As per title basically... I've got an offroad bike, but i'm now after a road bike, with a maximum price of about £400... However, lower is better, I'd even consider second hand.. I know nothing about racing bikes, makes etc. but I was under the assumption that the Trek's are pretty good (my Fuel 90 from them has been good for the past 5 years...), so any advice is more than welcome.
Try looking at offers on last years frames at evans cycles. Also, if you're after a road for commuting only, buy a commuting bike as they are much cheaper than racing bikes.
Unfortunately a £400 road feels exactly that, like a £400 road bike. The nearest to your price would probably be this, but If I were you I would save up to buy something much better quality. I personally wouldn't touch anything under the shimano 105 groupsets or the campy veloce because comfort and quality are extremely important if you want to do long hard cycles. Look at the roads you'll be cycling on too, if it's very hilly I would look into a compact crankset. Try looking at http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=33 sometimes things go for silly prices.
Dunno if these are ok? Bikescene is a store near me and very good service etc, if you called them im sure they could answer any questions you have.
TBH £750 is the minimum I would spend on a road bike, But if you can give me until tomorrow I'll see if I can get you a good deal on an entire Campy Record groupset, all you would need is a frame, headset, seat post, wheels, brake pads and pedals. If you look on the bikes at Evans you'll notice that anything under £700 usually have cheap dérailleurs, shifters and cranks, which IMO are absolute key to comfort. There is nothing worse than changing gears when they feel nasty, it should be a smooth effortless sound free motion. I'm sure gar and Ramble would have some input aswell. @ D3s3rt_F0x: Those are fixed wheel bikes, great in winter but not ideal when you take hills and strong wind into consideration.
I went and had a good look, and was told by various people in Evans, and a customer who I got talking too to look for a Trek 1.2 Double, with a 60cm frame... and ideas on that?
I'm sure gar would be able to help rather a lot. What i'd get if I was you would be the baseline models from all the big guys (Trek, Specialized, Giant, Bianchi, blah blah). For the price they do rather good bikes. About £550 would be fine, you can go less if you get a second hand or last years model. I think a Trek 1.2 Double would be great for you, realistically you're not going to be getting 105 components for that price, and maybe Tiagra at a push but you don't need them. Until recently my training bike had Sora components on which suited me fine (it got trashed when a car went into me). In terms of groupsets I'd give them a try at your local bike shop. Most bikes will come with Shimano stuff which both my bikes have as it's excellent kit and very comfy. Campy stuff is different as is SRAM - but I doubt you'll get any of those since SRAM is too expensive and Campy are phasing out their lowest models. Probably not the most helpful post for someone completely new - I'd just stick with the main guys base models. Get it at a bike shop if you can, as well as being fitted you might get some goodies and you may even need a favour one day so it's worth building up a relationship. EDIT: Have you thought about clothing, some lycra is essential, especially if you're going to be spending a lot of time on the bike. Maybe think about some shoes and clipless pedals. Also, I wouldn't get the Claud Butler, it looks like a piece of crap and the frame isn't made out of particularily nice aluminium. Also, if it's hilly around you think about a compact chainset or a triple.
I started riding on the road last summer after about 4 years of mountain biking. I bought a 2009 specialized allez for £550. Its got a sora groupset which although it works, 1500 miles including a hard winter has taken its toll on it and I'm looking to upgrade to 105 for the summer. Unless you're a rouleur and like to push massive gears, a compact groupset is the way to go, as top speed is still around 30mph and it really helps on the hills. Clipless pedals are a must on the road. The most important things are to ride the bike before you buy it to make sure it suits you and if you can, get in a decent club.
Ramble, I got the clothes sorted, loads of that horrific stuff called lycra left over from when I was rowing... So, a 1.2 Double 2009 it is then?
^ always buy 2 or 3, you'll be horrified when you take them off after a 10 or 20 mile cycle, and realise you need a pair the following day. @ Mankz see if you can find the 2008 model of the Trek 1.2 double as for the same price you'll get better parts. I always buy last years frame because it can be anywhere from £100-300 cheaper, and you can get some very good gear with that cash.
The cheaper Treks are pretty good for the money, still well made frames and you get lifetime warranty on frames and any Bontrager has 5yr warranty (oh and 30% discount off of carbon forks under crash replacement warranty ) Go for a 2008 bike if you can find one, 09 bikes have increased in price but not been upgraded in most cases.
Mankz run down to SBR in windsor and talk to them about it. They had a load of special offers last time i was in, quite a big range of this years and last years models and if you are a resident in windsor you get 10% discount off everything.
Yes. When you're climbing a long hill you'll be sorry you didn't, but the upshot is, if you do get a double your legs would be F'in massive
