Another New bike thread :D Ride to work

kopite42

Hey all,

This is my first post so hey

My company have started to offer a ride to work scheme and after a trip to Evans cycles on the weekend I've decided I'm going to take the plunge and get a bike

The problem is I haven't go a clue what I'm looking for so was hoping for some advice.

Although I am mainly a runner(I got out running a few times a week) I am tempted to start going out cycling and maybe even enter the odd duathalon/triathalon. My last bike was a mountain bike about 10 years ago which I last used a couple of years ago and have since given to my brother.

Budget Wise The scheme offers up to £1000.

I was shown the pinnacle dolomite 2 in the shop which looked good but i was hoping for some more information and advice really. So anyone got any suggestions or can give me some more ideas?

Thanks

Mark

Buckie2k5

Check there website and see what bikes are available in your price range. Google for reviews, spec of bikes etc and narrow your search down. Then its a case of trying them out and see which feels more comfortable. As for the pinnacle the spec doesnt seem to justify the extra £250 over decathlons triban 3 or the equally priced triban 5.

Gkarno

I purchased the moda from Evans and love it. Was £700 and got a shimano tigra groupset and carbon forks. Fell in love with the graphics aswell. Only negatives are the tyres and wheels which aren't major. Although for a £1000 you might beable to stretch to a 105 groupset.

BianchiBiker

Gkarno wrote:

I purchased the moda from Evans and love it. Was £700 and got a shimano tigra groupset and carbon forks. Fell in love with the graphics aswell. Only negatives are the tyres and wheels which aren't major. Although for a £1000 you might beable to stretch to a 105 groupset.

Could get the Moda and with the $$$ get yourself some solid wheels and rubber. The new cosmis are around 300 if I remember rightly, would be an awesome machine then

heard only good about the moda's.

supermurph09

Ok, I'll mention the boring stuff. Have you considered what else you'll need? Helmet, shorts, jersey, shoes, pump....... That can often have an affect on your budget. Worth thinking about.

djm501

I got a really nice BMC from Evans on a Ride to Work scheme - an extremely good (read fun and fast!) ride and its spec (Shimano 105) was equal to anything else they did at the time (Novmeber last year).
Personally I didn't like the Pinnacle dolomite they had with the same spec - there was just no comparison on a test ride, the BMC was waaaay better for me.
For a grand you should be looking for an entry level roadracer with 105 spec or equivalent (although nothing wrong with tiagra). The more famous brands (Cannondale, Specialized, Trek etc.) weren't offering the same spec as the BMCs, Pinnacles etc. in there.

Be aware that Pinnacle is Evans' own brand so they will try and push it...

Bottom line is though - it's what bike suite YOU that is important.

(With Evans you should get £50 of free stuff if you spend a decent amount - this will rise to £100 if you buy a Pinnacle)

Flubsterunited

Giant defy 1 from your lbs, always good reviews

macleod113

I believe Evans will let you take test rides if you leave a credit card swipe? so get out and try a few different models if they have the stock. go for something you like the look of as if its pretty you will ride it more. dont forget to factor in helmet, shorts and shoes/pedals if you fancy them. but beware pushy salesmen saying this is the best your money can get you as you'll find in some chains its last years models or they have 10,000 to shift

kopite42

Thanks people,

Looking at most Riding Shorts/Tops they look similar to my running gear so I should be ok for clothing for now.

Stupid question but I thought Bikes came with pedals as standard? Do I need specific types?


Evans do offer a test ride service which i will take them up on but I just want a couple of models to try so i`m not going in blind and getting something that The salesman gets commission on which isn't really up to much.

On a more abstract level what kind of thing should I be looking out for? I`ve been told to get a compact but i dont know what that means. Also Carbon forks?

Cheers for the help so far

grey_area

Look at the shorts again and get bib shorts with a pad in them, they will be nothing like your running shorts. You won't enjoy it half as much if you skimp on these.

djm501

kopite42 wrote:

Stupid question but I thought Bikes came with pedals as standard? Do I need specific types?

Depends on the bike - high spec bikes such as 105 (or equiv) and upward do not come with pedals. You will need to get them too. I think there's a couple of reasons - 1. they're already very high spec so adding pedals would jump the bike price range over certain offer barriers (e.g. no longer under a £1000) 2. With good bike you're usually looking at people buying clipless pedals and different riders will have different requirements (SPD-SL, speedplay, look, SPF etc.)

kopite42 wrote:

On a more abstract level what kind of thing should I be looking out for? I`ve been told to get a compact but i dont know what that means. Also Carbon forks?

Compact or standard refers to the front chainset - that is the big cogs attached to the pedals. Standard is (usually) 53 tooth large chainring and 39 small, the compact is 50 - 34. The latter will suit a newer rider as it required less leg-strength and will allow the rider lower gears for climbing in hilly areas. Different strokes for different folks though.

At the price range you seem to be looking at carbon forks will be standard anyway. They give a smoother ride absorbing lumps and bumps on the road without the need for a heavy suspension mechanism like you'll find on a mountainbike.

Good luck with your buy. I would again recommend their BMC range if they have something under a grand - they're fabulous bikes (not that I'm biased or anything ) and Evans are their exclusive UK supplier so you won't get them anywhere else. As blingy as Giant, Cannondale, Specialised, Trek or Pinarello and with higher spec at the equivalent price range was my experience. (BMC and Pinnacle were Shimano 105 at the £999 level where the others were Tiagra when I bought in november 2012)

kopite42

Just been in again today :-D

Started looking at a cannon dale caad8 105 for 1050 looks a great bike. Pedals and shoes they said would cost about 150 on top.

I'm going to go back in soon for a test ride