Heads spinning.. Help

[KneesUp]

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

Even if it was high spec, excellent value, well made, came with a
superb guarantee. fitted like a glove and wasn't black? Why?

 

[steve50]

A bike costing £400 will do exactly the same job as a bike costing £1000, the dearer bike might be a couple of kg's lighter with fancier components and look a bit flash BUT the cheaper bike could be a darn site more comfortable, as said above, don't let your budget guide you, try a few bikes, take some test rides, you will know when a bike fits you right.

 

[Elybazza61]

It's better to go a little small than big

This^ And you can look 'pro' with lots of seatpost showing and a longer stem.

That Cannondale is just the sort of thing and don't worry about it being Tiagra as it looks like it's the latest version.

http://road.cc/content/review/182657-shimano-tiagra-4700-groupset

Only thing with the caad is that they are a bit racier than say a Defy or Cannondales Synapse,so it's best to see if you can get a look at one,they are lovely bikes though.

 

[Elybazza61]

Actually what might be best is to trawl the net and look at bikes you like and then see if you can plan a trip to somewhere that has a few bike shops that have any of the ones you've shortlisted and see them in the flesh.

Also find out if any of the shops would for instance include a bike fit or give a discount on pedals and/or shoes;in retrospect I should have gone to my LBS for my first bike,would have saved me some hassle.

 

[jonny jeez]

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 .

No, simply put. The only real difference is weight. If they don't change gears then they are not fir for purpose (I agree that there are subtle difference between brakes and gears on more expensive ranges but trust me you will neither notice nor need it.

Select a groupset that fits your needs, personally I dont like group sets that ask me to shift gears with a secondary hood mounted thumb paddle, I like a single paddle under the brake lever...one way up the other way down, so I can brake and shift as required. Other than that nothing much matters to me.I've ridden tens of thousands of miles on my specialized with a 9 speed tiagra and can loose most riders on the flat.

Check out the Halfords carreras and also the btwin from decathlon both sit way below £500 and are aluminium frames with carbon forks, that will leave you plenty of cash to buy jackets and gear.

This price will allow you to try before you over comit.you might not like riding after all...its tough to begin with.

 

[mjr]

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.

Don't start that... I was given my current road bike, spent maybe £50 on new tyres+tubes+tape+hoods+cables, then rode a 100 mile fun ride on it not long after. Therefore, all new bikes are overpriced

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 think it all depends how much. Unless you're pretty sensitive, you may not notice the difference often.

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

Oh, there's plenty of kit snobs about. Try both - if you can't feel the difference, it's probably not important early on. It all wears out eventually anyway...

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.

I'm not wild on the more expensive Defys because they seem like the Defy 5 with some more expensive options on them, or disc brakes for road bikes, but that's just me.

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.

I really dislike Specialized because of how they do business.

But what I think doesn't really matter - it's more how the bike feels to you and how it makes you feel.

 

[Venod]

One of these in a Medium should be OK, I would visit Planet X, they have loads of bikes if you dont like them you can get an idea of what size you are looking for.

http://www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/bikes/...utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=MASRBProCarbon

 

[vickster]

Even if it was high spec, excellent value, well made, came with a
superb guarantee. fitted like a glove and wasn't black? Why?

Cos to me the frames and colour schemes look dull and are common on the roads. And I now prefer to buy bikes from smaller companies with heritage and based in the UK I'd rather support a UK operation than a non UK one (and no I won't be voting for Brexit )

I wouldn't spend a grand on a bike from Halfords either. I don't think chains typically and consistently offer the after sales I expect when spending that much

Ymmwv

 

[livpoksoc]

Any lbs worth their reputation would at least ensure you can change a stem or bars before purchase.

Especially if you're spending £1k.

 

[Saluki]

One of these in a Medium should be OK, I would visit Planet X, they have loads of bikes if you dont like them you can get an idea of what size you are looking for.

http://www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/bikes/...utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=MASRBProCarbon

The medium comes up a bit small. I'm 5'7" (and a bit) and I found it a bit small for me. I went with the next size up and it's just great. Hubster is 5'10" and he's ridden it and thinks that it's great.

 

[Venod]

The medium comes up a bit small. I'm 5'7" (and a bit) and I found it a bit small for me. I went with the next size up and it's just great. Hubster is 5'10" and he's ridden it and thinks that it's great.

This is why you should try for size everybody is different, when i bought my PX I tried a medium & a large,after a lot of delibaration I went large, although it was a nice ride I think I should have gone medium, I think the compact design makes them look small, I am 5ft 10" 32" inside leg and ride a 54" in most bikes, the shorter top tube length of the medium 54.7cm would have suited me more than the 57cm of the large, I am not a big fan of compact frames.

The OP said short legs and short reach, thats why I recommended medium.

 

[vickster]

PX pro carbon is £750 this weekend with SRAM rival can specify stem length, crank length, handlebar width

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPRIV22/planet-x-pro-carbon-sram-rival-11-road-bike

 

[bozmandb9]

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

I have your solution, but it does involve traveling to Lancashire. You haven't said where you are yet, so this mayor may not be a problem.

There is a a great British bike builder called Terry Dolan, his bikes are well reputed, but not so widely known, but are stunningly good value.

For your budget they will make you a bike, fitted to you, with your choice of groupset (to an extent- you'll be able to choose brand, but your budget would not allow you to select top of the range).

You will be able to pick up a full carbon road bike no problem, or alloy if you prefer, and will get great advice. Forum members can give you their experience, but I've not heard anything bad about Dolan bikes. There are plenty in the junior and amateur racing circuits, where performance and value balance is paramount.

Here's a link, maybe try calling them tomorrow. http://www.dolan-bikes.com/road/road-bikes.html

 

[nickyboy]

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

I have an earlier incarnation of the 720 that I've been riding for about 3 years and done about 15,000 miles. It's a great bike. I couldn't care less where I buy my bikes from so long as it is value for money and I get good service. The 720 is remarkable value and the Decathlon guys are very helpful.

The 700 was recently reviewed by Cycling Weekly and they gave it 10/10. At £750 it represents even better value for money and in CW's opinion it leaves comparably priced bikes for dead
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/reviews/road-bikes/btwin-ultra-700-af-105

 

[vickster]

Each to their own as I said