Heads spinning.. Help

[Chatta25]

I cannot for the life of me choose a road bike. My budget is £1k max.

First off im struggling with size, i visited my LBS and he tried me on a giant defy but even he couldnt say exactly what i am.

I have short legs, 31. Height 5,10 & 1/2( aparently im inbetween 5,10 and 5,11. and i also have short reach. Any advice on this would be helpful. I looked at a pro bike fit but its £130.

Also im getting caught up reading thousands of posts on forums who say i need this this and this so im finding myself looking at dearer and dearer bikes.

I just want a reliable bike that doesnt fall to pieces that i can go out and ride for hours for fitness initially although i am considering joining a club and doing group rides.

Does such a bike exist?

Sorry for the essay, but im stressing out because theres 1000s of options and brands and differing reviews

 

[wheresthetorch]

1st world problem - being stressed about what to spend £1K on .

Seriously though, enjoy the moment, test a few bikes, and choose the one that makes you want to ride it! Simples.

 

[vickster]

Where do you live? Perhaps someone can recommend a more helpful LBS?

Defy wise, I'd say a medium size given your measurements, possibly with a stem change. It's better to go a little small than big. Or look at other brands. Your measurements don't sound that odd, and there are a number of adjustments can be made. Or buy from Dolan/Planet X/Ribble which allow some customisation of components and have a good range in your budget. Go to their shop and get them to help (avoid busy weekends, take a day off work). They shouldn't charge you for the fit

For your budget, alu frame, carbon fork, 105 groupset. You might be able to stretch to an entry level carbon frame with 105 from one of the above. Or steel equilibrium from Genesis

 

[Crandoggler]

Hello.

Try this: http://www.decathlon.co.uk/ultra-720-af-road-bike-ultegra-id_8331274.html

Quite frankly I don't think there's a better bike available for that money.

Review here: http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/reviews/road-bikes/btwin-ultra-720-af

I want one!

 

[vickster]

There are better looking and more customisable

 

[Crandoggler]

I think it looks lovely

 

[vickster]

I personally wouldn't spend £1000 on a French chain store bike but each to their own

 

[Crandoggler]

Fair enough. It seems a hell of a bike though.

 

[dfthe1]

Also im getting caught up reading thousands of posts on forums who say i need this this and this so im finding myself looking at dearer and dearer bikes.

I just want a reliable bike that doesnt fall to pieces that i can go out and ride for hours for fitness initially although i am considering joining a club and doing group rides.

Does such a bike exist?

Yes -- and you don't *need* to spend £1,000 on it. I do all of the above on a £199 Carrera from Halfords. Did my first club ride on it a couple of weeks ago and next month I'll be doing a 100 mile sportive. I will probably upgrade at some point, but at the moment, it's perfect for my needs.

 

[slowmotion]

Is it your first road bike? It took me quite a while to get used to the riding position after I bought my first one. I really didn't know what to look for when I went to the LBS, or what a comfortable road bike should feel like. Inevitably, you feel under a bit of pressure in a bike shop if you are new to that game. If you possibly can, borrow different bikes from friends etc and go round the block a few times to get an idea of how different they feel. The LBS sold me my first road bike and I was never entirely happy with it. It wasn't their fault. I found my second one by borrowing it from a friend. I knew after half a mile that it was the one for me.

Best of luck.

 

[Chatta25]

Yeah its my first road bike.
Im getting most confused by the sora, 105, ultegra etc. Is it worth me paying the extra for the higher spec?

I find a bike i like the look of with say tiagra and then i see people say they wouldnt go lower than 105. For example this:

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cannondale-CAAD8-Tiagra-6-2016-Road-Bike_83162.htm

Is something like this fine?

Looks wise i love the defy 1 disc 2016, the light blue but thats dead on £1k and i dont know if its worth it.

Oh and I have a specialized store thats the closest too me. But was told that its higher price than others for same spec because of its name. Class looking bikes though.

 

[PeteXXX]

I'm sure other bike shops will do similar, but I went to the Leisure Lakes Daventry shop a while ago and the chap there sat me on their computerised bike thingy.
The screen in front displays just about every bike available, and every size it comes in.
You choose a bike and your size, and the machine clicks and whirs to the geometry of the bike.

Maybe it'll help you with your choice.

 

[Kajjal]

I'm sure other bike shops will do similar, but I went to the Leisure Lakes Daventry shop a while ago and the chap there sat me on their computerised bike thingy.
The screen in front displays just about every bike available, and every size it comes in.
You choose a bike and your size, and the machine clicks and whirs to the geometry of the bike.

Maybe it'll help you with your choice.

I did the same and it was very helpful in choosing the right sized bike.

 

[Kajjal]

The main thing with buying a bike is it fits you well, feels right when you ride it and you like the look of it. Also check price and spec but over paying a little for a bike that makes you want to ride is not a bad thing. 105 works very well and my old bike with tiagra was fine as well.

The defy 1 disc is a good bike with decent components. Just make sure you budget for some clothing to go with the bike. Decathlon do goid value for money clothing such as shorts, jerseys etc. To get you going.

 

[KneesUp]

If you're not at all sure about fit and don't want to pay for a fitting, why not buy a second hand bike for less than £200 and use that to work out what you need (short or long cranks, lots or no lay back, short or long, low or high stem) and then either adapt that bike and save some cash or sell it for what you paid for it and buy a new bike that is just so.