Road/racing bike c£500

[Dracoro]

Thinking of getting a road bike for general leisure/fitness (I'm not into competitive cycling) cycling on a mix of terrain but nothing too extreme. Currently I do a bit of cross country (bridle paths etc.) cycling on my decent MTB, typically an hour or two of an evening (15 miles or so usually) but would like to cover a bit more distance but on the road so would like to try something faster and made for the road of course!

I'm approaching 40 and not particularly fit (but am active, as well as my weekly cycle averaging 10/15mph,I play hockey) but want to get fitter and lose weight - so need a bike that can cope with someone my size (6foot4 and 15stone+) but do want a lightish bike...

So what is recommended? Specialised Allez seems an "obvious" choice - is that due to it being a decent bike? I prefer two cogs on chain set rather than 3 ideally.

Any recommendations? So much choice so I don't know where to start, e.g. What distinguishes different road bike types? What makes to choose/avoid at this price.

Budget is about £600 but need pedals and maybe proper clip on footwear (any advice there for that matter!) in the price hence looking at around £500/£550.

Thanks in advance.

[anonymous-user]

I was in a similar situation and went for:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/scott/speedste...

Good value IMO. You could spend a few hundred quid more on a bike and not get a lot extra for your money. Plus you get a compact crank.

[mikees]

Specialized allez
Trek Alpha 1.1
Cannondale synapse
Scott Sporster 60
Felt f95
Decathalon Triban 5


I'd go with the felt

Cheers
Mike

[mondeoman]

Rayleigh Revinio 1 can be had for that kind of money
http://www.raleigh.co.uk/ProductType/ProductRange/...

[mikees]

The felt is sora, the Raleigh is 2300

[CaptainSlow]

mikees said:

The felt is sora, the Raleigh is 2300

Don't get too hung up on groupsets...especially at that level.

[944fan]

I have the Trek 1.1.

Its a good bit of kit. Wheels and tyres are st so upgraded them, brake blocks are the first to go.

The 2300 shifters are a negative for some as theu have the thumb shift. Its ok for me as I have big hands.

Sometimes feels like a couple of extra gears would help but not a big deal.

[mikees]

CaptainSlow said:

Don't get too hung up on groupsets...especially at that level.

True but if you can get a 2300 bike for 299 (triban) it makes the 550 bikes (1.1 and allez) look less value.

And sora does feel better than 2300, though tiagra is the big jump


Mike

[jamiebae]

mikees said:

True but if you can get a 2300 bike for 299 (triban) it makes the 550 bikes (1.1 and allez) look less value.

And sora does feel better than 2300, though tiagra is the big jump


Mike

This is important. 2300 shifters are horrid, Sora are far nicer as they don't have the stupid thumb switch to change up.

[Dracoro]

Went to some bike shops today (mainly to get advice, establish what frame size I should have - 60/61 cm!), anyway due to the type of cycling I plan to do (i.e. not competitive racing etc.) and my back issues (I had op a few years ago), my height etc., I was advised to go for an endurance type road bike - I like this idea due to vibration reduction. Tried a Specialized Secteur and seems to be perfect for me, even if a little more pricey (can get for £585).

May order this week so the next decision is which pedals/shoes to get, will prob get MTB type (so I can "share" with my MTB) but there seem to be so many. Looking at simple Shimano ones but no idea what the difference between thei £20 ones and their £60 ones that look almost the same! M520 or M540? Why are the "OE" ones somewhat cheaper?

Tries the 2300 sti(I think) and ,for my use, seem fine. Can always be upgraded later on...

[jamiebae]

Just get the cheap Shimano MTB pedals, £17.50 inc cleats from various websites

[Silver940]

Dracoro said:

Went to some bike shops today (mainly to get advice, establish what frame size I should have - 60/61 cm!), anyway due to the type of cycling I plan to do (i.e. not competitive racing etc.) and my back issues (I had op a few years ago), my height etc., I was advised to go for an endurance type road bike - I like this idea due to vibration reduction. Tried a Specialized Secteur and seems to be perfect for me, even if a little more pricey (can get for £585).

May order this week so the next decision is which pedals/shoes to get, will prob get MTB type (so I can "share" with my MTB) but there seem to be so many. Looking at simple Shimano ones but no idea what the difference between thei £20 ones and their £60 ones that look almost the same! M520 or M540? Why are the "OE" ones somewhat cheaper?

Tries the 2300 sti(I think) and ,for my use, seem fine. Can always be upgraded later on...

I have a Felt Z95, it is to the F95 what the Secteur is to the Allez, Sportive bike.

http://www.tweekscycles.com/Product.do?method=view...

Can be had for £520 now. Watch bike sizes though, a 60/61 Spesh is not the same as a 60/61 Felt! My BIL's Secteur 54 is 1 cm bigger on the top and seat tube than my 51 Felt. Done 2500 happy miles since last November on mine with no trouble.

Edited by Silver940 on Monday 12th August 14:30

[pembo]

If you are just wanting to give clip on shoes a go to see if you like them I've found that the muddy fox ones from sports direct are not to bad for a starter and only cost £30. I've been using them for a bit to see how I get on with them and they seem to be holding out well enough.

[Dracoro]

Well, bought the Secteur 61cm today and rather lovely it is too.

Spent the evening fitting bits (pedals 520s, new pump, light, computer and it's ready for a good test tomorrow night!

Pedals seem easy enough to use (got some LGarneu MTB shoes), went round the block and didn't fall off!

Time to get working on that fitness!!

Thanks for advice chaps.