Shiny New Road Bike

[Juggler]

Hello All,

This is my first post to this amazing forum, and I would like to thank you all now for the effort you put into maintaining this great service.


I currently have a Felt QX65 hybrid (http://www.tredz.co....paign=Froogle01), which I bought last year. I love it but it simply doesn't have enough gears for going down hills around here (it tops out at about 35mph and I can't pedal fast enough to get more speed!). It is lovely going up hills with its 48/38/28T Chainset and 14-28T Cassette!

I want to compete with friends on Runtastic and my hybrid simply isn't fast enough. I am also planning to cycle LEJOG in the next couple of months with a friend, and need a bike able to cope with this (not sure the hybrid is up to it). He is dealing with the route, accommodation, etc. I might check out other posts on this site as there seems to be some great stuff.

So, the short of it is that I would like a road bike that can double up as a tourer - or vice versa. Problem is I don't have a load of cash (usual story!)

My current short (long?)list is (in price ascending order):

- Decathlon Triban 3 (£300) http://www.decathlon...an-3-173178017/

- Carerra Virtuoso (£300) http://www.halfords....84ce1775fb51934

- Carrera TDF (£300) http://www.halfords....tegoryId_165710

- Viking San Morino (£300) http://www.parkersof...-road-bike.aspx

- Claude Butler Criterium (£315) http://www.tredz.co....paign=Froogle01

- Claude Butler Chinook 2011 (£385) http://www.discountb....php?xProd=8379

- Raleigh AIRLite 100 (£400) http://www.discoverc...-100-2010-.html

- Raleigh AIRLite 200 (£400 - not sure why same price as the 100) http://www.discoverc...-200-2010-.html

My only other question is which size should I get? I about about 5'10" and have an inside leg of approx 31" (crotch to floor).

Thank you all again for this great forum.

 

[mcshroom]

Hi Juggler and

Off that list my favourites would be the Decathlon and the Raleighs (AIRlite 100 £320 here).

It does depend on what you are after though, as some of your bikes listed are flat-bar and others drops.

As for size, I'm about the same size as you and I'd be looking at about a 54-56cm bike (I think that's medium fir the virtuoso)

 

[jugglingphil]

Hi Juggler
Size should be the easiest question. Go to a shop a try a few, prehaps even take a test ride or two.

Anyway, good hunting for the right bike.

 

[Banjo]

Your the same height as me but my legs are longer/body shorter by an inch or so. Mines a 56 I think you would be probably a 54 or maybe 56. Have to try a few to find out.

 

[Juggler]

Hi Juggler and

Off that list my favourites would be the Decathlon and the Raleighs (AIRlite 100 £320 here).

It does depend on what you are after though, as some of your bikes listed are flat-bar and others drops.

As for size, I'm about the same size as you and I'd be looking at about a 54-56cm bike (I think that's medium fir the virtuoso)

Great, thank you very much for the advice mcshroom.

To be honest, I am not sure whether I want a drop-bar or a flat-bar but like the idea of the drops. I was heading towards the Raleigh as well to be honest, and I was wondering if there is a huge amount of difference between the 100 and 200? I can differentiate between the major specs on the bikes, but have no idea on the finer details.

I think I would rather the 100 than the 200 if there isn't much difference apart from £80!

Any thoughts of the Carerra range? Or any pointers towards something else completely? Suitable for LEJOG?

Thanks again.

Hi Juggler
Size should be the easiest question. Go to a shop a try a few, prehaps even take a test ride or two.

Anyway, good hunting for the right bike.

Hello namesake,

Thanks for the advice. I will try some out, but find it really difficult to walk away from a shop without buying! Didn't want to rush into a decision.

Your the same height as me but my legs are longer/body shorter by an inch or so. Mines a 56 I think you would be probably a 54 or maybe 56. Have to try a few to find out.

Great, thank you Banjo. Will bear that in mind when choosing.

 

[Cyclist33]

I thought Felt QX65 was rather nice when I had a quick go on the 2010 model. I would think it would be fine for Lejog as it's quite a good all-rounder, maybe you could spend £300 upgrading its wheels and gears etc rather than buying a pretty average road bike.

Stu

 

[jay clock]

The only prob you seem to have is topping 35mph downhill. That will account for about 1% of the time you spend cycling on a long ride. The Felt looks fine as an all rounder and you will welcome the gears on a LEJOG. Stick some slicker narrower tyres on it and use it. Save up for a better quality road bike in a year or so.

 

[jugglingphil]

Thanks for the advice. I will try some out, but find it really difficult to walk away from a shop without buying! Didn't want to rush into a decision.

If you find it really hard, make sure you don't take your wallet into the shop
Seriously, a good cycle shop will be happy to give advice. The better service they give you the more likely you are to actually purchase from there eventually.

There are a few LBS near me I won't spend money in because bad service in the past.

 

[Juggler]

Thanks guys & gals,

Sorry for the slow reply, was expecting an e-mail to tell me there had been new responses. Lucky I checked.

The Felt is pretty good, and maybe you are right, I could stick with it.

I think I was hoping a road bike would make me go much quicker - plus I liked the idea of drops.

What is the minimum you would recommend spending on a road bike - and are there any models you would suggest?

I suppose it is just quality of materials, but are there really any major differences between a £400 and a £500 or even an £800 road bike?

Thank you again for all your help.