New bike advice for someone returning to cycling...

CoolBanana

Hi All

I've decided to return to cycling after a very long absence...I raced road when I was 17 through to 25 but damaged my knees and had an enforced 2 year lay-off that saw me stop racing, focus upon work and ride for fitness only. This also came to an end when I moved here to the UK 11 years ago - I'm 42 now so had 11 years of relative inactivity when it comes to sport!

Since I used to live and breathe cycling, I've had some very nice machines in the past: Vitus with Ultegra, Trek with Campagnolo Record, Cannondale with Dura Ace etc. but I cannot justify such expense now since I am initially looking at simply using cycling to get fit again and lose the belly that has steadily grown in recent years.

Still, I want a nice bike that is quick and responsive. I have a good Giant MTB that gets occasional use however I've never been much of an off-roader. Soooo, I'm looking at getting a road bike in the region of £1500 - £2000. The Colnago Arte 2.0 and Ace look nice, there are some Bianchi's that appear to fit the bill but since I am very much out of the 'scene' and don't recognise many brands I thought I'd ask what is recommended by you good folk

Stu

FitzM

Stu, I think you should give the forum an idea where you live, that way you'll get some LBS recommendations. Go to those LBS and ask some questions, try some bikes and them you'll be well placed to make a decision. However, before you decide I'm sure we'll all be interested in your shortlist.

Good luck

CoolBanana

FitzM wrote:

Stu, I think you should give the forum an idea where you live, that way you'll get some LBS recommendations. Go to those LBS and ask some questions, try some bikes and them you'll be well placed to make a decision. However, before you decide I'm sure we'll all be interested in your shortlist.

Good luck

Hi

I live in Buckinghamshire - Amersham.

My shortlist thus far is:

Colnago Arte 2.0
Colnago Ace
Bianchi Centrostrade 105
Giant TCR Composite
Specialized Roubaix

double u tee

Stu,

Have you looked on Wiggle yet? they have some fantastic deals including Focus bikes which are excellent value for money and the Cayo is also full carbon starting at just under a grand!!
Good luck in finding your bike.

Wayne

CoolBanana

Wayne,

Will definitely be looking at those.

Think I might go look at the Bianchi Sempre Veloce too - looks great and has a racing ride by all accounts which suits me. 8)

arlowood

Hi - since you are getting back into cycling after a long period you might be a bit wary of considering an internet only option. However at the top end of your budget you could consider the Canyon Ultimate CF 9.0SL

http://www.canyon.com/_uk/roadbikes/bike.html?b=2115

Full Dura Ace groupset (except for the Ultegra cassette) and under £2.5K. This bike or a very close relative is being ridden by the Omega Pharma Lotto team in the TdF

Another more exotic choice might be the Cube GTC Race

http://www.cube.eu/en/road/pro-composit ... -gtc-race/

Full Ultegra groupset and all for £1.9K. With the Cube you can test and try before you buy - there are dealers in Tring, St Albans and Watford in your locality. - check the Cube website for more details.

CoolBanana

Hi Arlowood,

Cheers - good recommendations there. Not having owned a racing bike in many years there a a number of brands I don't recognise and am now researching to gauge their quality.

The Canyon and Cube certainly appear to be highly regarded.

What other brands have emerged as being 'as good as' the familiar Italian and USA makes in recent years? Felt?

I've been homing in on those I know - hence the Bianchi Sempre being my No.1 choice at the moment but I'm very much open to looking at others like those described above.

oldskaterdood

I too have just returned to road riding after a big gap and i am 41.

I just wanted to say that i am enjoying the comfort benefits of a steel frame.

SteveR_100Milers

I did the same thing about 5 years ago, started racing again after a 15 year absence. I now have 7 bikes, the latest another Focus. Great bikes, some of the best value bikes out there, but I wont be buying online again, too much hassle when it doesn't quite work properly. If you can up with a bit of hassle then how about £1800 for a pro spec frame set plus dura ace groupset ksyrium elite wheelset grab you? Stupid prices but be prepared to sacrifice quick customer service. If you can afford it, go with the LBS option, but try a few as most shops will only push a couple of brands.

CoolBanana

Ah, so much choice the confusion has well and truly set in!

Cube Agree GTC Race
Bianchi Sempre Veloce or Ultegra

or perhaps a Ribble Nero RC with Athena or Ultegra or SRAM Force...

Decisions...

And my wife says I should get a Ridley Damocles...she's Belgian...

CoolBanana

All sorted then...I bought a Bianchi Sempre Athena Limited Edition 8)

noiseboyfeetman

Good choice, the Sempres look sweet and the Athena groupset is a good'un, always nice to see a Bianchi fitted with Campag. Enjoy your riding, which by all accounts on that machine you should!

Stuy-b

Your wife has the right idea! Ridley all the way, I have a helium and have ridden the Noah RS, also a friend of mine has the Excalibur which is a really good bike and fits in to your budget.

Stuy

blackhands

Planet X bikes are supurb value and well specced. I see plenty in races I commissaire.

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/YBP ... -road-bike