What bike? Sorry
Discussion
I need a cheap road bike. I've been cycling to work on my dad's specialized roubaix. Unfortunately, when he's back from holiday he'll want it back and buying one for myself is waaaay out of my price range.
There are a few hills and most cheap road bikes seem to be lacking in gears
Only ever rode MTBs before, should I consider a hybrid?
Other than price the roubaix is perfect. I know I won't get anything near that spec as I'm looking really low end. I just need a decent road bike, as light as possible without going to the expense of carbon fibre and a decent amount of gears. Commute is only 8 miles each way.
Also, as a man new to road biking, some advice on seats would be appreciated...
There are a few hills and most cheap road bikes seem to be lacking in gears
Only ever rode MTBs before, should I consider a hybrid?
Other than price the roubaix is perfect. I know I won't get anything near that spec as I'm looking really low end. I just need a decent road bike, as light as possible without going to the expense of carbon fibre and a decent amount of gears. Commute is only 8 miles each way.
Also, as a man new to road biking, some advice on seats would be appreciated...
Bacon Is Proof said:
What is your budget?
We need to know this so we can recommend bikes slighty out of it.
We need to know this so we can recommend bikes slighty out of it.
c.£500, the cheaper the better really. I'm due to start work with a different company in 12 months that has a cycle to work scheme so just a stop gap for a year. Unless it's a really decent bike and I don't need the C2W...
Don't just look at how many gears the bike has either. Check what the smallest gear is. Most road bikes in your budget will be 'compacts' - 34 and 50 tooth front cogs. 12-28 or 12-25 rear are usual; 34x25 is quite high for a lowest gear. But some will be 'doubles' - 39/53 at the front - and 39x25 is not for beginners 
Go second hand - you'll get much more for your money, and you won't end up with a hateful Carerra 
Look over at the classifieds on BikeRadar. Amongst others, there are a couple of Allezes for £310 and £360 and a Fuli Roubaix for £350. Good value, assuming they're a suitable size for you.
oh, and as for saddles, impossible to recommend really - one man's armchair is another's razor blade.
Try the Specialized 'ass-ometer' in most LBSs to get an idea of how far apart your sit bones are and what width of saddle might suit you. After that, its a case of trial and error - and don't forget to budget for some padded shorts!
Look over at the classifieds on BikeRadar. Amongst others, there are a couple of Allezes for £310 and £360 and a Fuli Roubaix for £350. Good value, assuming they're a suitable size for you.
oh, and as for saddles, impossible to recommend really - one man's armchair is another's razor blade.
Try the Specialized 'ass-ometer' in most LBSs to get an idea of how far apart your sit bones are and what width of saddle might suit you. After that, its a case of trial and error - and don't forget to budget for some padded shorts!
Edited by option click on Friday 17th August 13:08
My Mrs saw that review, and immediately demanded to know why I had spent nearly £1250 on my bike! Doesn't she realise what a bargain £1250 is for a bike with FULL Ultegra group, including shoes, pedals and waterbottles/cages??? Damn Cycling active, damn my stupidity for leaving it lying around, and damn her for reading it, something she's never done before.
yellowjack said:
My Mrs saw that review, and immediately demanded to know why I had spent nearly £1250 on my bike! Doesn't she realise what a bargain £1250 is for a bike with FULL Ultegra group, including shoes, pedals and waterbottles/cages??? Damn Cycling active, damn my stupidity for leaving it lying around, and damn her for reading it, something she's never done before.
Your missus is right, quick you need to buy the £300 bike........ as well ;-) Winter hacks are important to stop the cherished £1250 bike getting salt on in the winterHmm, choices so far then.
1. Carrera TDF. - Could go down to Halfords tomorrow and pick one up.
2. Triban 3. - Really like the idea of this, seems to meet all my criteria perfectly. Nearest Decathlon is a gazillion miles away so although they deliver, try before I buy would be difficult. I guess I can get an idea of frame size on a selection of Halfords bikes then order the Triban for delivery? Or I could take a 90 mile detour from the Sunday service and go to the reading decathlon...
3. Used Specialized Allez - Probably a better bike than both of the above but finding a decent one nearby could be hit and miss.
Any others to consider? Any pros and cons that would sway it one way or the other for any of these 3?
1. Carrera TDF. - Could go down to Halfords tomorrow and pick one up.
2. Triban 3. - Really like the idea of this, seems to meet all my criteria perfectly. Nearest Decathlon is a gazillion miles away so although they deliver, try before I buy would be difficult. I guess I can get an idea of frame size on a selection of Halfords bikes then order the Triban for delivery? Or I could take a 90 mile detour from the Sunday service and go to the reading decathlon...
3. Used Specialized Allez - Probably a better bike than both of the above but finding a decent one nearby could be hit and miss.
Any others to consider? Any pros and cons that would sway it one way or the other for any of these 3?
McFsC said:
If you're pretty sure it's only going to be a year, get the Carrera from Halfords.
This is the problem, it might not just be for a year. If it's decent and it's only going to be used for my commute then why spend a LOT more money on another bike just because the government will pay for some of it?Just so I know, what's wrong with keeping the carrera for a few years? Is it really that bad it can only be used as a stop-gap?
samdale said:
McFsC said:
If you're pretty sure it's only going to be a year, get the Carrera from Halfords.
This is the problem, it might not just be for a year. If it's decent and it's only going to be used for my commute then why spend a LOT more money on another bike just because the government will pay for some of it?Just so I know, what's wrong with keeping the carrera for a few years? Is it really that bad it can only be used as a stop-gap?
The Carrera is a good call. Or spend £80 more and get the Virtuoso model like mine and get a Sora RD. Only issue so far with mine is with the crap tyres it comes with. You'll be able to sell it after a year for at least £250 if you ever wanted to upgrade. This is what I plan to do or keep it at the winter/commuter hack.
Nothing is wrong with keeping the Carrera for a few years. However, if you spend £500 on a new bike then it would be a waste to swap it after a year, hence going for the cheaper option then upgrading after a year.
If you might keep it longer than a year then get £500 worth. The fact that the government will pay for some of your new bike would be a big incentive to get a new bike I would have though.
If you might keep it longer than a year then get £500 worth. The fact that the government will pay for some of your new bike would be a big incentive to get a new bike I would have though.
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