First road bike

9uitar9irl

I am going to buy my first road bike. As far as now I used to cycle quite a lot on cross bike (every day commute and longer ~100km trips at the weekends), but I want to try something more suitable for city roads. I am not going to take part in races, I just need something for longer trips which will be comfortable. I think about this models but I am not sure if they are good for complate beginner in road cycling. Could you give me an advice which one is the best, or maybe should i start from cheaper bike with geometry better for beginners?
My budget is max 900GBP.

http://www.cyclesurgery.com/cube-womens-axial-pro-2015/cube-road-bikes/bikes-components-bikewear/fcp-product/59819?listing=true#deliveryinfo
http://www.cyclesurgery.com/giant-avail-1-2015/giant-road-bikes/bikes-components-bikewear/fcp-product/59973?listing=true
http://www.cyclesurgery.com/giant-avail-2-2015/giant-road-bikes/bikes-components-bikewear/fcp-product/59974?listing=true

Calpol

The Cube would be my choice. I think its slightly better specified and I quite like the colour. Unusual which is nice - apart from the 2 tone bar tape. They are all aluminium framed bikes and some people might recommend a carbon frame. Personally I would consider something a little less expensive if £900 is really your top budget. The reason I say this is because the bike is just a part of it. YOu may already have clothing, helmet, shoes, Spare tubes, pumps, repair kits, multi tool, saddle bag, bottles and cages, helmet, arm warmers, gloves. Honestly its never ending.

If you went for this it would leave you a few quid to get some of the above.
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s134p5872/GIANT-Avail-2-2015

g00se

At this price range, most bikes are going to be similar (aluminium frame, carbon fork and Shimano lower tier groupset). So as long as you go with a respected brand, you can't go wrong spec wise.

What you need to do is find the geometry that suits - and something you like the look of. So it's a matter of sitting on a few and finding one that's comfortable. My other have just bought a Genesis Volant which has models that fit the bill. Worth considering too.

9uitar9irl

Thank you guys for fast responses. Do you think that for beginner difference between Ginat Avail 2 and Cube will be perceptible? Or it is not worth the price? I have quite a lot of other stuff like clothes, gloves, helmet, bike computer etc. so I only think about bike to 900 plus additional more cyclocross tyres. What do you think? Thanks!

dj58

Be aware that the bikes you have linked to will have limited fork and frame clearances and will most likely only accept tyres that are 23/25mm wide possibly 28mm wide, so cyclocross tyres are not going to fit.

g00se

Cyclocross tyres? Are you planning on using those for muddy off-road conditions only? Don't use them on tarmac.

Also, most cyclocross tyres start at 35mm. With that and the knobbles, they won't clear the brake calipers, frame or forks - so you won't be able to move.

If you want tyres that will run well on tarmac but also some gravel paths etc, then these are good:

https://www.cyclestore.co.uk/panaracer_ ... oCbNXw_wcB

Probably worth going of the 26c size, 28 may be a bit of a squeeze clearance wise too.

But if not those, don't go for knobbly tyres. They don't help in the wet (cycle tyres are too narrow to aquaplane so don't need tread like a car tyre). Knobbles are for gripping in loose sand and wet mud (mountain bike etc) and on tarmac they will slow you down considerably and make cornering very squirmy.

Matthewfalle

How about a Planet X Pro Carbon or a London Road? Or a R57/58 - all get very good reviews, good specs and in the current sales...............

Salsa

Boardman's carbon fi is £899 at the minute, another to consider.
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/r ... ns-fi-bike