newish to cycling and now id like a proper road bike but where to start

[boogie]

Hi all,
firstly i started cyleing properly at the begining of summer this year mum mum wanted a sit up and beg bike to go out with my siter and her horse. so i got a bee in my bonnet and decided i fancied a road bike of some sort but budget was my main issue so ebay and the local paper it was after a short time i stumbled across a nice couple with two bikes mine been a lapierre sub 540 and one my mum fell in love with so of i went tuck the mudguides of and panniers or and changed the handlebars to sum mountain bike flats. i must say its been fantastic i started of riding the country roads where i live and cycleing to work 7 and a half miles in 30min not bad but within a week down to 25min and the ultimate game 20min (currently just over 21min) main gain in time been well i lost over a stone in the process and the ideas started popping into my head i like the cycleing so a challenge was in order deleberatin lands end to john o groats but was alittle stupid and sumwhat fancied the look of coast to coast newcastle to hornsea, hornsea been a few miles from where i live so of we go a few longer trips and i was doing in excess of 100miles a week and loving it so of we go to newcastle and 3 days later back home but had loved the more rougher parts through trees and well i ended up with two seriously buckles wheel (easily tuned after an hour or so of tinkering) and a masive malfunction to mend my derailer hanger had snaped and i came home 130 miles with one speed a short chain and a maximum of about 13mph pedleing flat out on day two up to about 18mph on the last day. so the search began a mountain bike was needed so purchased myself a specialized rockhopper love the bike and havnt had much chance to get out on my lapierre as if i get chance its of to dalby forest and i dont like the cold temperature and would love to get out on the open roads again. with my birthday coming up its time for a nice roads bike though around the 700pound mark but where to start? i like the idea of tiagra over sora but is that much of an issue and what are good makes i like the look of the bianche but a bike tech wasnt so impressed and suggested a merida what are all your thoughts many thanks

 

[Globalti]

.....and breathe!

In one single paragraph you have managed to summarise what amounts to several years of cycling for some people! Well done anyway, you sound like a proper cyclist who doesn't mind bodging the bike a bit to keep it going.

As for bike choice, others will be along soon to offer suggestions. All I can say is DON'T buy anything without riding it first because every bike will have a different position and a different feel. Try plenty, don't make the mistake of falling in love with the first one you ride. There are lots of fantastic bikes out there so take your time.

 

[gbb]

Wow Boogie, you dont give in easy. You've suffered more mechanicals than i ever have...and survived. well done to you.
Roadbikes @£700...the worlds your oyster. The truth is (IMO) they're all much of a muchness. Bianchi, Specialized, Orbea...and so on, there are no bad ones, its down to getting the best deal for your money and making sure you consider all your riding needs (do you want to fit panniers, mudguards etc). Most entry level bikes at that price point are 'racers'...they dont lend themselves to panniers etc. If you want to tour with panniers etc...you really want a tourer.
Sora over Tiagra ? i wouldnt get hung up about that too much, Sora is fine and reliable, but Tiagra is better no doubt. Whether you'll feel or see the difference is another matter.
Your speeds are fine too. 7.5 miles in sub 30 minutes...you're doing fine if you're on a hybrid. You'll go even faster on a roadbike.
And dont believe what your bike tech told you re Bianchis, they're a good bike. They're all good, its down to personal choice. I've had two, i love them. He's probably got better profit out of a different make to think about (if he's in a bike shop)

 

[Banjo]

Welcome to the forums boogie.

more important than which model of bike you get is to make sure it fits you properly.Go to a bike shop and get them to measure you properly and sit on a few.

Trek Bikes have a good name for reliability and there are a few different ones in your price range
Cannondale or Scott are also well regarded bikes.


The main difference between Sora and tiagra is that you can do all the changing with your hands down on the drops with tiagra.With Sora you have to move your hands back up to the top of the brake hoods to do some gear changes.
Both types have a good name for reliability.

 

[aberal]

Welcome to the forum. I'd suggest that in buying an new bike, first and foremost forget about the difference between Sora and Tiagra. The single most important thing on a bike is the quality of the frame followed by the quality of the wheels, and you can only determine that by test riding a bike first. A bike with a great lightweight, stiff and comfortable frame and some slightly cheaper parts is better than a bike with a poor quality, heavy, uncomfortable frame with upmarket parts. You can change the parts over time if you like the bike. Otherwise you have to change the whole bike - which would end up being more expensive. Do some research online and in the magazines. Cycling Plus (or whatever) do good overall reviews and reduce it down to 2 or 3 recommended options, then go and ride them.

 

[accountantpete]

You can't go far wrong if you stick to the major brands (Trek,Giant,Cannondale,Specialized,Scott ) and a decent groupset (tiagra or Sora and above). Not ridden the Merida, but personally - just on the basis of a casual look - I wouldn't touch one with a bargepole.

I'd have a think about whether you want a standard/compact/triple chainring set.

£700 will get you a good entry level bike which will serve you well for years - unless you get the craving for an upgrade!

 

[Andrew_P]

Merida were sold to me as one of the largest European frame builders, but pushed mainly by small independent bike shops, as I guess margins are higher, they are also sold on the back of "they make frames for big brands", I was also told they make for Specialized, but thats like the Golf adverts.

I didn't buy one, bought a Specialized, same as if I wanted a Golf I would buy a Golf and not one that sounded like one..

 

[boogie]

the mechanical malfunctions all all part of the game and fun in my eyes after all a challenge isnt realy a challenge if its easy and nothing goes wrong. as for the bikes i will start looking around and reading up, i was thinking from the little research iv done that wheel choice is importnat but for sum reason my mind kept going back to gear sets. i have a friend in in a cycle shop to so il be asking him what his opinion is plus if im cheeky i may get an extra special deal heres hoping anyway

 

[Garz]

For such a cheap price point its difficult to get both a good frame and good wheels. Your probably best getting the frame and groupset this time round on some entry wheels then next birthday opt for a pair of wheels!

As others have said, also try to sit on a few before committing to get the right comfort is important.

 

[Globalti]

Yes, if you follow the same pattern as everyone else you will soon start upgrading your bike by adding the bits YOU want on it, so start by buying the very best frame you can afford. Have a look at Orbea, they are often reviewed as top-whack carbon frames kept cheap by fitting low-value components.

 

[gbb]

For such a cheap price point its difficult to get both a good frame and good wheels. Your probably best getting the frame and groupset this time round on some entry wheels then next birthday opt for a pair of wheels!

As others have said, also try to sit on a few before committing to get the right comfort is important.

Although this is true Boogie, dont think you're buying something inferior at £700.
Both my last bikes have been those 'entry level' roadbikes which now cost circa £700 (hav'nt they gone up in the last 2 years).
Certainly on the Bianchi, the wheels are strong although not light, as will be the case for just about every other manufacturer at that price point. No buckles, no going out of true (on mine anyway)
Groupset at that price will probably be Sora or Xenon, maybe Tiagra. Again, all strong reliable stuff.

Everythings relative...if you want really good stuff, you pay, but dont go away thinking the 'entry level' bikes are inferior.

 

[Garz]

I did not say this with such rash boldness gbb

. It is coming from someone who bought a £700 'entry level' 'reliable stuff' halfords (oooh the snobbery) sourced boardman comp!

This has been an awesome value bargain in my eyes and good enough to don on any sportive/CC ride I have been on. I still stand by my helpful honesty though that you will not get decent wheels sub say £300 they will be a leap ahead of the sturdy stock ones. The comp came with Ritchey Pro DS rims on unbranded hubs which I would say could only be bettered by spending over £300.

So get the best you can afford now (frame) with whatever accompanies it that you deem acceptable, then once you can afford it treat yourself to some nice wheels which will make the bike revitalised. By the time you have worn in those components you can upgrade the groupset next after many happy mileage only improving on the ride experience as you go along.

 

[boogie]

i have been looking and i have seen a few reviews saying the bikes kitted with tiagra at £650 looking more into it they are two years ago and now im looking at £800 for the same spec why have they gone up so much in price?

 

[gbb]

I did not say this with such rash boldness gbb

. It is coming from someone who bought a £700 'entry level' 'reliable stuff' halfords (oooh the snobbery) sourced boardman comp!

This has been an awesome value bargain in my eyes and good enough to don on any sportive/CC ride I have been on. I still stand by my helpful honesty though that you will not get decent wheels sub say £300 they will be a leap ahead of the sturdy stock ones. The comp came with Ritchey Pro DS rims on unbranded hubs which I would say could only be bettered by spending over £300.

So get the best you can afford now (frame) with whatever accompanies it that you deem acceptable, then once you can afford it treat yourself to some nice wheels which will make the bike revitalised. By the time you have worn in those components you can upgrade the groupset next after many happy mileage only improving on the ride experience as you go along.

I knew as i replied it may be misinterpreted, it wasn't my intention to make your reply look...er...OTT for the sake of a word Garz
No, as stated, you are right, but i simply wanted to put the point over that a basic entry level bike is a fine investment that will give you many thousands of relatively trouble free miles. Of course, if the bug bites, a good frame is the single most important point, everything else is upgradeable. But for many people (and i don't know what Boogies aims or long term intentions are)...a stock standard entry level bike is a good investment. Ah what the hell we're both right..it just depends what Boogies long term aims are and making sure the correct choice is made to save future unplanned costs.

i have been looking and i have seen a few reviews saying the bikes kitted with tiagra at £650 looking more into it they are two years ago and now im looking at £800 for the same spec why have they gone up so much in price?

Its scary . It follows through with all sorts of products. You wouldnt think there was a recession out there. Everyone wants their pound of flesh despite the fact everyones being careful with their money. 2 years ago my C2C Bianchi cost £595...a year later it was £760. Inflation, energy costs, lower or staic wages...i dont believe they equate to the increases we see..not just on bikes, but everything. Personally i think everyone just jumped on the bandwagon and saw a chance to make extra money. But, thats where we are....its a bitter pill.
On the other hand, i think bikes have gone down a bit lately...small consolation eh.

 

[boogie]

2 years ago my C2C Bianchi cost £595...a year later it was £760. .

what to you think to the bianche? i like the look of the the vera nerione i think it is thanks