Help needed on buying first road bike.

daveyclark

Hi,

I am coming from 7 years on my last Claude Butler Hybrid bike and am about to buy a road bike through my works cycle to work scheme, as I really want a road bike now. I am looking for something around the £600 mark and have come up with a few.

I am wonrdering if anyone know's which of these would be the best choice? I have spoken to my local bike shop and he strongly recommends the new 2013 model Merida Race Lite 900 and said it's the best around for that money. I am unsure whether he is trying to sell me that one as it's the one he can get, or if it is truely the best option for the price. The list I have is:

1. GT GTR SERIES 5 - available online for £600 - 2013 - http://www.wheelies.co.uk/p56192/GT-GTR ... -Bike.aspx
3. SPECIALIZED ALLEZ - £550 - 2013 - http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDeta ... egoryID=41
4. Giant Defy 5 - £495 – 2012 or 2013 - http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/giant-de ... 65786.html
5. TREK 1.2 - £600 - 2013 - http://www.evanscycles.com/products/tre ... e-ec040341
6. Bianchi C2C Via Nirone 7 Alu Shimano 2300 - £550 - 2011 - http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... _Bike_2011


And the one recommended by the person in my local shop is:

http://www.wheelies.co.uk/p55257/Merida ... -Bike.aspx


If anyone thinks there is a better one for the money that I have not listed, please feel free to suggest something.

Many Thanks for your help in advance.

bikeit65

You will get a better value 2012 bike, some with up to 35% off RRP

unixnerd

Trouble with mail order bikes is you may not get the right frame size. There's a lot to be said for buying from your local bike shop. Ask for some extra like pedals/shoes/clothing/lights and you can easily haggle on price.

My LBS sells Merida and they're a decent bike. In truth once you get above 500 quid most bikes are OK, the main difference is weight and things like wheel quality.