Taking the plunge....

miwiho
miwiho Posts: 4
edited April 2013 in Road buying advice
We made a deal did me and Mrs W. I could spend a bit of cash on a bike to see if I liked it (I'm flighty, I've been known to flit from high priced hobby to the next) and if after 6 months I was still in the saddle then I could perhaps upgrade.

6 months and a B'Twin Triban 300 (a great budget intro) later I'm in.

Cycle To Work (via Halfords) has kicked in at just the right time so I have a £1k budget and most bikes are available (although disappointingly not Ribble, who I covert from afar)

Distance riding for me rather than race pace with a 3 charity day ride (the as yet unrecognised jewel of the tours, Paris/Swindon) on the horizon.

It's a sweet shop out there. How the hell you whittle it down I don't know...

In my mind; A good aluminium frame. 150 spec or equivalent but the frame is key.

On the list (so far)...

Norco Valence A1
Boardman Team
Genesis Volant 20 2013
Charge Filter Hi
Felt Z85 105 2013
Bianchi VIA Nirone 7 Xenon 2013
Ghost Race 4900
Cannondale CAAD8 150

Finding it hard to find a better reviewed bike than the Boardman but in my heart of hearts I can't commit to something from Halfords that isn't a windscreen wiper.

Opinions/derision/experiences/missing bikes/tall tales welcome.

Ta.

Comments

  • sloppyschleckonds
    sloppyschleckonds Posts: 8,018
    Get a new wife
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • Lycra-Byka
    Lycra-Byka Posts: 292
    I'd go with the bianchi. No reason it's just one of those bikes I've wanted to ride. Pretty too.
  • goonz
    goonz Posts: 3,106
    You do mean 105 specs right?

    I'd go for the Cannondale
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  • elderone
    elderone Posts: 1,410
    Halfords just sell the bikes,they dont make them.Try a few see what feels right.
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  • Grill
    Grill Posts: 5,610
    Of those listed the 'Dale no questions. If you have to get it from Halfords then be sure that you go to a reputable shop to inspect your new steed after you take delivery as I wouldn't trust those monkeys with a banana, much less a bike.
    English Cycles V3 | Cervelo P5 | Cervelo T4 | Trek Domane Koppenberg
  • teisetrotter
    teisetrotter Posts: 342
    The Boardman get's rave review for very good reasons, it has the best spec' for that price.

    The Bianchi gives you the Italian romance .......... if a pretty poor spec.
  • kmackdci
    kmackdci Posts: 79
    For that money you could get the defy 1? Halfords aren't the only place doing the scheme? Best 1000 pound bike.
    Giant defy 4. Sram force group and hope pro3 mavic open pro. 8.9kgs
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  • miwiho
    miwiho Posts: 4
    goonz wrote:
    You do mean 105 specs right?

    I'd go for the Cannondale

    I do mean 105. Thanks for the C'dale tip.
  • bikeit65
    bikeit65 Posts: 1,002
    I would recommend the Cannondale, but for £1000 you could get the CAAD 10 if you look around.
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  • miwiho
    miwiho Posts: 4
    kmackdci wrote:
    For that money you could get the defy 1? Halfords aren't the only place doing the scheme? Best 1000 pound bike.

    Work have done a deal with Halfords so it has to be them. They do have a link up with 400+ Indy bike shops so I can go via there though.

    I'll check out the Defy 1.

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