ROAD BIKE FOR UNDER £500

ianccam
ianccam Posts: 5
edited June 2009 in Road beginners
I am looking to buy a road bike for undrer £500 and would appreciate recommendations

I have considered the Specialized Allez which seems well regarded, the Boardman Comp which is excellent apparently apart from being sold by Halfords AND I WOULD NEED IT SET UP PROPERLY !

Also the Saracen Tour

Mail order seems a nightmare if you want to get the right size and have it professionally set up so would prefer to buy from a shop.

Recommendations gratefully received

Also sizing help - I am 5/11.5 and inside leg 32. Websites suggest 58cm - about right ?

Comments

  • el_vino
    el_vino Posts: 64
    You are a similar size to me and I am happier on a 56cm,check out the Giant range also I have a TCR which is a M/L in their compact sizing but is in effect 56cm. You might want to decide also whether you want a pure race bike or one of the slightly more relaxed sportive type bikes. All the big companies seem to have both in the range. For Giant it is the Defy. Where are you based?
    EV
  • ianccam
    ianccam Posts: 5
    SW LONDON
  • MikeWW
    MikeWW Posts: 723
    Bought a Specialised Allez yesterday
    I'm 5 ft10.5 and 32 leg and was sized on the 54(thought I wanted the 56 but definitely too big)
    2010 versions out in a few weeks. Same spec but different colour(white) and a bit more
    Don't really know much about road bikes but they seem well regarded
    www.lichfieldccc.org.uk
  • ianccam
    ianccam Posts: 5
    How much did you have to pay if you don't mind me asking ?
  • MikeWW
    MikeWW Posts: 723
    Had to pay list price(and I bought 2!) So that £539 each
    Got a few bits thrown in but that was it
    Didn't have too much bargaining power in that they had 2 in, I wanted them and there weren't going to be anymore until the new ones arrived
    www.lichfieldccc.org.uk
  • ianccam
    ianccam Posts: 5
    Evans ?
  • MikeWW
    MikeWW Posts: 723
    Evans? No
    Specialized Concept Store
    www.lichfieldccc.org.uk
  • el_vino
    el_vino Posts: 64
    Some Evans are fine, depends who you meet. There is a shop in Brentford called bikebiz which seems to be very good but very Trek focused. AW Cycles in Reading are well worth a trip if you want decent advice. Sigma cycles in Hampton Wick are also excellent but quite high end.
  • simon johnson
    simon johnson Posts: 1,064
    Second-hand?
    Where\'s me jumper?

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