Newbie Road Bike Advice
neilsmithson
Posts: 18
Hi All
I know there are countless topics on this but hey this one is specific for me lol.
So, my office are bringing in a cycle to work scheme early part of 2014 (finally) and for some time i have been looking around at the bike i want.
i have a few things that i would like some advice/clarification on being new to road bikes (coming from a MTB)
So i have a max of £1000 on cycle to work, the scheme we have joined annoyingly limits me to the retailer running the scheme (http://www.wheelies.co.uk) which is a local company to me in Swansea.
So the bike, needs to be ok for a 15 mile commute along decent roads/cycle paths (along the sea front mostly) but also ok to do some longer distances as i plan to enter a few charity rides at the 50 mile(ish) mark and possibly some longer sportives when my fitness is in a position to do so.
The only extra's i need to account for in the cost are some SPD pedals as i have shoes lights and all that crap from commuting on my MTB, im looking at some decent Shimano XT/XTR's to keep the weight down (unless you have some better suggestions, use Shimano shoes and Cleats)
Most of the bikes at this price range seem pretty similar in spec range etc with a few exceptions. I know a lot of Roadie's say looks on a bike shouldn't matter but let's be honest they do. A nice looking bike is going to be ridden more than something that you don't like the look of (even if it is Sh&t Hot)
So couple of Questions first:
1. Is it worth bothering with 9 Speed cassettes any more if the cost is less? I know most higher end bikes are 10 Speed at least now, how easy is it to change to a 10 speed should i go for a 9?
2. How big a difference would a road frame be comfort wise to a sportive (e.g. Allez Vs Secteur)
3. Would a Road frame be that much quicker than a sportive but still be comfy for longer distances (for a relative newby)
Some of the bikes i was looking at as possibilities are as follows (any info/owners advice on any of these would be great)
Specialized Allez Elite 2014
Felt Z85
Merida Ride Alloy 94
Scott Speedster 20
Specialized Secteur Sport Disc 2014
I have to admit having a specialized MTB i have a soft spot for their bikes and the Allez Elite seems very good for the price, My only concern is the comfort aspect here having been upright on a MTB for a fair while. if it helps i'm 5ft 8 with a 33in inside leg (advice on size would be perfect) i am reasonably fit, not particularly un-flexible or flexible probably average i would say. Goal of the riding is loosing a bit of weight on the gut etc.
Any suggestions on other decent bikes (had a look at the Giant Defy's which spec wise seem pretty good, but i wasn't a massive fan of their look, new ones may be better though if they are that good) suggestions with spec info and advice on the road v sportive would be gratefully received.
I have until March to make my decision so have plenty of time for all the advice i can get to make the right choice.
I know there are countless topics on this but hey this one is specific for me lol.
So, my office are bringing in a cycle to work scheme early part of 2014 (finally) and for some time i have been looking around at the bike i want.
i have a few things that i would like some advice/clarification on being new to road bikes (coming from a MTB)
So i have a max of £1000 on cycle to work, the scheme we have joined annoyingly limits me to the retailer running the scheme (http://www.wheelies.co.uk) which is a local company to me in Swansea.
So the bike, needs to be ok for a 15 mile commute along decent roads/cycle paths (along the sea front mostly) but also ok to do some longer distances as i plan to enter a few charity rides at the 50 mile(ish) mark and possibly some longer sportives when my fitness is in a position to do so.
The only extra's i need to account for in the cost are some SPD pedals as i have shoes lights and all that crap from commuting on my MTB, im looking at some decent Shimano XT/XTR's to keep the weight down (unless you have some better suggestions, use Shimano shoes and Cleats)
Most of the bikes at this price range seem pretty similar in spec range etc with a few exceptions. I know a lot of Roadie's say looks on a bike shouldn't matter but let's be honest they do. A nice looking bike is going to be ridden more than something that you don't like the look of (even if it is Sh&t Hot)
So couple of Questions first:
1. Is it worth bothering with 9 Speed cassettes any more if the cost is less? I know most higher end bikes are 10 Speed at least now, how easy is it to change to a 10 speed should i go for a 9?
2. How big a difference would a road frame be comfort wise to a sportive (e.g. Allez Vs Secteur)
3. Would a Road frame be that much quicker than a sportive but still be comfy for longer distances (for a relative newby)
Some of the bikes i was looking at as possibilities are as follows (any info/owners advice on any of these would be great)
Specialized Allez Elite 2014
Felt Z85
Merida Ride Alloy 94
Scott Speedster 20
Specialized Secteur Sport Disc 2014
I have to admit having a specialized MTB i have a soft spot for their bikes and the Allez Elite seems very good for the price, My only concern is the comfort aspect here having been upright on a MTB for a fair while. if it helps i'm 5ft 8 with a 33in inside leg (advice on size would be perfect) i am reasonably fit, not particularly un-flexible or flexible probably average i would say. Goal of the riding is loosing a bit of weight on the gut etc.
Any suggestions on other decent bikes (had a look at the Giant Defy's which spec wise seem pretty good, but i wasn't a massive fan of their look, new ones may be better though if they are that good) suggestions with spec info and advice on the road v sportive would be gratefully received.
I have until March to make my decision so have plenty of time for all the advice i can get to make the right choice.
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Comments
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IMO
1 Usually 10 speed come with a better groupset.
2 Comfort is relative to the rider, some people use race geometry bikes for big distances others suffer.
3 Generally race geometry gives you a bit more of an aero shape when riding as opposed to the more relaxed geometry of a sportive but speed is down to your fitness. legs and lungs.
Go and ride some of your choices it's the best way.0 -
diamonddog wrote:IMO
1 Usually 10 speed come with a better groupset.
2 Comfort is relative to the rider, some people use race geometry bikes for big distances others suffer.
3 Generally race geometry gives you a bit more of an aero shape when riding as opposed to the more relaxed geometry of a sportive but speed is down to your fitness. legs and lungs.
Go and ride some of your choices it's the best way.
This is good advice and coming from 20 years of mountain biking into Road Biking myself I know what you mean
Try a few test rides and look in the current sales of 2013 bikes, there are some real good deals to be had. I bought my Trek 1.5 in the current sales and it had over 20% off , which mean I got a 10 speed bike for £700. You may find that getting a bike in the sales now and also with interest free credit is a better deal overall than cycle to work schemes. This is what I did in the end.
Other than that most bikes from the big producers are very similar with few very poor or very good bikes, check the reviews to weed out the poor quality or value bikes.I have a Specialized Carve Mountain bike and the Trek is much faster on road especially up hills, the difference is amazing. But it is not quite as comfortable as you feel everything through the Treks carbon fork in comparison to the Rockshox on the Carve. Other road bikes would be equally as good so choose the bike for your that rides well and you like the look of.
The only upgrade I made was the Brakes as I am over 6ft6 and needed more stopping power having been used to disc brakes on my Carve. This cost me £50 for the new brakes and while not as powerful / modulated as disc brakes they now stop me very well.0 -
No massive savings with CTW as I believe the bikes are not discounted so IMO interest free credit is a better option.0
