Road bike advice
Discussion
Hey all
Thanks to an inability to say no to a nice blonde I seem to have got myself signed up for a 50 mile charity ride in the summer. My problem is that currently I only have a MTB and think I'm going to struggle to keep up as the route is all road based (including Newlands Corner and Box Hill).
I've been looking at leasing a road bike through Bikeswanky and have been browsing their offerings and reading up on reviews and think I have narrowed my choice down to 2 bikes that fit my budget; the Kenesis Racelight 4S and the Forme Longcliffe 1.0 Campag
Does anyone have any experience of either of these? This will be my first foray into the world of road bikes but I have a feeling it could be something I enjoy so ideally want a bike that is going to last and be suitable for year round use (both can take mud guards from what I can see). The only other factor that may need to be considered is that at the moment I'm carrying a bit of extra timber so don't know if frame/wheel choice should incorporate that?
Cheers
Thanks to an inability to say no to a nice blonde I seem to have got myself signed up for a 50 mile charity ride in the summer. My problem is that currently I only have a MTB and think I'm going to struggle to keep up as the route is all road based (including Newlands Corner and Box Hill).
I've been looking at leasing a road bike through Bikeswanky and have been browsing their offerings and reading up on reviews and think I have narrowed my choice down to 2 bikes that fit my budget; the Kenesis Racelight 4S and the Forme Longcliffe 1.0 Campag
Does anyone have any experience of either of these? This will be my first foray into the world of road bikes but I have a feeling it could be something I enjoy so ideally want a bike that is going to last and be suitable for year round use (both can take mud guards from what I can see). The only other factor that may need to be considered is that at the moment I'm carrying a bit of extra timber so don't know if frame/wheel choice should incorporate that?
Cheers
I wouldn't want to talk anyone out of getting a road bike, but if it's a one-off 50-mile event you could simply chuck a pair of 1.25" slicks on your MTB. You'd be amazed at how much difference they make. I did that for the London-Brighton a while back and it felt like I was flying for very little effort. The problem wasn't keeping up, it was negotiating a way past everyone in front.
I subsequently bought a road bike, but only because I enjoyed that L2B ride so much that I decided to make road-riding a regular activity. But if I'd found road riding wasn't for me I wouldn't have been stuck with a new bike that was surplus to requirements after one ride.
Just a thought.
I subsequently bought a road bike, but only because I enjoyed that L2B ride so much that I decided to make road-riding a regular activity. But if I'd found road riding wasn't for me I wouldn't have been stuck with a new bike that was surplus to requirements after one ride.
Just a thought.
SixPotBelly said:
I wouldn't want to talk anyone out of getting a road bike, but if it's a one-off 50-mile event you could simply chuck a pair of 1.25" slicks on your MTB. You'd be amazed at how much difference they make. I did that for the London-Brighton a while back and it felt like I was flying for very little effort. The problem wasn't keeping up, it was negotiating a way past everyone in front.
I subsequently bought a road bike, but only because I enjoyed that L2B ride so much that I decided to make road-riding a regular activity. But if I'd found road riding wasn't for me I wouldn't have been stuck with a new bike that was surplus to requirements after one ride.
Just a thought.
Oddly enough, I did the L2B for the first time last year and I said I'd never do it again. One of the slowest 50 mile rides I have ever done. Anyways...enough of that. I subsequently bought a road bike, but only because I enjoyed that L2B ride so much that I decided to make road-riding a regular activity. But if I'd found road riding wasn't for me I wouldn't have been stuck with a new bike that was surplus to requirements after one ride.
Just a thought.
Didn't even know you could lease bikes. As per Steve's statement, I would just go and buy a new bike. Plenty of shops offer 0% finance.
Thanks guys.
The lease is a deposit (approx £100) and then 24 months at roughly £38, this includes servicing, insurance and the option to hand back the bike at any point if it becomes unaffordable (currently on a 12 month contract with no guarantee of extension just yet).
I have considered sticking slicks on the hardtail but road cycling is something I've wanted to do for a while so guess this is being used as a bit of a reason to get a bike. I like the idea of weekend club rides, something that I've struggled to find locally with the MTB.
As for second hand bikes I'm just worried that I would end up with something that needs money throwing at it to replace worn out parts, I have minimal knowledge of road bikes so also wouldn't really know where to start looking with regards to brands, sizes etc.
The lease is a deposit (approx £100) and then 24 months at roughly £38, this includes servicing, insurance and the option to hand back the bike at any point if it becomes unaffordable (currently on a 12 month contract with no guarantee of extension just yet).
I have considered sticking slicks on the hardtail but road cycling is something I've wanted to do for a while so guess this is being used as a bit of a reason to get a bike. I like the idea of weekend club rides, something that I've struggled to find locally with the MTB.
As for second hand bikes I'm just worried that I would end up with something that needs money throwing at it to replace worn out parts, I have minimal knowledge of road bikes so also wouldn't really know where to start looking with regards to brands, sizes etc.
Well I'm no expert but 24 months of £38 gives you £912 which is more than enough to buy a decent road bike.
My road bike (I've had it for 3 years now) is a Giant Defy 1 which cost £1000. It is an ideal starter bike - maybe a bit over spec'd, with a brilliant aluminium frame and Shimano 105 components. It has also been a good base for upgrades. I have added a few Ultega bits and pieces, better wheels and tyres. The engine has also improved a little in 3 years!
You can get a perfectly good aluminium bike with good components for between £500 and £1000. Go to Evans or a local bike shop and have a look. Regarding sizing, try before you buy!
Steve
My road bike (I've had it for 3 years now) is a Giant Defy 1 which cost £1000. It is an ideal starter bike - maybe a bit over spec'd, with a brilliant aluminium frame and Shimano 105 components. It has also been a good base for upgrades. I have added a few Ultega bits and pieces, better wheels and tyres. The engine has also improved a little in 3 years!
You can get a perfectly good aluminium bike with good components for between £500 and £1000. Go to Evans or a local bike shop and have a look. Regarding sizing, try before you buy!
Steve
bakerstreet said:
Worth a visit to your decathlon too. They have some really cheap road bikes. As little as £300 
Triban 500 seems pick of the range, if you do. If you want to restrict outlay to £38pm, stick it on a credit card, pay that each month and in 18 months you'll have paid it off. Better prospect than £38 pcm on a lease, non?http://www.wiggle.com/eastway-r40-apex-2013/
http://www.wiggle.com/verenti-technique-claris-201...
One of those two, or the Triban 500 with Shimano components (not Microshift) is where my cash would go.
http://www.wiggle.com/verenti-technique-claris-201...
One of those two, or the Triban 500 with Shimano components (not Microshift) is where my cash would go.
jamiebae said:
http://www.wiggle.com/eastway-r40-apex-2013/
http://www.wiggle.com/verenti-technique-claris-201...
One of those two, or the Triban 500 with Shimano components (not Microshift) is where my cash would go.
Firstly, I'm new to cycling so I don't count as a proper cyclist.http://www.wiggle.com/verenti-technique-claris-201...
One of those two, or the Triban 500 with Shimano components (not Microshift) is where my cash would go.
I've got the Triban 500, my first road bike and I would agree with this chap. I'm no expert but the Microshift kit is pretty useless, clunky and not smooth. In terms of the bike itself I really can't fault it. I've been on a few rides with other people on more expensive kit and never felt like the bike was holding me back. If you've got a Decathlon near you go in and try one out. They don't seem to have a problem with people sitting on them or even riding them around the shop. Mine was £379 (I think) if you don't use it after your first event sell it on, it'll cost you a lot less than leasing one.
Get a Triban, get strava, get out there.
Leasing a bike is mad IMHO. Servicing? A squirt of oil & a wipe down like everyone has done for the last 100 years. Insurance? If you really want it, you can buy for £20 a year.
You can buy a carbon road bike for little more than the price of 1 years lease. Better than TDF winners were riding 10 years ago! So I'm sure a sub £500 bike is good enough for the casual cyclist!
Cycling is simple & fun, a lot of people out there are taking advantage..
You can buy a carbon road bike for little more than the price of 1 years lease. Better than TDF winners were riding 10 years ago! So I'm sure a sub £500 bike is good enough for the casual cyclist!
Cycling is simple & fun, a lot of people out there are taking advantage..
2 weeks ago I got bored and went for a 40mile ride on my full sus giant running 2.2" off road tyres. Yes I wasn't as quick as a road bike but it wasn't a hard ride and I certainly could have done 10miles more but the route was blocked due to a crash so I ended up by my house and stopped.
2 weeks ago I got bored and went for a 40mile ride on my full sus giant running 2.2" off road tyres. Yes I wasn't as quick as a road bike but it wasn't a hard ride and I certainly could have done 10miles more but the route was blocked due to a crash so I ended up by my house and stopped.
I think Bikeswanky might make sense if you're blowing £2-£3k, possibly, but £1k is not a huge amount for a road bike.
The Kinesis is a great all year bike, I think they sell for about £1k. Don't know much about Forme but doubt it would be a clunker.
I bought a 500 quid ebay special 2 years ago, done something like 11000 miles on it, been brilliant. 90's Italian frame with new wheels and groupset - looks pretty good too! It can be done, read the ads carefully and have your wits about you when you go and look at it.
Evans let you ride pretty much anything they have in stock - some shops only have demo bikes that are over 2k and although the cheaper models are similar they aren't the same.
The Kinesis is a great all year bike, I think they sell for about £1k. Don't know much about Forme but doubt it would be a clunker.
I bought a 500 quid ebay special 2 years ago, done something like 11000 miles on it, been brilliant. 90's Italian frame with new wheels and groupset - looks pretty good too! It can be done, read the ads carefully and have your wits about you when you go and look at it.
Evans let you ride pretty much anything they have in stock - some shops only have demo bikes that are over 2k and although the cheaper models are similar they aren't the same.
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