Beginner Buying advice

HardCarbon

Hi all, just have a couple of queries in helping me decide on my first road bike.

A bit of background, I'm an active 21 year old who is pretty fit. I've always been big keen on cycling (I pretty much sit glued to Eurosport over the season!) but just for one reason for another never got around to getting a road bike. So I'm certain I will stick with the sport once I get one and maybe look to enter some local races but I just don't know if I can justify paying the money for different ranges of equipment. My budget would roughly sit around £500 but maybe I could raise that if need be...

Is there really much of a difference between Sora/Claris or even Tiagra? and are there any downsides to each of them? I'm just trying to gauge if it is worth while spending the 200 odd more to get the next mech level. Is the difference between 8/9 speed going to be a problem when I need an extra gear on hills?

Also, deciding between triple and double. I read there's a bit of looking down on triples and I just wonder why that is considering how you can get more gears from a triple surely?

If I am looking to race in the future, would a £500 bike be a major disadvantage when against people at the entry levels?

The bikes I'm eyeing at the moment are,
Giant Defy 5, £500- aluminium, claris (or £700 more for sora) -http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/2014.giant.defy.5/14977/66549/#specifications
Spesh Allez, £600 - aluminium, claris (or £800 more for sora) http://www.mcconveycycles.com/store/product/18710/Specialized-Allez-C2-Black-red-white-2014-52cm/
Trek 1.1, £600 - aluminium with carbon fork, claris http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/road/performance_race/1_series/1_1_h2_compact/#/uk/en/model/details?url=uk/en/bikes/road/performance_race/1_series/1_1_h2_compact
CAAD 8, £650 - aluminium, claris http://www.davekanecycles.com/product/cannondale_2014_caad_8_claris_equipped_/4730/
Vitus Razor, £450 claris, carbon fork (or £580 for sora which is also a heavier bike for some reason?) http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-bikes-razor-road-bike-2014/rp-prod107022
Cube Peloton, £700 carbon fork, sora http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cube-peloton-road-bike-2014/rp-prod114146
B'TWIN Triban 5, £430 carbon fork, sora [this seems a very low price comparatively, why is this bike so cheap for the spec?!] http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-5-road-bike-black-id_8239801.html#anchor_ComponentProductFeatures

Does anybody have experience with these bikes? or could you give me some pointers in the right direction as I am at a bit of a loss between them.

I think I'm best focusing on the best frame and I can upgrade around it if need be, which of the above(or other!) would that probably lean towards? or is it just a personal preference?

navrig2

The difference between the various Groupsets is a mix of weight/quality of materials and smoothness. Largely it's a case of what you can afford although the general advice is choose the frame and upgrade if you feel the need. However I would suggest that if you get the "bug" then you are less likely to be happy about upgrading components on a budget frame.

As far as which bike to go I would suggest that, apart from the Vitus, any one of them will do what you want.

The Triban is generally recognised as the best choice of new bikes at the £400 price point often compared more favourably against the Halfords Carrera range which many beginners look at.

Triple versus double is an ongoing debate amongst road cyclists with double winning more often as not however if you chose a compact set you will get almost the same range of gears with a double as with a triple. A compact has smaller chainrings allowing lower gearing.

Don't forget that you will need a budget for kit and you wont get much change out of £200 even if you go for as much Aldi/Lidl kit as you can. Bibs/shorts, jerseys, shoes, helmet, gloves, gilet etc all add up.

Good luck.

simon_masterson

Triple chainsets are generally met with disdain by people who think they 'aren't pro'. Many of them aren't aware of the fact that professional riders have been known to use them; not much, but it has happened. In general they provide gearing that many people don't need and cross chaining can be more of a problem, but they also allow lower gears and smaller front shifts, than compact gearing. Many people like having the full range of the 39t and then use the big and small rings for the downs and ups respectively, so it does work.

As for 8/9 speed, there isn't that much choice these days for 8 speed but generally however many cogs you have you can at least get a 28t. You just have to put up with slightly larger jumps if you go for 8 speed rather than 9. Nothing to lose sleep over.

And derailleurs, cogs and cranks only vary so much.

If you're looking to race, the bike isn't important. If anything the advice I most often read is to opt for something not too blingy in case some idiot takes you out on a corner.