Road Bike - Entry Level Budget

[Dan1983]

Good Evening,
I am sure this has been asked a thousand times and i have been through some other posts but i need some assistance.
I bought a triban 3 last year as my first dip into road cycling. Thinking was if i did not enjoy it i have not spent a massive amount of money and i could get some of the costs back by selling second hand.
Turns out i loved it. So much so that my brother is now buying my Triban 3 as his entry and i am on the look out for something else.
My particulars are..
Budget of £650 -£700 for the bike. This could stretch but not by much.
I have clipless pedals which i will be taking off the triban when i hand it over
I am 5"5 in height and of relative good fitness (1/2 marathon time around 1hr 40minutes) so would be looking to compete in 100 mile events at the back of the summer after some training
still getting used to the road cycling scene so a really aggresive stance on the bike may not be for me
A few moderate hills where i am

At the moment i have looked at:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/al...

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/se...

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/al...

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/11-c-h2-2...

I would prefer to buy this from somewhere i can go in and sit on and have the bike set up. Evans currently have a quid-co cash back which is why i have remained browsing their site. They also have a store near my work, Canary Wharf, and home, Lakeside.

I have extracted each of the specs from the bikes above but i am still new and confused by the gearing, chainset etc. I would want to keep this bike for a couple of years so if there is one that limits potential upgrades then i may discount this. There is one fairly expensive one in at £750 but i am unsure if it is worth the extra.

So, i will bow to your better judgement. As said i would like to buy from a store that i can go in and see so i have also been looking on the CyclesUK website.

Many Thanks in advance.

Dan

[richardxjr]

They don't seem to offer much more than the T3 to be honest, except a brand name on the frame and a retail margin.

For that sort of money I'd look again at Decathlon to be honest. Triban 7 has Tiagra which is good and 10 speed so you can upgrade bits of that as it wears without spending much. £550 and for another £150 perhaps Planet X AL30 wheelset for the summer.

Or use some of the well trodden discount paths to a Boardman from Halfords [which I'm not familiar with myself]

[Jimbo.]

On the assumption they fit and are in stock (looking just at the Evans site), I'd look hard at:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/dolom...

Ignore the brand. Same factory, different doors and all that.

Tiagra = 10speed = compatible with all Shimano 10sp stuff (be it parts sourcing, minor upgrades etc)
Carbon fork
Guard mounts (good for winter!)
Room for fat tyres

[Gizmoish]

I was in the Halfords at Lakeside the other day, they were helpful and sounded competent. Drop in and look at the Boardman Road Team for £700 (and as above, you can take 20% off that easily enough), and some of last year's models including a small Carbon Ltd Ed that might fit you well, for £700 iirc. That's a bike that was awesome value at £999...

[Dan1983]

Thanks for the replies all, much appreciated.

I have also seen this:

http://www.ashcycles.com/site/giant-defy-2-2013

On the face of it it looks a pretty good bike..?

[richardxjr]

Yes, that Defy would be a very good buy if it fits. Will also take proper (Giant) guards. A good frame to upgrade as you go too.

As you've probably gathered heavy and/or week wheel and tyre combos are always the weak point and the first thing you'll want to improve on. On ANY stock bike. That's fine, keep the standard set for the grimy winter where a decent set would get eroded away quickly (hubs/braking surface).

[GaryGlitter]

richardxjr said:

For that sort of money I'd look again at Decathlon to be honest. Triban 7 has Tiagra which is good and 10 speed so you can upgrade bits of that as it wears without spending much. £550 and for another £150 perhaps Planet X AL30 wheelset for the summer.

I know it's not local to the OP, but PX have this in carbon for the same price with the same groupset and the AL30 wheels already fitted:

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBHOTRTIA/holdsworth-...

[Barchettaman]

To answer your question r.e. gearing, it makes al lot of sense to have a compact (50/34) on the front, and a 10-speed 11-28 cassette on the back.

Plenty of top and bottom end.

Regarding the bike choice, the sensible answer is, of course, a CX bike with this gearing and two wheelsets - one offroad, one road.

Best os luck whatever you decide OP.

[richardxjr]

IF I do buy my LBS I think I'll get rid of all the stock and ONLY sell CX bikes

[tog]

Dan1983 said:

At the moment i have looked at:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/al...

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/se...

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/al...

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/11-c-h2-2...

I would prefer to buy this from somewhere i can go in and sit on and have the bike set up. Evans currently have a quid-co cash back which is why i have remained browsing their site. They also have a store near my work, Canary Wharf, and home, Lakeside.

Of your list, I bought the Secteur Triple last week as my first bike in years and am very happy with it. Like you, I didn't want a too aggressive geometry, but was amazed at how different it felt to the Allez, even though they are very similar on paper. The Allez was much snappier and felt quicker to accelerate, but the Secteur rode a little more smoothly and was less leany forward. I've only done 40 miles or so on it so far, but the triple chainring has been a godsend when paired with the 1 in 7 hill out of my village and my own unfitness. The Claris groupset has been fine, but I have nothing to compare it to in use apart from brief test rides. I got it from the Specialized store in Newbury, who were very helpful and ordered one into stock in my size so I could try it before buying. Nearest branch to you is probably Chelmsford.

[Dan1983]

Thank you all for the information, very helpful.

I have been able to source the 2014 Defy 2 for £669. To me that sounds a really good bike for the money..?

[richardxjr]

It is.

Last year all the mags were raving about the '13 Defy 1 at £999, plenty bought one, essentially the same except next group up [105] kit.

Get the right size though.

[Dan1983]

I'm 5"5 with a 29" inside leg so the giant size guide points to a small.

[voicey]

I don't think a £600 or £700 bike is going to be much better than your Triban 3 and your money would be better spent upgrading.

Which T3 do you have (red or white)?

I have a red one that I use as a daily winter hack. If it was my main bike I'd look to upgrade the shifters, rear mech and saddle. Beyond that some nicer wheels would make a difference.

If you have the white one then first port of call would be to stick some carbon forks on it. Then as above.

[TAZ 215]

I believe you would notice a huge difference between a £300 and a £600 budget.

For £600 you could get a triple butted 6066 series hydro formed aluminium frame with a lifetime warranty, a full carbon tapered fork and Shimano Claris.

That would shed a kilo + and be a far livelier and more comfortable ride.

Don't be fooled by the same factory different door argument - the most respected factories do not make for anybody else other than the most respected brands.

[arcticnick]

Depending on how urgent it is,the new decathlon road bike range will be out soon and looks fantastic... Full carbon with Campag Veloce for about £800 I think, or alu for less.

[Barchettaman]

The 105 Carbon starts at 1100 I think, the new alu road bike with the direct-mount rear brake will be around 700.

[arcticnick]

http://road.cc/content/news/97203-decathlon-unveil...

1400g Alu frame, carbon fork,105 gruppo for £700. Bang on budget...

[antspants]

Dan1983 said:

Thank you all for the information, very helpful.

I have been able to source the 2014 Defy 2 for £669. To me that sounds a really good bike for the money..?

Do you mind me asking where from?

[anonymous-user]

Just thought I would share this one. I was going to buy the triban 7 or wait for the 700 but this seemed such a good deal I couldn't help myself. I will spend some more on some fulcrum 5's.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/mekk-pinerolo-al-15-tiagra...