New to road cycling - new bike advice

[Goldenstar]

Hello

I purchased a mountain bike a couple of years ago to a help get back into shape, at the time I purchased a trek 9.6 super fly carbon 2014.

a lot of the time however I tend to ride on cycle paths which are mostly concrete or compacted gravel, so thought it may be worth getting a road bike and keep my mountain bike for more robust rides..

That said I know nothing about road bikes, I have a local bake shop which I would like to use if possible but only stock GT or Merida which I also have no clue about.

What I do know is I would like to go with a carbon frame for 2 reasons 1, I need to make sure I can't blame the bike for being bad and 2 with a good frame the bike will last a while with just changing components as and when needed.

If I look at the two makes above this provides me with two choices around 2k the Merida ride 5000 and the GT Grande Carbon 105 links below

Would anyone one be able to advise if these are good options at this price point or should I look elsewhere.

http://www.merida-bikes.com/en_gb/bi...0-se-5525.html

http://www.gtbicycles.com/gbr_en/201...ade-carbon-105

 

[vickster]

Why do you think carbon is better than alu, steel, titanium? It's just another material . Any 2k bike will be pretty light

Have you tried other materials?

An out and out road bike may not be needed if not on roads. On paths you should be modifying your speeds for other users, peds, dogs, kids, slower cyclists

You'll get better use from a road bike on roads you're not really describing road cycling, more leisurely stuff on paths?

 

[RoubaixCube]

Cube Attain SL

nuff said

 

[bonsaibilly]

Hello

I purchased a mountain bike a couple of years ago to a help get back into shape, at the time I purchased a trek 9.6 super fly carbon 2014.

a lot of the time however I tend to ride on cycle paths which are mostly concrete or compacted gravel, so thought it may be worth getting a road bike and keep my mountain bike for more robust rides..

That said I know nothing about road bikes, I have a local bake shop which I would like to use if possible but only stock GT or Merida which I also have no clue about.

What I do know is I would like to go with a carbon frame for 2 reasons 1, I need to make sure I can't blame the bike for being bad and 2 with a good frame the bike will last a while with just changing components as and when needed.

If I look at the two makes above this provides me with two choices around 2k the Merida ride 5000 and the GT Grande Carbon 105 links below

Would anyone one be able to advise if these are good options at this price point or should I look elsewhere.

http://www.merida-bikes.com/en_gb/bi...0-se-5525.html

http://www.gtbicycles.com/gbr_en/201...ade-carbon-105

Who am I to challenge your budget mate, but if you bought a carbon framed mountain bike to ride on cycle paths then I would suggest you don't need to be spending 2k on a road bike. 5 or 6 hundred quid will do you something very nice like a Giant Defy or a Boardman.

But if I were spending 2k tomorrow on a bike it would probably be this:

https://www.evanscycles.com/norco-valence-c-disc-ultegra-2016-road-bike-EV243346

BB

 

[slowmotion]

If I had two thousand quid to spend on my first road bike, I would buy something like a Decathlon Triban first, just to familiarise myself with the road bike riding position. It took me a good few months to work out what would suit me best. You can't do that by taking a twenty minute test ride at the local bike shop. Once you get a feel for it, flog the Triban and open your wallet further. I know it sounds bonkers, but that's the best advice I can give.

Edit: cross post with @bonsaibilly

 

[Scoop]

If I had two thousand quid to spend on my first road bike, I would buy something like a Decathlon Triban first, just to familiarise myself with the road bike riding position. It took me a good few months to work out what would suit me best. You can't do that by taking a twenty minute test ride at the local bike shop. Once you get a feel for it, flog the Triban and open your wallet further. I know it sounds bonkers, but that's the best advice I can give.

Edit: cross post with @bonsaibilly

When I bought my Allez I jumped straight in...
Although I am happy enough with my bike I think this is cracking advice for someone with a fair budget like yours. I can also say, although I'm far far from expert, that I was quite impressed with the Triban bikes after buying one for the Mrs.

 

[bonsaibilly]

If I had two thousand quid to spend on my first road bike, I would buy something like a Decathlon Triban first, just to familiarise myself with the road bike riding position. It took me a good few months to work out what would suit me best. You can't do that by taking a twenty minute test ride at the local bike shop. Once you get a feel for it, flog the Triban and open your wallet further. I know it sounds bonkers, but that's the best advice I can give.

Edit: cross post with @bonsaibilly

It's good advice. Oh and by the way - do get a road bike - it's an absolute blast

bb

 

[vickster]

More so on roads than shared paths

 

[Broadside]

If I had two thousand quid to spend on my first road bike, I would buy something like a Decathlon Triban first, just to familiarise myself with the road bike riding position. It took me a good few months to work out what would suit me best. You can't do that by taking a twenty minute test ride at the local bike shop. Once you get a feel for it, flog the Triban and open your wallet further. I know it sounds bonkers, but that's the best advice I can give.

Edit: cross post with @bonsaibilly

I couldn't agree with this more. My first road bike was second hand and I learnt a lot about what I wanted in my first brand new bike. I would have made a very different choice if I had just dived in at the start and would have cost me more in the long run.

 

[Roadrider48]

Maybe consider a cyclocross bike. Best of both worlds.

 

[Goldenstar]

Thanks for all the replies.

I tend to use the cycle paths at present more due to confidence than anything else, I am not sure I would know what I want or don't want by riding another bike, mainly as I don't get that feeling on my MTB maybe I was lucky and choose a good one

I do also plan to use it on a turbo during winter.

As for carbon it seemed the right choice when I did my research on MTB maybe it's not the same for road bikes

 

[Ste pt1]

Cube Attain SL

nuff said

this is a cube attain sl £999

http://www.cube.eu/uk/products/road-race/attain/cube-attain-sl-blacknflashred-2016/

 

[RoubaixCube]

Id go for a triban 540 as a first road bike. You can fit upto 32mm tyres which puts it close to CX territory.

I run Schwalbe Durano Plus tyres which always come out a little on the large side and it has plenty of cushion for tow path & light gravel riding.

Its not worth spending 2k on a bike then decide you dont really like the ride position and such etc etc

 

[raleighnut]

You could save up and go for a decent steel frame, if you double'd your budget you could afford a Mercian.

 

[biggs682]

@Goldenstar so you are thinking you would like to have a go at riding a road bike , why on the earth spend circa 2k to find out you dont like it , why not do what loads of mere mortals do and buy a sub £300 bike and see what you think first .

A good bike wont make a bad cyclist good