Decent Road bike for £500?

[richwig83]

Is that possible?? And if so which to go for?

[mikees]

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-z95-sora-wiggle-exclu...

£450 quid

This one. I have this frame but with 105 and I love it

Mike

[anonymous-user]

The Beone Storm from Merlin looks ok
http://www.merlincycles.com/beone-storm-race-road-...
If there is a size left that fits, this Genesis Volant from UK Bikes Depot is a real bargain. If you are between 5'10 and 6'1 the 56cm should be fine providing you have regular proportions. The website looks like its the online shop for a "bricks n mortar" place called Cycle Gear in Halifax.
http://www.ukbikesdepot.com/m16b0s6p8030/GENESIS_V...

[TheLemming]

pablo said:

The Beone Storm from Merlin looks ok
http://www.merlincycles.com/beone-storm-race-road-...
If there is a size left that fits, this Genesis Volant from UK Bikes Depot is a real bargain. If you are between 5'10 and 6'1 the 56cm should be fine providing you have regular proportions. The website looks like its the online shop for a "bricks n mortar" place called Cycle Gear in Halifax.
http://www.ukbikesdepot.com/m16b0s6p8030/GENESIS_V...

That beOne doesn't look bad. Expect the wheels to be the first upgrade, but it looks pretty good for the money... Tiagra, compact double, sub 10kg...

Can't see a link for the spec on the genesis? Unless I'm being blind?

[milu]

At the risk of missing the target price by a big margin,I noticed that Je James have Mekk 3G carbon for £680!! Must be a good buy.

[Disco You]

A 2013 Specialized Allez is in budget and worth considering.

[albundy89]

I would try the classifieds, anywhere,it worked for me.
I got a full carbon,not a recognised brand but better by far, better than my boardman pro,very similar frame but far more comfortable and a better riding experience so there are bargains to be had out there, ventura cp52 try it.

[CaptainSlow]

mikees said:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-z95-sora-wiggle-exclu...

£450 quid

This one. I have this frame but with 105 and I love it

Mike

...or the "racier" equivalent at £400
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-f95-sora-wiggle-exclu...

...with the next level up groupset
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-f85-tiagra-wiggle-exc...

Both would be great with upgraded Ultegra wheels for £200 from Ribble.

I'd stay away from Specialized as I don't think you get such good value for money.

[dai1983]

TheLemming said:

That beOne doesn't look bad. Expect the wheels to be the first upgrade, but it looks pretty good for the money... Tiagra, compact double, sub 10kg...

Can't see a link for the spec on the genesis? Unless I'm being blind?

Spec is here:

http://www.tweekscycles.com/bikes/road-bikes/genes...

I'm in a similar situation to the OP. I don't need a bike until March though when my commute changes from a mile to nearly 8. My 15 year old Carrera Mountain bike would be hard work and I want to avoid getting a car.

That genesis look nice but what's the spec like? I'm 5ft 11 but my legs are short for my height so unsure what size frame would suit.

[TheLemming]

dai1983 said:

Spec is here:

http://www.tweekscycles.com/bikes/road-bikes/genes...

I'm in a similar situation to the OP. I don't need a bike until March though when my commute changes from a mile to nearly 8. My 15 year old Carrera Mountain bike would be hard work and I want to avoid getting a car.

That genesis look nice but what's the spec like? I'm 5ft 11 but my legs are short for my height so unsure what size frame would suit.

Still doable on a mountain bike on slicks, but definitely can't argue with the "get a road bike" plan.
Sizing is tricky, I ended up with bikes too big for me, even having tried them for fit (and some niggling muscle pains for my trouble that only started as distance climbed - but started to clear up on a smaller frame size).

[dai1983]

TheLemming said:

Still doable on a mountain bike on slicks, but definitely can't argue with the "get a road bike" plan.
Sizing is tricky, I ended up with bikes too big for me, even having tried them for fit (and some niggling muscle pains for my trouble that only started as distance climbed - but started to clear up on a smaller frame size).

I bought some slicks for it but made the mistake of leaving it outside the workshop where I work over a weekend. I thought it would be safe as it's a military camp but someone had swapped them over for some perished old knobblies. I've since discovered other lads have had parts stolen while in the workshop and one lad even saw his missing BMX being ridden around camp by someone from another Squadron!

I don't see the financial sense in spending cash on an older bike that's not worth anything. Besides it was still slower than the cheap road bikes I tried.

Looks like I need to visit a local shop and see what they have and how I'm looking size wise. Hate doing it though as I'll likely buy online. Still they may have some winter bargins.

[CubanPete]

Get a tourer or a cyclo cross bike if you are commuting, rather than a pure road bike.

You will be able to fit slightly bigger tyres, panniers and mudguards (which you will appreciate!) more easily.

[richwig83]

It wont be a commuting bike... Purely road. My reason behind this is i spend most of my time at the gym on the bike, so i figure "just get a bike"

Thanks for the input so far. I would need to try some out to get the size Im guessing... i'm 6ft.

[2kwik]

I've recently bought that Felt Z95 and it is the dogs for less then £450. More than enough for a first dabble into road bikes. And next year it'll be a great winter trainer when you have stepped up to full carbon.

[richwig83]

Seems like a toss up between the Felt F95 and F85... is there 150quids worth of difference?

(obviously will need to buy pedals and shoes (clipless)

[mikees]

richwig83 said:

Seems like a toss up between the Felt F95 and F85... is there 150quids worth of difference?

(obviously will need to buy pedals and shoes (clipless)

I think 105 vs tiagra for 150 is worth it but tiagra is perfectly usable.

You also ideally really need try them as your style might suit an F (more traditional geometry) than the Z

Mike

[jamiebae]

I have the Genesis Volant 00 mentioned above, it's a really nice bike but given the choice again I'd be buying something with Sora or better bits.

Slightly left field there's a Boardman CX bike which retails at £600 but can be had for under £500 with the right discounts if you want something which will stand up to the rigours of commuting a bit better. Plus it has disc brakes too.

[CaptainSlow]

mikees said:

I think 105 vs tiagra for 150 is worth it but tiagra is perfectly usable.

You also ideally really need try them as your style might suit an F (more traditional geometry) than the Z

Mike

I think it's actually (new) Sora v Tiagra. I don't think you'd notice the difference between the two, especially now Sora has got the dual levers.

Whilst I linked the F, if you're doing longer rides the Z may be more comfortable with it's more forgiving geometry, I think some of the pro riders used Zs on the longer stages in the tour.

If it were me, I'd go for a F/Z95 and if I had some extra cash upgrade the wheels here..

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/w...

[richwig83]

What about the trek 1.2?

[TheLemming]

jamiebae said:

I have the Genesis Volant 00 mentioned above, it's a really nice bike but given the choice again I'd be buying something with Sora or better bits.

Slightly left field there's a Boardman CX bike which retails at £600 but can be had for under £500 with the right discounts if you want something which will stand up to the rigours of commuting a bit better. Plus it has disc brakes too.

The boardman cx makes a fantastic winter bike with road tyres on too, but IMHO its worth stretching to the extra for the team spec.... Which demolishes the budget.

The felt looks damn good BTW...