Another new rider asking bike advice

[meadows]

I have searched through this forum and everyone seems really helpful and at risk of aksing for people to repeat themselves, (sorry in advance)
I am currently riding an older Carrera that I bought 2nd hand for £125 and has done me well and even though it only has 16 gears I do manage to keep up with my group on rides 20 - 30 miles long and even completed a 50 mile sportiv on it. Anyway as I am looking at the bewildering amout of advice and deals on bikes I wanted to ask some questions hoping it would de-mystify the whole first purchase for me and any other newbies that might read this thread.
1. Aluminum vs carbon frame - I know the differences with weight etc but as I have a budget of £1000 through the cycle scheme which should I be looking at?
2. Disc or rim brakes, am I better to stick with good rim brakes over cheap cable driven disc brakes?
3. Local shop or online retailer, I can get more from the likes of ribble etc but not the personalised touch and loyalty of the local bike shop
So far my shortlist is down to:
Giant content sl
Ribble Gran fondo
Boardman Carbon
Specialized Alez
I know they all come in over just above £1000 but I am prepared to make up the difference if need.

Sorry for the long post

 

[vickster]

Buy local if you can

Be aware with C2W that
- some retailers won't let you buy a reduced bike
- a bike for more than £1k (Halfords I think for example)
or they may charge a surcharge if on C2W as they have to pay a fee to the C2W admin (10-15%, e.g. Ribble)

If a commuter (presumably as C2W) consider the ability to fit full and proper mudguards, pannier rack etc

Take manufacturer quoted weights with a pinch of salt...

And go test ride

 

[meadows]

Buy local if you can

Be aware with C2W that
- some retailers won't let you buy a reduced bike
- a bike for more than £1k (Halfords I think for example)
or they may charge a surcharge if on C2W as they have to pay a fee to the C2W admin (10-15%, e.g. Ribble)

If a commuter (presumably as C2W) consider the ability to fit full and proper mudguards, pannier rack etc

Take manufacturer quoted weights with a pinch of salt...

And go test ride

Thanks for that response, being honest I am trying to decide between the cycle scheme vs finance as finance allows me less each month, more expensive bike but over longer term

 

[vickster]

Thanks for that response, being honest I am trying to decide between the cycle scheme vs finance as finance allows me less each month, more expensive bike but over longer term

Interest free credit card another option. I recently got one from Sainsbury's, over 30 months (and a silly limit of 9k)

 

[13 rider]

Some shops also do interest free fiance ( Rutland cycles for example ) but that rules out trying before you buy . If I was changing my bike now I definitely go with disc brakes hopefully hydroclic . Take your time and don't rush in visit as many shops as you can try and take to the staff . The difference between Aluminium and carbon frames is minimal

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Some shops also do interest free fiance ( Rutland cycles for example ) but that rules out trying before you buy . If I was changing my bike now I definitely go with disc brakes hopefully hydroclic . Take your time and don't rush in visit as many shops as you can try and take to the staff . The difference between Aluminium and carbon frames is minimal

A bit off topic, but I was told the other day that Rutland Cycles are opening a store in Leicester (might be on Fosse Park, but I could be wrong)

 

[Supersuperleeds]

I have searched through this forum and everyone seems really helpful and at risk of aksing for people to repeat themselves, (sorry in advance)
I am currently riding an older Carrera that I bought 2nd hand for £125 and has done me well and even though it only has 16 gears I do manage to keep up with my group on rides 20 - 30 miles long and even completed a 50 mile sportiv on it. Anyway as I am looking at the bewildering amout of advice and deals on bikes I wanted to ask some questions hoping it would de-mystify the whole first purchase for me and any other newbies that might read this thread.
1. Aluminum vs carbon frame - I know the differences with weight etc but as I have a budget of £1000 through the cycle scheme which should I be looking at?
2. Disc or rim brakes, am I better to stick with good rim brakes over cheap cable driven disc brakes?
3. Local shop or online retailer, I can get more from the likes of ribble etc but not the personalised touch and loyalty of the local bike shop
So far my shortlist is down to:
Giant content sl
Ribble Gran fondo
Boardman Carbon
Specialized Alez
I know they all come in over just above £1000 but I am prepared to make up the difference if need.

Sorry for the long post

My opinion only and no way is any of it fact, but:

1) I'd go for the aluminium, for £1,000 you will get a much better bike.

2) I'd go rim brakes over cable disc brakes - I have had both and even though I am fan of disc brakes, in my experience the rim brakes have been better than the cable brakes, they are also (for me) easier to maintain.

3) Local shop every time for me, you can touch and feel the bikes before you buy them, have someone to see if things go wrong.

Of your shortlist I would be going for the Allez, purely because I have one already and it is my favourite bike. Also with Specialized you get a lifetime guarantee on the frame.

If you can wait until the 2018 bikes are out I have been told that the Allez with full 105 is supposed to be retailing at £1,000 (Though when I researched it I couldn't find it on the internet even though there is info about the 2018 spesh bikes out there)

 

[DCLane]

In terms of the above options they're all good. It's about which one fits and suits you best.

Disc/rim brakes - disc brakes are becoming more popular. I'm sticking with rim brakes as that's what all of my bikes are and I swap wheelsets around. In addition disc brakes can be tricky to set up.

You'll get more kit usually on an aluminium frame and at that price point many carbon bikes either are a basic frame and/or basic kit.

 

[Cycleops]

Hello again. Firstly I'd go with discs, I've just bought a Specialized with discs and the difference is amazing, plus no more rim ware. I'd always go with them given the choice. Mine are just budget items but are fine.

I'm not really up on the best road bikes for a grand but there are loads of videos and reviews of bikes due to the popular price point. Don't forget Decathlon have some great value bikes and offer a carbon framed road bike with Tiagra for £800.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-560-cf-carbon-road-bike-tiagra-id_8377758.html
Having said that it may be best to buy locally. As for the difference between carbon and aluminium have a look at this:

View: https://youtu.be/h3RG5dztrXM

Whatever you decide I'm sure you'll be happy, there are no 'bad' bikes out there. Good luck.

 

[vickster]

Whatever you decide I'm sure you'll be happy, there are no 'bad' bikes out there. .

I'm sure there are...just not maybe for a grand / in the OP's list

 

[meadows]

Thanks everybody, some really good advice there

 

[damj]

Hi C2W can have lots of frustrations, those that vickster pointed out. Plus coming to the end of 2017 models, can lead to a hugely frustrating time. For example many manufactures are reluctant to build new batches of bikes around £1000 mark. I recently waited around 11 weeks for an orro terra, only to be told I'd have to wait another 4 weeks! Luckily a localish bike shop had everything I'd been Looking for, relaxed geometry, endurance, all weather, disc brakes, aluminum frame - Giant Content sl2. Absolutely superb bike, really happy with it. LBC everytime, unless you know exactly what you're looking for. Hope your hunting isn't too stressful.

 

[J1888]

Makes no odds really, but if I was spending around a grand, I'd be looking seriously at this: https://www.decathlon.co.uk/ultra-720-af-road-bike-ultegra-id_8331274.html

 

[PaulSB]

If you are relatively new to cycling and unsure of your needs, which seems to be case, now is the time to begin building a good relationship with a quality local bike shop.

I've been riding for 40+ years but my technical knowledge is still very limited. I've used the same LBS for the past 20 years. I walk in, tell Ian what I want to achieve and he sells me what I need - which isn't necessarily what I asked for!! I can pop in any day and get quick, easy fixes done while I wait.

A good LBS will be view you as a long term investment you should do the same. Value for money is not always the lowest cost. The C2W scheme is a problem for smaller retailers as it costs them 15% in fees. Personally I wouldn't even consider buying on line as I don't have the necessary knowledge. Also ask the question "When I need help how interested will the LBS be if it's clear there efforts at providing good customer service are unlikely to be rewarded with future bike purchases?"

When you visit the LBS go with a clear idea of what you want to achieve rather than the bike you want to buy. Let the LBS advise on the bike which will best fulfill your objectives. This approach has stood me in good stead for decades.

I have both rim and disc brakes. I would now always go with hydraulic disc brakes BUT my experience is one only sees the real difference in the wet. Good, well maintained rim brakes are fine and have been for many, many years.

 

[TeeShot]

If you are relatively new to cycling and unsure of your needs, which seems to be case, now is the time to begin building a good relationship with a quality local bike shop.

I've been riding for 40+ years but my technical knowledge is still very limited. I've used the same LBS for the past 20 years. I walk in, tell Ian what I want to achieve and he sells me what I need - which isn't necessarily what I asked for!! I can pop in any day and get quick, easy fixes done while I wait.

A good LBS will be view you as a long term investment you should do the same. Value for money is not always the lowest cost. The C2W scheme is a problem for smaller retailers as it costs them 15% in fees. Personally I wouldn't even consider buying on line as I don't have the necessary knowledge. Also ask the question "When I need help how interested will the LBS be if it's clear there efforts at providing good customer service are unlikely to be rewarded with future bike purchases?"

When you visit the LBS go with a clear idea of what you want to achieve rather than the bike you want to buy. Let the LBS advise on the bike which will best fulfill your objectives. This approach has stood me in good stead for decades.

I have both rim and disc brakes. I would now always go with hydraulic disc brakes BUT my experience is one only sees the real difference in the wet. Good, well maintained rim brakes are fine and have been for many, many years.

Brilliant post. Should be compulsory reading for every unsure newbie