New Rider .........

r0berto
r0berto Posts: 5
edited December 2011 in Road beginners
Hi,

This is my first post I'm just looking to get a road bike to start commuting to work. The journey will be around 9 miles each way in London.

I started off by looking at the "Bianchi VIA Nirone 7 Sora Compact 2011 Road Bike"
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bia ... e-ec025815

but on a visit to Evans the guy explained that the parts on the Bianchi's are usualyy quite cheap and recommended the "Specialized Allez Elite 2011 Road Bike"
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... e-ec025029

The parts seem to at a higher standard but I've noticed the more recent "Specialized Allez Elite Compact 2012 Road Bike"
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... e-ec030707

I like the frame more on the updated version and there seems to be updated shimano gears and lighter wheels is it worth £100 more for this bike?

Any other recommendations I haven't considered?

Thanks,

Roberto

Comments

  • godders1
    godders1 Posts: 750
    In good weather and if you don't have to carry too much, a road bike is ok for commuting. If it's for year round commuting and/or if you need to be able to carry a fair amount I don't think it's a great idea to be honest. I'd consider something which will take guards and maybe a rack.

    eg.

    http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/kinesisT2.htm

    http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBPXKAFFRIV ... l_drop_bar
  • Godders1 wrote:
    In good weather and if you don't have to carry too much, a road bike is ok for commuting. If it's for year round commuting and/or if you need to be able to carry a fair amount I don't think it's a great idea to be honest. I'd consider something which will take guards and maybe a rack.

    eg.

    http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/kinesisT2.htm

    http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBPXKAFFRIV ... l_drop_bar

    That old chestnut.
  • Full mudguards are a must for year round comuting but plenty of road bikes can take mudguards, Giant Defy can I have them on mine at the moment, come spring they will be off & hung in the garage, look at a few bikes, test ride them but check they take a full mudguard
  • Just when I think I've made a choice I get a negative on the bike I like :cry:

    I did a quick search on here and you can fit crud road racers onto the allez.

    I hadn't thought about the Giant I'm going to have to do some research.
  • r0berto wrote:
    Just when I think I've made a choice I get a negative on the bike I like :cry:

    I did a quick search on here and you can fit crud road racers onto the allez.

    I hadn't thought about the Giant I'm going to have to do some research.

    I would opt for a Road bike with proper eyelets for proper guards, theres some decent bikes out their offering this, and proper guards are worth it, they are infinately better than Crud's. Its been suggested that a Road Bike isn't right for commuting, but i completely disagree, a road bike is quick, FUN and You can carry what you need in a rucksack, or a saddle bag, or Panniers (yes, my roadie takes paniers, i don't use them however, a find a rucksack sufficient.

    If i had to do my commute on a hybrid, then i'd be gutted.
  • sexysi
    sexysi Posts: 50
    I do a 40mile commute on a Peugeot c300 road bike, miles quicker than the MTB, it has alloy frame and is easily quick enough to commute on. Avg about 16-18mph on my commute into London. I use guards sometimes, but only when it rains, mine are easy to take off. No paniers but rucksack carrys everything i need, I even attach a Magic shine 1600Lumen lamp on the front with battery in a bag under my seat. Bike is a 2002 model, but saves me loads of cash.
    My guards are the SKS Race Blade Road Bike Mudguards, so you only have to unclip them, however the front keeps falling off, so only use the back one.

    si
    "Oh, Edmund! Can it be true? That I hold here, in my mortal hands, a nugget of purest green!"
    Road = 1980 Raleigh Record Sprint
    MTB = 2000 Scott Vail
    Road = 2002 Peugeot c300 comp road race bike
    Road = 2012 Bianchi Impulso
    Car = Saab 93, MGTF
  • godders1
    godders1 Posts: 750
    Yeah a poorly worded post on my part. Road bikes are fine for commuting, just not the bikes linked in the OP. By no means was I suggesting that you should commute on a hybrid/MTB!
  • I like the look of the Giant but is it worth that much more just because it can fit proper mudguards.

    Sorry for my stupidity but what is the difference going to be between these crud/sks guards and a "proper" guard?

    Also the Giant seems to have shimano 105 shifters compared to the tiagra on the elite what are peoples opinions between the two?
  • The Defy 2 was top of my list until I found this:
    http://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/bikes-c5/road-bikes-c18/cannondale-synapse-alloy-tiagra-road-bike-2011-p88439
    I wanted the best equipment, comfortable ride and lowest price as I knew that the bike was only the start of it.

    Full guards are going on soon - they fix more rigidly than crud options and also cover more of the wheel which gives better protection for your front mech, chain and any other cyclist following you.
  • That's a nice bike and price but there don't seem to be many floating around any more....
  • Did a quick reload of a few bookmarks and found some are still showing stock - PM me if want the links:
    PedalOn: 54, 56, 58cm - £599
    Drakes: 54, 56, 61cm - £599
    Westbrook: 54cm - £599
    Triton: 48, 56cm - £625
    All Terrain: 54, 56cm - £625
    Pauls: 48, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61cm - £649

    Also see that Winstanley still have Defy2 for £499 (46.5, 50 & 53.5cm) - this was a BikeRadar bargain of the week and I came very close to pressing the spend button.

    Happy hunting :P
  • I've just bought a Scott S35 road bike for winter which has eyelets for "proper" mudguards. Its been specially dedigned for uk winters. Really pleased with the bike and on sale for £650. I'm keeping my carbon bike for summer but this Scott doesn't feel much slower.
  • Pigtail
    Pigtail Posts: 424
    I have a 2010 Allez elite and absolutely love it. I don't use it to commute though. I only have 2 miles each way and use an elderly MTB.

    You're right that the 2012 Elite has better gears - the new 10 speed Tiagra, but the 2011 has a better frame, E5 aluminium compared to A1.