New rider, advice on bikes please :)

[ukmoto]

Hello all. Just introduced myself in the appropriate section and now I'd like to ask a question or two if I may .
I'm coming as a new rider, except that I've had a Globe hybrid for a while and enjoyed short runs on that (mainly to the pub and back mind you ). Now though, I'm really getting the cycling bug and fancy a road bike. I'm looking at a Spesh Comp or maybe a Cube Agree GTC Pro. I've got the Comp on a weekend demo this coming weekend and intend to do the Tour de Moor ( only the 7 mile version) just to raise a bit of money for charity and see if I actually like the Comp and road bikes in general. I suspect I will, having had a short blast on it the other day. Mind you, the Cube was really nice as well.

The main reason for getting the bike is for fitness and I want to do longer runs than I probably would on my hybrid. I'm 58, 5'9" and 12stone 4lbs. In reasonable health I suppose for an ol' codger. Seems I would need a 54" in a Comp or a 56" in a Cube ? I don't really want to go mad on the cost, but then again, I want something that I won't think " I wish I bought something a bit better" either.


I would appreciate any advice or help given to me in my thinking given the info above.

Regards

Phil

 

[Merida]

Trying them and seeing which one suits you best is really the best way tbh

 

[cyberknight]

As merida has said you are best to try them both for size as even bikes with the same frame size can have slightly different lengths of top tube/ stem etc that can affect the fit .

I also suggest you try this bike, i have a the lower spec road comp and its great value for money as well as the whole bike range always gettign excellent reviews in the cycling mags .


http://www.boardmanbikes.com/road/road_team_carbon.html

 

[ukmoto]

Thanks for the input guys.


Well, I've got a spesh secteur elite on a weekend's demo here right now and just done a quick hour's run on it and very nice it is too. Although I asked for a secteur comp, the elite was the only one available, but never mind.

The one thing this bike has done already is fire me up! I really think I could get into this road-biking. I did twice the distance that I used to do on my hybrid and wasn't exhausted as per normal. There really is a big difference isn't there.


So, now I have to decide on a bike. At the moment, I'm looking at the secteur comp or the cube agree gtc pro. Although that Boardman looks pretty cool as do others like the CAAD10. I suspect that it'll be either the spesh for it's lifetime frame warranty and zertz inserts etc. or the cube for it's slightly better spec?


I've ridden both and think I could get along with either, bearing in mind that I haven't got enough experience in judging kit like this to the 9th degree. They both feel fine to me .



Any other pointers before I do something daft? After reading forums and reviews all over the net, it all gets pretty complicated.... 105, ultegra, carbon or ally.... well you know...... minefield springs to mind.

Thanks and regards.... Phil

 

[monnet]

Sounds like you've pretty much got it sorted.

At your price range (I'm guessing a bit) I think you'd be best off with ally. Carbon is all very nice but it's not necessary. For a groupset, go with what you can afford/ want. I've got 105 on two of my bikes and Ultegra on my race bike. Ultegra is a bit crisper (Dura Ace more so) which makes it better for racing but for everything else, 105 is absolutely fine.

THe first thing to do will probably be to change the tyres (and possibly up grade the wheels). When you;ve decided on the bike, get back on here and ask what next to spend your money on - there'll be no shortage of helpers!

 

[Globalti]

You are not old, you are merely middle aged Phil. I'm 55 and consider myself young middle aged.

Carry on.

 

[Moss]

I'm 63, and I bought this >>>>>>

Three week back! only done about 100, miles or so, but, I absolutely love it.


I was in the same dilema as you, thinking about which? or what bike to buy? I narrowed it down to : Specialised comp? Felt 75, Scott CR1, Focus Cayo, But in the end, none of them came close to the Cube Agree GTC Pro! And the spec on it is better than the others I looked at!


I'm so pleased that I bought the Cube. BTW a Cube frame size 56, would equal a size 54, in the other makes of bike.

 

[Leaway2]

I'm 63, and I bought this >>>>>>




Three week back! only done about 100, miles or so, but, I absolutely love it.


I was in the same dilema as you, thinking about which? or what bike to buy? I narrowed it down to : Specialised comp? Felt 75, Scott CR1, Focus Cayo, But in the end, none of them came close to the Cube Agree GTC Pro! And the spec on it is better than the others I looked at!


I'm so pleased that I bought the Cube. BTW a Cube frame size 56, would equal a size 54, in the other makes of bike.

Looks like a graffiti artist has been at it!