advice for new cyclist about bikes (advice needed)

[MFLcycle]

Hi there,

I will start my teaching job in September and have decided to commute to work on a road bike, its approximately a 10 mile round trip.

My budget is at most £650 - and this would need to include all equipment, pedals, shoes, helmet, jersey/shorts, lights etc

I have a bike in mind, that being the Felt Z100 http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-z100-2011/

This seems like a good bike for the price.

However I have also seen this from decathlon http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/triban-3-173178017/

Its £200 cheaper, which will allow me to buy all the equipment I need, with money to spare.

What I would like to know from all the experienced roadies, is how much 'real life' difference there will be between the Felt and the Triban. Also any other suggestions about other bikes I could buy in my price range would also be very welcome.

I realise this is my first post, but I would really appreciate your opinions
Many thanks
Fraser

 

[upsidedown]

I'm a big fan of Decathlon. Their returns and customer service policy is brilliant. For a 10 mile round trip that looks fine.


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=52.474378,-1.880687

 

[MFLcycle]

I'm a big fan of Decathlon. Their returns and customer service policy is brilliant. For a 10 mile round trip that looks fine.


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I am here: http://maps.google.c...74378,-1.880687

Thankyou for the reply, much apreciated. Any other opinions?

 

[Parrot of Doom]

How much are you planning to spend on lighting? I would advise getting the most powerful front light you can, especially for the cold winter evenings.

 

[MFLcycle]

How much are you planning to spend on lighting? I would advise getting the most powerful front light you can, especially for the cold winter evenings.

I didnt want to spend more than £20 on lighting, perhaps thats me being a little stingy, but I am commuting through London and all the roads I take are well lit.

Thanks for your input.

 

[MFLcycle]

I didnt want to spend more than £20 on lighting, perhaps thats me being a little stingy, but I am commuting through London and all the roads I take are well lit.

Thanks for your input.

bump

 

[Oldlegs]

Commuting all year (especially winter) you need to rate comfort over style.

Like a set of full mudguards and ability to fit waterproof panniers (presumably you will want to carry a laptop / books some of the time). Most "road" bikes are not designed for wet and don't have the mounting points for either. There are work rounds but they are not as good as the real thing.

I'd take a look at this one - comes with Tiagra groupset (one up from Sora) and within your budget.

http://www.ribblecyc...onf_SERC&bike=1

 

[MFLcycle]

Commuting all year (especially winter) you need to rate comfort over style.

Like a set of full mudguards and ability to fit waterproof panniers (presumably you will want to carry a laptop / books some of the time). Most "road" bikes are not designed for wet and don't have the mounting points for either. There are work rounds but they are not as good as the real thing.

I'd take a look at this one - comes with Tiagra groupset (one up from Sora) and within your budget.

http://www.ribblecyc...onf_SERC&bike=1

Thanks for the reply oldlegs, I hadn't even considered mudgards. I can do most marking at school but your right their will be times when I will need to take a few books home. Will the Felt or Decathlon not take mudgards?

 

[Oldlegs]

These http://www.wiggle.co.uk/crud-roadracer-mk2-mudguard-set/ will probably fit but check out the reviews.

Like I said you are talking work rounds not optimum for comfort.

 

[Parrot of Doom]

I didnt want to spend more than £20 on lighting, perhaps thats me being a little stingy, but I am commuting through London and all the roads I take are well lit.

Thanks for your input.

I'd spend more than that. £30 for a couple of really bright rear lights and another £20 for a half decent bright front light.

I use a Hope Vision 2 but then again I go offroading at night.