Drum Roll.... Reviews on Entry Level Road Bikes Needed!!

[laura1985x]

Hey Guys...

Honest opinions on the following entry level road bikes please!....

Dawes Giro 300 – £299.95 - http://www.bikeoutlet.co.uk/products/Dawes_Giro_300_2008-326-21.html
Giant Defy - £440 - http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/giant-defy-4-item127643.html
Carrera Virtuoso - £329.99 - http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_272635_langId_-1_categoryId_165710
Decathon B-Twin Sport - £269.95 - http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/sport-...9/#INFO-DETAIL
Raleigh Airlight - £225.10 - http://www.southwatercycles.com/products.php?plid=m1b32s6p1983&rs=gb
Le Monde - £Ebay - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=270401132703

Ta!!
Laura xxxxxxxxxxx

 

[ianrauk]

The Carrera Virtuoso got a cracking review in Cycling + recently

 

[bonj2]

pretty much of a muchness... they've all got those shite sora shifters.
get a boardman, they're apparently a lot better.

 

[I am Spartacus]

Can't you go up budget.. and use the 24 month interest free options that some offer...?
It's just that entry level is just that.. bog standard....bottom end...ususally heavier, clunkier etc etc. especially in the road bike world.
and
you aint gonna stay at entry level for long are YOU?
just a thought

 

[garrilla]

Out of that list, the Le Monde is in a class of its own if you win it.

If not, the Carrera and the Dawes are the better options, but like bonj says they're all much of a muchness...

 

[worcester dan]

pretty much of a muchness... they've all got those shite sora shifters.
get a boardman, they're apparently a lot better.

what is wrong with sora? I know they a bottom of the range but the ones on my bike seem ok, although to be fair I have never tried anything else)

 

[killiekosmos]

OT - Have bike prices shot up? I bought a Giant SCR 2 two years ago for £420. It has similar spec to Defy 2 (triple) at £800?

Back on topic the Defy 4 seems overpriced compared to the others.

 

[bonj2]

what is wrong with sora? I know they a bottom of the range but the ones on my bike seem ok, although to be fair I have never tried anything else)

can't change from the drops. what use is that...

 

[Gerry Attrick]

OT - Have bike prices shot up? I bought a Giant SCR 2 two years ago for £420. It has similar spec to Defy 2 (triple) at £800?

Back on topic the Defy 4 seems overpriced compared to the others.

Giant of all brands seem to hold regular sell-offs of old stock at ridiculously low prices. Mrs A bought a Giant TCR CW a couple of years back for a grand when the original price was twice that. Only difference from the newer model was the colour!

 

[worcester dan]

can't change from the drops. what use is that...

fair point

 

[colinr]

Out of that list, the Le Monde is in a class of its own if you win it.

Suspicious looking auction though isn't it? Not a proper photo, very little info that isn't copy/pasted off manufacturers website. Or do I just have ebay paranoia?

 

[Crackle]

can't change from the drops. what use is that...

Can't say I ever do anyway.

 

[John the Monkey]

Laura, can you get hold of a copy of last month's Cycling Plus? Had a review of sub-£400 road bikes in it.

 

[bonj2]

Can't say I ever do anyway.

if you've got handlebars that you aren't comfortable with using the drops you could consider different handlebars or a different position, I didn't used to find it very comfy but now i find riding on the drops the most comfortable position to ride.

 

[Crackle]

if you've got handlebars that you aren't comfortable with using the drops you could consider different handlebars or a different position, I didn't used to find it very comfy but now i find riding on the drops the most comfortable position to ride.

I use the drops but I don't change gear often, if ever, from them is what I meant. You have hit a different problem on the head though, I am less comfortable on the classic shape drops now than I was 15 years ago. I suspect it's more to do with my flexibility than shape of bar.