What first bike for £500 - £600

toby_b

Hello!

I am looking to get into road cycling. I have been riding mountain bikes for years but living in Norfolk, I have the slight problem of having no mountains!

I have narrowed it down to the following:
BTWIN Triban 5 for £429
GT GTR Series 3 2012 model for £529 which has the Tiagra shifters.
Cannondale Caad 8 Sore £599

I want something that will last me years like my Scott mountain bike.

Any recommendations would be a great help!

KevChallis

there are a lot of threads on here of first bikes, but seriously, go and try them, I am very new to road cycling, but tried 4 different bikes, before making the decision, for £599, why not add the triban 7 to the list, go and try them for feel and fit though, as what is comfy for me, probably wont be for you

duckson

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/b ... -2013.html

Another option?

toby_b

I know what you mean about trying a few but they all seem strange after riding mountain bikes for so long.

Merlin might be worth a look though. Any thoughts on the GT as I'm tempted by that bike the most due to the shifters.

nochekmate

Go secondhand - you could bag a bike that would be different class to your new options.

toby_b

nochekmate wrote:

Go secondhand - you could bag a bike that would be different class to your new options.

I've been looking but not come up with anything worth while so far.

iPete

If I was starting again I wouldn't buy an entry level road bike, Allez in my case.

I'd get a good winter trainer to start, it'll last you, be great in the wet/take proper mud guards and when you get the bug you can get a nice dry weather bike next year. The 'compromise' won't be noticeable.

Have a look at the Ribble Audax/Winter bikes.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... r-12-45501

Nuff said?

teisetrotter

Also don't forget Forme. There is a great shop in Norwich just up from the station which is a major dealer and they do very good value bikes. They will do a basic fit for you. Forme Loncliffe fits in your budget.

elderone

How about a giant defy 4..It has shimano 2300 which will last years but the frame is exellent and easy to upgrade if you desire later on.

NITR8s

Bargin of the day £584.99 for a Ridley Borears - Tiagra 9 Speed Triple. Carbon Rear stay and fork
If you dont mind an old 9 speed triple, and they have your size.
http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/bikes/road-bikes/ridley-road-bikes/ridley-boreas-road-bike.html

Or lose the Carbon rear stay but get a 10 speed tiagra triple chainset for £607.50 the Ridley R6
http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/bikes/road-bikes/ridley-road-bikes/ridley-r6-el-road-bike.html.

Or splash the cash £719.99 Ridley Brontes. 105 shifters with FSA chainset. Carbon rearstay and forks.
http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/bikes/road-bikes/ridley-road-bikes/ridley-brontes-road-bike.html

mpatts

Second hand is the way to go - just keep an eye on the classifieds and ebay.

I bought my first road bike recently, it had been ridden for 100 miles, and was around half price.

triban

Triban 5's the winner

nochekmate

toby_b wrote:

nochekmate wrote:

Go secondhand - you could bag a bike that would be different class to your new options.

I've been looking but not come up with anything worth while so far.

Don't know the size you are looking for but there are worse bikes than this around for the money

viewtopic.php?f=40090&t=12919974

Haughjd

Hi the Gian Defy4. Could be worth a look.
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bik ... ifications

toby_b

Thanks for all the advice but in the end, I went for the GT.

I rode the Giant Defy 4 and the GT but felt the GT was better due to the Tiagra shifters.

Thanks for all the advice though but I decided to go for whatever I could try out and get most comfortable with.