Best road bike for £1000

danthegoat
danthegoat Posts: 7
edited October 2011 in Road buying advice
I have £1000 from the bike to work scheme to buy a road bike. I am also looking to take up cycling more seriously. My girlfriend and I are planning to cycle from London to Paris in the summer.

What bike would be best for both my girlfriend and I to buy we both have a grand each.

I am 6 foot 1 and she is 5 foot 10 so we need bikes to cope with our size.

Thanks
Dan

Comments

  • Personally think it's hard to look beyond this for a grand.
  • STEFANOS4784
    STEFANOS4784 Posts: 4,109
    Chadders81 wrote:
    Personally think it's hard to look beyond this for a grand.

    I totally agree.
  • I am sorry do not understand?

    Look beyond what for a grand?

    Thanks
  • STEFANOS4784
    STEFANOS4784 Posts: 4,109
    Dunno, was having a laugh :)

    Check the CAAD10 105 deal at wheelies, seems a great buy :)
  • Chadders81 wrote:
    Personally think it's hard to look beyond this for a grand.

    Ditto
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • From older threads asking the same question, the answer always seems to point towards Boardmans range of bikes in Halfords. Have a look, they do get rated very highly.

    Hope that helps a bit.
    Road: Bianchi Cento Strade C2C
    MTB: Trek Top Fuel 9
    Other: TBD....
  • meanredspider
    meanredspider Posts: 12,337
    I'll try to give you a sensible answer.

    You can't go too far wrong with a Focus Cayo with 105

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/focus-cayo-105-ltd-2011/

    There are several on Wiggle right now with 20% off and I think there's an extra 10% off but check that.

    Whether you can shop at Wiggle with your scheme I have no idea.
    ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH
  • STEFANOS4784
    STEFANOS4784 Posts: 4,109
    What type of riding are you planning on? You are at the 1000 budget due to a work related cycle scheme? Which shops can you go to?
    What are you looking for in your new bike?

    You are probably thinking 'how rude, i only asked a cycling related question on a cycling specific forum and they're all being tw@ts about it :? '

    Trust me, it's not personal, it's just that this question comes up roughly 79 times per second. Try looking back through the forum pages and you will see the usual suspects ie;

    Focus Cayo

    Recently CAAD 10 105, but is a racy beast.

    Boardman bikes at halfords but with questionable setup dependant on branch

    Planet x

    Ribble

    You will not get a bad bike at this price point. Best to go to the shop and try them out and look at them in the flesh.

    Hope this helps and welcome to the forum :)
  • Thanks

    Just build a mountain bike from a Kenesis XC130 frame was considering building a Road bike but think going to buy something off the shelf!
  • I think the Ribble sportive Bianco is the best value in this price range. I got mine back in July and think its great
  • STEFANOS4784
    STEFANOS4784 Posts: 4,109
    Off the shelf?!? But what will you use it for? You can get a Tesco special "off the shelf" only cost ya under 200 notes...........
  • neeb
    neeb Posts: 4,473
    It's an extremely competitive market at that price, so as said, you're unlikely to get a bad bike.

    Different bikes at the same price point will have slightly different trade-offs, e.g. a better frame might mean less good wheels, groupset, etc. Of these three, groupset is probably the least important. So consider whether you see yourself possibly upgrading the bike later on (e.g. getting better wheels), or just upgrading by buying a better bike.

    ...but the most important thing is to get a bike which FITS... Different brands have different sizing, so you might be in-between sizes with one brand and spot with another for a particular size. Unfortunately it is actually quite difficult to buy something that fits perfectly when getting a first road bike. Get as many different opinions from as many experienced people as you can, and try to find a shop where they will fit you to the bike as well as just recommending a particular size (i.e. taking measurements and using these to help determine ideal saddle height, saddle setback and reach to the bars.
  • http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/b ... 000-29719/

    Read this - job done for you either a Cube or Boardman according to the experts.
  • If it is your first road bike make sure you get fitted. Ride before you buy, any reputable LBS will let you take your intended purchase out for a spin.

    Look at the 2011 models, most suppliers are doing some great deals as the 2012 models hit the shelves.

    I bought my Trek 2.3 at the end of the summer - listed at £1275 but discounted to £899. I was between two frames 54cm & 56cm but the ride on both sizes settled it for me.

    I bought From Pedal On near Basingstoke, but have bought from Wiggle in the past too. If you give them all your measurements they are excellent at setting the bike up. So +1 to the poster above who recommends the Focus Cayo, it was on my short list for some time.

    Sorry, but not a a fan of Halfords, the Boardman range rocks, but more often than not the staff are lacking the knowledge.

    What ever you get - enjoy.
    Kona - For the trails
    Cube - For the ride to work
    Trek - For the open road
  • This is pretty good for a grand, the more relaxed position should suit your long ride. http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBP ... ybrid-bike

    SantasLoneCruzer hahahaha. anything without I-Clics ;)