My first road bike

rei_da_montanha

Hi Everyone I am new to road cycling (i do MTB ) and I need some advice on buying a road bike.

I'm in doubt between 2 bikes:

Wilier Montegrappa Tiagra 2015
Number of gears: 20
Unisex: Yes
Front Axle Type: 9mm QR
Cable Routing: External
Model Year: 2015
Frame: 7005 Double Butted Aluminium
Fork Material: Alloy/Carbon
Fork: Straight blade carbon with alloy steerer
Steerer: 1 1/8"
Bottle Cage Mounts: Double
Front Derailleur Mount: Band On
Dropouts: Replaceable Rear Derailleur Hanger
Wheel Size: 700c (622)
Wheelset: W.A.R.P / Shimano Tiagra
Groupset Manufacturer: Shimano
Brake Levers/Gear Shifters: Shimano Tiagra
Front Derailleur: Shimano Tiagra
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Tiagra
Brake Type: Caliper
Brake Callipers: Shimano Tiagra
Chainset type: Compact
Chainset: Shimano Tiagra
Chainring Size: 50 Tooth, 34 Tooth
Chain: Shimano 10 speed
Bottom Bracket: Shimano Hollowtech
Cassette: Shimano 10 speed
Cassette Range: 12-25 Tooth
Handlebars: Kalloy
Bar Tape/Grips: Cork
Stem: Promax
Seat Post: Promax
Saddle: Selle San Marco Era
Tyres: Maxxis Detonators
Pedals: Supplied with basic flat pedals
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/wilier-montegrappa-tiagra-2015/

Felt F85 Tiagra 2014
Frame
Model Year 2014
Material Felt road Superlight 7005 alloy custom butted alloy, Dyna-form TIG weld construction, threaded BB
Cable Routing External
Bottle Cage Mounts Double
Front Derailleur Mount Clamp On
Dropouts Replaceable forged aluminium rear dropout and derailleur hanger
Fork
Blades Felt road UHC Performance carbon fibre monocoque fork. 100% carbon fibre, control taper technology 1.125 - 1.5 steerer.
Wheelset
Mavic CXP22 rims on Felt hubs, clincher
Groupset
Speed 20
Brake Levers/Shifters Shimano Tiagra
48cm - 165mm
51cm - 170mm
54cm - 172.5mm
56cm - 172.5mm
58cm - 175mm
61cm - 175mm
Chainset FSA Tempo, compact 50x34
Bottom Bracket FSA Square Taper
Front Derailleur Shimano Tiagra
Rear Derailleur Shimano Tiagra
Brake Calipers Shimano, cartridge type rubber insert
Chain Shimano, 10 speed
Cassette Shimano, 10 speed, 12-28
Finishing Kit
Handlebar Felt 6061 alloy, 31.8mm
48cm - 380mm
51cm - 400mm
54cm - 420mm
56cm - 420mm
58cm - 440mm
61cm - 440mm
Bar Tape Felt Gel with Felt logo's
Stem Felt SL 3D forged 6061 alloy, 31.8mm
48cm - 80mm
51cm - 90mm
54cm - 100mm
56cm - 100mm
58cm - 110mm
61cm - 120mm
Seat Post Felt SL 6061 alloy, 27.2mm
Saddle Felt
Tyres Vittoria Zaffiro Slick, 700 x 25c
Pedals
Supplied with basic flat pedals, Wiggle recommend using dedicated clip-in pedals and shoes
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-f85-tiagra-2014/

Sorry my english, i'm Portuguese.
Thanks

arlowood

To be honest there's not a lot to choose between the 2 based on spec. The Willier has a full Tiagra groupset whereas the Felt opts for an FSA chainset with a square taper BB as opposed to the Tiagra/Hollowtech combo on the Wilier. The wilier wheels appear to be based on Shimano Tiagra hubs while the Felt has OEM branded hubs.

On balance my money would be on the Wilier but personally I would want to change the cassette to a more friendly set of ratios. 12-25 might be a bit of a struggle unless you are pretty fit already. I'm sure you have plenty of hills in Portugal (your sign on translates as king of the mountains I'm guessing) - so I would suggest something like an 11-28 cassette or even 12-30.

However the best advice would be to find a shop where you can sit on and preferrably test ride both bikes to see which feels most comfortable for you. It's never advisable to choose a bike based on the specification alone.

markhewitt1978

It would seem that your only choice is the second one since the first says it's not available.

There's only some of the larger sizes available so make sure you're getting the right size for you. But the Felt is excellent value for money.

Anonymous

If you live in Portugal I would put that with your sign on so that people do not give you UK based advice.

I would not go changing any cassettes until you find out what gears you need for the inclines you chose to go up.

34/25 is not exactly a high gear. My wife gets up some very challenging Cotswold bad boys on a 36/25 without any complaints.
She is probably old enough to be your mum and only got into road bikes/cycling about a year ago.

Give it a while to get used to compared to the MTB though.

As above, don't buy one thats too big for you

rei_da_montanha

arlowood wrote:

On balance my money would be on the Wilier but personally I would want to change the cassette to a more friendly set of ratios. 12-25 might be a bit of a struggle unless you are pretty fit already. I'm sure you have plenty of hills in Portugal (your sign on translates as king of the mountains I'm guessing) - so I would suggest something like an 11-28 cassette or even 12-30.

Yes, my name means in Portuguese, King of Mountains
I'm in love with Felt, i think 12-28 is perfect for me. My shape is not bad.

markhewitt1978 wrote:

It would seem that your only choice is the second one since the first says it's not available.
There's only some of the larger sizes available so make sure you're getting the right size for you. But the Felt is excellent value for money.

Medium size is available.

Carbonator wrote:

If you live in Portugal I would put that with your sign on so that people do not give you UK based advice.

I followed the advice ,thanks.
I do MTB, i'm used to steep hills! :twisted:

Thanks to all. When I buy a bicycle, I'll share the images with you 8)

rei_da_montanha

And if i put this bike in the mix?
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/FBPXRT58AL ... -road-bike

Bike Spec
Frame: Planet X RT-58 Alloy
Fork: Planet X RT-58 Carbon Fork with Alloy Steerer
Front Derailleur: SRAM Apex Front Mech
Rear Derailleur: SRAM Apex Rear Mech Medium Cage
Shifters: SRAM Apex DoubleTap Shifters
Chainset: SRAM Apex GXP Chainset
Crank length: 172.5mm
Chainrings: 50-34T
Bottom Bracket: BSA Threaded
Cassette: SRAM PG 1030 Cassette / 10 Speed / 11-32T
Chain: SRAM PC1031 Chain 116 Links
Front Brake: SRAM Apex Brake Caliper
Rear Brake: SRAM Apex Brake Caliper
Handlebars: Planet X Road Bar Strada Shallow Drop / 42cm / Polished Black / 31.8 mm Clamp
Bar tape: Planet X Cork Handlebar Tape / Black
Stem: Planet X Superlight Team 3D Forged Stem 100 mm / Polished Black / 6 degrees / 31.8 mm Clamp
Headset: FSA Orbit C Headset / 1 1/8inch / Black / Intergrated / 8mm
Wheels: FSA Team 30 Wheelset / 700c / Black / Shimano/SRAM 10/11sp
Tyres: Continental Ultrasport 2 Wired Tyre / 700c / Black / 23mm
Inner Tube: Planet X Inner Tubes
Saddle: San Marco Ponza Saddle / Carbon Steel / Black
Seatpost: Planet X Light Alloy Seatpost / 31.6mm / Polished Black
Seat Clamp: Planet X 6061T6 Forged Alloy Seatclamp Bolt Up / 34.9mm
Mudflap compatible: No
Pannier rack compatible: No
Pedals: Available Separately
Bottle cage bosses: 2 sets on all other sizes
Number of Gears: 20
Weight: 8.1kg (Large)

I see this bike in another post: viewtopic.php?f=40042&t=13004173

What you guys, think?

string78

For a little bit more, how about this?

http://www.merlincycles.com/felt-f75-road-bike-2014-71825.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Both%2004%20December%202014%20-%20Newsletter-2014-12-04%2015:00:00&emst=qzcLP80zlK_27753_1175449_15&source=aw&awc=3361_1417713505_efcf8ea0c9271128809b9339dbbfc73c

rei_da_montanha

string78 wrote:

For a little bit more, how about this?

http://www.merlincycles.com/felt-f75-road-bike-2014-71825.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Both%2004%20December%202014%20-%20Newsletter-2014-12-04%2015:00:00&emst=qzcLP80zlK_27753_1175449_15&source=aw&awc=3361_1417713505_efcf8ea0c9271128809b9339dbbfc73c

105? Great price!
One more for my shortlist! I love Felt bikes!

keezx

Good specs for the money but you have to like SRAM shifting (I don't ).

BTW, the weight is indicated as 8,8 kg (not that it's important)

rei_da_montanha

How about this option?
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/boardman-comp-sora/

The Felt F85, the price increased.