Brands

[colinr]

I've been looking into my n+1 road bike and I intend to try the usual suspects (Trek, Giant, Specialized) but my budget also reaches the likes of Cube and Felt that I like the look of.

Are they any good for the money, are there any other brands I should be considering in the £500-1000 price range?

(Before anyone says buy second-hand, I have also got my eye on 'for sale' on here and ebay but not a lot comes up within a reasonable distance.)

 

[gbb]

Bianchi and Orbea spring to mind.
TBH...any road bike in that price range will be much of a likeness compared with something similar. ... and thats good. I dont think you'll go wrong with any particular major manufacturer. Its down to getting the best deal / componentry and getting the bike you love the look of.

When i got my Bianchi, i looked at Orbea, Trek, Spesh and Felt. There's no great difference in any of them...i just fell in love with the Bianchi, so that was the one for me.

 

[accountantpete]

Ridley - fantastic paint job esp on the aluminium bikes and a pretty good build to go with it.

 

[Globalti]

Orbea's carbon bikes are quite exceptional value for money. The low-end bikes have the same frames as the high-end bikes. As the components wear out or you become richer you can upgrade the components with others of your choice and build youself a superb, lightweight customised machine.

 

[colinr]

Thanks. I wasn't going to go as far as carbon but you make a strong argument! I've also managed to find dealers for everything which I thought would be the hardest part.

 

[Globalti]

Personally, I will never buy another aluminium bike; I find them too dull in feel.

 

[bonj2]

http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/acatalog/SL_Pro_Carbon_Race2WorkCarbon.html

 

[thewrinklyninja]

Focus on wiggle are a good one, especially if you can get a last years model at quite a discount

 

[colinr]

I'd want a test ride, or at least an LBS fitting. I currently have a compact frame so would prefer to see how a regular frame feels.

The Planet X isn't exactly beautiful. I'd take lower spec on a better looking bike, and on my head be it.

 

[Sittingduck]

Boardman?

 

[Fab Foodie]

I think it's hard to knock the big names in terms of value, they're all pretty good products and the big names can afford to invest more in R&D than the little guys and also have more spending power with componant suppliers, so I think buying from the big boys is a pretty safe experience. However, the downside is that everybody else tends to have one as well. There are also a few smaller specialist outfits like Planet-X and wiggles bargain Focus bikes that from time to time have some absolutely knock-out deals, but you have to catch 'em when they're hot. Finally you have somebody like Condor that sells something a tad different with a name with a certain cache, though it's harder to find their products under a grand.
My fave bike if I was in the market today would be the Condor Fratello, steel, good looking, and a good all-rounder, strip-down for the summer, guard-up for the winter. Perfect!

 

[colinr]

I don't like the look of Boardmans and would rather not support Halfords.

Is there a best time to get deals from an LBS? December/January when nobody is buying bikes because they're broke and it's too cold to think about cycling? I'll probably aim for a cash deal as C2W is looking unlikely.

Condor Fratello is a bit too much with a decent groupset, I'd like to get at least Tiagra (or equivalent).

 

[swee'pea99]

Somewhat OT, but I just went and did a Condor 'completed listings' search on ebay and I was surprised how many frames came up having sold for under the ton. This one, for example. Take the bits off a half decent 'spares or repair' old Peugeot or something, and you could get yourself a really sweet fixie for, say, £150.

 

[Matty]

These boys have a nice selection http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/

 

[Kestevan]

Ribble have some nice bikes.
Guy at work just bought a lovely winter bike for about what you are looking to pay. Seems well specc'ed and looks nice too.