Please help, £700 max budget road bike, Do I go Mekk/Planet X/other?

[Drbenjani88]

Hi Guys,

I'm new to the forum and hoping some of the more experienced amongst you can help me out!

I'm looking to purchase a road bike, maximum budget is £700 I really can't justify any higher than that at the moment.

I've been doing my research and started off in all the usual places but then found myself being drawn to some of the newer makes where perhaps you aren't paying for the brand so get a little more for your money.

I've seen the following;

Mekk 2G Poggio P1.5 Sora - £675

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/mekk-2g-poggio-p15-sora-2013/

Appears to be getting good reviews, tried out by Tim Wiggins here http://blog.wiggle.com/2014/02/10/review-mekk-poggio-1-5/ and also good reviews on http://road.cc/content/review/103273-mekk-poggio-15-road-bike and http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-mekk-poggio-1-5-14-47789/ based on the RRP at £1,099.

Then there's the Mekk 3G Potenza SL 4.0 - £683

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/mekk-3g-potenza-sl40-sora-red-black-and-bronze-id80796.html

The spec looks to be that bit better than the Poggio for an extra £8! The only thing that concerns me is that I've searched high and low online and I just can't seem to get a review on it, only the 5.5 version, any thoughts from you guys would be great.

I've also found the Planet X RT-58 Alloy

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXRT58ALUTIA/planet-x-rt-58-alloy-shimano-tiagra-road-bike

Slightly cheaper than the others but still at it's original RRP rather than big reductions. From what I have read it seems that the components are slightly better on this model than the first 2 but it's an aluminium frame rather than carbon, but looking at the spec they are all approximately the same weight at 8.9kg.

I've seen the Holdsworth Trentino on Planet X http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBHOTRTIA/holdsworth-trentino-shimano-tiagra-carbon-road-bike but to be honest the look of it is really putting me off, I don't think I'm good enough to pull off such a striking paint job!

On looks along I like the Poggio, then the Potenza then the Planet X but they're all pretty cool on the aesthetics.

I live in the Lincolnshire wolds and will be mainly using the bike for relatively hilly 30-40 mile rides at weekends, I'm also entering a 100m charity ride in June.

I have been riding the Carrera Zelos for the last year, which was fine to start me off but looking to upgrade now.

Any help and guidance you could offer on these, or if there's anything better for a max of £700 would be much appreciated!

 

[midliferider]

This is my standard reply. I approach this question in the following way.
1.You have decided on a road bike. For that price, it is alu frame.
2. What geometry would you like? Sportive or race? Opinions differ on their relative merits or even existence but in my view, it does matter.
3. Do you need a triple chain ring or are you happy with a compact setup? I like triple as it helps me with hills and I am not bothered about speed.
4. Gear ratios, meaning how many gears in the rear cassette? I use 12-30, may even go to 12-32 when it comes to changing next time.
5. Now look for components, meaning group set and wheels etc.
6. Now the beauty and feel and ride....
Enjoy

 

[DooDah]

As it is your first road bike, I would avoid online retailers and go to a shop so that you can try them for size and get some sizing advice. At your budget, you won't do much better than the Cube Peleton, but please go and try them and others first.

 

[NormanD]

Maybe THIS

 

[Drbenjani88]

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

I visit sheffield (planet x have a store there) with work regularly and I could make a reasonably easy de-tour to Rutland cycles (they stock the Mekk's) to try them for size, Could anyone pass comment on whether these bikes by those brands I've found are any good and worth making the effort to go try for size? Are they better than for example a cube peleton, Specialized Allez Sport, the Boardman that Norman has suggested (thanks Norman) for the price tag?

The Poggio gets good reviews but the spec seems to be better on the other two, but I'm put off a bit by the Potenza and the Planet X in that i just can't find any reviews anywhere.

Midliferider, I think I'm reasonably happy with the compact, the climbs don't tend to be anything epic and I can get to the top of most of them on the Carrera (albeit a struggle!!), I think I'm looking for a sportive fit rather than something too racey.

Basically I want a good all round road bike that I can enjoy riding around on at the weekends and for some charity events, I don't want anything to race on (although if it can improve me strava times thats a bonus!)

 

[midliferider]

How about Decathlon?
They have a new range.

 

[DooDah]

Ok, IMO PlanetX is more about bling rather than substance (but others will surely disagree). I can't comment on Mekk. I own a Boardman and it is very good and you will always get a good spec for you money, but they are a bit more race orientated. The Cubes are also have good spec and value for money and are a little more sportive (relaxed) in their setup. I own an alu Boardman and a carbon Cube and I have to say that, regardless of material, the Cube is more comfortable for me. You will only know if you go and try some. Bon courage.

 

[vickster]

2013 Defy 2

http://www.ashcycles.com/site/giant-defy-2-2013

Tiagra, carbon fork, enough left for pedals and shoes

 

[Louch]

Btwin 5 from decathlon, great starter bike, leaves you money for trip computer, shoes, pedals, helmet & cake

 

[Cuchilo]

Another Giant Defy voter here

 

[SS Retro]

If as surggsted you can get to Planet X I would, you will get the advise of a LBS (the lads in the Barnsley store are very good) and the prices of an internet retailer, the RT58 looks a good entry level bike with lots of customisable options at point of purchase you wont get this on many other bikes at this price point. Another bike to look at whilst your there is the SAB la Rocca http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBSABLAROCTIA/sab-la-rocca-shimano-tiagra-road-bike
its the same price and nearly the same spec as the RT58 but as well as a carbon fork you get a carbon rear triangle on the frame as well as the customisable options.
At the price point your looking at most bikes are speced the same ali frame carbon fork some trade a lower spec groupset for better wheels or via versa, some use unbranded or own name components for finishing kit (bar, stem, seat post, saddle even wheels.)
Anyway go have a look and a try if nothing else you will get what size bike you need from it.

 

[TeeQue]

I'm in a similar boat to you and I'm currently looking at the Ribble 7005 Audax.

Specced mine with Tiagra Triple and Fulcrum Racing 7 wheels for just over £700.

 

[SS Retro]

Is that the Reynolds steel audax thats a good looking bike.

 

[TeeQue]

Is that the Reynolds steel audax thats a good looking bike.

Nah it's ali, they do do a steel one it's just more expensive.

 

[SS Retro]

Plenty of the blue ali ones round here on the roads I think there a well respected bike, just like the look of the steel one as a winter bike just had a play with the bike builder but to spec it up with bottom end campag, half decent wheels and tyres I was up over a grand, whoops!