Thinking of getting a bike.........again

[MaxInc]

1) Tiagra vs Sora - Tiagra pushes me to the top end of my budget but is it worth it over saving a bit of money with Sora? Also, I discovered today that Tiagra/Sora isn't just limited to the groupset, so if it's not full Tiagra, e.g. if the brakes are Sora, is that going to make any difference? I'm assuming it's the groupset that will be the main thing.

The problem with being undecided and making a compromise you are not totally happy with, you will end up upgrading which will cost more than getting the better specs the first time. The most important components are the shifters and the rear mech which you will use a lot and have a much higher impact on the overall experience. The others are unlikely to make a noticeable difference at this level so you can save on those if you want.

2) Allez vs Secture - Is there much of a difference? They said people go for the Allez even for commuting etc and in general they didn't give the impression that I should go for the Secture. Then I though, that while I could ride the two for a test ride, they may feel fine for 10 minutes, but build up to a few hours and that's a whole different ball game. What they did say was that a proper fitting would help so could an Allez with a proper fitting be better than a Secture with a bad fit?

Allez has a sportier frame, Secteur has a more comfortable geometry, the rest is design and colours.

 

[Jdratcliffe]

tbh i hated sora so much on my first roadie i took it back and got a spes allez 2011 with tiagra Lovley bike amazing shifting unfortunately after a year and a bit i wrote it off in a RTC and purchased a new caad8 with 105 ( treating myself to an upgrade i thought) and i can honestly say i cant tell the difference. so stick to tiagra its and amazing shift and cheaper parts to replace 105 is just a bit lighter....


my 2 cents

 

[HLaB]

IMO Tiagra is a massive improvement over Tiagra; integrated paddle shifters as oppose to a push button which is hard to reach unless you are on the hoods. 105 is just a nicety then, a bit lighter/smoother, as is Ultegra and Dura Ace.

 

[Andrew_P]

Tiagra all the way, for me the big downside to Sora is the 9-Speed which makes it very expensive to upgrade in bits and bobs as they wear out. With Tiagra if you ride it enough and the component's start to wear out at least you have the option of going to 105 etc without a the bigger cost of having to replace the levers at the same time.

Out of interest which shops did you go to? If you venture a bit further North, Bike+ in Sth Croydon have a reasonable range of bikes.

Also online you still might find some 2012 bikes around..

 

[Grant Fondo]

Also online you still might find some 2012 bikes around..[/quote]
This bad boy is a 2012 mega bargain, £999 at Chainreaction, full carbon/105

 

[sleaver]

I'm back. Well, didn't actually go anywhere, just busy. Don't worry though, I don't have any more questions on 'which bike' as I've made a decision, ordered it this morning and am picking it up on Tuesday Could have got it before, but I need to get some work done and if I did pick it up earlier, the work wouldn't have got done.

So all that remains is what I need to pick up at the same time? Obviously a helmet and mitts but what are the other essentials to begin with? They've said it's also probably better to get used to riding it before going clip less, is that true?

 

[potsy]

IMO Tiagra is a massive improvement over Tiagra

 

[Tanis8472]

I think he meant Sora

Come on then, spill the beans

 

[sleaver]

Specialized Allez Elite

I tried a Secture with Sora and the Cannondale with Tiagra and Tiagra felt so much better. To be honest, the Cannondale in general felt so much better than the Secture. However, after trying the Allez, I wasn't as comfortable on the Cannondale as I felt like I was leaning forward all the time. So what with the Allez being more comfortable and it felting the same as the Secture, plus wanting Tiagra as I thought I would regret it if I went with Sora, the Allez Elite it was.

 

[MaxInc]

If it's comfort youre after, try the Cannondale Synapse too, unless you alteady got it in which case congrats. Allez Elite was on my top picks too, love the shape and design.

 

[Tanis8472]

Sweet.

I'm sure you will enjoy it

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Specialized Allez Elite

View attachment 23753

I tried a Secture with Sora and the Cannondale with Tiagra and Tiagra felt so much better. To be honest, the Cannondale in general felt so much better than the Secture. However, after trying the Allez, I wasn't as comfortable on the Cannondale as I felt like I was leaning forward all the time. So what with the Allez being more comfortable and it felting the same as the Secture, plus wanting Tiagra as I thought I would regret it if I went with Sora, the Allez Elite it was.

That's nice - hope you have many happy & safe miles when you get the beastie.

***

Re clipless; I went clipless from the start. If you do the same ask them if they'll swap the SH51 cleats for SH56 which are much easier to use and they avoid the mystifying (to me) mirth creating clipless moment that is really about as humourless as a kick in the crotch.

You need a list of stuff as long as your arm!

Helmet
Mitts
Pedals
Shoes
Padded shorts/trousers/bibs; whatever
Glasses - imo do not not get these; the crap that flies up at you can be painful and for not much money glasses may well save an eye.
SpareTube
Tyre Levers
Allen Keys/Multitool
Mini Pump of some description
Saddle Bag
Computer (you'll regret not logging your miles from day 1 if you don't)
Track Pump
Breatable T's of some description
Windproof Jacket
Bottles/Cages

***

Some riders may delete some of the above and some will add to it not least because I will have forgotten stuff!!!

***

Quite an expensive hobby if you are not careful!

 

[HLaB]

Opps typing on this nee tablet is shoit cant do the keyboard on top of text thing

 

[sleaver]

I think most of that was on my list but I'm still not sure if to go clipless from the start. The only thing holding me back is that I've had a few knee issues from running and I've heard that unless they aren't set right cleats can give you knee pain. Therefore is that easy enough to sort out?

Pumps - Is there any reason other than "one for home, one for an emergency" that a mini pump and a track pump has been mentioned?

Computer - I've got a Garmin Forerunner 410 that has a bike activity mode so I'll use that to start off with. That's unless anyone can suggest a good place to get a good(ish) computer. Only thing is, all my running is tied in with Garmin Connect so it would be good to stay with Garmin.

Breathable T's - Do they need to be cycling specific with the longer back as a have plenty of T's from running?

Glasses - Any suggestions?

Unfortunately in some ways, I'm going to get most of the stuff from Evans as I did a bit of a deal with them so I'm limited to what they have but that should get me started. Other than that, are there any good sites to have a look at?

One last question, they suggested I get atleast a back light even though I would be just riding in the day because if I did get knocked off (get way to reassure me ) the person couldn't claim they couldn't see me. So is a back light required?

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I think most of that was on my list but I'm still not sure if to go clipless from the start. The only thing holding me back is that I've had a few knee issues from running and I've heard that unless they aren't set right cleats can give you knee pain. Therefore is that easy enough to sort out?

Pumps - Is there any reason other than "one for home, one for an emergency" that a mini pump and a track pump has been mentioned?

Computer - I've got a Garmin Forerunner 410 that has a bike activity mode so I'll use that to start off with. That's unless anyone can suggest a good place to get a good(ish) computer. Only thing is, all my running is tied in with Garmin Connect so it would be good to stay with Garmin.

Breathable T's - Do they need to be cycling specific with the longer back as a have plenty of T's from running?

Glasses - Any suggestions?

Unfortunately in some ways, I'm going to get most of the stuff from Evans as I did a bit of a deal with them so I'm limited to what they have but that should get me started. Other than that, are there any good sites to have a look at?

One last question, they suggested I get atleast a back light even though I would be just riding in the day because if I did get knocked off (get way to reassure me ) the person couldn't claim they couldn't see me. So is a back light required?

On the one hand you will not be a proper cyclist unless you have a pair of these (even though you will look a complete twonk wearing them):

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/oakley/radarlock-xl-vent-orange-glasses-ec045406

Or.....you could get these which are more than adequate (I like mine):

http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/2712...ff11=ICEP3.0.0&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=63&ff19=0

Or these:

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/categ...view-avenir-smoke-multi-lens-eyewear-12-46067