New Road Bike Advice

I'm sure plenty of people will wade in here but I wouldn't be set on that Fuji, there is plenty out there at a similar spec for the same price. Depending on current fitness/flexibility and if you are lookin at evans specifically I'd maybe look at a cannondale synapse - notoriously good bike at comfort geometry.

https://www.evanscycles.com/cannondale- ... e-EV239411

Alternatively if you are prepared to go elsewhere id have a peek at Giant Defy range. Also no need to go up to ultegra pedals I have some cheaper shimano ones (£25 ish) that I have had for years and have never got around to changing out and these are more than adequate on a £2k car on bike that do exactly the same job.

Got take a look in Bker Street bikes down on London road - have a lot of good options in there within your budget, raymont cycles at preston circus too. Both have better follow up service and cheaper labour costs if you need the work done by a shop. Eveyone will offer advice on the bike so Ill go on about the other stuff

Consider double sided SPD pedals (shimao M520) and MTB shoes - a lot will argue with me on that -£20 for those pedals . I live in Brighton and the stop start nature in town warrants the double sided pedals for less faff at constant lights. Mtb shoes will give you the ability to walk about a bit from the bike to the office - these two suggestions are from a commuting/town centre perspective. You could then get SPD compatible road shoes for weekend rides and still stick with SPDs when more budget allows later down the line.

Or rock your MTB shoes proudly and ignore any judgement - thats what I do. Who cares what others think, you need a bit of a mixed bag of use on a budget from one bike.

Track pump for home then inner tubes, mini pump and alan key set to take out on the bike. Get some bib shorts and jerseys in you can afford it. Bib shorts first, can make do with a generic sports top if budget doesnt allow (altough will be no rear pockets). I assume when commuting youll have a back pack to carry work stuff and change of clothes. Jersey not important then. On weekend rides youll want to carry everything you need in your Jersey pockets and whatever storage you attach to the bike (which will be minimal)

Nothing wrong with the Fuji. Much better than a lower spec Cannondale with rubbish cable discs.

I would spend that £40-50 pounds you mentioned on 105 (5800) brake calipers.

I would also (as above) throttle back on pedal/shoe cost, and I would use the money to get a better helmet (and lock if you are leaving it somewhere it needs it) and that track pump (Topeak Blow Joe Sport).

There are going to be other things you need so don't plan too many nights out for a while.

Get decent bib shorts from the start.Dont buy a cheap pair first.
Endura FS260 Pro would be good from Evans.

The Joe Blow Sport II is worth the extra £13.

Get them to price match wiggle. £26, so £3 more

If your mates have road and you do not need to walk much, I would be a devil and try road.

It will be ages before you get them if you do not do it now (too many other things will be ahead of the que for you cycle cash).
If you do not like them then at least you gave them a go.

Carbonator wrote:

Get decent bib shorts from the start.Dont buy a cheap pair first.
Endura FS260 Pro would be good from Evans.

Sadly need to factor this in.

(I am another who likes that Fuji, btw)

indeed stopping at lights does not require mtb shoes. My point here was double sided pedals are handy for constant clipping in and out - and inline with that if you get double sided SPDs it means mtb shoes could also be an option to give you that extra bit of flexibilty to walk about - if indeed thats something that even matters to you in anyway.

It was more of an overall suggestion covering two points.

If you have little need to do more than a short walk between bike and wherever you take your shoes off then it really makes no difference

adz0rz wrote:

but will have to stop there

It never stops :twisted:

Cars are cheaper!

£71 is a mental amount of money to spend on pedals - especially if your budget's tight.

There is no real issue walking with SPD SL shoes. You can also get cleat covers for them so as to protect the cleats and make walking more comfortable.

Are you committing to commuting on it year round? If so, a bike that has clearance / mounting points for proper mudguards makes sense.

The spare tubes are not just for longer rides. You'll generally get a puncture when it's least convenient, and a 5 mile commute can turn into a long walk in cleated shoes!

Go for the road shoes / SPD-L pedals if your riding buddies already have them and you plan to do minimal walking in them.
OTOH if you think you'd like to be able to walk about normally when you get off the bike, SPD pedals and touring shoes make more sense.

(my eldest son and his girlfriend took their bikes off for a long weekend, her with flats and trainers, him with road shoes. He had to unscrew the cleats when they parked up in town and wanted a wander)