Racing Road or Sportive Advice

dg1973

Hello.

Apologies for another which bike thread but as a total newbie to any sort of cycling having recently started some mtb trail riding I now want a road bike aswell.

Recently giving up smoking and reaching 40 this year has turned me into a fitness freak of sorts. Also running and taking part in obstacle races. Probably a midlife crisis!! Can't afford a Porsche.

I would like advice over these 2 bikes as I can get good discount on these. I appreciate there may be better or better value bikes around but I am restricted to these. I haven't ridden a road (or racer) as I knew them as for over 20 years. My last racer was a Raleigh Record Sprint.

My plan is long non competitive rides. Occasional sportive as I get fitter. No plans on riding competitively. May attempt London-Brighton one day as I've always fancied that.
Anyway the bikes in question are as follows. Pros and cons for each would be much appreciated bearing in mind I'm a Middle Aged fella riding on roads for the first time.

Genesis Volant 00 - http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/roa ... /volant-00

Ridgeback Advance 4 - http://www.ridgeback.co.uk/bike/advance-4-0#details

Thanks in advance.

Camcycle1974

Genesis are very nice and built in the UK. Also a more respected brand than RIdgeback imo.

danlikesbikes

Both good bikes for the money, no need to apologise for asking a good question.

Generally people will tell you that the sportive bike would suit you better due to the geometry being more 'relaxed', however I have ridden both types of bike and felt quite happy sat for hours on them as long as they are well set up.

Gearing is going to be different as you have one with a compact & the other with a triple, but the frame and other components are pretty similar.

My normal advice is get a short list (which you have done) & then go try them as you can spend all the money you want on a bike and setting it up but sometimes its about how the bike feels and how suited you are to each other. If they both come out even then you can make a choice based on ethics, the colour, rarity value etc.

YIMan

Camcycle1974 wrote:

Genesis are very nice and built in the UK. Also a more respected brand than RIdgeback imo.

Uk company, yes. Built in the Uk, no.

Camcycle1974

Sorry, should that be assembled? Aware the frames are made in the Far East (like most other companies) but are they put together here or is that outsourced too?

cycleclinic

Put together in the U.K maybe but maybe not. . Anyway Gensesis is an own brand of Madison I beleve. Nowt wrong with that so the bikes will be assembled by Madsion or the dealer. Tifosi are an own brand of Chcikens Cycles, they will build the bike for me or I assemble to my shop spec in Suffolk. Does that make a tifosi handbuilt in Suffolk, probably not.

It does not really matter where it is bilt so long as it is done properly.

dg1973

My guy feeling was the Volant.
Like the more traditional look of it. Will be going for that I think.

Time will tell if its a good choice.