This road biking malarky..... (A What Bike?)
Discussion
So a couple of years ago I started to cycle again, nothing major, 5 mile each way commute, occasional weekend rides.
I'd not cycled for several years and had in the past always had a mountain bike I stuck to what I knew and bought a mountain bike.
I plumped for a Rockrider 8.1 mainly due to the good reviews on here and various other forums.
However i'm finding i'm spending more and more time on roads and less and less time on anything even approaching off road, even the local country park is paved most of the way around, as is the route to get there.
I've never even sat on a road bike, let alone ridden one, but I have a hankering to give it ago.
Questions.....
How different is it to mountain biking?
Are the bikes much easier to propel? get up to speed etc?
And of course the most important question - which bike should I start with?
Budget up to an absolute max of £500 preferably lower. At this budget with the mountain bike the Rockrider was a bit of a no brainer.
There doesn't seem to be a default answer to this question for road bikes
Thanks in advance
I'd not cycled for several years and had in the past always had a mountain bike I stuck to what I knew and bought a mountain bike.
I plumped for a Rockrider 8.1 mainly due to the good reviews on here and various other forums.
However i'm finding i'm spending more and more time on roads and less and less time on anything even approaching off road, even the local country park is paved most of the way around, as is the route to get there.
I've never even sat on a road bike, let alone ridden one, but I have a hankering to give it ago.
Questions.....
How different is it to mountain biking?
Are the bikes much easier to propel? get up to speed etc?
And of course the most important question - which bike should I start with?
Budget up to an absolute max of £500 preferably lower. At this budget with the mountain bike the Rockrider was a bit of a no brainer.
There doesn't seem to be a default answer to this question for road bikes
Thanks in advance
If you enjoy riding on the road, you will like a road bike
If you enjoy pushing on up road climbs, short bursts of acceleration and pushing the bike hard you will really notice the benefits over a MTB
Topic comes up a lot, you cant really go wrong at this price point from most of the big (and smaller) brands such as:
Giant
Specialized
Decathlon (probs your best bet)
There are loads of deals around still online, I would try and get an alu framed bike with carbon front forks and Tiagra drivetrain: Job Jobbed!
More importantly make sure the bike FITS, too many people get their first roadie and realise the size they got isn't that suited, or worse still giving them aches and pains, therefore I would recommend using a local or travelling to a bigger shop with a decent shop and staff to see what they have.
Would it be worth having a wiki on this topic, as I bet it will come up lots from now on!!
If you enjoy pushing on up road climbs, short bursts of acceleration and pushing the bike hard you will really notice the benefits over a MTB
Topic comes up a lot, you cant really go wrong at this price point from most of the big (and smaller) brands such as:
Giant
Specialized
Decathlon (probs your best bet)
There are loads of deals around still online, I would try and get an alu framed bike with carbon front forks and Tiagra drivetrain: Job Jobbed!
More importantly make sure the bike FITS, too many people get their first roadie and realise the size they got isn't that suited, or worse still giving them aches and pains, therefore I would recommend using a local or travelling to a bigger shop with a decent shop and staff to see what they have.
Would it be worth having a wiki on this topic, as I bet it will come up lots from now on!!
Dan_1981 said:
Questions.....
How different is it to mountain biking?
Are the bikes much easier to propel? get up to speed etc?
And of course the most important question - which bike should I start with?
Budget up to an absolute max of £500 preferably lower. At this budget with the mountain bike the Rockrider was a bit of a no brainer.
IMO if you're riding the same route there's no difference at all, ignoring ergonomics.How different is it to mountain biking?
Are the bikes much easier to propel? get up to speed etc?
And of course the most important question - which bike should I start with?
Budget up to an absolute max of £500 preferably lower. At this budget with the mountain bike the Rockrider was a bit of a no brainer.
The road bike will most likely be lighter with road wheels/tyres so you'll accelerate faster and your top speed will be greater.
Triban 3 is the default budget choice I believe. Don't forget to budget for SPDs - you'll want to be clipped in on a road bike.
MTB to Road is night and day. As for 'what bike' - a commonly asked question round these parts, check out some of the advice given previously:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Road riding appeals to different senses than mountain biking. Speed and acceleration are only a small part of it, it's the feel of the whole activity that's what matters.
Personally I love riding technical singletrack up and down (without spinning out on that damn root half-way up and nailing that drop on the way down, etc), but I also love the sensation of zipping along my local country lanes on my 1 1/2hour 30-mile loop (with that lo-o-ong climb half-way round where I just went up 5 places on Strava, yeeha! etc).
You'll only know for sure if it's for you by giving it a go. If you can find a local roadie forum or shop that go out on introductory rides that'll help- I find a big part of it is knowing a good basic route, plus I like the camaraderie of riding with others.
Personally I love riding technical singletrack up and down (without spinning out on that damn root half-way up and nailing that drop on the way down, etc), but I also love the sensation of zipping along my local country lanes on my 1 1/2hour 30-mile loop (with that lo-o-ong climb half-way round where I just went up 5 places on Strava, yeeha! etc).
You'll only know for sure if it's for you by giving it a go. If you can find a local roadie forum or shop that go out on introductory rides that'll help- I find a big part of it is knowing a good basic route, plus I like the camaraderie of riding with others.
Thanks all so far.
My mountain bike riding is limited pretty much to roads and a few canal paths, country parks, etc - no real off roading at all
I'd seen the triban 3 came recommended but understand the older red model is better with carbon forks?
And I don't think many of those are around at the moment are they?
Is the new one as good?
My mountain bike riding is limited pretty much to roads and a few canal paths, country parks, etc - no real off roading at all
I'd seen the triban 3 came recommended but understand the older red model is better with carbon forks?
And I don't think many of those are around at the moment are they?
Is the new one as good?
Done over 4000 miles on my one of these, been very happy with it. I paid 625 15 months ago
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-z95-sora-wiggle-exclu...
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-z95-sora-wiggle-exclu...
Dan_1981 said:
I'd seen the triban 3 came recommended but understand the older red model is better with carbon forks?
And I don't think many of those are around at the moment are they?
Is the new one as good?
The red Triban 3 is the one with carbon forks - it has the old thumb-shift Shimano brake/gear levers but is still popular. I think Decathlon have sold them all now but every now and again they seemed to find some more stock; by this point, I wouldn't hold out much hope if there are none in your local store.And I don't think many of those are around at the moment are they?
Is the new one as good?
The new Triban 3 is white, doesn't have carbon forks and has cheaper brakes/gears. For the same price. Not where the value lies, I would suggest.
I bought a Triban 5a last year (the black one with blue writing - it's only an 'a' model on forums, not on the bike); it has, I believe, the same frame as the older Triban 3 - the forks are carbon anyway. It comes with newer Shimano kit with the lever shifters which are (in most people's opinion) much better, but it cost £429 so you'd hope so.
This year the 5a is being replaced with a 500 and 500SE; I'm not sure when exactly they become available, but they seem to be basically the 5a frame again. The more expensive (I think that's the 500, with the SE being the cheaper option) should be £450 and is pretty similar to my 5a and the cheaper will have the non-Shimano groupset at £370 - and is distinguished easily by blue hoods on the brake/gear levers.
I very much like my 5a. I tend not to cruise around on it because it just wants to be ridden, and it handles so much better than my hybrid.
ETA: all that comes from the time of launch last year - I thought I'd refresh my memory. The 500SE is due in April, price not confirmed as yet. The T5a seems to be simply renamed to the T500 and staying £429.
Edited by Jobbo on Tuesday 4th March 15:16
Rutland Cycles have been doing some decent deals on some bikes lately, for under £500 this Moda Intro is a good buy, alu frame, carbon fork, Tiagra 10spd:
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/101193/products/moda...
If you want to add £200 to that, how about a carbon fibre framed Mekk? Albeit only Sora 9spd but a better basis to upgrade from:
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/162746/products/mekk...
If you're going to spend the full £1k allowed on the cycle scheme then it'll be hard to beat Planet X, Boardman from Halfords and Ribble.
But you could go left field with something like the Canyon Roadlite AL 6.0 although that wouldn't be on the CS as they come direct from Germany, nice bike though with an excellent alu frame and full 105 groupset:
http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=31...
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/101193/products/moda...
If you want to add £200 to that, how about a carbon fibre framed Mekk? Albeit only Sora 9spd but a better basis to upgrade from:
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/162746/products/mekk...
If you're going to spend the full £1k allowed on the cycle scheme then it'll be hard to beat Planet X, Boardman from Halfords and Ribble.
But you could go left field with something like the Canyon Roadlite AL 6.0 although that wouldn't be on the CS as they come direct from Germany, nice bike though with an excellent alu frame and full 105 groupset:
http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=31...
Mark Wibble said:
Road riding appeals to different senses than mountain biking. Speed and acceleration are only a small part of it, it's the feel of the whole activity that's what matters.
Personally I love riding technical singletrack up and down (without spinning out on that damn root half-way up and nailing that drop on the way down, etc), but I also love the sensation of zipping along my local country lanes on my 1 1/2hour 30-mile loop (with that lo-o-ong climb half-way round where I just went up 5 places on Strava, yeeha! etc).
You'll only know for sure if it's for you by giving it a go. If you can find a local roadie forum or shop that go out on introductory rides that'll help- I find a big part of it is knowing a good basic route, plus I like the camaraderie of riding with others.
I've been trying to figure out the differences between road and MTB. I've cycled all my life, and about 10 years ago would have said I was a mountain biker. I started to get back into road biking then, and now it's probably 80/20 in favour of road. Group riding off road tends to be more fragmented; it's harder to ride two a breast on the flats, and if it is downhill you have to concentrate more off road, and if it is uphill it's more likely to be beyond conversation. Road riding gets you further in the same time and is more consistent in terms of pace and terrain.Personally I love riding technical singletrack up and down (without spinning out on that damn root half-way up and nailing that drop on the way down, etc), but I also love the sensation of zipping along my local country lanes on my 1 1/2hour 30-mile loop (with that lo-o-ong climb half-way round where I just went up 5 places on Strava, yeeha! etc).
You'll only know for sure if it's for you by giving it a go. If you can find a local roadie forum or shop that go out on introductory rides that'll help- I find a big part of it is knowing a good basic route, plus I like the camaraderie of riding with others.
GaryGlitter said:
Dan_1981 said:
Ah bugger.
Just found out our place does the cycle to work scheme.
Planet x is one of the listed retailers.....
but so are Decathalon......
As they're local it'll be the PX RT-58 then.Just found out our place does the cycle to work scheme.
Planet x is one of the listed retailers.....
but so are Decathalon......
Which got me looking at this.....
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBHOTRTIA/holdsworth-...
Budget creep.......
As I can buy through the cycle to work scheme it seems foolish not to take full advantage of the situation.....
So Ribble vs Planet X?
Pro Carbon
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPULT2/planet-x-...
or
Gran Fondo
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sed/road-track-bike/...
I prefer the looks of the Gran Fondo but Planet X are just round the corner from me so sizing etc would be much easier.
As I can buy through the cycle to work scheme it seems foolish not to take full advantage of the situation.....
So Ribble vs Planet X?
Pro Carbon
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPULT2/planet-x-...
or
Gran Fondo
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sed/road-track-bike/...
I prefer the looks of the Gran Fondo but Planet X are just round the corner from me so sizing etc would be much easier.
Spookily I was looking for this thread about 10 minutes ago and couldn't find it. I admire your budget creep so it's not that relevant, but the Triban 500SE has been released to the press and seems to be £379: http://road.cc/content/news/113951-just-btwin-trib...
Now it does look nice, but it seems in spec that it's basically the same as the old red Triban 3 (8sp cassette, possibly even the same frame and forks), so I'm not sure it's quite the bargain the old Triban 3 was. Still good value, though I'd go for the 500/5a with 9sp Sora at £429.
Now it does look nice, but it seems in spec that it's basically the same as the old red Triban 3 (8sp cassette, possibly even the same frame and forks), so I'm not sure it's quite the bargain the old Triban 3 was. Still good value, though I'd go for the 500/5a with 9sp Sora at £429.
Edited by Jobbo on Monday 24th March 11:43
I've just bought a Triban 5a and am waiting for it to arrive, hopefully today in fact. At £429 it appears to be a no-brainer, but I'll put a review on here when I've done a few miles. I've spent another £80 on a set of RS11s, and I already had M520 pedals and shoes lying around, so the total cost is just north of £500, but for that money I'm hoping I'll have a very competent commuting machine which tips the scales at not much more than 9kg.
A real bargain here OP:
http://triban3owners.freeforums.net/thread/2498/tr...
FWIW I've just got mine (on CycleScheme @ £429) and am very impressed with it. Frame quality is very good for the money and it doesn't feel lumpen and heavy in the slightest - it's very sprightly and encourages you to put the work in. The 2013 Sora is an absolute revelation - so much better than the old thumb-shifter model it's unreal. It's really not far off my 2012 Tiagra tbh - shifting isn't quite as feelsome, but it still works fine.
I'm less impressed with Decathlon, but that's another story...
http://triban3owners.freeforums.net/thread/2498/tr...
FWIW I've just got mine (on CycleScheme @ £429) and am very impressed with it. Frame quality is very good for the money and it doesn't feel lumpen and heavy in the slightest - it's very sprightly and encourages you to put the work in. The 2013 Sora is an absolute revelation - so much better than the old thumb-shifter model it's unreal. It's really not far off my 2012 Tiagra tbh - shifting isn't quite as feelsome, but it still works fine.
I'm less impressed with Decathlon, but that's another story...
Different things really, MTB is more of an adrenalin fest, road cycling is much more about challenging yourself (and others at times) from an athletic perspective.
It's rare to get that big hit of "Christ I'm going to die", without a motor vehicle being involved of course.
I started off as a mountain biker back in the mid-nineties, but moving to London saw the first road bike arrive.
From my perspective now it's quite fun going to play around in the mud, but it's not what I enjoy most.
It's rare to get that big hit of "Christ I'm going to die", without a motor vehicle being involved of course.
I started off as a mountain biker back in the mid-nineties, but moving to London saw the first road bike arrive.
From my perspective now it's quite fun going to play around in the mud, but it's not what I enjoy most.
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