First Time Buyer

googan
googan Posts: 7
edited December 2013 in Road buying advice
Big Hi to all!

I am looking at getting into cycling and buying my first bike. However I am not to sure about what to buy and need to some advice.

From doing research I think I have norrowed it down. The only real new bike I can affoard that looks half decent is the Triban 5 http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-5-a-id_8239801.html

Or I could go second hand and buy something like a GT series 3 2011. My budget it about £450 I know this is not a lot but its all I can affoard :(. What would you go for? please help!

Thanks in advance guys!

Tom

Comments

  • nimchimpsky82
    nimchimpsky82 Posts: 82
    You do have some options if you look for discounts -- for example:

    http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/giant-defy-5-compact-road-bike-id73798.html

    Try to take a few different bikes out for a spin and make sure you get good advice about the right size. And welcome to the forum and the scene! :)
  • googan
    googan Posts: 7
    Would you recommended the giant over the triban 5? Only bike shop I got near is a halfords :( don't bike sizes differ between models? Sorry for the new questions. Thanks
  • nimchimpsky82
    nimchimpsky82 Posts: 82
    It's a big purchase, leading to a possibly very serious and definitely very healthy hobby, so if a little trip allows you to try 2 or 3 different models then surely that's got to be worth it :)

    If you let us know your height and inseam length we can give you an idea of the frame size you need. There's lots of advice available on this online as well, e.g. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKnfqoapMao.

    If the nearest specialist bike store is far, then I'd phone ahead before visiting to make sure they've got something in the right size in stock for you to test. Oh, and Halfords' own brand, Boardman, is pretty decent. The 2014 models are slightly above your budget I think but you may find a discounted 2013 model somewhere (again, try phoning them).

    Having owned and enjoyed a Giant bike in the past I'm positively inclined towards the brand but I can't say for certain whether this particular model is better than the BTwin, not least because "better" is partly subjective: it will depend on fit, feel, comfort, aesthetics, etc.

    Hope this helps :)

    PS Two other obvious bikes worth a look (discounted 2013 models) are the Trek 1.1 and Specialized Allez.
  • googan
    googan Posts: 7
    Thank you so much for your help. I really enjoy riding bikes and really want to make sure Igive road riding a good shot. So bbasically in my price range feel is more important than spec. Trip to bike shop it is! Thanks! Will let you know what I get.
  • nimchimpsky82
    nimchimpsky82 Posts: 82
    If you go for one of the big brands, including Giant, Spesh and Trek, then spec will be much of a muchness, so yes, the way you feel on the bike is especially important.

    Do bear in mind that relatively small things like the saddle can make quite a difference... Decent saddles can be had for around £20 (Charge Spoon, for example), though what counts as "decent" is again very personal. My point is: don't reject a bike just based on the saddle if apart from that it feels much better than what else is available. (If a seat is really horrible, the shop should be able to swap it for something else for your test ride anyway.) Also note that all road saddles will hurt in the beginning, even after just a half-hour spin. This will certainly get better, but for most of us some discomfort is something we simply have to put up with.

    Have fun, and if you have any more questions before (or after!) you hand over your money, you've found a good place to ask them :)
  • cadseen
    cadseen Posts: 170
    edited March 2014
    I would stress test riding and concentrating on the fit and position.
  • Camcycle1974
    Camcycle1974 Posts: 1,356
    Forme bikes also worth a look. Some good deals to be had at Rutland cycles on them.
  • googan
    googan Posts: 7
    Hi Guys just wanted to say I bought a second hand giant defy 5 2013 for £290 nearly brand new. I rode a couple in the shop and the medium and medium/large both felt good but went for a medium large. Thanks for your all your help and hopefully I will be posting some more.

    Tom
  • kajjal
    kajjal Posts: 3,380
    googan wrote:
    Hi Guys just wanted to say I bought a second hand giant defy 5 2013 for £290 nearly brand new. I rode a couple in the shop and the medium and medium/large both felt good but went for a medium large. Thanks for your all your help and hopefully I will be posting some more.

    Tom

    Enjoy your new bike :)
  • nimchimpsky82
    nimchimpsky82 Posts: 82
    Sounds like you got yourself a decent deal, and more importantly, you did the right thing in going out there and trying a few bikes. Now enjoy your early Xmas prezzie! :)

Categories