Road bike help required!

[JakePlant9]

Evening all

Thanks for taking the time to read my post

I'm an avid-ish biker and I've currently got a Marin hybrid which is mainly used for canal journeys and a bit of off road type cycling.

However I'm now looking to really start to push myself to do cover some large distances, I did Coast to Coast a couple of years ago and really enjoyed myself doing around 50-60 miles per day.

So in short I'm looking at purchasing a road bike, but I'm somewhat a novice when it comes to road bikes as I dont know a whole lot about them. I'm looking to start small around the £450-£550 price range and have come up with a couple of possibilities, I was hoping some kind souls on here could steer me in the right direction. I am currently looking at the below options for my first road bike:

https://www.evanscycles.com/scott-speedster-50-triple-2016-road-bike-EV253456

http://www.swinnertoncycles.co.uk/bikes-c97/road-c110/giant-defy-3-aluminum-road-bike-p53837

Now I've had a look and the reviews of the Scott do concern me - the Giant got really great reviews but I'm not sure where to go

Any other alternative options that you know of in that price range are more than welcome

Thanks again so much

 

[vickster]

Go test ride. V easy at Evans. Decide which feels best. Ignore reviews

You could look at decathlon, merlin, Ribble, Planet X. Or your local shops

 

[Zeffer]

I've just got a second hand Genesis Equilibrium second hand from eBay (£ 450). Lovely steel, older 105 (10 speed cassette) but rides lovely. Sat in the ferry now with the bike on the back of the car ready for France!

Just another option, although I found buying a new bike a bit less scary when I got the Cannondale, that is, until the payment went through!

 

[Felix79]

I recently picked up my Cannondale CAAD8 for £350 off eBay. There are plenty of really nice road bikes with quality alloy frames to be had and within your budget. The CAAD8 is an excellent first road bike (the reviews have always been very good for the CAAD8 & 10) and I really adore mine (to the point I am buying up really nice Shimano parts to put on the frame so it becomes my dream road bike!)

 

[rusty bearing]

I would prefer the speedster, nice well designed and a good frame to upgrade on later. I know Scott make really good bikes, I have a Solace 10 for road and Spark 640 for being daft off road. Wouldn't swap them for anything else.

 

[bonsaibilly]

"nice well designed and a good frame to upgrade on later."

Exactly the same thing can be said about the Defy.

BB

 

[rusty bearing]

"nice well designed and a good frame to upgrade on later."

Exactly the same thing can be said about the Defy.

BB

True enough, on personal preference I still prefer the Scott's bikes over other makes though.

 

[bonsaibilly]

True enough, on personal preference I still prefer the Scott's bikes over other makes though.

Oh right, well in that case I'll go out and buy one then ;-)

BB

 

[Arjimlad]

The Scott has clunkier 8-spd Claris gearing which rides fine on my Giant Revolt & has been reliable if a bit rattly.

My son has crashed his Carrera CX bike & bashed the Claris shifters many times yet they still function well. The Scott is a triple chainring with a greater range of gears so if you are in a very hilly area that might sway your choice.

The Giant Defy is a lot like my 2012 Defy 2 which has been great. It has Sora gearing which is the next grade up in quality.

The Defy on your list has a wide range cassette so should get up the hills OK if you have the power in your legs. I would go for the Defy personally as "upgrading" is all well & good when it comes to wheels at £100 or more, but if you later felt the need to upgrade the groupset (drivetrain & shifters) you'd be looking at a lot of cash.

 

[Nibor]

+1 for looking second hand at that budget you would get something lovely

 

[AndyRM]

Paging @biggs682...

 

[bondirob]

I've got a defy 3 it's a great bike I've had lots of fun on mine you won't go wrong with it.

 

[Kajjal]

If you keep checking the 2016 bikes will now go on sale as the 2017 ranges come in.

https://www.evanscycles.com/specialized-allez-sport-2016-road-bike-EV244921

https://www.evanscycles.com/cannondale-synapse-alloy-sora-7-2016-road-bike-EV239412

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/318564/products/2016-giant-defy-2-road-bike-blue.aspx

Also as above halfords and decathlon do good deals, as does pauls cycles.

 

[biggs682]

Paging @biggs682...

thanks @AndyRM

@JakePlant9 i would go 2nd hand till you are sure road biking is for you , if you are local to Northamptonshire feel free to pop in and try a couple of mine