Buying my first road bike..

salomon22

Hi im a hardcore mountain biker who is now about to transfer over to the darkside and try my hand at roadbiking...
Im looking to buy a carbon road bike for around a grand and as i dont know a great deal about road cycling just wanted your opinions on these three bikes and which one to go for if any of them. Any advice greatly appreciated
thanks neil..

ps theres an extra 10% off the two bikes at chain reaction...

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... 96982db213

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=71975

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/gary-fis ... 58660.html

EarlyGo

Hi Neil,

Just like in the MTB world, there are different types of road bike. For example, the Gary Fisher looks like it has a long head tube which gives a more upright (or 'relaxed') riding position than the BeOne which has a racier riding position (more aero). The relaxed position is generally considered more practical for longer distances and sportives whilst if you just want to blast out fast 30milers and try Time Trialling then a racier frame is better.

Also you will shortly enter the debate on whether cheap carbon or quality Alu is better! At your price bracket is exactly where the cross-over point is. Alu bikes such as Cannondale CAAD 8 & 10 are considered by many to give a superior ride to cheap carbon.

The 3 you have chosen are all nice looking bikes. (But white bar tape and saddles soon gets grubby!) Forme have a good reputation but I don't recognize those wheels so they may be cheap and heavy? The BeOne is good value and has that lovely aero-dynamic fork! Cary Fisher are solid bikes with an OK spec. All have 105 which is a quality groupset. Can you test ride them as that will probably be the clincher? Also, have you looked at the Ribble 'bikebuilder' and seen what you can get there for a grand? If you know a bit about components and what size you need then this might be a better value option?

Basically I think you need to decide what you want the bike to do exactly which will sort out what sort of frame geometry you need and then get a test ride.

Hope this is of some use, sorry I don't have any experience of any of the 3 bikes you've chosen. Sure someone with more experience will be along soon though.

Regards, EarlyGo

kingrollo

All depends what you want it for - are you intending to become a racer, or do you just want longer rides ? - how flexible are you etc.........

The big 3 for a £1000 over the past few years have been Ribble, Planet X, and Boardman - you might want to check those 3 out as a starting point.

This looks a bit of a steal if you are near a decathlon store

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/btwin-facet- ... cre-detail

salomon22

Thanks for the quick replys guys..
Im looking at just doing rides between 30 and 50 miles but as i love climbing i would be doing a fair amount of that to i have borrowed a cyclocross from a buddy of mine and done a few 40 milers with around 4000 feet climbing so would need a bike that will suit my love for climbs to.
I must admit with my mtb im a bit of a weight weenie so weight is important to me but unfortunately with only just over a thousand budget maybe 1200 im limiting my options quite a lot i bet...
Is there a massive differnce in performance between having a carbon or alu frame i would of thought it best to go for a carbon frame and upgrade the components when they are due for replacement.
That bike from the decathlon store is a bargain absolutely but cant seem to find it in stock..
Im off to america next month and have had my eyes on these two bikes also as i have bought mtbs home from this store before and it was no problem at all with customs etc. what do you think..

http://www.jensonusa.com/Road-Bikes/Kes ... ad-Bike-11
http://www.jensonusa.com/Road-Bikes/Roc ... CR-10-Bike
the kestrel works out just over 900 and rm just over 800.. Cheap???

thanks

IShaggy

+ 1 for Cannondale CAAD 8 and 10 bikes. Not carbon, but reputably better ride than a lot of low end carbon bikes. If I was buying a first roadie then it would most likely be the Cannondale.

EarlyGo

Neil,

That Kestrel looks like it would be a steal, but not what I'd call ideal for long rides with lots of hills. Also it's gearing of 39 front 25 rear is not a hill climbing gear! The Rocky Mountain although not such a steal looks like it has more appropriate geometry for all day riding and has a better hill climbing gear of 34 front 27 rear which will pretty much get you up anything! Also it's pretty light too. Shimano RS10 wheels are okay but not earth shattering.

Regards, EarlyGo