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

[andyfromotley]

Laura if you can squeeze your budget just a little bit, i can highly recommend the specialiased allez. £500 ish but u may get one for 450 by shopping around. Excellent entry bike, so good all i have done is change the wheels and i've had it 5 years...still going strong!

 

[Ant]

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

Oh, I don't know. Plenty of cyclists used to make do without changing from the drops. Like Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Laurent Fignon

 

[albal]

Laura if you can squeeze your budget just a little bit, i can highly recommend the specialiased allez. £500 ish but u may get one for 450 by shopping around. Excellent entry bike, so good all i have done is change the wheels and i've had it 5 years...still going strong!

Good point andy, i have the said model, and am considering changing wheels as a replacement bike is OTQ. Which one s did u opt for?

 

[Fab Foodie]

The Carrera Virtuoso got a cracking review in Cycling + recently

Agreed.

The Lemond is the best deal of course if you can get it.

Although the Giant looks similar spec to the others the AluxX is a great frame and finish and worth paying extra for.
The Carrera did well in the recent C+ reviews of budget bikes.
The Decathlon is also a goodie (my neighbour has one and he flies on it), remarkable for the price and has triple gearing, valuable if you're contemplating very hilly terrain.

As said, much of a muchness after that. Forget the tosh talked about 'Sora' gearing it works just fine is durable and reliable.

Fit is the important bit, makeing sure you have the right size and that it's set-up properly. Budget also for clipless pedals and shoes if you need these.