New to road biking, need help on choosing a bike for me

lukebennett
lukebennett Posts: 52
edited September 2013 in Road beginners
Hi i'm 20 years old, i've wanted to get into road biking for a while now, I really enjoy riding my bike and makes me feel good when i've accomplished a ride and I feel healthier anf fitter. Also I have a problem with my knees, they are hypermobile knee caps, which means basically they dislocate easily, and everytime they do they chip away at my knee cap and that means bad knees when i'm older, not good. So my doctor suggested getting into biking to strengthen my weakling legs, which I thought was a great excuse to really get into it but it's also pretty serious I do in a way.

So after me waffling on, i'm here to ask you guys what bikes you would reccomend for a beginner rider getting into the sport, I don't want to break the bank, but I do know that good bikes are expensive so was thinking under £1000 and if I can under £500. But how much do you guys think i should be spending as a complete beginner anyway? And more importantly what bikes would you recommend for a complete beginner?

Thank a lot

Luke

Comments

  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    Under £500 is very sub-par for road bikes. Between £500 and £1,000 you can get something decent.

    This for example http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/ro ... ries/1_2/#
  • simonhead
    simonhead Posts: 1,399
    Have a shop around, look out for something like a second hand Allez or similar and do a year or 2 on that. Learn how to maintain it then move up to something a bit more expensive later on.
    Life isnt like a box of chocolates, its like a bag of pic n mix.
  • antfly
    antfly Posts: 3,276
    Cannondale caad 8 Tiagra or 105 would fit the bill, you can get them quite cheap at the moment.

    http://road.cc/content/review/50515-can ... ad8-tiagra
    Smarter than the average bear.
  • mpatts
    mpatts Posts: 1,010
    simonhead wrote:
    Have a shop around, look out for something like a second hand Allez or similar and do a year or 2 on that. Learn how to maintain it then move up to something a bit more expensive later on.

    I have a second hand allez as the winter bike, and a Planet X Carbon Pro as the summer bike - both perfect for the sub £500 and sub £1000 categories.
    Insert bike here:
  • simonhead
    simonhead Posts: 1,399
    mpatts wrote:
    simonhead wrote:
    Have a shop around, look out for something like a second hand Allez or similar and do a year or 2 on that. Learn how to maintain it then move up to something a bit more expensive later on.

    I have a second hand allez as the winter bike, and a Planet X Carbon Pro as the summer bike - both perfect for the sub £500 and sub £1000 categories.

    Similar, i got a Secteur and did 18 months on it, learnt how to look after it and got used to riding it then bought a pro carbon.
    Life isnt like a box of chocolates, its like a bag of pic n mix.
  • lukebennett
    lukebennett Posts: 52
    simonhead wrote:
    Have a shop around, look out for something like a second hand Allez or similar and do a year or 2 on that. Learn how to maintain it then move up to something a bit more expensive later on.

    Cool, that sounds like a good idea, would you recommend a particular allez, or just buy any in my budget?

    Luke
  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    I wouldn't personally recommend 2nd hand for a first bike - as like with second hand cars it pays to know what you are looking at, all the internet research in the world besides you still won't. Better to get new from a shop with a proper warranty.
  • mpatts
    mpatts Posts: 1,010
    lukebennett wrote:
    simonhead wrote:
    Have a shop around, look out for something like a second hand Allez or similar and do a year or 2 on that. Learn how to maintain it then move up to something a bit more expensive later on.

    Cool, that sounds like a good idea, would you recommend a particular allez, or just buy any in my budget?

    Luke

    I have the bottom spec one and it's good. Not great spec, but rides well.
    Insert bike here:
  • lukebennett
    lukebennett Posts: 52
    spec allez, like this one? i'm guessing the newer the year the more expensive it will be but also the newer the bike will be.
    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2013-SPECIALI ... 1e803530ca
  • lukebennett
    lukebennett Posts: 52
    antfly wrote:
    Cannondale caad 8 Tiagra or 105 would fit the bill, you can get them quite cheap at the moment.

    http://road.cc/content/review/50515-can ... ad8-tiagra

    found cannondale for pretty cheap:

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cannondale-CA ... 4177179fac

    out of allez and that would you say defo the cannondale if I can get it cheap?
  • simonhead
    simonhead Posts: 1,399
    Dont go ebay, you need to ride it and make sure it fits. Work out roughly what size you need take someone that knows bikes with you if you see something you like.
    Life isnt like a box of chocolates, its like a bag of pic n mix.
  • lukebennett
    lukebennett Posts: 52
    simonhead wrote:
    Dont go ebay, you need to ride it and make sure it fits. Work out roughly what size you need take someone that knows bikes with you if you see something you like.

    ah okay, I don't really know anyone who knows bikes, so visit a specialised bike shop or halfords or something? or is there a way of me measuring myself?
  • laurentian
    laurentian Posts: 2,505
    I started on a second hand Allez . . . and still have it two years later - its still a better bike than I am a cyclist (but naturally I'm saving for something slicker!) and I have enjoyed maintaining the bike and changing worn out components.

    I think the right second hand bike will certainly give you better bang for your buck but, as others have said, its best to check out anything second hand with someone who knows what to look for.

    I also have hyper mobile knee caps and cycling has only helped. Getting your cleats set up correctly will mean that you pedal in the most efficient manner whilst ensuring you don't twist those knees where they don't want to go! And of course it will strengthen your legs around the knee helping you when you're not on the bike.

    As well as the bike you will need the kit and, as luck would have it . . .

    viewtopic.php?f=40020&t=12942751
    Wilier Izoard XP
  • lukebennett
    lukebennett Posts: 52
    i'm 5'10
  • mpatts
    mpatts Posts: 1,010
    lukebennett wrote:
    i'm 5'10

    Sizing depends on a lot of things, but you are likely to be a 56. I'm 5ft 9, and ride a 54 allez.
    Insert bike here:
  • lukebennett
    lukebennett Posts: 52
    oohkay, I might go into evans cycles on the weekend, and have a look if they have the allez, or see what they recommend, I might be able to get a better idea of size from their help. Thank you very much guys for all of your posts, you've been a lot of help :)
  • kajjal
    kajjal Posts: 3,380
    Have a look in the current sales. Brand new 2013 bikes are being sold off at discount prices. I got a new ten speed compact for £700 recently and enjoy riding it. The benefit with a new bike from a good local bike shop is they will help choose the right size bike, set it up properly and can answer any questions you have. Go and test ride a few;)
  • andrewjoseph
    andrewjoseph Posts: 2,165
    lukebennett wrote:
    oohkay, I might go into evans cycles on the weekend, and have a look if they have the allez, or see what they recommend, I might be able to get a better idea of size from their help. Thank you very much guys for all of your posts, you've been a lot of help :)

    You also need to budget for clothes, tools, spares.

    Inner tubes, pump, bottle cages and bottles, multitool, tyre levers, gloves, glasses, helmet, shoes, pedals, shorts, Jersey, windproof jacket. And these are just what you should have (imo) for every ride. Then there are the 'workshop' tools for upgrading and repairing/maintaining your bike.
    --
    Burls Ti Tourer for Tarmac, Saracen aluminium full suss for trails
  • velohutts
    velohutts Posts: 288
    If you have a good local bike shop , go and see them , explain what you want and why you need it re your knees , they should point you in the right direction and see if you can get some shoes as part of the package from them.
    They should then fit you to the bike along with cleat alignment which will be of the most benefit.
    If you live in a hilly area don't discount a triple over a compact as that will lighten the burden on knees, good luck with your pending purchase.
    Enigma Esprit Di2 - Go tI ! Summer !
  • bagpiperay
    bagpiperay Posts: 5
    I am recently retired and decided on a road bike to complement my 2nd hand Trek Hybrid 7.4 D I bought last Xmas. It was two weeks old and I paid £430 for it. It's a lovely bike.

    Similarly, yesterday I bought a lovely bright red 2012 Specialized Allez Sport with extras ie shoes, cleats, tops, computer for £400 which had been ridden only '400 yards'! It's brilliant.

    The point is there are genuine bargains out there sold by honest people which can be bought for a song. This would free up money for other gear.

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