Road bike recommendations to kick of search...
Discussion
Mrs PB has decided she wants to do a triathlon. The swimming and running are under control, just the cycling to go but need a bike first. Looking for a decent road bike that is comfortable and confidence-inspiring, rather than a twitchy race-spec livewire. I'm also thinking of checking out a few gravel bikes as they seem to be more-relaxed, and I've been impressed with the all-round ability of mine - might encourage more use.
Price is going to be around AU$2k which is around one thousand of your finest British pounds. Or thereabouts. Having said that, my previous three outings to buy a bike have resulted in a budget blowout of 50-100%...
I know it'll come down to which fits best, but looking for recommendations to kick off the search. We don't have all the brands over here, but Giant, Specialized, Trek, Cube, Norco, Colnago, Cannondale, Merida, GT are ubiquitous, and would be easiest to source, though there are smaller brands too.
Price is going to be around AU$2k which is around one thousand of your finest British pounds. Or thereabouts. Having said that, my previous three outings to buy a bike have resulted in a budget blowout of 50-100%...
I know it'll come down to which fits best, but looking for recommendations to kick off the search. We don't have all the brands over here, but Giant, Specialized, Trek, Cube, Norco, Colnago, Cannondale, Merida, GT are ubiquitous, and would be easiest to source, though there are smaller brands too.
For circa £1K you would be better off staying away from the big named brands like Trek, Spesh etc. Nothing wrong with them at all but they tend to be poorly spec'd and there are better value less known brands
Is this going to be a one-and-done triathlon outing or a regular thing? If just the one then go for a more all round bike that can be used for other things is a good bet. Planet X offer good value for money and they ship internationally.
https://www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/bikes/gravel-adventu...
At that budget most bikes are going to have a relaxed geometry.
If you can get Giant out there you can possibly get Liv? They are bikes aimed at women but owned and made by Giant. Might be worth a look.
Is this going to be a one-and-done triathlon outing or a regular thing? If just the one then go for a more all round bike that can be used for other things is a good bet. Planet X offer good value for money and they ship internationally.
https://www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/bikes/gravel-adventu...
At that budget most bikes are going to have a relaxed geometry.
If you can get Giant out there you can possibly get Liv? They are bikes aimed at women but owned and made by Giant. Might be worth a look.
Thanks - have just been looking at Liv - on the list. There are a number of smaller brands, and I've got a couple on the list, I'm just after some recommendations from the big brands to kick off.
Would expect this tri to be the first of a few, and that there will be other bike rides coming up. Comfort is a big thing.
Would expect this tri to be the first of a few, and that there will be other bike rides coming up. Comfort is a big thing.
I'd stick with the bigger brands, on the chance that if she doesn't like the particular bike she gets, or riding altogether, it will be easier to sell on.
If you were in the UK I would say go to Evans and try 3 Cannondales - a Synapse, a Super Six and a CAAD. These are arguably amongst the best endurance/race/ally bikes you can buy and then you'll have a better idea of the type of bike. If she really gets into tri though you'll be looking at a more aero/tri-specific bike pretty quick! The CAAD gets great reviews and I think it tends to be slightly better specced than the other two.
If you were in the UK I would say go to Evans and try 3 Cannondales - a Synapse, a Super Six and a CAAD. These are arguably amongst the best endurance/race/ally bikes you can buy and then you'll have a better idea of the type of bike. If she really gets into tri though you'll be looking at a more aero/tri-specific bike pretty quick! The CAAD gets great reviews and I think it tends to be slightly better specced than the other two.
I know this sounds daft, but have a look on ebay for the pro team bikes being sold off as its end of season. Wiggle High 5's bikes ended up on there last year with the links being pushed out by Rochelle Gilmore herself. They use an Aussie company to sell the stuff so its already in the country.
It would be a lot of bike with a lot of history, for that money.
It would be a lot of bike with a lot of history, for that money.
Edited by Celtic Dragon on Friday 29th September 17:33
You know you mentioned man maths for the budget, sorry I'm not going to help but.....
https://www.goexpro.com/collections/bikes-and-fram...
https://www.goexpro.com/collections/bikes-and-fram...
Celtic Dragon said:
You know you mentioned man maths for the budget, sorry I'm not going to help but.....
https://www.goexpro.com/collections/bikes-and-fram...
https://www.goexpro.com/collections/bikes-and-fram...
- like that!Will have a look at Cannondale. Had thought of women's specific frames but don't know anyone with one although had been looking at the Livs earlier.
Sounds like it's time to get to a bike shop and get testing. Which undoubtedly present me with a budget problem...
Gren said:
Of all the big names, Giant/Liv tend to offer good value for money. The Defy/Avail sounds like what you're looking for if there's a model in your price range.
You're not the first to suggest that to me - just that my local Giant dealer ain't much cop. Will be near another dealer next week - will see if I can take some time out for a squizz Hmm, thought it would all be a bit more straightforward than this. Have had a nose around a few shops, and looked at...
Giant Defy
Liv Avail
Cube Agree
Specialized Ruby, Roubaix, Diverge
Trek Domane
Norco Search
Scott Somethingorother
One of the common problems, particularly with the big brands, is the cut-off point for decent kit. Of all the things that are available, I'd really like the bike to have fully hydraulic brakes, which, for road bikes, seems to mean running a carbon frame with 11sp 105 kit. And that seems to mean increasing my budget by at least 50%, and in some cases by 100%. I'm happy to have 11sp kit, as it means I only need one set of parts for three bikes, though.
The Liv was in the front running until I tried to figure out the point of those infernal semi-hydraulic brakes - great if you want to retro fit mechanical system, but from new? On a AU$3.5k bike?? Really???
Now, man maths has worked well for me in the past, and I could let it run its course again, but what am I missing here?
I'm going to look at Merida and Cannondale (local dealers are a bit painful...). Really want Mrs PB to check the bike for size before buying, so over the web is a bit tricky.
Giant Defy
Liv Avail
Cube Agree
Specialized Ruby, Roubaix, Diverge
Trek Domane
Norco Search
Scott Somethingorother
One of the common problems, particularly with the big brands, is the cut-off point for decent kit. Of all the things that are available, I'd really like the bike to have fully hydraulic brakes, which, for road bikes, seems to mean running a carbon frame with 11sp 105 kit. And that seems to mean increasing my budget by at least 50%, and in some cases by 100%. I'm happy to have 11sp kit, as it means I only need one set of parts for three bikes, though.
The Liv was in the front running until I tried to figure out the point of those infernal semi-hydraulic brakes - great if you want to retro fit mechanical system, but from new? On a AU$3.5k bike?? Really???
Now, man maths has worked well for me in the past, and I could let it run its course again, but what am I missing here?
I'm going to look at Merida and Cannondale (local dealers are a bit painful...). Really want Mrs PB to check the bike for size before buying, so over the web is a bit tricky.
Well, have found what looks like the right bike at the right price - 2017 Merida 4000 Juliet Disc. Carbon frame, hydraulic brakes, 105 kit, local dealer, AU$2000. Just need to find the right size frame to try, and that has thrown a bit of a puzzle at us...
LBS Merida dealer has taken the measurements and put them into the Merida configurator, which says we need a 47cm frame, Womens XXS. Now, without the measurements I would have bought a 52cm, and Specialized measured MrsPB as needing a 54 for a Ruby. Doesn't make sense in my head for a rider who is 173cm tall to need a 47cm bike - her legs aren't that short!
Anyway, we've asked for the shop to get a frame in to try, and we'll see then, but anyone else got any thoughts on this??
LBS Merida dealer has taken the measurements and put them into the Merida configurator, which says we need a 47cm frame, Womens XXS. Now, without the measurements I would have bought a 52cm, and Specialized measured MrsPB as needing a 54 for a Ruby. Doesn't make sense in my head for a rider who is 173cm tall to need a 47cm bike - her legs aren't that short!
Anyway, we've asked for the shop to get a frame in to try, and we'll see then, but anyone else got any thoughts on this??
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