Looking For A Road Bike Around £600ish!

[Sammo]

Evening Everyone

I am looking for my first road bike. I only want to spend somewhere in the region of £600ish. I rode the Specialized Allez 24 yesterday which rode very nicely although I have nothing to really compare it to.

Can anyone recommend any others around that price range that I should look at/try out?

Cheers

Sammo

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

You could try the Specialized Secteur if you fancy a slightly more relaxed ride than the Allez. I have a 2010 Sport model and I think it's a great bike. I guess it depends which other brands apart from Specialized that your local bike shop stocks for a test ride.

 

[BalkanExpress]

Sammo

I see you are Epsom based, which shop did you go to, was it Corridori up on Fir tree Road? If not, I suggest you give then a visit and talk things through with them: a very good shop with non-elitist service

 

[Sammo]

Sammo

I see you are Epsom based, which shop did you go to, was it Corridori up on Fir tree Road? If not, I suggest you give then a visit and talk things through with them: a very good shop with non-elitist service

I went into Cycleopedia in Tolworth. I had also popped into Fudges Cycle Shop in Epsom but they almost seemed reluctant to approach me (I was the only customer in the shop!), so I left.

I will pop into Corridori after work tomorrow

 

[billy1561]

A few of the giants look good value at the price you are after. I'm considering one myself.

 

[al-fresco]

There's the Merida Ride 77 at £550. Alloy frame, carbon forks. Seems like a decent bike for the price.

 

[Kestevan]

Have a look at the new range in Decathlon. The new Triban road bikes look to be cracking value if you're not obsessed with having a well known manufacturers name on the down tube.

 

[TheBoyBilly]

Carrera bikes from Halfords seem to get good reviews and seem excellent value, but you'll be lucky to get a test ride if your local store is anything like mine. You'll get one for well under budget leaving you money for lock, lights etc (which you will need). That said, an entry-level Secteur is an ideal starter road bike.

Bill

 

[Magikarp]

Fuji Team 3.0? Just bought it and it seems pretty good.

Besides, if you buy it on Evanscycles you get a £50 worth free accessories...

 

[APK]

Have you considered used? Just bought a 2009 Allez Elite with 105's for £430 it was a bit neglected, but after a good clean/adjustment is superb, one or two minor marks, but rides great - unfortunately it is my son's bike, I have the Allez 24 you mention (2010 model bought used for £300) which is fine for me, as a first road bike (for 30 years) but not a patch on the elite.

As a first road bike, buying used gives you far more choice, even reaching into the "dream bike" category if you are lucky as we were, and if you find you don't get on with road bikes, like a lot of people obviously don't judging by the number of barely used bikes available or want to upgrade, you can resell and won't lose much.

 

[2pies]

Sammo, pop into Pearsons in Sutton if you have the chance. They have an excellent Pro shop and will let you try out a number of Trek, Spec and Giant bikes.

http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/store/category/3/98/Road/?#

Might want to look at:

Specialized Secteur Triple - £599
Giant Defy 3 - £595
Trek 1.1 - £550

 

[jonbrackenridge]

The Giant Defy's are great bikes id recommend having a look / test ride if your able too.

 

[Sammo]

Having looked at a few other bikes I have decided to stick with my initial idea. I am getting a Specialized Allez 24

 

[Slaav]

Having looked at a few other bikes I have decided to stick with my initial idea. I am getting a Specialized Allez 24

If you have not yet taken the plunge..... I have something to add!!!

11 weeks ago, I bought my first ever grown up bike - as in 'proper' bike.

I had not been on a bike in anger since School/Uni - a while ago - ahem....

So, in a go and try a few. LBS in Stroud, Glos.

They build up several in my size - try plenty in various price ranges and guess what I ended up with?

Yep - Specialized Allez 24!!!

Bought teh bike for a Charity ride from Cork to Dublin next week..... that is/was it! Wanted an entry level bike that I could toss in the bin afterwards - or at least sell back to LBS. We chatted about getting better versions if I liked the geometry and ride of it - I said no need; only going to ride it for 3 months and then that's it.

How wrong can one be? Think I quite like this cycling stuff and now intend to keep it as a proper hobby and will use it to carry on losing weight etc.

Only issue now is; wish I had gone for the better spec bike! Maybe the Allez Sport with better shifters etc. 'Ours' are pure entry level - albeit it on a triple which does help!!! Well helps my 17st (was over 18st)

Very happy with my bike; dont get me wrong - but feel that if it is now a keeper, would look at trading up. Just me but I am a bit like that unfortunately - for teh money - difficult to fault the Allez 24 for me to be honest....

If you do or have already gone for this; would be very interested to hear your experience. Mine does the job very well and overall, I can not really have any complaints except that I dont have 100% confidence in shifting several rings in a hurry under load... slightly clunky but still very happy!

Enjoy! And report back....

 

[vickster]

+1 on Pearsons, they are fab