new to road bikes some advice

markhopley

Hi people
For a while I've been trying to rack up the miles on a full suspension mtb with road tyre's but as uve probably guessed its hard going. I'm big into running. Mainly half marathon distance. But due to dreaded illnesses and annoyingly ongoing treatment/therapy got reactive arthritis an my running is suffering where as riding is good. I'm upto 30 miles on a longer ridemainly undulating to big ass hills. Country roads. And I ride to an from work regardless the weather.
My aim is to swap my running to road cycling an I get kinda obsessive lol.
My dilema is bike choice or choices. Work has the bike to work scheme an I've picked out a cinelli experience veloce which with the schemes discount and wiggles discount puts the bike at a ridiculous price around £420. Its a great looking bike and has fantastic reviews.
My next dilema is a full carbon pinarello f4:13 in my size with full shimano dur ace 7800.k swiss wheels on hope hubs. Second hand built 2 years ago with new parts by a well known specialists road bike shop to the tune of over £3.5k. And ridden twice and a load of accessories computer. Toolkit. Pump etc. Its immaculate.
Now due to my obsessive tenancies im in a dilema. The bike to work scheme way is costing me nothing
An I won't feel it. An I'd already in my mind set aside an amount of money to buy a bike outright. So do I bite the bullet and have both or buy the pinarello which I love and will be in theory my keeper.
My aim is to get fitter and build my main rides upto 50 miles. With maybe 2 longer rides a month.
Hope you can help
Thanks mark

mpatts

I'm a runner too....and half is my fave distance.

If it we me, I'd go for the cinelli and ride it until the weather gets nicer. You will also find out some valuable things about what you like in a bike - which the pinarello might not fit for you in a few months.

markhewitt1978

You've already made a fatal error, in riding a bike that's more than you can comfortably afford, you're never going to be happy with the cheaper bike; although in your position that would probably serve as the best option. But you've got your heart set on the Pinarello now and nothing else is going to do.

Wirral_paul

Well i recon you should be able to fit mudguards to the Cinelli given it is designed for up to 28mm tyres - so that would be ideal for the commute to work. If you can get the Pinarello at a good price 2nd hand though - go for it and have both. I've never been comfortable leaving an expensive bike parked up on a commute - even when supposedly secure onsite.

Anonymous

I would get a really decent cyclesheme sale bike (you can often top up so something like a 105/Ultegra carbon) to take advantage of the double discount/interest free, and then get something better when you better know what you want.

You will have a great winter bike that you actually want to ride, and an even better summer bike that you have not rushed into buying.

markhopley

Thanks guys, yes just been out on a 10 mile run. Lol I want me bike. Yes the cinelli would make a nice winter bike to learn on. Kinda my thinking too. Its a beautiful bike and many of the reviews can't fault it. Claiming its better ride than most level entry carbon bikes and the cost is a definite bonus.
An like some have commented the pinarello will make a fantastic summer bike an its also a fantastic price. Again also like new. In all honesty I would nt probably pay out the cost brand new that the pinarello would be. Id be buying another lambretta lol. Been told ive got too many of them too. Again thank you guys any advice appreciated
Cheers mark