Another budget bike question.....

[davros123]

Hi all,

I am a long time lurker but new poster. I have spent a season riding a very basic bike to see how I got on with road cycling and I can truly say I have the bug! The bike I currently have is a Viking Echelon. It is okish and seems to have some reasonable components from what I read. (Shimano Sora etc).

I am looking for something new but the most I can get the fun prevention officer (the Mrs) to be ok with is £550. My question is, are the bikes in this bracket much better than mine? Some of them don't seem to have as good components as the Viking, should I just wait and spend a bit more further down the line? Is there a bike you would suggest in my current budget?

Thanks in advance.

 

[vickster]

Something like this with 105 if you can wangle another £50? Or raise a few quid selling the Viking

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-540-road-bike-105-id_8331275.html

 

[wonderloaf]

I quite like the look of this:
http://www.mangobikes.co.uk/bikes/point-r-road/point-r-shimano-tiagra24

 

[Racing roadkill]

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-520-road-bike-sora-black-red-id_8322663.html

As far as bang for the buck goes, you'd be hard pressed to improve on this.

 

[vickster]

I think he wants to improve on Sora though given that's what he has already

 

[davros123]

Thanks for the suggestions, the 105 b-twin and the mango bike look very impressive for the price and I had not come across either whilst searching.

I have seen this tonight:

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXRT58ALUAPEX/planet-x-rt-58-alloy-sram-apex-road-bike

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

 

[vickster]

Yep, good bike, I got one with Rival for £500 last year which I converted to a flat bar and put the groupset on my road bike which got the apex in return.
105 shifts smoother than Apex (Rival is the 105 SRAM equivalent)

 

[davros123]

So if you don't mind me asking, if it were your money to spend, where would it be going?

Would I be right in thinking the Apex on the Planet X is likely superior to the Sora on my current bike?

 

[Ste pt1]

have you thought about going down the second hand bike route in sure you can get a bike worth £1000 a couple of years ago for £500 etc

 

[davros123]

Oh and just to throw this in to the mix too. the Planet X can be had for £599 with 105.....

 

[vickster]

Good suggestion e.g. https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/trek-madone-2-5-c-2015-size-56-cm-black-matte.198135/

Even though Matt black is anathema to me!

 

[biggs682]

have you thought about going down the second hand bike route in sure you can get a bike worth £1000 a couple of years ago for £500 etc

well said that man and if you look hard enough way below £500

and in my world £500 is not what i call a budget bike thats an expensive bike

 

[davros123]

I know 500 is a lot of money, it just seems to get you in to entry level bikes.

As for second hand, I would happily get a used bike however i would not feel all that confident doing a deal on say eBay or with a private seller as I feel I have limited knowledge.

I am taking a trip to my local bike shop today and hopefully they will stock a few used bikes for me to consider.

 

[Racing roadkill]

I know 500 is a lot of money, it just seems to get you in to entry level bikes.

As for second hand, I would happily get a used bike however i would not feel all that confident doing a deal on say eBay or with a private seller as I feel I have limited knowledge.

I am taking a trip to my local bike shop today and hopefully they will stock a few used bikes for me to consider.

That is a good idea. The LBS will be able to advise you, as well as sell you a bike.

 

[wonderloaf]

I know 500 is a lot of money, it just seems to get you in to entry level bikes.

As for second hand, I would happily get a used bike however i would not feel all that confident doing a deal on say eBay or with a private seller as I feel I have limited knowledge.

I am taking a trip to my local bike shop today and hopefully they will stock a few used bikes for me to consider.

A friend of mine recently acquired a very good condition (ie like new) 2014 Cube Peleton with 10 speed 105 gearing for the princely sum of £250. However he had to be very patient and monitor fleabay like a hawk and then had to travel to pick it up, but it shows that the bargains are out there!