Hello everyone! + quick question

[SimonRoberts0204]

Hi all, new around here, looking forward to chatting all things bike with you all very soon!

quick question:

I've been riding for a couple of months on a Raleigh airlite 100 . Bought it for 200 quid, didnt think i could justify spending a lot until I was a little more into it.

The thing is, now im loving cycling, and I feel I might be outgrowing this bike - or am I ? - here lies my question!

I can complete 10 miles in pretty much bang on 30 minutes,- with this in mind, would i benefit (much?) from a new bike? If i were to buy a new one, I would be looking in the £1000-1200 range.

Apologies for posing you all a question which I'm sure you hear all the time!

Cheers,

Simon

 

[Sittingduck]

Hi

Can you afford it?

 

[SimonRoberts0204]

I can afford it, but (and i know that whether I 'should' is subjective) but do you think I can benefit 'enough' (lol) given my current ability?

 

[Sittingduck]

Pretty sure you will notice a Huge difference from a 200 quid Raleigh and a 1200 pound Road bike If it was me and I had the spare cash... I beleive I would already be searching online for potential purchases

Regards,
SD

 

[SimonRoberts0204]

Me too Trying to decide if whether the Specialized Roubaix or Tarmac is more my style....!

 

[Wigsie]

Pretty sure you will notice a Huge difference from a 200 quid Raleigh and a 1200 pound Road bike If it was me and I had the spare cash... I beleive I would already be searching online for potential purchases

Regards,
SD

+1 I would have had a few test rides too, you will soon feel the difference between the two types of bikes and find your dream machine.

 

[Sittingduck]

A certain frequenter of these forums has just recently purchased a Roubaix... doubtless he will be along to this thread shortly

Are you set on Specialized then or is there much flexibility in your earmarking of other brands?

 

[Wigsie]

Me too Trying to decide if whether the Specialized Roubaix or Tarmac is more my style....!

V. V. Jealous.. would love either. Have you ridden any of them?

You may have to search hard to find either for £1,200 though.

good luck.

 

[SimonRoberts0204]

Theres flexibilty - , I was just on their website and those two stood out... I supposed that if you generally get what you pay for , so brand selection was all about which was most comfortable to the user , not which was *best* . so far i havnt ridden anything, so im purely going with the specialized bikes looking the sexiest IMO!

 

[SimonRoberts0204]

Wigsie - I'm usually like this - budget ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM 1200 - means stretch it to 1500 and go hungry instead

 

[Randochap]

I'd think at that budget you'd have a fair choice of quality bikes. Why restrict yourself to online options?

I'd have a wander around shops that will let one test ride some real bikes.

 

[accountantpete]

Hi Simon

I personally would source new and second-hand top end items in the following order of importance:

Wheels/and new tyres £300
Frame/forks £300 (s/h off a carbon upgrader)
Bottom Bracket(new)/Crankset £100
Pedals/shoes £100
Remainder £300

don't go on looks!

 

[SimonRoberts0204]

Thanks Randochap - I always figured I would pop by the LBS to at least have a look at whatever I'm going to buy, and probably buy from them as well. ( I would feel too terrible using their time and advice and then buying online!)

 

[SimonRoberts0204]

thanks pete - but that all sounds a bit complicated no? lol. I'm keen to ride something thats been bolted together by a pro!

 

[Wigsie]

Wigsie - I'm usually like this - budget ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM 1200 - means stretch it to 1500 and go hungry instead

OK fair enough, I have been accused of being the same from time to time.

Those two were on my wish list but I could not go over 1k so I never test rode either (as I didnt want to know what I was missing) and bought an Allez Elite which is amazing in its own right. Having said that, I have started scheming saving for a Roubaix/Tarmac next summer.