlebars you could find. Now I'm looking at compacts and all sorts of complications.

chrishd883

We all have our favourite brand / bike, etc - and a lot of that is personal.

More important is that you get a bike that is the right fit and geometry for you.
And that is down to your height, inside leg measurement, flexibility, etc.
Take the time to visit a few shops, try some bikes out for size / comfort.
Test ride if you can - then buy someting you like !!

Oh ! And don't get hung up on the frame material.
At the £1k price bracket, you'll be hard pressed to buy a bad bike.

Wacky Racer

Thanks, I know from MTB'ing that fit/geometry is all important, fortunately I have been lucky enough to have been able to try the Cayo, my neighbour has this bike in my size, and it seems to be ideal.

Compact or triple chainset is probably my next question? What is the advantage of the triple over the compact if any? I understand the difference, but how do you know which is best for you?

jimwin

Wacky Racer wrote:

Compact or triple chainset is probably my next question? What is the advantage of the triple over the compact if any? I understand the difference, but how do you know which is best for you?

I have bikes with both compact and triple. Broadly speaking, a double chainset has a bigger change between the 2 rings (standard is typically 53/39 and compact 50/34) whereas a triple has smaller changes between the chainrings (typically 53/42/32 or 53/39/30).

Generally a triple will get you anywhere because it generally has a larger total gear range and the gentler transition between the chainring changes makes for a smoother transition. Put another way, when you change from outer to inner on a double chainring (and particularly with a compact chainset), you often have to change the rear gear at the same time to smooth out the transition. That said, triple chainsets can be a bit more fiddly in operation than double chainsets.

Hope this helps

Typically, a triple is usually seen on touring bikes leaving double chainrings for faster riding bikes often used for sportives and their like.

All that said, if the terrain you ride is not overly hilly, a double chainset is the best choice. I was happy with a standard chainset (53/39) in Hampshire/Berkshire. I'm now in the Southwest and here you need really low gears for those big 25~30% climbs.

Wacky Racer

Jimwin, that's a great help, I appreciate your advice. The hills where I am are not bad on the whole, most of my cycling will be North Cotswolds and Worcestershire, so the compact is probably my best bet.

Alibran

If your legs are already strong from the MTB, then you won't have any problems with a compact. However, if you like to spin very low gears, then a triple would be a better choice.

I have a triple, and I don't find it at all fiddly to operate.

night_porter

I too have a triple and a compact, I use the triple with a rack for carrying my clothes and kit for work but I prefer the gearing of the compact and will use it for 90% of my journeys.

Seeing as the Focus Cayo has a 12-27 cassette on the rear a compact (I use 12-25) would be perfect for you.

Also considering that you have seen and ridden the bike and you appear quite taken with it then this seems to be the perfect bike for you. It has very good levels of equipment for the price and lots of people love their Cayo's so just go for it.

Don't forget you get a 30 day test ride with all bikes from Wiggle so give it a thorough workout on the local hills and reassure yourself that the compact is the right way to go. If not you could always return the bike and get a triple without any costs.

Wacky Racer

Thanks night_porter, I think I am now convinced that the Cayo is the right bike, and I am equally convinced that the compact cassette will be right for what I want. I guess, like a good many others, and given that I have been away from road riding for a very long time, I just wanted to get some views before I part with my cash.

Thanks to everyone for your help.