Changing to road cycling - Under £700-800 recommendations

dawmckay
dawmckay Posts: 5
edited May 2018 in Road beginners
Evening forum!

After a few jaunts out on the 6 year old front suspension behemoth with my friend on his flat bar road bike, I am looking for a new bike (using cycle to work through Halfords and their list of permitted retailers). My friend has just purchased a Cube SL but I'm just looking to keep the pace. :D

Ideally looking to spend under £700. Not sure if I should stay with what I know and keep with a flat bar - even a flat bar road bike - or make a full leap. I've been told jumping to a road bike with flat bars is inevitable and will save the step in between.

Couple of bikes I've seen so far;

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/r ... 4cm-frames

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Giant-Contend- ... 113601.htm

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/r ... 5cm-frames
(currently extra £50 off)

Can I please have your opinions, being far more in the know than I, or any suggestions. I'm struggling to make the leap of faith myself! :P

Thanks in advance for any help you can give!

Comments

  • drhaggis
    drhaggis Posts: 1,150
    Of those, the Boardman gets the best reviews, and some people here love them. I'm happy with my Giant Defy, but I wouldn't get that model at full price: the 2017 and 2018 bikes are essentially the same. I'd try to get a 2017 Contend SL2, which might be available on the "cheap" (say £650).

    My advice, however, is to test ride the bike that you like. If it feels like it fits you, then get that. There's no point in getting the bike that some random person told you in the internet if you don't like it, because then it'll stay locked.
  • Andymaxy
    Andymaxy Posts: 197
    If you know how to build a bike then at the price range your are looking at there are a lot of superb value frames.
    If not then Canyon and btwin could also have what you are looking for.
  • svetty
    svetty Posts: 1,904
    Given you are looking at Halfords through CtW it's the Boardman every time
    FFS! Harden up and grow a pair :D
  • JoshH79
    JoshH79 Posts: 24
    Hi,

    I just got that Giant from Tredz in February and am loving it. It’s my first road bike, so not a lot to compare it to, but it’s been great for me so far. No complaints at all.

    Hope that helps.
  • dawmckay
    dawmckay Posts: 5
    Thanks for getting back to me.

    I have too little knowledge at this stage to try and venture building up a bike. With this first one I'll try and change bits and pieces.

    Looking at all the independent shops, it's really a muck up between using Halfords or Tredz (both can use CtW). Unfortunately I couldn't find the Contend SL2 2017 still in stock. Must have been a good bike!! :)

    From looking a bit deeper at the Carrera bike I see a better option available;

    http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/r ... 4cm-frames
    Same groupset but no mechanical discs (not bothered about discs at this stage and will just get good cartridges)

    and seen this other one;
    http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/r ... 5cm-frames

    Not sure whether to push the boat out a bit for the carbon frame (maybe more fragile if I'm just starting out)...

    Shame Halfords CtW didn't have more options - seen a couple of great bikes elsewhere like

    https://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-per ... 93470.html
    with a Shimano 105 system

    and the Pinnacle Laterite.

    Good to hear about that Giant bike! Did you get it in the black or blue? Looks a cracking bike and its good to hear from a beginner like me!
  • lettingthedaysgoby
    lettingthedaysgoby Posts: 1,732
    Is CtW a must for you? Loads of places will do 0% finance to spread the cost and will give you far greater options...
  • JoshH79
    JoshH79 Posts: 24
    dawmckay wrote:
    Thanks for getting back to me.

    I have too little knowledge at this stage to try and venture building up a bike. With this first one I'll try and change bits and pieces.

    Looking at all the independent shops, it's really a muck up between using Halfords or Tredz (both can use CtW). Unfortunately I couldn't find the Contend SL2 2017 still in stock. Must have been a good bike!! :)

    From looking a bit deeper at the Carrera bike I see a better option available;

    http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/r ... 4cm-frames
    Same groupset but no mechanical discs (not bothered about discs at this stage and will just get good cartridges)

    and seen this other one;
    http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/r ... 5cm-frames

    Not sure whether to push the boat out a bit for the carbon frame (maybe more fragile if I'm just starting out)...

    Shame Halfords CtW didn't have more options - seen a couple of great bikes elsewhere like

    https://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-per ... 93470.html
    with a Shimano 105 system

    and the Pinnacle Laterite.

    Good to hear about that Giant bike! Did you get it in the black or blue? Looks a cracking bike and its good to hear from a beginner like me!

    No problem at all. I was similar to you (I think), as in I just wanted to keep things simple and get a not too expensive bike to just go out and enjoy riding!

    I went for the blue one. Seems more than enough for me. The only thing I’ve done is change the pedals so that I could get some proper cycling shoes.

    So far the furthest I’ve been is 51 miles and it was great.

    I looked at the Pinnacle too as I saw it had good reviews, but I preferred the style of the Giant.

    Hope that helps!
  • dawmckay
    dawmckay Posts: 5
    lettingthedaysgoby wrote:
    Is CtW a must for you? Loads of places will do 0% finance to spread the cost and will give you far greater options...

    I did consider it, but the only things I've really seen outwith what Halfords and the like can give are the Pinnacle Laterites and Btwin bikes and maybe the Merlin. Thing is though, I won't really notice the money come off my salary so much, and I'd save around a third which is normally considerably more than shopping around for 0% would actually find.
  • AX10
    AX10 Posts: 5
    DrHaggis wrote:
    Of those, the Boardman gets the best reviews, and some people here love them. I'm happy with my Giant Defy, but I wouldn't get that model at full price: the 2017 and 2018 bikes are essentially the same. I'd try to get a 2017 Contend SL2, which might be available on the "cheap" (say £650).

    My advice, however, is to test ride the bike that you like. If it feels like it fits you, then get that. There's no point in getting the bike that some random person told you in the internet if you don't like it, because then it'll stay locked.

    Yep, I've just purchased the Giant Contend SL2 (2017) model, really happy with it so far.

    Here's the link for £635: https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p78 ... -SL-2-2017
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    dawmckay wrote:
    lettingthedaysgoby wrote:
    Is CtW a must for you? Loads of places will do 0% finance to spread the cost and will give you far greater options...

    I did consider it, but the only things I've really seen outwith what Halfords and the like can give are the Pinnacle Laterites and Btwin bikes and maybe the Merlin. Thing is though, I won't really notice the money come off my salary so much, and I'd save around a third which is normally considerably more than shopping around for 0% would actually find.

    So in your position I'd go for the Boardman Team Carbon you linked to up the page. The carbon frame will be tougher than the cheaper aluminium one.

    Just make doubly sure you get the correct size. If you're borderline between two sizes, go for the smaller one. Far easier to fit a small bike to a bigger rider than the other way round
  • dawmckay
    dawmckay Posts: 5
    keef66 wrote:
    dawmckay wrote:
    lettingthedaysgoby wrote:
    Is CtW a must for you? Loads of places will do 0% finance to spread the cost and will give you far greater options...

    I did consider it, but the only things I've really seen outwith what Halfords and the like can give are the Pinnacle Laterites and Btwin bikes and maybe the Merlin. Thing is though, I won't really notice the money come off my salary so much, and I'd save around a third which is normally considerably more than shopping around for 0% would actually find.

    So in your position I'd go for the Boardman Team Carbon you linked to up the page. The carbon frame will be tougher than the cheaper aluminium one.

    Just make doubly sure you get the correct size. If you're borderline between two sizes, go for the smaller one. Far easier to fit a small bike to a bigger rider than the other way round

    Yep, I'm 5'10.5" so I'm pretty much a medium in everything. I think your advice is sound re going for the smaller one!

    As for the previous post re the SL2, nice bike but that site does a weird calculation thing with sales bikes for Cycle2Work where you multiply the amount with 1.176, meaning it's about £750 through CtW.
  • shimanobottombracket
    shimanobottombracket Posts: 376
    Avoid Halfords, surprised nobody said this already. Go to a proper bike shop and try find or haggle for something there. If they do B2W then better yet. But avoid Halfords, they are abysmal.
  • milemuncher1
    milemuncher1 Posts: 1,472
    https://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-540- ... 77756.html

    You’d be hard pressed to do better than this, at your budget, unless you go second hand / used.
  • ayjaycee
    ayjaycee Posts: 1,277
    Milemuncher1 wrote:
    https://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-540-road-bike-grey-black-105-id_8377756.html

    You’d be hard pressed to do better than this, at your budget, unless you go second hand / used.
    Looking at the spec for that Btwin, he could well be right. I’ve no idea if the frame is any good but if it is even half decent and one fits you, a bike with that spec would be a steal. Check out if will also take mudguards which are a real bonus when the weather turns crappy.
    Cannondale Synapse Carbon Ultegra
    Kinesis Racelight 4S
    Specialized Allez Elite (Frame/Forks for sale)
    Specialized Crosstrail Comp Disk (For sale)
  • milemuncher1
    milemuncher1 Posts: 1,472
    ayjaycee wrote:
    Milemuncher1 wrote:
    https://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-540-road-bike-grey-black-105-id_8377756.html

    You’d be hard pressed to do better than this, at your budget, unless you go second hand / used.
    Looking at the spec for that Btwin, he could well be right. I’ve no idea if the frame is any good but if it is even half decent and one fits you, a bike with that spec would be a steal. Check out if will also take mudguards which are a real bonus when the weather turns crappy.

    You’re not wrong, the frame is not too bad at all either. It takes mudguards, and up to 32 mm tyres.
  • jon33
    jon33 Posts: 256
    Had a scan through but not sure if anyones mentioned (or if you already know), Halfords cycle2work vouchers can be used at other stores as well.

    Just as an example, but not limited to, here is Rutlands Cycles c2w blurb

    https://www.rutlandcycling.com/content/ ... cling.aspx
  • 3wheeler
    3wheeler Posts: 110
    Milemuncher1 wrote:
    ayjaycee wrote:
    Milemuncher1 wrote:
    https://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-540-road-bike-grey-black-105-id_8377756.html

    You’d be hard pressed to do better than this, at your budget, unless you go second hand / used.
    Looking at the spec for that Btwin, he could well be right. I’ve no idea if the frame is any good but if it is even half decent and one fits you, a bike with that spec would be a steal. Check out if will also take mudguards which are a real bonus when the weather turns crappy.

    You’re not wrong, the frame is not too bad at all either. It takes mudguards, and up to 32 mm tyres.
    Does well in reviews and seems to be a good frame with very good quality groupset and wheels for the money.

Categories