New bike required - currently have a hybrid but after road bike

benws1

Hello all.

I got back into cycling recently after many years of doing nothing bike related. I went to my local bike shop, purchased a hybrid thingy (Raleigh Misceo 1 - which is called a mountain bike in some places), changed the tyres for some wide Schwalbe road ones and have been riding since.

I've clocked up hundreds of miles on the Misceo and now do rides of up to 25 miles on it (wow, eh ). Thing is, it's started to get a bit battered and I've been informed that it probably isn't the best thing for long bike rides on. I got back in the saddle to lose weight and this is happening as the Misceo is a heavy, wide-tyred thing. However, I'm hankering for something a bit more road specific now.

I originally went for a hybrid bike with suspension as I have a trashed spine (vertebrae prolapses). I thought I would need an upright position and need to unlock the suspension and make my rides smooth if the back started playing up. Since I've bought the bike though, I've never unlocked the suspension. My back has actually improved with the weight loss and the cycling.

So, what is a good option to go for? I don't mind a proper road bike with drop handlebars. I am used to flat bars though. I have an old Bianchi ML3 Alu which I have hooked up to a turbo trainer to cover the days when the Misceo has let me down (recent things include a Quando wheel hub disintegrating and issues with the freewheel), so I'm not averse to something with the drops. On a side note, I'm learning a lot about bike mechanics with the Misceo.

I've looked at Boardman hybrids at Halfords. Seem ok. I also have a couple of bike shops within driving distance that sell Giant, Specialised, Bianchi etc. My budget is around £1000 (less will be a bonus), so is it worth going for a hybrid or actually buying a proper road bike? My immediately local bike shop is ok, but they only sell Raleigh and Dawes. Are these any good nowadays?

Just for info, I'm 6ft 4in tall, long legs, currently weigh just under 16 1/2 stone (this has come down from nearly 18!) and live in south Lincolnshire.

Thanks in advance. 8)

davesnothere

First up, congratulations on the weight loss, good work

You are a bit ahead of me with the weight loss but I'm just a little ahead of you with the new bike purchase.

I was lucky enough to have been lent a Boardman Hybrid by a friend for a couple of months. Same as you did a few reasonable road rides, 20 to 25 miles on it and got the bug.

I decided that i was going to get a road bike rather than hybrid, again another friend lent me his Specialized road bike (an Allez i think) for one ride. The difference was huge. Lighter, faster and felt a lot less effort to keep up with the others, especially on the hills (slight not quite keeping up with all but that will come in time!)

Bought my new bike at Christmas, one of these

http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/cube-attain-gtc-pro-disc-2016-road-bike.html

and i love it. It's not an out and out racer, designed for longer rides with a 'relaxed geometry' so a bit more upright. Nice and light though as it's a carbon frame.

The advice i was given by friends was for a £1,000 bike look for Shimano 105 gearset (or better) 50/50 split on whether i should go for carbon, similar split on whether to have rim brakes or disc brakes. I went for both, probably means that i have compromised a little on other components but I'm very happy so far.

Final bit of advice was that wherever you buy the bike from, go and have a sit on one (preferable a proper test ride) Evans are very good for this if there is a branch near you. Take along passport or driving licence and they will elt you take a test bike out for a ride

benws1

Thanks. That looks like a nice bike. The more relaxed geometry would suit me better. As mentioned above, I have an old Bianchi ML3 Alu which I don't think is setup quite right. I struggle to be comfortable with my hands on the hoods. Been riding it on my turbo and it is getting better, but I think I need to reduce the reach a bit.

Shimano 105 is a good thing to look for. I have it on the Bianchi and it seems to work well.

Time to hit the shops and see what I can test ride.

davesnothere

If you do want to test ride with Evans, best bet is to ring them a few days before and book an appointment.

They charged me £50 to get a particular bike out of the warehouse and prep it for a test ride. I baulked at first but they said it was to deter timewasters and was fully refundable. I didn't buy from them in the end and they refunded straight away, was back in my bank the next day so don't be put off. The great thing with them is they take a few details, passport and then they hold your debit/credit card but then they literally give you the bike to go for a proper ride.

The only slight downside was the pdi, the first time i tried the brakes the handlebars tilted down as they hadn't done the bolts up properly. Was a bit of a hairy moment!

benws1

Thanks again. I don't think I can get to an Evans shop as the nearest is 42 miles away in either Nottingham or Cambridge. I would like to keep it as local as possible in terms of a shop too.

There is apparently a good shop half an hour from me who allow test rides. I'll give them a call and see what they offer. Failing that, it may make sense to take a day, make the journey and ride something available at an Evans store.

That PDI thing is a bit scary though. :shock:

benws1

Quick update.

Bought a Cube Attain today. Just like the one linked above. Last one in the area in my size (60).

Didn't test ride it, but sat on it and it felt fine. It's the first time I've bought a road bike since 2004, so test riding it wouldn't help me a great deal. I'll fettle the position as I get riding. Seems a good bike though and should be picking it up next week.