What road bike and where from...?

[Roop]

After last year's successful and thoroughly enjoyable Coast to Coast ride (Whitehaven to Tynemouth) on MTBs, next year's challenge is going to be John O'Groats to Land's End (or vice versa) on road bikes.

Now, I have never owned a road bike and know literally nothing about them, so would appreciate any pointers you guys can offer.

- How much do I need to spend...? Budget is up to £750 or so. This needs to include everything in order that I have a ready-to-ride bike. I have necessary clothing and safety gear - I will buy some shoes on top of this budget.

- What makes are good...? Anything to avoid...?

- Where to buy...? Generally speaking this needs to be online or at least a brand that is sold / supported with parts internationally as I live in CH.

Any else I have missed...? I'll be looking to pick a bike up in the Winter ready to start training beginnign next year.

Cheers,

Roop

[Hard-Drive]

I think that is Specialized Allez territory which is a decent bike with all the benfits of a big brand...

Try and avoid Sora levers if you can, although some people don't mind them. They are OK for hoods riding but not drops.

Enjoy!

[a11y_m]

If you're going to be doing that sort of mileage you should really be looking at something with quite relaxed geometry/angles, and with bigger tyres. Comfort will be very important.

I know Giant have some in their range which are supposed to be less twitchy and more comfortable than a full-on racing bike.

[edwardsje]

a11y_m said:

If you're going to be doing that sort of mileage you should really be looking at something with quite relaxed geometry/angles, and with bigger tyres. Comfort will be very important.

I know Giant have some in their range which are supposed to be less twitchy and more comfortable than a full-on racing bike.

With that in mind, how about one of these?

http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/audaxmk3.html

Definitely not sexy but these guys know their stuff - will be my next bike when company gets around to launching bikes 4 work scheme.

[Nick_F]

That budget would build you a nice relaxed audax bike at Ribble - carbon at each end for comfort and 105/Ultegra groupset.

I haven't got the catalogue handy to check the prices, but would it cover a Specialised Roubaix?

[Roop]

Thanks guys. The Audax sounds good - seems a quality bike but built for comfort rather than to look flash. I just wonder whether they are available in Switzerland. Cycling's big there so I'll have a look round some of the local cycle shops and see what I can find. Hopefully I'll get chance to demo some of their bikes for a few days a piece and see what I like the feel of.

I guess what I am after is "light but comfy"...