What Road Bike - Beginner - Under £750

[Nezquick]

Hi all

I'm new to this part of the forum and just wanted a bit of advice from those in the know.

In the next few months, I want to get myself a road bike to try and get into the sport. I need something which will hopefully keep me interested in fitness other than the gym (which I find a bit boring).

I don't want to spend any more than £750 ideally to start with until I get into it so I wondered what road bike you'd recommend? I have a number of shops near me (Evans, Buy-a-Bike, Leisure Lakes Bikes plus a few independent shops) so I can go and test a few out. Bear in mind I won't know what size/fit/geometry I need at this stage.

I think I'd like more of an endurance bike to start with though as I won't be doing any racing etc. I don't want a hybrid though.

I'd appreciate any recommendations?

Also, what equipment will I need to start with, other than a decent helmet?

[z4RRSchris]

buy second hand bike. (facebook group cycling buy sell swap, ebay)

need some lycra, some shoes, a helmet and a jacket for when it rains.

also need legs.

[callmedave]

does your budget include gear - Helmets, lycra, padded shorts, shoes, pedals, lights, water bottles etc

Is cycle to work scheme an option for you?


Dont bother with a carbon frame. alloy will be fine for starting out, second hand market is ok, most people are enthusiats so will be looked after and generally only selling due to upgrading.

[Nezquick]

callmedave said:

does your budget include gear - Helmets, lycra, padded shorts, shoes, pedals, lights, water bottles etc

Is cycle to work scheme an option for you?


Dont bother with a carbon frame. alloy will be fine for starting out, second hand market is ok, most people are enthusiats so will be looked after and generally only selling due to upgrading.

No I plan on spending around £750 on the bike alone - all the equipment I'm happy to buy on top of that.

Noted re the carbon frame.

I probably can get cycle to work I think but will be restricted to Halfords or maybe Evans if I do that. Not sure what they can offer that's any good though?

[jamiebae]

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/eastway-zener-d3-tiagra-20... - carbon frame, has had great reviews and looks decent value

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/verenti-technique-tiagra-2... - good alu framed option

Obviously with the above you're buying online so can't try before you buy, but I'm pretty sure they have a decent returns policy if you decide it doesn't fit or isn't right for you.

If you want to buy from the high street then this is a great frame with a cheaper groupset than the above: https://www.evanscycles.com/bmc-teammachine-alr01-...

[callmedave]

Nezquick said:

No I plan on spending around £750 on the bike alone - all the equipment I'm happy to buy on top of that.

Noted re the carbon frame.

I probably can get cycle to work I think but will be restricted to Halfords or maybe Evans if I do that. Not sure what they can offer that's any good though?

Steer clear of Halfords mate. I think Boardman have pulled their stock form halfords now (you can only buy direct from Boardman) and t hat was the only decent brand they could offer. by all means go in and test a few out, see what frame size suits you and what ype of saddles feel most comfy.

a quick look on ebay, I would cosider these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Scott-Speedster-20-Road-...
a nice Scott speedster

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trek-Madone-2-1-Road-BIk...
a Trek madone - very nice!

Also look to getting fitted, this is where you and your bike are plotted on a computer and small adjustments made to saddle, handlebars shoes etc to give you the best position. budget about £100-£150.

[snobetter]

Lots of discounts on 2016 bikes still around 30 - 40% off, Rutland cycles etc.

[moonigan]

Giant Defy with 105 for £629. Bargain. https://www.rutlandcycling.com/318562/products/201...

P

[jamiebae]

callmedave said:

Steer clear of Halfords mate. I think Boardman have pulled their stock form halfords now (you can only buy direct from Boardman) and t hat was the only decent brand they could offer. by all means go in and test a few out, see what frame size suits you and what ype of saddles feel most comfy.

Why would Boardman pull their stock from Halfords, given Halfords own Boardman? I'd be surprised if that was actually the case, maybe it's just that they don't have much stock left and are waiting for 2017 models to come in?

Some Halfords stores are actually pretty good, it's just pot luck if you get one with a decent bike mechanic or not but even if it's a bad one the bikes are still fine - it's just the setup that can be wonky.

[callmedave]

jamiebae said:

Why would Boardman pull their stock from Halfords, given Halfords own Boardman? I'd be surprised if that was actually the case, maybe it's just that they don't have much stock left and are waiting for 2017 models to come in?

Some Halfords stores are actually pretty good, it's just pot luck if you get one with a decent bike mechanic or not but even if it's a bad one the bikes are still fine - it's just the setup that can be wonky.

Halfords dont own Boardman - We own a bikeshop that WAS a boardman distributer. We were allowed to sell through what we had in stock but told that they were stopping supply to all their customers

If halfordsa re still selling boardman then its must be from old stock.

Agree that there are good halfords stores here and there, but as a whole, i would recommend a specialist, Evans, Indy etc.

[jamiebae]

callmedave said:

Halfords dont own Boardman - We own a bikeshop that WAS a boardman distributer. We were allowed to sell through what we had in stock but told that they were stopping supply to all their customers

If halfordsa re still selling boardman then its must be from old stock.

Agree that there are good halfords stores here and there, but as a whole, i would recommend a specialist, Evans, Indy etc.

Did they sell it on then?

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/product-news/h...

I hadn't heard that, so assumed they were still running it as before

[callmedave]

jamiebae said:

callmedave said:

Halfords dont own Boardman - We own a bikeshop that WAS a boardman distributer. We were allowed to sell through what we had in stock but told that they were stopping supply to all their customers

If halfordsa re still selling boardman then its must be from old stock.

Agree that there are good halfords stores here and there, but as a whole, i would recommend a specialist, Evans, Indy etc.

Did they sell it on then?

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/product-news/h...

I hadn't heard that, so assumed they were still running it as before

thats news to me! I stand corrected! - Still 10 ft barge pole and all that.

[Daveyraveygravey]

The big plus of Evans is that they let you road test bikes, and you can try several. You will have to book it and leave them details as security and maybe wait a few days while they get it up from the warehouse at Crawley, but you can ride budget bikes. A lot of local bike shops do have demo bikes, but they are £2k plus, which although similar to the lower priced versions in the range, every key area will be better.
I advised someone else on this forum recently to try a Cannondale Synapse (endurance) SuperSix (more racy) and a CAAD (ally). These three are nearly always at the top of the reviews, and it will help you decide if you want/need endurance or if the excitement of the other two is more your thing. Then you can look around at what else there is in the price range and see if any of the rivals give you more.
Secondhand is a good shout, search for Specialised Secteur or Allez, Giant Defy or Trek Domane. You'll probably get an almost new one for £300-£400, and if you don't enjoy it you can sell them easily and without losing too much more. If you do like, the sell on option is still there, or you can keep it as a winter bike.

[LordHaveMurci]

z4RRSchris said:

buy second hand bike. (facebook group cycling buy sell swap, ebay)

Just be cautious, a mate of mine bought a Cube (I think) 2nd hand & it turned out to be shagged, time he had it sorted it cost him more than a similar brand new bike.

[lukefreeman]

I'd be looking at something alloy with 105..........

2nd hand CAAD 10.......

[Captain Benzo]

Sorry to hijack, but rather than start a new thread

I'm in a similar position, but with cycle to work an option only through cyclesolutions.co.uk I could comfortable cover £850

i have been riding a Boardman Cx loaned from a friend, but fancy my own road bike to compliment my mtb used for family bike rides.

I'm a big lad @ 112kg, i like the added comfort of a CX frame, but my routes are largely on road / cycle paths.

THe Cube attain has caught my eye, but all this is new to me.

any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Nezquick]

moonigan said:

Giant Defy with 105 for £629. Bargain. https://www.rutlandcycling.com/318562/products/201...

P

I really like that and seems a very good price for the spec. Thanks for this.

Thanks to everyone else too for your input. I'm going to go and have a look this weekend.

[NatAsp]

Captain Benzo said:

Sorry to hijack, but rather than start a new thread

I'm in a similar position, but with cycle to work an option only through cyclesolutions.co.uk I could comfortable cover £850

i have been riding a Boardman Cx loaned from a friend, but fancy my own road bike to compliment my mtb used for family bike rides.

I'm a big lad @ 112kg, i like the added comfort of a CX frame, but my routes are largely on road / cycle paths.

THe Cube attain has caught my eye, but all this is new to me.

any input would be greatly appreciated.

CB - If you are a big chap and your primary concern is comfort then a Synapse with Sora would be ideal at your budget. It's expensive (better groupsets are available for that money) but the frame is ultra smooth and there's space for 28c tyres - perfect bike for you IMO, go look at the reviews.

To the OP - at this stage you have no idea what type of rider you are going to be or what type of riding you will like doing best so dropping £750 on an entry level frame could be a waste of money if turns out to be a white elephant. You'd be much better off getting a fit first and then buying a nice little 8 speed bike (Say Technique Claris or Triban 500) whilst you get into the sport. After say a year and you have a better idea of what you want from a bike, sell the cheapy at a small loss and then buy a more serious bike.

[yellowjack]

Decathlon's Triban range are well regarded as being decent bikes and excellent value for money...
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/ultra-900-af-road-bike...
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-540-road-bike-1...

...although it seems that not all bikes are available in all sizes via the website.

[Captain Benzo]

NatAsp said:

CB - If you are a big chap and your primary concern is comfort then a Synapse with Sora would be ideal at your budget. It's expensive (better groupsets are available for that money) but the frame is ultra smooth and there's space for 28c tyres - perfect bike for you IMO, go look at the reviews.

for that reason, i was looking at the CAADx, giant anyroad or a ROux conquest cx bike, all have Sora gearing.

i do like the positioning on a cx bike, but as i have an MTB for offroading, is the CX middleground worth it? even with slith road tyres?