Another what bike - first road bike approx £1,200
Discussion
Mr Bishi said:
Cheers for the replies. Just been looking at the Boardman bikes on the Halfords site.
This seems like quite a good spec slightly over my £1,200 but the budget is a little flexible so that's not an issue - http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
Carbon frame, bb30, mavic rims and 105 group set.
Anyone have one of these or have an opinion on them?
Click on the reviews tab in that link.This seems like quite a good spec slightly over my £1,200 but the budget is a little flexible so that's not an issue - http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
Carbon frame, bb30, mavic rims and 105 group set.
Anyone have one of these or have an opinion on them?
Lots of first experience there.
I've got boardman bikes and am very happy with them indeed.
Jimbo. said:
What's pictures and what's listed are two different bikes! For example, the wheels pictures are probably Mavic Cosmic Carbone SLs, whereas the ones in the spec list are these:
http://www.mavic.com/en/product/wheels/road-triath... Then there's the (listed) Shimano 105 groupset vs. the Campagnolo (range?) pictured, etc, etc.
Still good, but just be wary with the "spec may vary" disclaimer. Especially when the pictured bike (which is meant to grab you attention) probably comes in with another £500ish worth of parts that you wouldn't be getting!
EDIT: And be wary of budget creep. With the bike listed, you'll still need pedals (£50ish) and tyres (another £50ish: the ones listed are utter tat). £100 straight off.
Don't worry, it's not Ribble trying to rip you off - they build custom bikes, and for the sake of the pictures, they always use top-end parts to make it look lovely. You get what you pay for, and 105 is what you should be looking for at this price.http://www.mavic.com/en/product/wheels/road-triath... Then there's the (listed) Shimano 105 groupset vs. the Campagnolo (range?) pictured, etc, etc.
Still good, but just be wary with the "spec may vary" disclaimer. Especially when the pictured bike (which is meant to grab you attention) probably comes in with another £500ish worth of parts that you wouldn't be getting!
EDIT: And be wary of budget creep. With the bike listed, you'll still need pedals (£50ish) and tyres (another £50ish: the ones listed are utter tat). £100 straight off.
Edited by Jimbo. on Saturday 11th May 22:25
Edited by Jimbo. on Saturday 11th May 22:27
I bought the Ribble Bianco Sportive as I liked the look and geometry was just what I was after. I opted for diiferent wheels and SRAM Rival. I'm really happy with it. You get what you pay for TBH. My mate has a Giant full carbon with top end groupset it cost him £3k, it's a kilo lighter than mine so it works out a grand a pound difference. Doesn't make him any faster though 
Cubes from a year or two ago provide a very good gear to budget ratio.
I just found this on Tweeks. It's on budget and gives you a carbon frame with 105/Ultegra
http://www.tweekscycles.com/Product.do?method=view...
I just found this on Tweeks. It's on budget and gives you a carbon frame with 105/Ultegra
http://www.tweekscycles.com/Product.do?method=view...
Have a look at the Genesis Volant 30, Shimano 105 throughout, better wheels than pretty much anything else previously posted, looks a lot nicer than the race replica stuff too and its only £1250. All the bike most of us would ever need. No big teams to support, no huge marketing campaigns, no "concept stores", just a bike company. I like them a lot and swerni's CdF was very well finished... with some luck, I'll have one before the end of the year...
http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/road/volant/vo...
http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/road/volant/vo...
Like a previous poster i have a genesis equilibrium, i love it and everyone will say the same about their own bikes, at that price point there are a lot of bikes that are much of a muchness and your best finding one that fits and has a deal on a better groupset, planet x and ribble are good places to start for more bang for your buck.
Obviously YMYC but the "just coming from MTB" bit caught my eye, why not buy a second hand bike and get a year of miles under your road belt and see what you like/dislike before dropping the £1.2K?
There are tonnes of "old" bikes (some as little as 2-3yrs old) available for next to nothing that are higher spec than the models your looking at, my first roadie was 12yrs old and given to me, its about 1lb more than the same bike is now and thanks to a decade of upgrades the new cost would have been triple!
By all means buy a new bike, but for "first" bikes when switching disciplines I think there is value in doing a season of riding so you then make the big purchase informed and based on what you like rather than following advice like this thread :-)
Lastly, budget for pedals, shoes, saddle (often overlooked and don't go cheap on your junk!) and spare tyres/tubes, I've found while MTB tyres/tubes can last years road ones last months if you start piling the miles on!
There are tonnes of "old" bikes (some as little as 2-3yrs old) available for next to nothing that are higher spec than the models your looking at, my first roadie was 12yrs old and given to me, its about 1lb more than the same bike is now and thanks to a decade of upgrades the new cost would have been triple!
By all means buy a new bike, but for "first" bikes when switching disciplines I think there is value in doing a season of riding so you then make the big purchase informed and based on what you like rather than following advice like this thread :-)
Lastly, budget for pedals, shoes, saddle (often overlooked and don't go cheap on your junk!) and spare tyres/tubes, I've found while MTB tyres/tubes can last years road ones last months if you start piling the miles on!
At that price point I'd be going new Cannondale CAAD. They are truly awesome frames. I have a CAAD9 (alu) and a Supersix (Carbon), both Ultegra. The geo is the same. I picked up the CAAD9 for £600 used, but mint.
I'm a big fan of used bikes too. You can get an awesome CAAD8/9/10 for well under your budget with pretty much siltch miles on. Save some cash for wheel upgrade in 12 months. Careful with the size of the Dales, as they are more European in geo than many of the Spesh/Giant/Felts/Trek etc.
I'm a big fan of used bikes too. You can get an awesome CAAD8/9/10 for well under your budget with pretty much siltch miles on. Save some cash for wheel upgrade in 12 months. Careful with the size of the Dales, as they are more European in geo than many of the Spesh/Giant/Felts/Trek etc.
scubadude said:
Obviously YMYC but the "just coming from MTB" bit caught my eye, why not buy a second hand bike and get a year of miles under your road belt and see what you like/dislike before dropping the £1.2K?
There are tonnes of "old" bikes (some as little as 2-3yrs old) available for next to nothing that are higher spec than the models your looking at, my first roadie was 12yrs old and given to me, its about 1lb more than the same bike is now and thanks to a decade of upgrades the new cost would have been triple!
By all means buy a new bike, but for "first" bikes when switching disciplines I think there is value in doing a season of riding so you then make the big purchase informed and based on what you like rather than following advice like this thread :-)
Lastly, budget for pedals, shoes, saddle (often overlooked and don't go cheap on your junk!) and spare tyres/tubes, I've found while MTB tyres/tubes can last years road ones last months if you start piling the miles on!
This is a very good point, spend less, there are loads of bikes out there if you look hard. I managed to get a £900 Willier, guy rode it once, then left it in his shed, I got it for £350 in as new condition. Getting somthing cheaper and rideing for a bit means you can work out what you want from a bike and what geomtry and size you like. Plus you can ride with others and see the merits of their bikes. There are tonnes of "old" bikes (some as little as 2-3yrs old) available for next to nothing that are higher spec than the models your looking at, my first roadie was 12yrs old and given to me, its about 1lb more than the same bike is now and thanks to a decade of upgrades the new cost would have been triple!
By all means buy a new bike, but for "first" bikes when switching disciplines I think there is value in doing a season of riding so you then make the big purchase informed and based on what you like rather than following advice like this thread :-)
Lastly, budget for pedals, shoes, saddle (often overlooked and don't go cheap on your junk!) and spare tyres/tubes, I've found while MTB tyres/tubes can last years road ones last months if you start piling the miles on!
DO the above for a few months-year then you can sell the bike for a decent return and spank £1200 on something that really suits from your experience.
I'm just coming into road bikes from MTBing too. Thanks to this thread I popped into my local Halfords and picked up a Boardman Team Carbon for £1116 last night (£60 off offer + 10% British Cycling disc). I was a bit apprehensive about buying what some percieve as a lower quality bike (just feedback from club cycling colleagues) but I'm loving it. 10 minutes of wibbliness and 50 minutes of speeeed. I'll be out again tonight.
I did consider the Ribble, Giant, Spec and Cannondale but none ticked all the boxes in terms of spec,price or local availability as well as the Boardman
Big reason for me to buy new is that my Giant XC bike cracked its frame after 2.5 years due to fatigue. I rack up a lot of miles. The bike got a new frame under warranty so now that bikes fit to last a while longer.
If I bought used, and I picked up what looked like a well maintained bike for a good price (my Giant is kept tip top for example) and then soon after failed then I would be a bit upset, so having a multi year frame warranty was important to me.
I will be buying a Giant Defy soon though for my lad who's getting into triathlons....
I did consider the Ribble, Giant, Spec and Cannondale but none ticked all the boxes in terms of spec,price or local availability as well as the Boardman
Big reason for me to buy new is that my Giant XC bike cracked its frame after 2.5 years due to fatigue. I rack up a lot of miles. The bike got a new frame under warranty so now that bikes fit to last a while longer.
If I bought used, and I picked up what looked like a well maintained bike for a good price (my Giant is kept tip top for example) and then soon after failed then I would be a bit upset, so having a multi year frame warranty was important to me.
I will be buying a Giant Defy soon though for my lad who's getting into triathlons....
My neighbour has always had Cannondale bikes, albeit an aluminium and also a full carbon Synapse. He recently bought an aluminium Canyon and is now selling both of his Synapses' to buy another Canyon. I ride both an aluminium Wilier and a carbon Wilier, however, I would have no hesitation whatsoever of buying a Canyon. They are incredible value for the money. Have a serious think about one as they are very good bikes.
Andy OH said:
My neighbour has always had Cannondale bikes, albeit an aluminium and also a full carbon Synapse. He recently bought an aluminium Canyon and is now selling both of his Synapses' to buy another Canyon. I ride both an aluminium Wilier and a carbon Wilier, however, I would have no hesitation whatsoever of buying a Canyon. They are incredible value for the money. Have a serious think about one as they are very good bikes.
Just to point out that CAADs and Synapses are like chalk and cheese.
Thanks again for all the info, it's such a minefield as there is basically too much choice!
I've been back to look at the Giant again and taken it for a test ride along with a Colnago that they had on offer. I really liked the way the Giant rode but wasn't so keen on the Colnago. I've only read/heard good reviews on it on the Giant so I'm pretty much sold on the idea of getting it.
It seems that most bikes in this price range are going to be more than suitable for my needs and it's a matter of personal preference on what is actually 'best'.
The guy in the shop is going to upgrade the levers/shifters to 105 for me for and extra £30 and also said that he will sort me out with a set of peddals and shoes FOC so it seems like I have a good deal.
Hopefully should be ordering it this weekend!
Once again, thanks for all the advice and recomendations - I've spent hours looking at different sites and switching between one bike and another, just when you think you have it sorted someone else throws in a curve ball!
I've been back to look at the Giant again and taken it for a test ride along with a Colnago that they had on offer. I really liked the way the Giant rode but wasn't so keen on the Colnago. I've only read/heard good reviews on it on the Giant so I'm pretty much sold on the idea of getting it.
It seems that most bikes in this price range are going to be more than suitable for my needs and it's a matter of personal preference on what is actually 'best'.
The guy in the shop is going to upgrade the levers/shifters to 105 for me for and extra £30 and also said that he will sort me out with a set of peddals and shoes FOC so it seems like I have a good deal.
Hopefully should be ordering it this weekend!
Once again, thanks for all the advice and recomendations - I've spent hours looking at different sites and switching between one bike and another, just when you think you have it sorted someone else throws in a curve ball!
Bobley said:
I'm just coming into road bikes from MTBing too. Thanks to this thread I popped into my local Halfords and picked up a Boardman Team Carbon for £1116 last night (£60 off offer + 10% British Cycling disc). I was a bit apprehensive about buying what some percieve as a lower quality bike (just feedback from club cycling colleagues) but I'm loving it. 10 minutes of wibbliness and 50 minutes of speeeed. I'll be out again tonight.
I did consider the Ribble, Giant, Spec and Cannondale but none ticked all the boxes in terms of spec,price or local availability as well as the Boardman
Big reason for me to buy new is that my Giant XC bike cracked its frame after 2.5 years due to fatigue. I rack up a lot of miles. The bike got a new frame under warranty so now that bikes fit to last a while longer.
If I bought used, and I picked up what looked like a well maintained bike for a good price (my Giant is kept tip top for example) and then soon after failed then I would be a bit upset, so having a multi year frame warranty was important to me.
I will be buying a Giant Defy soon though for my lad who's getting into triathlons....
Then your "club cycling colleagues" are utter fools. By any chance did they migrate from golf? Boardman are good bikes. Very good. Same bits as everything out there, made in the same places. I did consider the Ribble, Giant, Spec and Cannondale but none ticked all the boxes in terms of spec,price or local availability as well as the Boardman
Big reason for me to buy new is that my Giant XC bike cracked its frame after 2.5 years due to fatigue. I rack up a lot of miles. The bike got a new frame under warranty so now that bikes fit to last a while longer.
If I bought used, and I picked up what looked like a well maintained bike for a good price (my Giant is kept tip top for example) and then soon after failed then I would be a bit upset, so having a multi year frame warranty was important to me.
I will be buying a Giant Defy soon though for my lad who's getting into triathlons....
http://www.mobile.wheelies.co.uk/p55266/Merida/Scu...
Not far off budget, they don't mention the lifetime frame warranty on the site, that is a big plus.
Not far off budget, they don't mention the lifetime frame warranty on the site, that is a big plus.
You will be able to get a Ribble Gran Fondo with for 105 with £1200. No matter what bike you get, I would advise getting 105. Integrated cables make the bike look much better IMO. Planet-X's entry level carbon bike is also very good value. Spesh Tarmac Comp Sport is good too .
You can certianly get SRAM equipped Defy Composites for around £1200 if you hunt about.
Post up some pics of your purchase when you get it
I see someone has mentioned Boardmans. Has anyone started the standard Halfords bashing yet?
You can certianly get SRAM equipped Defy Composites for around £1200 if you hunt about.
Post up some pics of your purchase when you get it
I see someone has mentioned Boardmans. Has anyone started the standard Halfords bashing yet?
Halfords 
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