What road bike should I be considering

[GilesM]

I just bought a Dolan Preffisio, I went for a few upgrades on the one with SRAM Rival so it was a wee bit more than £700, but the the Shimano 105 5800 one is bang on £700. Nice frame, clearances about as close as you'd want with mudguards.

 

[Nibor]

Ribble 525 is worth a look too

 

[mikeymustard]

Ribble 525 is worth a look too

My bud's got one - absolutely loves it. It looks the dogs too.
https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-reynolds-525-steel/
think this is the link you're looking for

 

[biggs682]

Second hand genesis equilibrium or find some more money and get a new one

Quick is down as much to you as the bike...and subjective

Agree re suggestion but if spending that amount of cash second hand ask for proof of ownership etc etc

 

[vickster]

Agree re suggestion but if spending that amount of cash second hand ask for proof of ownership etc etc

Of course, that goes without saying

 

[MichaelW2]

What's the advantage of steel over aluminium..is it carrying heavier loads?

For heavy touring, steel frames have better failure characteristics and stronger rack attachement points. Practically, most of the high end touring frames are built in small workshops and steel is an easier material to handle at this scale. Cannondale has been making excellent touring bikes out of aluminium for decades. For 2 week light touring holidays in Europe, any material will do the job and lighter, sportier designs are more suitable.

 

[al-fresco]

For £700 I'd be looking for an aluminium 10 speed. Last year's models (or the year before that) are great buys. I have bikes made from aluminium, carbon, steel and titanium and I can't honestly say that there's much difference in comfort between the different materials. (Tyres and tyre pressure do make a difference, especially on bad road surfaces.)

I think the Cinelli Experience Veloce is a good buy in this price range. Spa Cycles are currently advertising them for £690. It's light and quick and I've been more than happy using mine on for Audaxes and touring. (In fact it's made my carbon bike a bit redundant.) The OEM tyres are rubbish so switch them for something like 700 X 25 Gatorskins when you can. It's not designed with mudguards or panniers in mind but raceblades fit nicely and mine has a bar and saddle bags. (I believe that 'Bike Packing' is all the rage nowadays.)

 

[jefmcg]

Honestly, at that price point every bike will be decent. What's right for you is another thing.

Personally, I'd just go to some LBS and see what they have. Test ride and pick the one that suits you best.

That being said, if you have the patience, you can always get a much better bike second hand for the same money, if you have the patience and the knowledge

 

[hoppym27]

Im seriously considering 2nd hand, the issue I have is patience!...and Im naturally suspicous of any bike that seems too cheap on ebay!...

 

[vickster]

Im seriously considering 2nd hand, the issue I have is patience!...and Im naturally suspicous of any bike that seems too cheap on ebay!...

That's why you ask to see the receipt as proof of ownership