Joining Pedal Powered
Discussion
Hello all,
I'm looking at entering the world of road riding - my fiends and members of my rugby team do regular road events and I'm keen to join in with then so have taken on board a lot of info and am thinking of getting myself a Specialized Allez Elite Road Bike as an entry level but strong bike to train on and use in charity and fun events throughout 2012.
so 2 points to this post:
- hoping to join in with some PH events in 2012 (not sure London to Paris is something I'd be able to manage yet!)
- any experience with Specialized bikes or any recommendations at the entry level range (£500 - £1,000) would be welcomed
Looking forward to getting back on a bike after a couple of years away and getting involved on some events
I'm looking at entering the world of road riding - my fiends and members of my rugby team do regular road events and I'm keen to join in with then so have taken on board a lot of info and am thinking of getting myself a Specialized Allez Elite Road Bike as an entry level but strong bike to train on and use in charity and fun events throughout 2012.
so 2 points to this post:
- hoping to join in with some PH events in 2012 (not sure London to Paris is something I'd be able to manage yet!)
- any experience with Specialized bikes or any recommendations at the entry level range (£500 - £1,000) would be welcomed
Looking forward to getting back on a bike after a couple of years away and getting involved on some events
Welcome!
As somebody who sells such things - make sure you have a ride on one first, don't just order online. Get down your local dealers and try some different brands. This is ESPECIALLY important when A - buying road bikes and B - your new to it.
Just like buying running shoes or jeans - you may find that Specialized road bikes 'fit' you, but equally you may not, however you might then jump on a Giant Defy for the same price, in the same size, and that one will feel 'right'.
Until your experienced enough to be able to look at a geometry table and know what the bikes gonna feel like, riding them is a must, IMO.
I'm almost loathe to sell road bikes to customers who don't test ride them.
As somebody who sells such things - make sure you have a ride on one first, don't just order online. Get down your local dealers and try some different brands. This is ESPECIALLY important when A - buying road bikes and B - your new to it.
Just like buying running shoes or jeans - you may find that Specialized road bikes 'fit' you, but equally you may not, however you might then jump on a Giant Defy for the same price, in the same size, and that one will feel 'right'.
Until your experienced enough to be able to look at a geometry table and know what the bikes gonna feel like, riding them is a must, IMO.
I'm almost loathe to sell road bikes to customers who don't test ride them.
£500 to £1000 is a massive jump in terms of road bikes. you are going from the entry level aluminium stuff at £500 to high end aluminium and even carbon at £1K. at the top of the price bracket, using the ribble bike builder you can get a fantastic dedaccaiai carbon frame with quality shimano components and good finishing kit for £1000. alternativly you could get something from cannondale with an aluminium frame like the caad10. slightly less well known brands like orbea and canyon are worth a look too. and the boardmans from halfords are still great value for money, blah blah halfrods chimps, build it yourself, its not made by Halfords, blah blah.... mine still gets many favourable comments when i'm out on it.....
dont get hung up on groupsets, anything with sora or tiagra, albeit at the lower end of the food chain, still shifts into all 20/27 gears if you maintain it. yes it is a bit heavier and a bit clunky shifting but thats the reason groupsets arent all the same price. lower groupset and higher end wheels are a far better combo.
specialised are hugely popular and good reliable bikes, think of them as the Ford of bicycles.
trying bikes for size is advisable but to be honest, most bikes at that price use very simular geometry as they are all designed for comfort not racing so there should be very little variation. shops can make big money from add-on sales which is why they all say you must be properly fitted but half of them havent got a clue really. just look up the geometry of a bike on the manufacturers website and take a tape measure to the shop. you can also do a lot by just moving the seat up/down or forwards/backwards. if you do you research properly you can get a bargain online and know it will fit with minor fettling....
dont get hung up on groupsets, anything with sora or tiagra, albeit at the lower end of the food chain, still shifts into all 20/27 gears if you maintain it. yes it is a bit heavier and a bit clunky shifting but thats the reason groupsets arent all the same price. lower groupset and higher end wheels are a far better combo.
specialised are hugely popular and good reliable bikes, think of them as the Ford of bicycles.
trying bikes for size is advisable but to be honest, most bikes at that price use very simular geometry as they are all designed for comfort not racing so there should be very little variation. shops can make big money from add-on sales which is why they all say you must be properly fitted but half of them havent got a clue really. just look up the geometry of a bike on the manufacturers website and take a tape measure to the shop. you can also do a lot by just moving the seat up/down or forwards/backwards. if you do you research properly you can get a bargain online and know it will fit with minor fettling....
As above... Generally the specialized, trek etc bikes are priced a little higher compared to other brands with similar specification as they trade on their great history and reputation, that said many bikes frames are produced in the same factory and the components are made by others (shimano, sram etc) and common to all makes. That said if you can grab one in the current end of season sales these factors even themselves out...
The Boardmans at Halfords get great reviews and are some of the best value for money as are the B'twin bikes at Decathlon. Both get hit and miss reviews regarding mechanical aftercare but as you tend to have to pay for this anyway after buying a bike you can always take it elsewhere.
The Boardman Race seems to be worth a look as this seems to have received very good reviews in the bike press:
http://www.boardmanbikes.com/road/road_race.html
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/...
If you're considering going up to £1000 you could get far superior bikes virtually new on ebay e.g.
http://www.boardmanbikes.com/road/road_team_carbon...
or get another good value bike from Decathlon carbon compostie and shimano 105 groupset...
That said you've probably been out, tried a bike and loved it and bought it so good luck !!
The Boardmans at Halfords get great reviews and are some of the best value for money as are the B'twin bikes at Decathlon. Both get hit and miss reviews regarding mechanical aftercare but as you tend to have to pay for this anyway after buying a bike you can always take it elsewhere.
The Boardman Race seems to be worth a look as this seems to have received very good reviews in the bike press:
http://www.boardmanbikes.com/road/road_race.html
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/...
If you're considering going up to £1000 you could get far superior bikes virtually new on ebay e.g.
http://www.boardmanbikes.com/road/road_team_carbon...
or get another good value bike from Decathlon carbon compostie and shimano 105 groupset...
That said you've probably been out, tried a bike and loved it and bought it so good luck !!
Edited by Gnarlybluesurf on Saturday 17th September 12:36
I, like you, chose this exact bike to get back into cycling after a few years away and its proven to be a great choice. Its super solid without being heavy and stands up to the beating of London's roads for commuting as well as being great over longer, smoother distances.
Mine came from Cycle Surgery and they were really good with recommendations and advice. You can test ride to your hearts content and they were great about getting bikes brought over from other stores for me to try out if they didn't have one in stock or happy to build one up just for me to try.
Its been a couple of months and many kilometers now and I'd forgotten just how much I love riding.
eta - I found the Sora shifters a little bit fiddly since to change the rear - why on earth would you ever want to drop to the small ring on the front
- the lever is more like a little button and not integrated with the brake levers. Try an Allez with Sora and one with Tiagra and compare the two.
Mine came from Cycle Surgery and they were really good with recommendations and advice. You can test ride to your hearts content and they were great about getting bikes brought over from other stores for me to try out if they didn't have one in stock or happy to build one up just for me to try.
Its been a couple of months and many kilometers now and I'd forgotten just how much I love riding.
eta - I found the Sora shifters a little bit fiddly since to change the rear - why on earth would you ever want to drop to the small ring on the front
- the lever is more like a little button and not integrated with the brake levers. Try an Allez with Sora and one with Tiagra and compare the two.Edited by dougc on Saturday 17th September 23:39
I should hae been more specific on price: up to £700 with some flexibility.
So I popped down to a well known cycle shop chain based on some of the feedback I'd received from friends who ride and from specialise cycle forums that have many threads on this subject (all advice very similar to above).
The chaps there were great at making sure I took away the right bike in size, fit and spec for what I needed. I'd gone in with a lot of potential bikes I liked the look of and was aiming for a high end aluminium frame and rode a lot of 52/3" frames (yes, I'm small) which luckily they had in stock. I got to ride some that I had my eye on and some I'd missed/not noticed. Maybe it's my lack of experience/feel or the post above is true - they all felt relatively similar... and all where great to ride.
Either way, I went away and after more research online besed on my experience there I went back the following day to ride those I liked and make a decision on it... after all of that time spent looking at bikes I ended up with the bike above
Took it out this morning with a friend for my first ride (had played 80 minutes of rugby the day before so was a little sore - muscular and hangover) and did a fairly hilly 9 mile ride around the rural areas between Leeds/Wakefield. Awesome. I've driven the roads I cycled so many times but I realised I never noticed my surroundings, some bloody nice scenery around here! More importantly I got a feel for the bike and made some minor changes to the saddle but the bike was brilliant... my fitness not so much. I'm doing another 9 mile ride after work tomorrow on a different route with an aim at doing it quicker before increasing my distance on Wednesday night when I ride with a few mates.
The goal? I want to ride the 24 miles to work once each week... it's going to be tough to get there, but it'll be a rewqarding experience involving solo, social and charity rides.
Thanks for the advice all
- edit - I meant to say, the bikes posted above look very good, I guess being a starter to the world of road biking the 'Ford' of road bikes seems most fitting as I don't have a strong grasp yet on the best components within each price range so had to take advice from friends, online and the very helpful guys at the well known cycle chain
So I popped down to a well known cycle shop chain based on some of the feedback I'd received from friends who ride and from specialise cycle forums that have many threads on this subject (all advice very similar to above).
The chaps there were great at making sure I took away the right bike in size, fit and spec for what I needed. I'd gone in with a lot of potential bikes I liked the look of and was aiming for a high end aluminium frame and rode a lot of 52/3" frames (yes, I'm small) which luckily they had in stock. I got to ride some that I had my eye on and some I'd missed/not noticed. Maybe it's my lack of experience/feel or the post above is true - they all felt relatively similar... and all where great to ride.
Either way, I went away and after more research online besed on my experience there I went back the following day to ride those I liked and make a decision on it... after all of that time spent looking at bikes I ended up with the bike above
Took it out this morning with a friend for my first ride (had played 80 minutes of rugby the day before so was a little sore - muscular and hangover) and did a fairly hilly 9 mile ride around the rural areas between Leeds/Wakefield. Awesome. I've driven the roads I cycled so many times but I realised I never noticed my surroundings, some bloody nice scenery around here! More importantly I got a feel for the bike and made some minor changes to the saddle but the bike was brilliant... my fitness not so much. I'm doing another 9 mile ride after work tomorrow on a different route with an aim at doing it quicker before increasing my distance on Wednesday night when I ride with a few mates.
The goal? I want to ride the 24 miles to work once each week... it's going to be tough to get there, but it'll be a rewqarding experience involving solo, social and charity rides.
Thanks for the advice all
- edit - I meant to say, the bikes posted above look very good, I guess being a starter to the world of road biking the 'Ford' of road bikes seems most fitting as I don't have a strong grasp yet on the best components within each price range so had to take advice from friends, online and the very helpful guys at the well known cycle chain
Edited by kieranjholland on Sunday 18th September 21:15
the "ford" comment wasnt intended as a dig at specialized, they are popular but with reason as their bikes are consistently good throughout the price range. given the huge number of stockists and the fact that specilaized now have a bike for every possible requirement, its not surprising there are so many out there. like ford made the gt40, specialised make the tarmac pro models which must be a pretty amazing ride....
kieranjholland said:
I should hae been more specific on price: up to £700 with some flexibility.
So I popped down to a well known cycle shop chain based on some of the feedback I'd received from friends who ride and from specialise cycle forums that have many threads on this subject (all advice very similar to above).
The chaps there were great at making sure I took away the right bike in size, fit and spec for what I needed. I'd gone in with a lot of potential bikes I liked the look of and was aiming for a high end aluminium frame and rode a lot of 52/3" frames (yes, I'm small) which luckily they had in stock. I got to ride some that I had my eye on and some I'd missed/not noticed. Maybe it's my lack of experience/feel or the post above is true - they all felt relatively similar... and all where great to ride.
Either way, I went away and after more research online besed on my experience there I went back the following day to ride those I liked and make a decision on it... after all of that time spent looking at bikes I ended up with the bike above
Took it out this morning with a friend for my first ride (had played 80 minutes of rugby the day before so was a little sore - muscular and hangover) and did a fairly hilly 9 mile ride around the rural areas between Leeds/Wakefield. Awesome. I've driven the roads I cycled so many times but I realised I never noticed my surroundings, some bloody nice scenery around here! More importantly I got a feel for the bike and made some minor changes to the saddle but the bike was brilliant... my fitness not so much. I'm doing another 9 mile ride after work tomorrow on a different route with an aim at doing it quicker before increasing my distance on Wednesday night when I ride with a few mates.
The goal? I want to ride the 24 miles to work once each week... it's going to be tough to get there, but it'll be a rewqarding experience involving solo, social and charity rides.
Thanks for the advice all
- edit - I meant to say, the bikes posted above look very good, I guess being a starter to the world of road biking the 'Ford' of road bikes seems most fitting as I don't have a strong grasp yet on the best components within each price range so had to take advice from friends, online and the very helpful guys at the well known cycle chain
Nice one! With a 24 miles ride to work best to ride there one day, recover the next, ride home the day after (on assumption you have other methods of transport home So I popped down to a well known cycle shop chain based on some of the feedback I'd received from friends who ride and from specialise cycle forums that have many threads on this subject (all advice very similar to above).
The chaps there were great at making sure I took away the right bike in size, fit and spec for what I needed. I'd gone in with a lot of potential bikes I liked the look of and was aiming for a high end aluminium frame and rode a lot of 52/3" frames (yes, I'm small) which luckily they had in stock. I got to ride some that I had my eye on and some I'd missed/not noticed. Maybe it's my lack of experience/feel or the post above is true - they all felt relatively similar... and all where great to ride.
Either way, I went away and after more research online besed on my experience there I went back the following day to ride those I liked and make a decision on it... after all of that time spent looking at bikes I ended up with the bike above
Took it out this morning with a friend for my first ride (had played 80 minutes of rugby the day before so was a little sore - muscular and hangover) and did a fairly hilly 9 mile ride around the rural areas between Leeds/Wakefield. Awesome. I've driven the roads I cycled so many times but I realised I never noticed my surroundings, some bloody nice scenery around here! More importantly I got a feel for the bike and made some minor changes to the saddle but the bike was brilliant... my fitness not so much. I'm doing another 9 mile ride after work tomorrow on a different route with an aim at doing it quicker before increasing my distance on Wednesday night when I ride with a few mates.
The goal? I want to ride the 24 miles to work once each week... it's going to be tough to get there, but it'll be a rewqarding experience involving solo, social and charity rides.
Thanks for the advice all
- edit - I meant to say, the bikes posted above look very good, I guess being a starter to the world of road biking the 'Ford' of road bikes seems most fitting as I don't have a strong grasp yet on the best components within each price range so had to take advice from friends, online and the very helpful guys at the well known cycle chain
Edited by kieranjholland on Sunday 18th September 21:15
)Eventually you should be able to build up to do that ride almost every day, using a rest day as the one to take in the shirts and trousers to save taking them in each day with you.
Enjoy the purchase!!
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