New (and first) Road Bike

Oliver T
Oliver T Posts: 22
edited May 2013 in Road beginners
Hey everyone,

I've recently decided to buy a new bike, and I've always wanted a Road Bike so I thought this would be a good opportunity. My budget is £300 preferably, but I can stretch to about £500, and I know this doesn't leave me too many options. I also want this bike to not be too specialized for roads only, as I will probably get another set of thicker tyres, as I want to take it on a few trails etc.

After looking around, I've came across a few bikes which I like:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fuj ... e-ec041874 (Probably my favourite at the moment)
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165710
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165710
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-roa ... 67038.html
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-5-roa ... 39801.html

Please can you say your opinions on the matter, and which bike out of these you think is the best, or if you know any better bikes within the budget please say.

Thanks,
Oli.

Comments

  • owenlars
    owenlars Posts: 719
    Look at Edinburgh Bike Co-op they are excellent value.
  • Mikey41
    Mikey41 Posts: 690
    If you really want to go on trails with it, you need a CX bike. Road bikes won't have the clearance for the fatter knobbly tyres.

    Nice discount off the Fuji, though the Triban 5 is also excellent value for money and well worth a go.
    Giant Defy 2 (2012)
    Giant Defy Advanced 2 (2013)
    Giant Revel 1 Ltd (2013)
    Strava
  • smoggysteve
    smoggysteve Posts: 2,909
    If on a budget, don't be afraid to consider a used bike. A very good used bike could be picked up with a better spec than some of the billy basic bikes for the price range you are looking at.
  • Oliver T
    Oliver T Posts: 22
    Where is a good place to look for used bikes? I don't really know too much about them though to be honest and I don't know if I'll get ripped off or not.

    Also, are there any decent CX bikes which are in the budget I specified?
  • smoggysteve
    smoggysteve Posts: 2,909
    edited May 2013
    There can be a good deal found on the BR bikes for sale part of the forums. Ebay is a good place to look. Ideally a first bike should be one you can try out first so you have a future reference for that fits you. But, on a small budget the risk is less and most bikes at that price are pretty much the same.

    As much as it pains me to say it, the BTWIN has maybe the better spec as a carbon fork will be more less harsh than a steel Chro-moly POS on the Carrera which is harsh and heavy. The Fuji gears are below par compared to the Sora on the BTWIN. they get a good rep from the people who buy them - forget reviews, user feedback means more. Just make sure you have a good look around before you make a decision
  • Mikey41
    Mikey41 Posts: 690
    CX bikes at Evans... THIS is the only thing even close to your budget. You'll struggle to get a CX for £500.

    If you don't know enough to tell if a second hand bike is sounds, you are better off buying new.
    Giant Defy 2 (2012)
    Giant Defy Advanced 2 (2013)
    Giant Revel 1 Ltd (2013)
    Strava
  • Oliver T
    Oliver T Posts: 22
    If I want to ride on trails will I really need to get a Cyclocross bike? The only paths I go on are dirt paths which are well worn, similar to conventional canal paths.
  • Mikey41
    Mikey41 Posts: 690
    Hmm, in that case, you probably don't need the CX. Using a 25mm tyre instead of a 23mm would be better on those surfaces I think. Pick something nice and tough like a Gatorskin and you would be fine :)
    Giant Defy 2 (2012)
    Giant Defy Advanced 2 (2013)
    Giant Revel 1 Ltd (2013)
    Strava
  • Oliver T
    Oliver T Posts: 22
    Alright, well I think I've narrowed it down to either http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fuj ... e-ec041874 or http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-5-roa ... 67039.html

    Edit: The Fuji bike is too small, so I guess I'll probably be getting the Triban 5 unless anyone else can come up with a better bike for a similar price.
  • Oliver T
    Oliver T Posts: 22
    Any ideas about which road bike is the best in general for £500?
  • Mikey41
    Mikey41 Posts: 690
    The best one is the one that fits you and that you find comfortable to ride. There are quite a few bikes at that price level, but spec-wise the Triban 5 comes out on top. People who have bought them on here are very happy with them and find them a comfortable ride.

    One other bike I know off the top of my head would be the Giant Defy 5. The Triban beats it by having a carbon fork, nicer shifters and more gears. It's very hard to beat.
    Giant Defy 2 (2012)
    Giant Defy Advanced 2 (2013)
    Giant Revel 1 Ltd (2013)
    Strava
  • Oliver T
    Oliver T Posts: 22
    I've been looking at both the Triban 3 and the Triban 5 a lot, and to be honest I can't really see where the extra £200 is going, especially when considering all of the great reviews for the Triban 3.

    Is the Triban 5 really £200 better or would it just be better to go ahead and get the Triban 3?
  • Mikey41
    Mikey41 Posts: 690
    Probably not £200 better. You can put the extra money towards other kit :)

    Make sure it's the red Triban 3 though, the white one has a slightly different spec and it doesn't have the carbon fork.
    Giant Defy 2 (2012)
    Giant Defy Advanced 2 (2013)
    Giant Revel 1 Ltd (2013)
    Strava
  • kingofthetailwind
    kingofthetailwind Posts: 575
    If I was buying again and had a £500 budget, I'd go for the Triban 3 with Mavic Aksiums. (£140 from Decathlon). You'll get a lot more benefit from the wheel upgrade than the shifter/rear derailler upgrade that the 5 will give you.

    Plus I prefer the red paintwork. :)

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