Road Bike Around £500.

[tjdixon911]

Hi I am looking to get a road bike in the region of £500, have tried a few out so looking for around a Large / 56 cm frame. I am doing the London to Cambridge in July so want something that'll be comfortable enough to do long distances on.

Have been looking at;

Giant Defy 4 2010 http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m7b...

GT GTR Series 4 http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gt/gtr-series-...

Cannondale CAAD 8 Sora http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/caa...

Would appreciate any advice or alternatives of similar price range.

[Karussell]

I have just bought a Scott Speedster S55 from Epic Cycles
maybe a bit over budget at £649, but worth every penny in my book

I have just been bitten by the cycling bug, and have been used to a real clunker up to now

i know nothing about cycling etc, but Ben at Epic was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. if you can get down there for a fitting, do it. But they also deliver for free to UK

K

[anonymous-user]

to be honest, any of those three will be more than adequate. there are a few others around the same price beracket but they will all be much the same in terms of material and components.
i would go with the cannondale becuase their frame technology has always best proliferates the whole range from top to bottom.

[louiebaby]

pablo said:

there are a few others around the same price beracket but they will all be much the same in terms of material and components.

Too true.

Try a few for fit, I never got on with the shape of the Specialized road bikes. Let us know what you get

[boolay]

I bought a defy 3.5 (as 4 but carbon forks and updated chainset). Would thoroughly recommend it as a great entry level bike. I got mine for the London to Brighton instead of using my mtb and I haven't been off of it since.

I believe Garlick has a 4 which he has upgraded with a few choice mods

[shalmaneser]

The CAAD frame is the best out of those you suggest by a considerable margin. Go for that if you can find one!!!

[robpearson]

Is it this London to Cambridge you are doing? http://www.bike-events.co.uk/Ride.aspx?id=271
If so, I'll see you there (at the start anyway, you'd be waiting a long time for me to finish)

[tjdixon911]

robpearson said:

Is it this London to Cambridge you are doing? http://www.bike-events.co.uk/Ride.aspx?id=271
If so, I'll see you there (at the start anyway, you'd be waiting a long time for me to finish)

Yes thats the one, what time start have you opted for? I've gone for a 9am start to give me time to get down there without having to get up too early. I think I will be being pushed along by the support vehicles taking down the signs behind me!

I have just been out and bought an Orbea Aqua T23 (2010), not on the above list but my LBS is a dealer and need to support that.... http://www.reveloutdoors.co.uk/Orbea-Aqua-T23-2010... Looks a good bike, now just need to get some miles in!

[robpearson]

Think I have an earlier start than that - will have to check

[Fatman2]

Probably a bit of a trip but if you're heading over to Milton Keynes (Bucks) then my LBS, Phil Corley Cycles is having it's annual stonkingly good sale on at the moment. The website is a little out of date (http://www.philcorleycycles.co.uk/) but 2010 bikes are heavily discounted and there is 15% of all non sale bikes/equipment/accessories. Thus you can pick up a 2011 Trek 1.2 with Tiagra for about £595.

Otherwise they have about 50% off most clothing and even 40% off Asos and other big names.

[princeperch]

giant defy looks very good value for money