First road bike £1000 to spend

gary280670

Hi there,
I'm new to road cycling and looking to spend up to £1000 on my first road bike. Currently using a decent mountain bike with Schwalbe Land Cruiser tyres, going on runs of about 25 miles. Average speed I'm getting is about 13 - 14 mph.
Now I think it's time to take the plunge after a bit of persuading from friends that have recently done the same.
Do I go for a carbon frame or not ? I Would rather buy something decent than wish in a years time I bought better.
I guess that this is a good time to buy a bike as there are plenty 2013 models on offer at reduced price.
I've seen a few that look pretty decent for the money and would like some advice / thoughts on these, or any others you may have seen that would be better options.

Felt F5 105 2013 from Wiggle.co.uk at £998.69
GIANT DEFY COMPOSITE 3 2012 from Pauls Cycles at £879.99
GIANT DEFY 0 COMPACT 2013 also from Pauls Cycles at £899.99

As you can see, I'd prefer a black bike !!!!!

Your help would be much appreciated.

Thank, Gary.

mattyarse

You may want to also have a look at Ribble and Planet X - both offer well specced carbon framed bikes at the £1k price point.

gary280670

Hi there,
I'm new to road cycling and looking to spend up to £1000 on my first road bike. Currently using a decent mountain bike with Schwalbe Land Cruiser tyres, going on runs of about 25 miles. Average speed I'm getting is about 13 - 14 mph.
Now I think it's time to take the plunge after a bit of persuading from friends that have recently done the same.
Do I go for a carbon frame or not ? I Would rather buy something decent than wish in a years time I bought better.
I guess that this is a good time to buy a bike as there are plenty 2013 models on offer at reduced price.
I've seen a few that look pretty decent for the money and would like some advice / thoughts on these, or any others you may have seen that would be better options.

Felt F5 105 2013 from Wiggle.co.uk at £998.69
GIANT DEFY COMPOSITE 3 2012 from Pauls Cycles at £879.99
GIANT DEFY 0 COMPACT 2013 also from Pauls Cycles at £899.99

As you can see, I'd prefer a black bike !!!!!

Your help would be much appreciated.

Thanks, Gary.

napoleond

I take it you've read through this thread?

viewtopic.php?f=40042&t=12577960

simon_masterson

Hello Gary, I cannot honestly recommend that you buy anything without trying it if you have any choice in the matter; good fit is crucial. I would also suggest that you shed any notions you may have picked up about carbon fibre being the only material to make a decent bike from, with all others being second-rate.

The bottom line is that you can't buy the ultimate in bicycles for £1000; anything you buy may well be found wanting if you get the bug and have money to spend. What many people (including many around here) do is relegate the original bike for something flashier later on, possibly changing some bits and buying a new set of wheels along the way. The beauty of the composite nature of bikes is that you can transfer parts around (within reason, obviously). Having said all that, leave enough funds for kit, pedals, shoes, tyres, etc.

gary280670

I don't have any notions that carbon is always a better choice. All i'm looking for is some advice on the matter of choosing a first road bike. Kind of leaning towards the Felt, but will be listening to all comments and taking them onboard.

Gary

gary280670

Yes i've had a look through the thread you mention. Lots of information there which i'm taking onboard. Will also look at both Ribble and Planet X.

Thanks, Gary

Cheesemanpaul

£1000 secondhand would get you a beautiful bike

How Far is too Far

this has got to be a great buy

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/103262/pr ... -bike.aspx

gary280670

Looked on Planet and liking the look of Planet X Pro Carbon Shimano Ultegra at £999.99.

Any thoughts on this one please.

gary280670

Bit too much money there, but i've found another one that may be the answer.

Planet X Pro Carbon Shimano Ultegra at £999.99.

Any thoughts, looks really good value for money.

noiseboyfeetman

The new Dolan l'Etape looks well specced for the price, not as much as the Planet X for the price, i'm not sure which has the better frameset though, but you don't see many Dolan's about, at least not down these parts anyway. Plus the Dolan comes with the full groupset including brake calipers etc..

KonkyWonky

Not sure what size you need but if this fits then it's outstanding value for money.

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/108684/products/giant-tcr-sl-1-2013-road-bike.aspx?awc=3395_1388147537_69f72a239696894806c336fa43931f4f&referrer=affiliatewindow

gary280670

Had a look at the Giant the above link is for. Really nice looking bike with high spec. Thanks for that. Size medium would suit as i'm 5ft 8in.

bagz3

gary280670 wrote:

Looked on Planet and liking the look of Planet X Pro Carbon Shimano Ultegra at £999.99.

Any thoughts on this one please.

Been tempted myself. Only issue i have, is that 3 of my friends have one and there's a few more in my local club. Everyone i've spoken to though, loves it!!

meursault

About this time, someone usually mentions Boardmans.

gary280670

Won't be a Boardman - I've a thing about halfords. Don't know why. Just had bad advice in past. Love the matt black look of the P X.

nochekmate

Been riding a Giant TCR1 for my mileage bike of late - very impressed with it. It may be an alu frame but that's hard to make out both by the quality of the ride and the quality of the finish on the frame. Great bike for the money IME.

diamonddog

I have one with Sram, vgood bike IME and vgood vfm IMO.

denniskwok

Focus Cayo Evo 6.0 for under a grand.

http://infinity-cycles.co.uk/shop/index ... uct_id=319

bagz3

gary280670 wrote:

Bit too much money there, but i've found another one that may be the answer.

Planet X Pro Carbon Shimano Ultegra at £999.99.

Any thoughts, looks really good value for money.

I've had my head turned my this too. Only thing putting me off is a few friends have one and there's more at my local club. Not heard a bad word said about them though, my friends love theirs!!

sdh8286

Dunno if it`s too late Gary but have you investigated the various bike 2 work schemes - you don`t actually have to cycle to work You can get around 42% off the price of your bike and pay for it in monthly installments over a year - check out cyclescheme.co.uk for more info

kajjal

sdh8286 wrote:

Dunno if it`s too late Gary but have you investigated the various bike 2 work schemes - you don`t actually have to cycle to work You can get around 42% off the price of your bike and pay for it in monthly installments over a year - check out cyclescheme.co.uk for more info

Just be a bit careful as until you make the additional final value payment after your monthly payments have finished the bike is owned by your employer. If you change employer before payment is finished they will invoice you for the remaining value. Be careful with your calculations, I found it a better deal to buy a bike at a good reduced price on interest free credit due to it not mattering about the employer etc. and there being no final value payment.

outcastjack

A friend has this and loves it, it rides pretty well and is a decent weight and currently reduced to £550
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/basso-devil-xenon-2012-1/

A Colnago?
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/colnago-strada- ... -105-2013/

Carbon fibre mostly veloce group, currently half price.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/basso-laguna-veloce-2013/

gary280670

Ordered a Planet X Pro Carbon and upgraded the chainset to match the rest to Ultegra.
Matt black in colour.

Hopefully be the right choice.

Gary

gary280670

Ordered a Planet X Pro Carbon and upgraded the chainset to match the rest to Ultegra.
Matt black in colour.

Hopefully be the right choice.

Gary

diamonddog

Hope you enjoy it, they are good bikes.

diamonddog

Enjoy it, they are good bikes.

secretsam

Cracking deal - well jell, having just spent more on a bike with an inferior spec!

mpatts

gary280670 wrote:

Ordered a Planet X Pro Carbon and upgraded the chainset to match the rest to Ultegra.
Matt black in colour.

Hopefully be the right choice.

Gary

I have had my pro carbon for almost a year now, and I love it.

gary280670

Bike was delivered on time as advised by Planet X. I've been out on it a few times and so far delighted with it. I think I've made the right choice after all.