Road Bike for under £400 (AGAIN!)

buddy_club

First of all, i have used the search feature and i have looked at the Sticky at the top of the page.

Right, at the moment i currently ride a very old (1950's!) Steel road bike, bit of a lump but its served me well. I would however like something a little bit lighter with a wider spread of gears (lower mostly) for longer rides and going uphill, and something i can ride in the rain as my current bike is reserved for sunny afternoon cruises. I've been looking at a few bikes and i'm really after a bit of help deciding between them and also any recommendations for bikes I've missed. Budget is at max £400 but ideally i'd want to spend a little less.

Firstly Mekk Pinerolo:
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/213222/pr ... -bike.aspx
This is my favorite at the moment, seems to me like a good spec especially with the Carbon fork.

Btwin Triban 3:
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-roa ... 39800.html
I'm aware that they downspecced this for 2014 which is a shame because the old one doesnt come in my size any more . This is only one ive actually ridden though, and i have to say i rather like it

Viking San Remo and Viking Elite (AGHHHHH VIKING!):
http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... _2013_Bike
http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... _2013_Bike

Thanks in advance

dj58

I've not owned or ridden the bikes you have listed, however the BTwin and the Mekk bikes get good reviews from owners on BR. Looking at the specs. it doesn't say if the Btwin has a carbon fork, although you say you've ridden it so maybe you already know the answer. Also it is a triple, whereas the Mekk is a compact with a 12-32, both have the lower gears you are looking for and mudguard mounts, so good for your wet weather rides.

I'm not familiar with the Viking brand of bikes so can't comment on those models. That is a good saving on the Mekk.

dayone

Remove the 'Viking' from your list and bleach it from your memory.

Can you go over a bit

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/jam ... 4#features
http://www.merlincycles.com/ridley-road-bikes-61365/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-f95-sora-w ... 5360562560

The Triban 5 is only a few pounds more!


Keep a eye out here
http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/b ... ;sort=asc;

nickynoodles

Second hand?

passout

Mek - yes. Viking - no.

rickeverett

Out of the three the MEKK is the better buy.
Its also lighter than the others inc Triban 5.

buddy_club

dayone wrote:

Remove the 'Viking' from your list and bleach it from your memory.

Can you go over a bit

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/jam ... 4#features
http://www.merlincycles.com/ridley-road-bikes-61365/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-f95-sora-w ... 5360562560

The Triban 5 is only a few pounds more!


Keep a eye out here
http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/b ... ;sort=asc;

Maybe i could save for a little bit longer and if i do i really like the look of that Ridley. A mate also looked at the Triban 5 when he was buying his next bike, and he said that he really liked it when he had a go on it.

rickeverett wrote:

Out of the three the MEKK is the better buy. Its also lighter than the others inc Triban 5.

passout wrote:

Mek - yes. Viking - no.

Okay, it appears to be the general consensus that the Vikings are crap so they're out the window, i have looked around at reviews of the Mekk and it does appear to be very highly rated by the magazines. I think thats the one im gonna go for, i'll have a look at the Forme and the Moda before i make any decisions though. Cheers!

matteomjt

I have just got the Mekk coming from a 20 year old road bike and was amazed by how much lighter it was. It shifts cleanly and I can't recommend it highly enough. Even next to my friends full carbon road bike it looks decent.

Rubberducky

I've recently bought the mekk from the same place. Still waiting for delivery but if you want can let you know what it's like when it arrives :P *didn't see post above, sorry

daniel_b

Don't forget 3% cashback through quido which would lop another £10 off if you do go for the Mekk.

buddy_club

matteomjt wrote:

I have just got the Mekk coming from a 20 year old road bike and was amazed by how much lighter it was. It shifts cleanly and I can't recommend it highly enough. Even next to my friends full carbon road bike it looks decent.

Great to hear! Would be interested if you could let me know how well you get on with it down the line! Have you had a chance to weigh it yet? (At least with MTB's manufacturers weights can be a bit iffy) Got any pics?

Rubberducky wrote:

I've recently bought the mekk from the same place. Still waiting for delivery but if you want can let you know what it's like when it arrives :P *didn't see post above, sorry

Would definitely like to hear how you find it!

matteomjt

In terms of weight it's around 10.4kg

buddy_club

matteomjt wrote:

In terms of weight it's around 10.4kg

Cheers, what size did you get?

matteomjt

I have the 59cm

buddy_club

matteomjt wrote:

I have the 59cm

And if you don't mind me asking, how tall are you?

funkyg

buddy_club wrote:

Maybe i could save for a little bit longer and if i do i really like the look of that Ridley. A mate also looked at the Triban 5 when he was buying his next bike, and he said that he really liked it when he had a go on it.

I've just bought the Ridley (R6) and love it.

buddy_club

Definitely a contender for which bike I would choose.