First road bike, around £500, which one?

Abiljames

Hi all!

I’m looking to buy my first road bike after I have been borrowing my friends for some rides (around 50miles) she has a Liv avail 2 which is nice to ride but I’m not 100% sure on the Shimano Claris group set.
I’m looking around the £500 mark and have found a few bikes.
Liv Avail 1 2018 - £600 with Shimano Sora 2x9
Pinnacle Laterite 2 2018 women’s - £500 with Shimano Sora 18 speed (2x9 speed)
B’Twin Triban 520 women’s - £500 with Shimano Sora 2x9 speed

They are all women’s bikes, I am 5’6” with a small frame. The bikes weigh 9.9kg B’Twin, 9.8kg pinnacle and Liv don’t tell you the weight of the avail! I assume it will be similar.

So which one would be best or is there a better bike for the price?

Thanks!

CitizenLee

They're all similar spec so I don't think you could go wrong with any of them, but the Pinnacle would win it for me. It's £100 cheaper than the Liv, and has nicer finishing kit than the B'Twin.

mamil314

For that money, i'd look out for a good condition second hand bike with 105 groupset. It would be 11 speed and a couple of kg lighter.

Abiljames

Thanks for the help! I’ll try and get down to an Evans to look at the pinnacle and keep an eye out for a second hand with a 105 groupset ☺️

Matthewfalle

Don't restrict yourself to women's specific frames: have a squid at that thread in buying advice where that guy is asking about a bike for his girlfriend - couple of threads down.

Matthewfalle

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