What first bike thread

[Simond001]

I'm interested in buying a pushbike to get me fit.

Road use only and I have a budget of £1000 or so.

Any advice greatly appreciated as the last bike i bought was a Raliegh Chopper.

I like the look of http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/ro...

but know nothing, so not sure if this is the Hyundia of the bike world or the Porsche.

[Simond001]

I'm going to Evans in crawley tomorrow. My fear is buying a bike that won't last, or isnt fit for my purpose.

From £500 to £5000 they all look the same to me!

[Simond001]

rhinochopig said:

If your willing to take a small risk re: fit. ChainReactionCycyels.com have a sale on at the moment, or 1k will buy you a very very planet x full carbon framed road bike.

I'm looking at their site, but the discounts aren't that impressive.

what does "1k will buy you a very very planet x full carbon framed road bike" mean.

I would like a carbon frame bike, just for pub rights!

[Simond001]

nice looking bike though.

[Simond001]

I want to get fit. a couple of friends ride every week, so it would be good to get fit enough to join them.

[Simond001]

Ok, update. Firstly, i dont have a bike.

I went with a friend to Evans in Crawley. We had a list of potential bikes to look at, Bianchi Pinnacle and Specialized were the favoured three.

We asked for a measure to ensure we were looking at the correct bike for me. "That's £50"

Also asked if we could have the bike fitted. "No!"

Really dissapointed. We told them straight off that I was willing to buy today. The initial salesman went to get someone senior, who, having told me that the Specialized Roubaix was ideal went off to fiond one. None in stock, unwilling ot get in from another branch. Unwilling to measure me and set the bike up at alternate store for delivery to my home (which is Free).

Totally pissed off with the service, and annoyed that I wasted half a day trying to buy a bike that they couldnt be bothered to sell me.

[Simond001]

going to try an independant in Uckfield tomorrow, otherwise wild side in Tunbridge Wells looks tops.

The shame is that all they had to do was spend 15 minutes getting it right, and they would an extra £2k in the till. (Bike plus shoes, pedals, shorts, helmet etc..)

[Simond001]

Paul1972 said:

So you now want some recommendations for Local Bike Shops then hey.

Here's one i've dealt with down your way. Good by mail order when i used them and have the Specialized Allez listed, as well as a few options from Giant and Trek

http://www.southdownsbikes.com/

Appreciate that link. Nice to see a website that actually has prices as well!. Most seem to just linkt o the manufacturers site.

What is the difference between the Allez and the Roubaix?

I have a good reason to go to Storrington, so will call them tomorrow.

[Simond001]

Paul1972 said:

arryb said:

I know it's halfords but is it worth looking at the Boardman range - isn't their top of the range full carbon bike £1k and it does get some very good reviews.....

This one(with the huge long linky)....

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

on it as we speak

[Simond001]

I've bought a bike.

Local shop ( http://www.in-gearonline.co.uk ) have sorted me out.

I've gone for a Specialized Roubaix Elite. They also sorted the pedals, shoes, helmet and padded undershorts.

The best thing, they absolutely measured, checked, tested and ensured that the bike i loeft with fitted me perfectly.

First trip out tomorrow, just a few miles to guage how razorlike the seat is!

[Simond001]

Henry Hawthorne said:

Lovely, remember to report back.

email i sent to a friend this morning

"Painful.

Been out this morning (btw.never buy a house at the top of a hill). Luckily the phone rang so I had to come home.

Legs feel like lead already.

To be fair, on the turbo trainer I felt a little nauseous when they were setting the bike up.

Happy days. Odometer says 1 mile. Must be faulty??
"

[Simond001]

first ride last night.

9 miles, all uphill i think!

For sale. Specialized Roubaix Elite with all the option.