In need of some advice !

ManxJ
ManxJ Posts: 43
edited January 2013 in Road buying advice
Nothing to see here

Comments

  • sungod
    sungod Posts: 17,434
    that's a lot of money to spend if you're not sure of things

    do you know your size? do you need/want a bike fit as part of the purchase? what sort of geometry? is it for racing, or sportives, or simply pleasure of riding?

    if you don't know, get a decent bike fitter to fit you on a test rig and discuss your objectives, that'll give you the data to use when selecting a bike

    tbh, if you don't currently have a road bike, i'd consider getting a secondhand one in your size and ride it a few months to see what you do/don't like

    if you keep it in good condition it won't lose much resale value, and you'll have a much better idea what you want when it comes to specifying the new bike
    my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny
  • ManxJ
    ManxJ Posts: 43
    edited March 2013
    Nothing to see here
  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    How about you go to a few LBS and chat over what you want from it etc and try a few out.

    Even at 1/2 your budget there are simply too many to list.

    Key thing is that it fits you well and you like riding it - this requires some kind of testing.
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • sungod
    sungod Posts: 17,434
    ^^^this

    to narrow things down, have a think about what frame you want...

    aluminium
    carbon
    titanium
    steel, mmm, steel

    do you want a classic look (any material), or something with more complex/sculpted tube shapes (typically means carbon or aluminium)?

    do you want a ready made bike, or choose each bit and get it built?

    in an lbs, try different shifters, shimano/campag/sram, see which hood shape you find most comfortable, they vary quite a lot between brands, all their groupsets work pretty well, so you may as well choose on aesthetics and comfort

    think about wheels, unless you expect to be doing a lot of fast riding there's no practical benefit in deeper rims, you could buy off the shelf, or get some handbuilts
    my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny
  • ianbar
    ianbar Posts: 1,354
    i personally would buy the whole lot for that kind of budget, start off maybe with your winter selection...since you will need it now and a turbo.i personally dont think you need an expensive turbo. just another thought do you have all the gear too? do you need a garmin? i woudl think though what you might want groupset wise from your summer bike and get something compatible with your winter bike..ie both shimano and 10 spd
    enigma esprit
    cannondale caad8 tiagra 2012
  • ManxJ
    ManxJ Posts: 43
    edited March 2013
    Nothing to see here
  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    Winter bikes do tend to be some kind of metal (although not always) many opt for steel.
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • passout
    passout Posts: 4,425
    On that budget I'd go for a winter bike first too, get all the necessary kit & ride now. Dolan do some nice bikes that take mudguards or if you want to be flash them a Genesis titanium maybe? Then in summer get your 'best bike' - you'll have a better idea what you like then from riding the winter bike.
    'Happiness serves hardly any other purpose than to make unhappiness possible' Marcel Proust.
  • MichaelW
    MichaelW Posts: 2,164
    You will do most of your miles on a winter bike. This will also be your touring/commuting/utility ride so it pays to get something practical. Getting a "bike" then a "summer bike" is much more sensible than getting a "bike" then a "winter bike" Kinesis TK style (Ribble, Tifosi, Dolan etc). Frame material matters much less than people think; most are aluminium because it is cheap and good.
    You will understand bike fit and riding style much better by the time you want your ultralight sumer bike.

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