New road bike

[frazerbarnes]

Hello everyone, I'm new here. Cycled quite a lot, but currently on a cumbersome hybrid. I am looking to upgrade to an entry level racer and am looking for some advice.

I am about 6ft 4 and have noticed that a 59cm bike should be ok for me. Anybody out there of a similar height ride a bike with a bigger frame?

I'm currently looking at 3 different bikes and would like people's opinions.

1. Viking sprint. Cheapest of the three but information about it isn't very good and haven't really heard of biking before.

2. Viking giro d'italia. Good looking bike that is middle priced, but the down tube shift is putting me off. If I am travelling at high speeds as a racing beginner I would like to keep my hands on the handlebars.

3. Raleigh airlite 100. This is the most expensive but from the most reputable manufacturer. I am leaning towards this bike because of the STI shifter and lighter weight.

Thanks in advance,

Frazer

 

[vickster]

What's the budget?

Decathlon have a very good rep for low end bikes, similarly Halfords (just get the set up checked by your local bike shop unless you have confidence in the Halfords lads)

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-id_8167038.html

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_272625_langId_-1_categoryId_165710

 

[smokeysmoo]

I'm 6' 5" and ride a 60cm Cannondale and a 64cm 1980's Peugeot. The fit of the bike is obviously critical, and Cannondale tend to have a longer top tube than most others which usually benefits taller guys, although you won't get a new one in your budget I'm afraid.

Have you considered buying a used bike? It's the way I'd go with your budget TBH, (assuming your budget is low from the bike links you posted), and with the season coming to a close interest will be on the wane so it could be a good time to pick up a bargain.

Have a mooch on ebay and the like, if you see anything post a link on here, people will always tell you what they think. While there is nothing particularly wrong with any of the bikes you've listed, and indeed, Decathlon bikes do get good reviews as Vickster say, the fact is you will get a far better equipped used bike for your money than you will a new one.
Good luck what ever you decide

 

[accountantpete]

I would look at a second hand entry level bike from a main manufacturer - Specialized for eg.

You should get something with carbon forks( good) and Shimano Sora or Tiagra groupset (also good).