Swapping to road bike for commuting

[GlenBen]

For the price, you can get better.

The shifters arent up to much.

It has a freewheel on the back rather than a more up to date freehub, I find the axle tends to bend or break a lot easier with these.

Hi tensile fork, never recommended.

Ive never used those particular ones, but the tektro mehanical discs arent very well though of either.

Thats assuming the specs are all the be believed, theres a few contradictory bits listed there, such as it having "21 gears" but a 34/50 double chainset and 7 speed freewheel.

For your budget, there has been a few decent bikes listed already, but things I would look for myself...

Carbon fork? Ideally
Rear cassette/freehub
Sealed bottom bracket of some sort
Claris shifters
Id probably avoid disc brakes at this point too, but I may be biased.

 

[GlenBen]

On another note, Im 5'9 and tend to ride a 54.

That ribble @vickster suggested looks pretty good to me

 

[vickster]

On another note, Im 5'9 and tend to ride a 54.

That ribble @vickster suggested looks pretty good to me

It's a 58cm TT, be way too big

 

[GlenBen]

It's a 58cm TT, be way too big

Yea, you see Im an idiot and only read half the post haha.

 

[cyberknight]

@mordy11

How about this one if @biggs682 doesn't get there first

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/132106861614?clk_rvr_id=1174495822117&afsrc=1&rmvSB=true&ul_ref=http%3A%2F%2Frover.ebay.com%2Frover%2F1%2F710-53481-19255-0%2F1%3Ftype%3D4%26campid%3D5336742846%26toolid%3D10001%26afsrc%3D1%26customid%3D61076X1383750X8a1473d24ca257dcd7187d45f899e6f4%26mpre%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.ebay.co.uk%252Fitm%252F132106861614%26srcrot%3D710-53481-19255-0%26rvr_id%3D1174495822117

Although on reflection a 58 will be way too big if you are 5'8. Surprised you found the 54s at Halfords too small. Did you ride them? On a turbo at least

Otherwise go to decathlon and try a Triban

As per usual halfords sizing is real seat tube rather than virtual or top tube , a 54 measured is more likely to be a 56 as most bikes they sell have sloping top tubes.

 

[vickster]

As per usual halfords sizing is real seat tube rather than virtual or top tube , a 54 measured is more likely to be a 56 as most bikes they sell have sloping top tubes.

Even odder that it felt too small to someone 5'8. hence asking if he'd actually ridden it

 

[cyberknight]

Even odder that it felt too small to someone 5'8. hence asking if he'd actually ridden it

Indeed , if the OP is 5 foot 8 " and the saddle had been set for his leg length i would put my tuppence on it being to long in the reach with the stock stem . in fact the halfords size guide says the 54 is 5 foot 8 to 6 foot 2

 

[mordy11]

Hi thanks all for yor imput. i basically just sat on a 54cm road bike think it was the zelos carrera and the man at the shop said he thinks i should go a size up, i did feel that i was slightly leaning over, does size with shoes ajust the way a bike fits because that makes me taller somewhat.

perhaps riding mountain bikes so long maybe iam not used to the feeling of leaning so far forward and that maybe afecting my judgement.

is there much difrence between hybrid bikes and road bikes other than body posistion?

 

[vickster]

Hi thanks all for yor imput. i basically just sat on a 54cm road bike think it was the zelos carrera and the man at the shop said he thinks i should go a size up, i did feel that i was slightly leaning over, does size with shoes ajust the way a bike fits because that makes me taller somewhat.

perhaps riding mountain bikes so long maybe iam not used to the feeling of leaning so far forward and that maybe afecting my judgement.

is there much difrence between hybrid bikes and road bikes other than body posistion?

If you're leaning forwards a lot, it could actually be too big, although the position is different on a roadbike of course

TBH I'd take Halfords advice on sizing with a pinch of salt. So much better to actually test ride the bikes (I think you can out of a Halfords 'Cycle Republic' store, not the autoparts / bike ones)

 

[GlenBen]

If the saddle is close to the right height, thats good enough in my book, theres plenty of adjustability in saddle height. Shoes shouldnt matter until you are making the fine adjustments later on, but youll need to ride it a bit before that.

As vickster said, if you feel stretched, it sounds too big.

Id always say try and get a test ride, its a lot of money to part with if its wrong. If you really cant though, Id sit on the bike, with your bum on the saddle and your tip toes just touching the floor on both sides, itll give you an idea on size. It will feel quite different to the mountain bikes youre used to, took me quite a long time to get used to the position, wouldnt go back now though.

Do you have a set budget? I saw you said you didnt want to spend much, but i think it would be worth considering trying a proper bike shop and asking their opinion, only thing is, they may (will) be more expensive.

 

[vickster]

See if halfords will put the bike on a turbo trainer for you if you can't testride

Evans have a very good testride policy but have limited sub £400-500 roadbike options

 

[cyberknight]

This might throw some light on body angle and reach .
http://bikedynamics.co.uk/fit03.htm

 

[mordy11]

hi thanks again for your responces next week i going with a friend to take a look the Decathlon store that deals with btwin bikes i may be ale to stretch out my budget to possibly a triban 500 road bike or i know you gona say dont do it but also look at maybe a rockrider mountain bike...as they seem to weigh the same as hybrid bikes within a similar price range. Thou if anyone has any bad experinces with btwin bikes or good would be nice to hear thank you all.

also to add sorry i not sure where i saw it but i hear btwin road bikes can come with flat handle bars but i did not see anything about this on there web page

 

[cyberknight]

This week i have sapped onto the MTB with slicks,cycle path near work is covered in debris from the storm last week and its still dark with headlight glare so you cant dodge all the glass, twigs,mud and a womens shoe .

 

[Pale Rider]

hi thanks again for your responces next week i going with a friend to take a look the Decathlon store that deals with btwin bikes i may be ale to stretch out my budget to possibly a triban 500 road bike or i know you gona say dont do it but also look at maybe a rockrider mountain bike...as they seem to weigh the same as hybrid bikes within a similar price range. Thou if anyone has any bad experinces with btwin bikes or good would be nice to hear thank you all.

also to add sorry i not sure where i saw it but i hear btwin road bikes can come with flat handle bars but i did not see anything about this on there web page

Decathlon sell a couple of what they helpfully call flat bar road bikes.

Drops aren't for everyone, and there's something to said for flat bars on a commuter because the more upright position makes it easier to keep an eye on traffic and the many other hazards around you.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-500-flat-bar-road-bike-black-id_8322664.html