Looking for a first road bike around £300

JeSuisLuke

I know that the £300ishh budget puts a huge restriction on bikes, but I was wondering if anyone knows any currently in the sale that would be perfect for my first bike around this price or a better deal than this bike. The one I'm currently looking at is a Carrera of Halfords http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 65710#tab2 and am swayed by the 6 week service and the fact Halfords has a strong reputation. As a beginner I have no idea where the best place to go or bike brand to buy from but any help would be highly appreciated, thank you

jameses

Any proper bike shop should give you a 6 week service. Halford's can be a bit variable, depends a lot if they have a decent bike mechanic in your particular store or not.

Not sure about the carrera, but a B'Twin Triban 3 is about the only bike I know of at that price point that seems to be fairly well regarded. Alternatively, if you can wait for a decent sale and spare an extra £100 or so, you can pick up an entry level bike from one of the bigger companies (Specialized, Trek, Cannondale, Giant, etc.) which will be much easier to sell on in six months time when you realise you need a £2000 carbon bike

Rulebritania

The carrera range around £300 are the pretty much the same bike, different colours. I two weeks ago bought a TDF for a starter bike. So far I'm impressed I've been on 3 10milers 1 23 miles and a 7 miles in the rain tonight. I am getting a SPD pedals and shoes from wiggle owing to the ones fiited on all their standard bike are lethal (fell off at zero mph 2 times).

Why pay £349 when its the same bike in yellow and black. The TDF has had a good review on this site:

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... e-11-44902

Happy hunting

Enjoy the search and riding