New roadie and need advice

[gbb]

Thanks for the advice, I do quite fancy the ribble because from what I hear has good components, looks good and is cheap. My father thinks that some people have said that the frame sizes are different to other bikes and people have had to change their frame size. Have you heard anything about this?

This is the real problem with a Ribble.
I measured everything i could on my Bianchi, then did the homework on their geometry charts..came up with my conclusion, phoned Ribble, gave them my height etc...and they suggested the same frame size i'd worked out. Not very scientific i know.

Back on the Ribble site, if you substitute the Rodi wheels for Shimano R501s, it only adds a tenner. I have R500s, basically the same wheels i think and theyre very good for the money, many many winter commuting miles done on mine with no issues at all.
On top of that, the R501s are circa 200 gms lighter.

 

[User16625]

Those 3 are all good bikes. I would go and sit/ride all 3 before buying.
Don't know much about the 7005, but it always gets good reviews.
The Allez geometry is pretty racy, so a face down position. The Defy has a more relaxed position, and suits people that are new to road bikes.
Only you will know which you will prefer

You cant just test ride new bikes. I asked to do that a couple of times and the dealers basically told me to bugger off. Nobody is going to let you ride a £1000+ bike without receiving the full payment first.

 

[vickster]

With Evans you can, you just need to pay a penny on a credit card. I took out a thousand pound Bianchi in Central London on that basis and previously a £500 hybrid - I bought neither. I also test rode both an Ariel and a Crosstrail as wasn't 100% sure which one I wanted if either, through my LBS (to be fair I came back in and ordered a bike)

 

[adamdavies]

I have tredz near me and they used to let me take out the bikes around the area by them so they should be on with it

 

[PaulSecteur]

If you have a specialized concept store near, they will usually let you try one out (well, the brum one has let me twice, but they ahve a large carpark at the back of fort dunlop. When I rode my Secteur I was "just looking", which turned into a sale, then when I got the roubaix I left my wallet and car keys with them.

 

[Peteaud]

My lbs has let me ride several grands worth of bike without any details at all.

My MTB was ridden over mud before i parted with a penny. Mrs Aud rode a Spesh Dolce at £1050 without a penny down (and didnt buy it)

IMHO any good bike shop will let you ride one, if not, then i would not buy there.

 

[Peteaud]

If you have a specialized concept store near, they will usually let you try one out (well, the brum one has let me twice, but they ahve a large carpark at the back of fort dunlop. When I rode my Secteur I was "just looking", which turned into a sale, then when I got the roubaix I left my wallet and car keys with them.

Please dont type that word "Roubaix" it gets my heart racing cos i really really really want one.

 

[EltonFrog]

You cant just test ride new bikes. I asked to do that a couple of times and the dealers basically told me to bugger off. Nobody is going to let you ride a £1000+ bike without receiving the full payment first.

That's not my experience, this year I visited Broadribbs cycles in Bicester, and test rode four £1000+ bikes, Cotswold Cycles in Moreton on the Marsh and my wife and I test rode three bikes, Somertown Cycles in Oxford, my wife test rode three other bikes, the sister shop, BikeZone in Oxford I test rode two £1500+ bikes and Pedal-on near Newbury I tested five bikes one of which was 4.5k and the Trek Boutique dealer in Milton Keynes let me ride two bikes as well.

I'm not sure what dealer you go to, but I'd be telling them to bugger off.

For what it's worth I ended up buying two bikes this year one from the Broadribbs Store in Bicester and one from BikeZone.

 

[defy-one]

I rode a cube,allez and the defy 1 and 2 before i decided on my steed. Some did say no .... Guess where my C2W didn't go?

 

[SpokeyDokey]

That's not my experience, this year I visited Broadribbs cycles in Bicester, and test rode four £1000+ bikes, Cotswold Cycles in Moreton on the Marsh and my wife and I test rode three bikes, Somertown Cycles in Oxford, my wife test rode three other bikes, the sister shop, BikeZone in Oxford I test rode two £1500+ bikes and Pedal-on near Newbury I tested five bikes one of which was 4.5k and the Trek Boutique dealer in Milton Keynes let me ride two bikes as well.

I'm not sure what dealer you go to, but I'd be telling them to bugger off.

For what it's worth I ended up buying two bikes this year one from the Broadribbs Store in Bicester and one from BikeZone.

Similar here: Askew Cycles in Kendal lent me £1000 plus bike with no hassle whatsoever.

 

[defy-one]

How far is the cycle shop from the Bicester shopping outlet? I'm usually bored after an hour,so i could leave Mrs Defy there whilst i go bike oggling

 

[Mapster5]

How about a boardman?

 

[adamdavies]

I think all bike shops should let you test ride a bike, because at the end of the day, it is your money your using. I have thought about a boardman, but they seem to be £1000+ and that seems a lot of money to pay for a first bike.

 

[vickster]

I think boardmans start around 700 for Alu?
It's only your money if you buy from the shop and don't just use the sizing and suitability before you buy cheaper online halfords don't do test rides except maybe on the shop floor

 

[Biker Joe]

That Ribble bike is a very good deal. I was quite impressed with the specs. I've had one of their bikes in the past and wasn't disappointed.
Make sure you know what size you want.