Sub £1000 shortlist

crimson2404
crimson2404 Posts: 5
edited July 2013 in Road buying advice
hello,

The options

-Scott speedster 20

-Boardman team

-Specialized allez elite compact

-Giant defy 1

-Specialized secteur elite


I would prefer a less racey bike but I don’t want to be to exaggerate that too much. If one bike is clearly a lot better it will have to be very aggressive for me to give priority over to the lesser bike.

Comments

  • If you don't want anything too racey and you're primarily using it as transport it may be worthwhile look at something that takes full mudguards and a rack to save you getting a sweaty back on the way to work/school from carrying a rucksack.

    http://www.fatbirds.co.uk/943908/products/tifosi-ck7-winter-road-audax-bike---fb-build-grey.aspx
    http://www.fatbirds.co.uk/691894/products/kinesis-racelight-tk3-road--audax-bike-steel-grey.aspx

    I've the Tifosi as my commuter and its a great bike for that purpose, I recently used it for the Somerset Gran Fondo which was 84 miles and it stood up test very well, great bike for the price.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    I'd be very wary of taking any nice bike to school unless the bikesheds are a lot more secure than they used to be. Any lock can be broken.

    Keep the old bike for that and save the best for longer rides.

    Clipless pedals and shoes are a huge improvement. You can get the MTB style ones that allow you to walk in as well as cycle - the cleat is recessed. It makes a big difference to any ride.
  • If you don't want anything too racey and you're primarily using it as transport it may be worthwhile look at something that takes full mudguards and a rack to save you getting a sweaty back on the way to work/school from carrying a rucksack.

    http://www.fatbirds.co.uk/943908/products/tifosi-ck7-winter-road-audax-bike---fb-build-grey.aspx
    http://www.fatbirds.co.uk/691894/products/kinesis-racelight-tk3-road--audax-bike-steel-grey.aspx

    I've the Tifosi as my commuter and its a great bike for that purpose, I recently used it for the Somerset Gran Fondo which was 84 miles and it stood up test very well, great bike for the price.

    I didn’t mean to put too much emphasis on not racey and I don’t sweat much on my bike at all only in the summer sometimes.

    cougie wrote:
    I'd be very wary of taking any nice bike to school unless the bikesheds are a lot more secure than they used to be. Any lock can be broken.

    Keep the old bike for that and save the best for longer rides.

    Clipless pedals and shoes are a huge improvement. You can get the MTB style ones that allow you to walk in as well as cycle - the cleat is recessed. It makes a big difference to any ride.

    They have an enclosure with the same metal clamp things they have in the streets and outside supermarkets, there is also a security gate with cctv and the enclosure can be seen by the sports field plus a few classrooms. The shoes I can’t be bothered with it will be a pain having to change those when I get to school and when I’m leaving.
  • essjaydee
    essjaydee Posts: 917
    Worth considering Giant Defy in your price range. I've just bought the Defy 1 and am very pleased with it. Takes mudguards too.
    I also have been using a Boardman Road Race, for 2 years commuting all year, and that's been really good. Only let down is the Sora groupset, which I replaced a few bits for Tiagria/105. Takes mudguards easily too.
  • essjaydee wrote:
    Worth considering Giant Defy in your price range. I've just bought the Defy 1 and am very pleased with it. Takes mudguards too.
    I also have been using a Boardman Road Race, for 2 years commuting all year, and that's been really good. Only let down is the Sora groupset, which I replaced a few bits for Tiagria/105. Takes mudguards easily too.

    Thank you the spec and the reviews of that bike are great I’m going to add it to the shortlist. I am prepared to spend more than that of the road race since I will make a lot more than that this summer and it’s not i like ill spend it on anything more useful or meaningful.
  • KonkyWonky
    KonkyWonky Posts: 186
    Canyon Roadlite 6?

    Full Shimano 105, Ritchey finishing kit and Mavic Aksiums and has a relaxed frame geometry, all for £869 + delivery.
    2013 Canyon Ultimate AL 7.0
    2003 Specialized Allez Sport