road bike for between £400 and £500

[elihackenbroch]

hi, I am new to road cycling and looking for a good road bike. My price range is from £400 to £500. I have asked a couple of friends what bike to get and they have given me a list consisting of these bikes:
Pinnacle Laterite 2
Vitus Razor
Merida Ride Disc 200
Raleigh Criterium
merMerlin7 road


Please help me find the best bike I can get and the best from this list.
Thanks so much.

 

[vickster]

Try them out. You need to decide which is the best for you. If you've never had a roadbike, better to buy from a shop and have a testride rather than taking a punt online even to save a few quid. Best is subjective, think if it as right for you and you alone

On that basis, try the pinnacle and any other that Evans stock. Test rides are super easy, just need a bank card and photo ID. You can order bike into store for a £60 refundable deposit to try out. Get advice in store as to sizing (how tall are you, inside leg measurement?)

The Btwin triban from Decathlon is also highly regarded and you can ride around the shop

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-520-road-bike-sora-id_8377757.html

(Evans tests are better as you can go outside)

 

[Spiderweb]

This is also worth looking at, Shimano Sora drivetrain/gears, Shimano wheels & mounts for mudguards. A good buy at £499. As @vickster says it's always better sit on a few and give them a try out, this may be difficult with the Planet X unless you are near Sheffield.
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/EBPX58SO/planet-x-rt-58-v2-alloy-shimano-sora-road-bike

 

[smokeysmoo]

@biggs682

 

[Drago]

Go ride 'em. A spec list isn't a guaranteed indicator of performance, especially at this price point.

 

[biggs682]

thanks @smokeysmoo

@elihackenbroch does it have to be new ?

why not save yourself a couple hundred and buy secondhand ?

i always have a few classic road bikes for sale and some more modern ones as well

if ever you are passing through or near to Wellingborough let me know and you can come and try and look

 

[gbb]

View attachment 362884 This is also worth looking at, Shimano Sora drivetrain/gears, Shimano wheels & mounts for mudguards. A good buy at £499. As @vickster says it's always better sit on a few and give them a try out, this may be difficult with the Planet X unless you are near Sheffield.
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/EBPX58SO/planet-x-rt-58-v2-alloy-shimano-sora-road-bike

It amazes me how much entry level bikes have gone up in price the last few years and the bike you suggest really really looks good for the money, 9 speed and IMO pretty much bombproof wheels. if i were in the market for an entry level road bike, thatd be a very serious contender for the money.

 

[John_S]

Hi elihackenbroch,

As mentioned above there's no real substitute for getting along to bike shops and trying them if you have the opportunity. Also as above if you know what you're looking at (or can take somebody with you that does) then there can be some secondhand bargains to be found.

However if you're looking a new maybe these articles have some suggestions to consider:-

http://road.cc/content/buyers-guide...0-—-join-road-bike-adventure-without-spending

http://road.cc/content/buyers-guide/217632-10-best-2017-road-bike-bargains-under-£500

I know somebody who has one of the B'Twin road bikes and whilst they own other more expensive bikes they say that for value for money the B'Twin is the best pound for pound bike that they own.

Good luck finding the right bike for you.

John

 

[ruby123]

from what i have seen i like these two bikes
btwin tribian 520
Planet X RT-58 Alloy

also what do you reckon is better

 

[vickster]

from what i have seen i like these two bikes
btwin tribian 520
Planet X RT-58 Alloy

also what do you reckon is better

What's the spec on the PX? Can you testride it?

 

[ruby123]

What's the spec on the PX? Can you testride it?

No i cant but i think the main difference between the two is the weight as the btwin is 1kg heavier

 

[Spiderweb]

from what i have seen i like these two bikes
btwin tribian 520
Planet X RT-58 Alloy

also what do you reckon is better

The Planet X is a better spec, Shimano R501 wheels rather than Btwin own brand and a better finishing kit.
How tall are you & what size are you looking at?

 

[ruby123]

The Planet X is a better spec, Shimano R501 wheels rather than Btwin own brand and a better finishing kit.
How tall are you & what size are you looking at?

i am 155
What do you think?

 

[ruby123]

also do you think i should go for the tiagra as the size is also better for me, but is 50 pounds more

also most other websites say my height should get a 50cm frame so what should i go for.

 

[Spiderweb]

i am 155
What do you think?

I would give Planet X a call or better still if you are within a reasonable distance go in and sit on/test ride.
The model I posted at £499 looks as though the smallest size available is size small whereas the more expensive model is available in XS. At 155cm or 5' 1" you may need the XS.