Newbie, but also buying advice

BlueTaylor

Hello Newbie here,

My workplace have only just brought the bike to work scheme in (Monday 1st July) now it's been playing on my mind weather or not to get a new bike for a few weeks now and I only just found out that my work was doing this scheme today.

I started cycling probably during last years "Tour De France" (that's what made me get out) and now it's just started again. What I have is a Viking road bike. More the colour that sold it to me (neon green) and the price of it (bottom end) It was my first road bike. After a year the only downside to it (as im not experianced with bikes) is where the gears are, the bike sounds awful creaking noise when in some gears (I know what gears and don't like putting the bike into that gear) and how ever much effort I'm putting in it doesn't seem to go faster enough or someone on a different road bike will fly past me (maybe that's me)

I'm in 2 minds weather or not to get a more "upper market" 1 or just to stick with this 1. I think it's upto £1000 on the scheme so could anyone suggest anything?

Thanks guys

Wirral_paul

Well if you are enjoying your cycling then go for it. The creaking will be either wear or poor setup and can probably be serviced out - but regardless that shouldnt affect your decission. The only way to get faster is to ride more and get yourself fitter - but lets be honest and admit it is easier to motivate yourself ot get out there and put the work in on a nicer bike.

So what scheme do you have access to? Halfords one etc?? If you get a new bike then stick some mudguards on the viking and call it "winter bike".

dnwhite88

The more you practice the faster your bike will get it sounds like your gears may need indexing (see YouTube) which will fix that. If I were you I would get more practice in on the bike you have and then you can decide how you want to upgrade

BlueTaylor

Thanks for the replys

I've been given a work website to go on and have a look at the local shops that will let me do the scheme. Any brands to look out for? I'm obviously not going to get as light as carbon frame. But what's the next thing? I've done a little search tonight and come across this http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/p/1306 ... -bike-2014

unixnerd

The Allez is a great bike, but you're paying a wee for the Specialized name (not a bad thing, done it myself!). Also have a look at the Secteur model, it's very similar but has a less racy geometry that you might find more comfortable.

BlueTaylor

Thanks.

Yeah I understand about the Specalized, your not the first who ive heard say "you pay a little more for the brand", although I do want a good braded branded bike, the type where someone will look and think that bikes cost him a bit

BlueTaylor

Ive come across 2 bikes that i seem to like the looks of...

Bike 1:

http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/p/9706 ... -bike-2013

Bike 2:

http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/p/9705 ... -bike-2013

whats the difference in them both? as the price is alot different.

Thanks

fatsmoker

After a year of slumming it on your Viking you will fully appreciate the quality of an upgrade. Go ride them, see which you like.
Better spec on the higher priced Cube, but the cheaper one will still feel like a dream.

unixnerd

Main difference is that one has 9 speed Sora, the other has 10 speed Tiagra. Go with 10 speed, it'll make upgrades easier later and Tiagra probably shifts a bit smoother.

They have decent quality Shimano wheels, not very light but OK for the price.

BlueTaylor

well its been a few days now and i was hoping to go into work tomorrow with a quote, but finding it difficult lol

ive been and had a look at:

Scott Speedster 40 @799

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/sco ... 9#features

Scott Speedster 20 @999

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/sco ... 7#features

The 2 cube bikes listed above

1) http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/p/9706 ... teid=54264

2) http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/p/9705 ... teid=54264

Specialized Sport @750

http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/p/1306 ... teid=54264

but ive also been told to have a look at the Boardman bikes, but i cant seem to find any stores that my work does the cycle scheme for...

what do you guys think?

Thanks

BlueTaylor

I think im going to go for the 2nd Cube bike

BlueTaylor

An update on this -

Pretty gutted to be honest. Had my request rejected due to not being staff.

I am contracted to the NHS and a private company called Sodexo taken over the facilities. Now I'm classed as Sodexo (printed all over uniform) work for Sodexo, but paid by the NHS. The reasons why my application was rejected "I'm not Sodexo staff"