New to the road

[JonnyG]

Hi
I am new to Cycle Chat (joined today) and as a MTB rider, also new to the road.
I am in the market for a road bike for around £1000. I am 6' 3" and have had back problems in the past so need something erring on the 'comfortable' rather that 'race'
Can anyone help me with what model to look for in the various manufacturers ranges.
For instance I have heard that the Specialized Roubaix is built more for comfort than some of the others. Do the other manufacturers have similar models.
I have read a bit about the Cannondale CAAD 10 and really like the sound of it. But would that be too 'racy' for me?
It's a bit of a minefield when you don't know what you are looking for.
Any help would be much appreciated
J

 

[Garz]

Best is to try a few out (at a LBS) but you would be right to look at the roubaix and similar frame designs as they are aimed at the comfier riding style. The CAAD bikes are great machines however if you are really after comfort then maybe a touring bike would be more suited as they are less aggressive and should soak up the road more on the longer rides.

Opps sorry (edit), hi Jonny and welcome to the forums!

 

[JonnyG]

Thanks Garz
I'm pretty sure I don't quite want a tourer just a road bike with a little more comfort.
I'm hoping to get out to LBS's next week. I know a fair bit about MTB but not road, hopefully they will guide me.
J

 

[Garz]

Don't be put off by the 'tourer' tag they are very similar in geometry and setup. My newest [url="http://www.enigmabikes.com/bike/bike-enigma-etape.html"]machine[/url] is a light tourer and I regularly mix it with the locals rarely being scalped. Without the mudguards it looks just like the regular machines, just because it's not carbon doesn't mean it's no good.

 

[JonnyG]

Nice bike ... and Aluminium. A friend of mine had a custom built Van Nicholas flat bar touring bike and although not quite my thing (and very expensive) it looks gorgeous! It made me look at the Van Nicholas Mistral, which is on the pricey side but maybe not totally out of reach. Is Titanium a good choice?
J

 

[smokeysmoo]

Nice bike ... and Aluminium.

It's titanium

+1 for the CAAD's. I have a CAAD10 and it's a great bike, I much prefer it to my carbon as my weeekend bike.

 

[Garz]

It's titanium

Yeah it is probably worth more than the family car.

 

[JonnyG]

Doh!! Sorry I meant Titanium

You've got me thinking now Garz!

 

[potsy]

That bike of gaz's is on my wishlist, lovely looking and very practical. Doubt I'd ever be able to justify spending that much though.

To the OP- The Roubaix is a cracker too, there are a few people on here with them, I'm sure they will tell you how comfortable they are

 

[Norm]

Titanium is a fantastic choice for a bike frame and I would also recommend a tourer or a cyclo-cross style bike.

They are not too different from dedicated road bikes but an inch or so of extra height in the bars and extra length in the wheel base, whilst invisible to the naked eye, is noticeable on the back and neck, as well as the arms.

However, the main thing I'd recommend is getting a test ride of at least an hour.

 

[Garz]

That bike of gaz's is on my wishlist, lovely looking and very practical. Doubt I'd ever be able to justify spending that much though.

I didn't either till the wife caught me reading a review on Ti bikes near my birthday. She pushed me to get it if I wont be looking to 'upgrade' so once the green light was given proceeded whilst I had the chance.

I got a great deal on the rest of the spec built at Hewitt's so couldn't miss the opportunity. It makes sense as otherwise I would have gone from the £600 bike to the £1k bike to the £1.5k to the £2k bike every other year, with extras and consumables costing just as much if not more in the long run eh!

 

[rossjevans]

Don't be put off by the 'tourer' tag they are very similar in geometry and setup. My newest machine is a light tourer and I regularly mix it with the locals rarely being scalped. Without the mudguards it looks just like the regular machines, just because it's not carbon doesn't mean it's no good.

That is a lovely looking bike. I quite liked the price too until I realised that was frame only

 

[ian turner]

I've had two slipped discs one of which required an operation, is that a bad back ?
I don't get back pain riding a Secteur but that and the Allez have a slightly more raised position than the standard road bike.

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

Maybe try a Specialized Secteur Elite, that would fall within budget. I have the Sport version and it's a great bike. It was either the Secteur or the Cannondale Synapse that I was interested in as I wanted a more relaxed upright ride. Never got chance to try the Synapse as the Secteur was the first bike that I tried and I bought it.

 

[siadwell]

It may be worth taking a look at Cycling Plus's current (July) issue which has reviews of sportive and touring bikes, both of which have a more relaxed geometry than out-and-out racing machines.