Newbie - Advice on first road bike!

Blue407
Blue407 Posts: 33
edited June 2011 in Road beginners
I am rappidly approaching 40 (next year) and have decided to set myself a challenge to do a Sprint Triathlon next year.

I currently have a GT Timberline Mountain bike (Circa 1989) which is in full working order but it not geared properly for road work, let alone the poor riding position.

I am working hard to get fitter and would like to get a new bike to help with my training and for use in a triathlon.
I'm 6' 2" and 108kg, so no lightweight! Even with the increased traiing I am doing, it is unlikely I will get below 95kg. (15 stonnes)
In my teens I did a lot of swimming, so have always had very strong thigh muscles - to the point I sheared a crank on a raleigh racing bike ! I am not as strong as I was then, but with the increased training I am concerned that any bike I get is 'man enough' for the job.

Could you please give me some ideas/suggestions for a road bike around the £500-£600 price bracket?
I appreciate I will need to spend some money on extras like pedals, clothing etc. I am used to using the clips with straps that allow you to use normal trainers on a bike, and am unsure about spending money on cycling shoes and special pedals from day one.

Any advice, suggestions, help very appreciated.

Comments

  • Blue407
    Blue407 Posts: 33
    I did see this, which seems to have some good reviews but as I don't know much about modern racing bikes, would need further advice:-

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/charge-juicer-mid-2010
  • HamishD
    HamishD Posts: 538
    check out the thread in the Road Buying section:"What Road Bike". . .

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12577960

    there's lots of good information there
  • ollyridesfirst
    ollyridesfirst Posts: 486
    There are quite a few decent entry bikes around your price limit. Cycling+ normally do reviews of sub £1k bike all the way down to £500 bikes that are good for starting on.

    With regards to your weight, i wouldn't worry too much about he bike. I'm 15 stone and the only component i worry about getting right for my weight is the wheels. I've been on Shimano R500s for over a year now (stock wheels) and i've never needed then to be trued....they run perfect for me. Just ordered some dura ace 50mm carbons, so we'll see how they go!
  • Blue407
    Blue407 Posts: 33
    OllyRidesFirst wrote:
    There are quite a few decent entry bikes around your price limit. Cycling+ normally do reviews of sub £1k bike all the way down to £500 bikes that are good for starting on.

    With regards to your weight, i wouldn't worry too much about he bike. I'm 15 stone and the only component i worry about getting right for my weight is the wheels. I've been on Shimano R500s for over a year now (stock wheels) and i've never needed then to be trued....they run perfect for me. Just ordered some dura ace 50mm carbons, so we'll see how they go!

    I'm currently 17 stonne and working on getting down nearer 15 :cry:

    As I'm new to this, would a steel frame be better (To absorb the bumps and for strength)

    And, any thoughts on the bike I mentioned above? (Supposedly an almost £1000 bike for £550)
  • nochekmate
    nochekmate Posts: 3,460
    The Charge bike @ wiggle looks to be more a winter road bike than something for a sprint triathlon.
  • ollyridesfirst
    ollyridesfirst Posts: 486
    what he said.....does look like a winter commuter type bike...

    i've had a quick scan about....and i've found a bike on eBay if you can stretch to £630???

    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0761672963

    Alu frame with carbon fork blades
    Shimano 105 groupset with STI levers (actually just looked and it's not the full set - you get some Truvativ Elita bits)
    Shimano R500 wheels (solid wheels)

    free delivery too.....that's quite a bit of bike for that money i think...

    Otherwise, you could try a few from:

    Specialized Secteur
    Wilier Escape Mirage
    Wilier Escape Xenon
    Khs Flite 300
    Giant Defy
    Trek 1.1

    Try searching about for 2010 models and then even being cheeky and seeing if you can get a discount. You never know, if a shop only has 1 left of the 2010 stock they may just want it out of the door?

    Also keep an eye out on here......there's sometimes some absolute bargains in the for sale section!
  • Blue407
    Blue407 Posts: 33
    OllyRidesFirst wrote:
    what he said.....does look like a winter commuter type bike...

    i've had a quick scan about....and i've found a bike on eBay if you can stretch to £630???

    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0761672963

    Think that would be way too small for me, I'm expecting something around 58cm in size (From best guestimate on guides)
  • Blue407
    Blue407 Posts: 33
    nochekmate wrote:
    The Charge bike @ wiggle looks to be more a winter road bike than something for a sprint triathlon.

    Is that mainly because of the mudguards?
    Or do other things make it more for Winter/commuting?

    I was wondering if Steel would be more sensible for me? Strength and more cushioned ride?

Categories