First road bike - help needed

[2wheelsgood]

It's the usual 'which bike' question. I've been riding a Ridgeback Velocity for the last five years and am quite happy with it, regularly using it for rides of up to 70 miles. However, I'd like to try a road bike and I have no idea where to start - any suggestions? My budget is up to £500 and it has to be available from Evans. I live in a fairly hilly area so the gearing has to be fairly robust. Any help gratefully accepted. Thanks in advance.

 

[adscrim]

Specialized allez double get a reasonable write up and you can get both the double and triple for £450 at evans currently (that's each!).

 

[2wheelsgood]

Yeah, that does sound like it fits the bill. Many thanks Adscrim.

 

[numbnuts]

I live in a fairly hilly area

That = a triple as in http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDetails.asp?productID=21331

 

[sandman77]

I have the Allez Double and find it great. I was a little concerned at getting entry level components but I can honestly say I love my bike. If you live in a hilly area it might be worth going for the triple though as the double is just that, a double and not a compact, so you may struggle on steep hills.

 

[e-rider]

+1 for the Allez

Probably the best road bike available for £500 RRP

Wiggle were selling a 105 equipped alu framed FOCUS a few weeks ago for £500 reduced from £900 - I think they've sold out now; but the point is to look out for bargains.

 

[Becs]

Evans have loads of heavily discounted bikes at the moment. You might be able to get a Trek 1.5 if the Spesh doesn't fit for whatever reason. A couple of my mates have them and love them.

 

[Willo]

As my first new bike for yrs, have owned an Allez for almost a year and really enjoy it. I have entry level triple which was £530 when I got it (through C2W). With the launch of 2011 models, seems to be a good time for a bargain, particularly if you can get the Allez sport for under 500:-) Saying all that, the best advice I can offer from looking around myself last year was to sit on a few models and/or try a test spin before you buy. I found the Allez felt right for me vs Trek, but am sure others have found the opposite. Evans, for example, are good at arranging to make up a bike for you to try out before you buy.

 

[2wheelsgood]

Thanks for the help folks. Will investigate both the Allez and the Trek.

 

[BrumJim]

I have the Allez. Happy. Triple is now cheaper than the Allez at Specialized Concept Stores.

 

[e-rider]

I had a Trek 1.7 for 1 day - it looked like the frame had been welded together by a blind man with one arm missing; and then his mate, who also had serious physical disabilities applied the decals!

Wouldn't go near another Trek after that exprience.

The guy at Trek told me they allow decals to be up to 1cm out of alignment - WTF!

 

[2wheelsgood]

Just to let you know - went for the Allez Double (despite the hills) and am very pleased with it. Thanks for the advice!

 

[DaveyB1981]

Just to let you know - went for the Allez Double (despite the hills) and am very pleased with it. Thanks for the advice!

Looks a good choice. I was tempted by the triple when I was looking, But found the Giant Defy 3.5 fitted me better.

Enjoy the bike!

Dave

 

[e-rider]

can't go wrong with an Allez

and triples are just not cool - good choice!