what bike

[mojo]

hi i am looking to get into riding and can t decide which bike to go for . i am torn between the bianchi via nirone 7
the boardman team carbon or the pinarello fp1 , has any one got any advice on this

 

[Rob3rt]

Ride all of the ones you like (although may be difficult with the Boardman) and then make a decision on what you like the best. As a 1st time bike you probly wont be able to tell the difference in the hardware performance, so it all depends on what your budget's max and min is and what you like the feel of most.

Also, ultimatelly what do you intend to use the bike for?

Also dont forget that you will likely need to buy certain items in addition to the bike itself, so dont overlook these items in your budget.

 

[Zoiders]

Youre going in high end for someone "looking to get into riding" IMHO.

Will you even like a full on drop bar race orientated frame? The arse up head down position, the lack of mudguards or load carrying ability?

A high end race orientated frame is rarely the right choice unless you only intend to use it for club rides with a race orientated club.

There are plenty of other ways to spend money that may serve you better, think about what you need the bike to do, not what looks good.

 

[zizou]

of those the boardman is probably the best value but its best to try each bike out (even just sitting on one if you dont have the opportunity to ride it) to see what one feels the most comfortable

 

[mojo]

thanks guys , am looking to use the bike to improve fitness levels and also lose a few pounds . hoping to start doing 15 to 20 km rides and increasing these to about 35 to 45 as fitness improves .currentley been doing about 8 to ten on my marin mountain bike but it is so hard to make any real progress

 

[Zoiders]

Buy slicks for the MTB.

Maybe a rigid fork, a grand or more is a lot to spend simply for 15 mile rides.

 

[zizou]

or an alternative view - it will start out with 15 k rides but with a really nice road bike and a bit more fitness you'll catch the bug like the rest of us and it will seem like the best grand ever spent when the long summer days arrive

 

[GrumpyGregry]

sounds like the bug has bitten, and if he has got the cash to splash why not go for it. Me? I'd buy a(nother) Boardman

 

[Garz]

+1 on the test ride them all and see which one feels the best to you!

 

[MarkL]

I have a Bianchi Infinito ultegra and would recommend it highly, quick and comfortable, purchased through Epic cycles also highly recommended!

Mark

 

[colinr]

Are you looking at 2010 or 2011 models? There's quite a spec / price gap.


The Boardman is definitely the best value for money, but just look at the Pinarello.
To hell with worrying about all the gear no idea, it's beautiful

 

[Rob3rt]

Buy slicks for the MTB.

Maybe a rigid fork, a grand or more is a lot to spend simply for 15 mile rides.

I mostly agree, I have riden up to 70 mile on my £330 fixed wheel bike. I ride 20-25 miles often without a second thought. So you dont need to spend anywhere close to £1200 to get a bike that will do those milages, and to do them fast.

BUT......... having a nice bike can be a great motivator for actually getting out on it (or it can go the other way and you may be scared to ride it incase you damage it, being inexperienced, I had this effect with my roadie, only just starting to get past that now).



I guess the OP is the best judge for his budget. Just bear in mind if you buy a high end bike you wont be getting pedals, shoes, lights, a helmet should you choose to wear one etc etc, you will need to buy them, so leave room in your budget for this. I am aware sometimes you get say £100 of accessories thrown in with a bike, but not always so just dont shoot to high then end up with no money to actually get it on the road.