which bike??

badger636

Hi all,

I hope someone can help me as I'm driving myself nuts!! I'm trying to find a good roadbike for preferably under £800 which will last me the next few years. I can probably stretch to £900 at the most, but no more.

Heres what I'm looking at, either the Giant TCR SL2 (£800), Vitus Dark Plasma (£825), Mekk Poggio (£825).

The Giant has the best groupset, I'm just not sure as will I end up regretting not getting a carbon bike? I've never had a carbon so don't really know what I'm missing.

I want something good for climbing, and generally lightweight.

Any advice would be great, thank you.

kajjal

I would be tempted by the Giant due to it being mainly 105 and a brand with a very good reputation but have never riden any of those bikes. Give them test ride and see what you think. When you see the bikes in person choose the one you think looks and rides the best. Some times the logical choice is not the one that you enjoy riding the most.

Hill climbing is more about fitness, technique and confidence. Buying a bike with a triple at the front rather than a compact will give you an easier time up hills until you get into road biking more. There is always a seemly better bike another £200 higher in price

chrisaonabike

Have you ever had a road bike before?

badger636

Thanks for the replies.

Yes I have a Raleigh Airlite 100, have been road cycling for the last year now and feel I need something a bit better to progress further and go faster :-)

I know what you mean, I originally was looking at £600 but the budget just keeps going higher and higher, there is something always a bit better I guess.

Any advice on the carbon/aluminium decision would be great?

simonj

If funds are limited, why not go for the better frame (carbon) and drop down on the groupset to Tiagra or SRAM Apex, you can change elements of the groupset later, it will be cheaper than changing frames and to be honest you may not mind the groupset. Carbon may be the lighter and more comfortable option.

chrisaonabike

I bought a Giant Defy this time last year. I tried an Al one with 105 and a carbon one with Tiagra. The carbon one was 100 quid more, and I went for it since I (very slightly) preferred the ride.

Couldn't really tell much difference in the shifting.

When there's not much in it, I can't see there's any way to tell except to ride the ones you're considering, and choose the one you like best.

supermurph09

Planet X have some great options and 0% finance

£999 http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBP ... _road_bike

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBP ... _road_bike

£599 http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBS ... _road_bike

badger636

Thanks, I have to admit I love the look of the Planet X for £999, and its obviously a very good bike and you get a lot for your money, but really I am looking at about £800 so I seem to be between them two lol.

I don't know if I should hold off for a bit and see if Wiggle reduce some of their stock, I'm not really sure when they have their best sales on. Any ideas?

supermurph09

You won't be able to sit on anything from Wiggle. Put your £800 down on the Planet X, pay nothing for 6 months, then pay the balance. Go on you deserve it!

diamonddog

Supermurph09 wrote:

You won't be able to sit on anything from Wiggle. Put your £800 down on the Planet X, pay nothing for 6 months, then pay the balance. Go on you deserve it!

^^This +1