Advice on Upgrading to new Bike

Newie Traveller

Hi,

After some help/advice; I currently ride once or twice a week, weekends on combo of road & dedicated cycleways in Newcastle/Lake Macquarie region.

I currently ride an older bike, Giant Elswood ES 21 gearing combo, with standard pedals. I live in hilly area and looking to do better bike/more modern bike without going to full drop handle road bike.

Average ride is 60-80 kilometres (but want to increase to slightly longer as technique fitness improves) and I am not the lightest bloke around 112 kilos, 181cms tall, reasonably fit cardi wise.

Looking at

Trek 7.4 FX
Merida Speeder 200
Giant Cross City 0


Would appreciate views thoughts on experiences with these bikes, want to stay with the bike I buy for at least 10 yrs, my budget with bike, shoes, peddles & lights is no more than $1350.00 AUS

Also looking at adding clip on peddles, advise from bike shops is Shimano Clickers with recessed cleat shoes with about 6 degree float. Have torn my meniscus in left knee!!, hence no running but use bike for cardio & fun.

I've never ever ridden with cleats so concerned to get easy on, easy off style.

Look forward to reading the collective wisdom off cycling community

Thanks
Newie Traveller

Newie Traveller

Thank you, al three of LBS have been good to deal with but getting the Owner/Rider view is important so appreciate your reply

oxoman wrote:

Mate loves his Merida speeder, often uses it instead of his defy. Merida make a lot of bikes for other well known brands, hence why they are a bit cheaper. To be fair not a lot wrong with the trek or the giant.

Websta24

Shimano do the SPD-SL in a light action version. These are supposed to be easier to clip in and out of. I had them as my first set of clipless but to be honest i didn't find them that much different to what they would call the standard SPD-SL.

Once you get the hang of clipping/un-clipping there is no problem mate.

Newie Traveller

Thank you, this has been the most confusing part in building my requirements list so that I get a quote from my LBS. each Sales Person I've spoken to has a different view; single sided, double sided, I think key will be doubled sided with edge & recessed cleats on shoe then just practice clipping in & out for a while before heading out on road

Websta24 wrote:

Shimano do the SPD-SL in a light action version. These are supposed to be easier to clip in and out of. I had them as my first set of clipless but to be honest i didn't find them that much different to what they would call the standard SPD-SL.

Once you get the hang of clipping/un-clipping there is no problem mate.