Road bike spec - what to look for
Discussion
I'm looking to get a cheap road bike to supplement the mtb - mainly for when its too boggy off-road but also because I fancy trying to beat some of my road-based Strava times on a proper road bike, rather than a slick-shod mtb.
Budget means I'm looking at entry-level for the main brands (Giant, Scott, Trek, et al) or something perhaps more decent a couple of years old. What I need a bit of help with is what level of kit to look for, and what frames might be worth getting at a few years old. I'm used to riding XT/X9 level off-road, but I'm no frame badge snob. I'm also aware that the best bike will be the one that fits me, but lets have some targets...
I'd prefer to spend on decent drivetrain and wheelsets, than to have the newest frame, so what should I look for???
Budget means I'm looking at entry-level for the main brands (Giant, Scott, Trek, et al) or something perhaps more decent a couple of years old. What I need a bit of help with is what level of kit to look for, and what frames might be worth getting at a few years old. I'm used to riding XT/X9 level off-road, but I'm no frame badge snob. I'm also aware that the best bike will be the one that fits me, but lets have some targets...
I'd prefer to spend on decent drivetrain and wheelsets, than to have the newest frame, so what should I look for???
For your first road bike, and occasional use, you can't really go wrong if you stick to known brands (including the likes of Planet X, Ribble etc). Shimano groupsets are reliable - Sora or Tiagra is more than adequate for your needs. As for wheels - again if you stick to main brands you won't go wrong. Mavic Aksiums are a good solid choice and pretty cheap.
You will not see any performance gains from lighter/more expensive components. The bike will 'feel' nicer to ride but so many people get sucked into buying upgrades with the expectation they'll add 1 mph onto their average speed.
You will not see any performance gains from lighter/more expensive components. The bike will 'feel' nicer to ride but so many people get sucked into buying upgrades with the expectation they'll add 1 mph onto their average speed.
At this time of year you can get some bargains in old stock. If you are looking reasonable price, don't go carbon. That's about it IMO. And If you want good wheels then get them separately. It seems that at entry level bikes (£500-£1300 ish) you almost never get good wheels, so are better off going for a good frame and group set and upgrading the wheels, and keep the originals for turbo or winter use.
Entry level Trek/Giant etc will get you Shimano Claris and rubbish wheels if you not too worried about the brand then you can get alu frame, carbon forks, 105 groupset and Mavic wheels for £600 new
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-540-road-bike-10...
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-540-road-bike-10...
I started off with this:
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b67s6p5259/CUBE-PEL...
Spec couldn't be beaten when I was looking. I've upgraded now but still use this to get to work and back in all weathers and it just keeps going.
I've replaced a few worn chains and even upgraded to some Campag wheels but even the standard Shimano R500 are good enough, if a little rough!
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b67s6p5259/CUBE-PEL...
Spec couldn't be beaten when I was looking. I've upgraded now but still use this to get to work and back in all weathers and it just keeps going.
I've replaced a few worn chains and even upgraded to some Campag wheels but even the standard Shimano R500 are good enough, if a little rough!
Thanks for that lot. Would prefer alu frame rather than carbon - I'm not the gentlest of riders, and would probably forget which bike I was riding and scoot over kerbs, etc anyway. I mentioned kit level and wheels as the XT/X9 kit is, IMO, the best balance between longevity, performance and vfm, and a good wheelset has always been the best upgrade on my mtb. I thought it might be similar for road bikes.
Like the look of the Cube and the Triban, but as I'm not in UK I'll see if there's similar over here.
Anyhow, have got a few targets now, though they won't all be new - will see if any local bike shops have any ex-demos and the like - its how I got my first FS mtb a lot cheaper than retail. Have been riding Mrs PB's old Giant OCR but its just a bit too small for me, otherwise it'd be fine. Kit is Tiagra drivetrain and Shimano hubs/rims.
Like the look of the Cube and the Triban, but as I'm not in UK I'll see if there's similar over here.
Anyhow, have got a few targets now, though they won't all be new - will see if any local bike shops have any ex-demos and the like - its how I got my first FS mtb a lot cheaper than retail. Have been riding Mrs PB's old Giant OCR but its just a bit too small for me, otherwise it'd be fine. Kit is Tiagra drivetrain and Shimano hubs/rims.
Shimano pecking order is (bottom to top) - 2300 (still available?) Sora Tiagra 105 Ultegra and then up wards. All the reviews say this year's 105 is almost as good as Ultegra. Get an ally frame with carbon forks if you can.
I'd avoid crashing up kerbs on a road bike, won't do the wheels any good and if your tyres are 23 or 25s, that's about half the size of MTB tyres. You'll likely pinch puncture if you don't wreck the wheels.
Lots of secondhand bargains to be had on ebay etc. I got my son a Specialiased Allez a year ago for about £300. I could probably sell it on again for a similar amount.
I'd avoid crashing up kerbs on a road bike, won't do the wheels any good and if your tyres are 23 or 25s, that's about half the size of MTB tyres. You'll likely pinch puncture if you don't wreck the wheels.
Lots of secondhand bargains to be had on ebay etc. I got my son a Specialiased Allez a year ago for about £300. I could probably sell it on again for a similar amount.
PomBstard said:
Thanks for that lot. Would prefer alu frame rather than carbon - I'm not the gentlest of riders, and would probably forget which bike I was riding and scoot over kerbs, etc anyway. I mentioned kit level and wheels as the XT/X9 kit is, IMO, the best balance between longevity, performance and vfm, and a good wheelset has always been the best upgrade on my mtb. I thought it might be similar for road bikes.
Like the look of the Cube and the Triban, but as I'm not in UK I'll see if there's similar over here.
Anyhow, have got a few targets now, though they won't all be new - will see if any local bike shops have any ex-demos and the like - its how I got my first FS mtb a lot cheaper than retail. Have been riding Mrs PB's old Giant OCR but its just a bit too small for me, otherwise it'd be fine. Kit is Tiagra drivetrain and Shimano hubs/rims.
Price wise, Shimano XT looks equivalent to 105 5800?Like the look of the Cube and the Triban, but as I'm not in UK I'll see if there's similar over here.
Anyhow, have got a few targets now, though they won't all be new - will see if any local bike shops have any ex-demos and the like - its how I got my first FS mtb a lot cheaper than retail. Have been riding Mrs PB's old Giant OCR but its just a bit too small for me, otherwise it'd be fine. Kit is Tiagra drivetrain and Shimano hubs/rims.
If you're not wanting to spend a fortune and acknowledge that wheels and a decent groupset might be on the cards in future if you find they're justified then I'd probably go with a discounted 2015 model with lower-end components, something like this perhaps?
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-bikes-raz...
A decent set of wheels can make all the difference to the feel and performance of a bike so spending a few hundred pounds down the road on them and replacing/upgrading the components as they wear out/you see fit might be a pretty cost effective way of doing things.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-bikes-raz...
A decent set of wheels can make all the difference to the feel and performance of a bike so spending a few hundred pounds down the road on them and replacing/upgrading the components as they wear out/you see fit might be a pretty cost effective way of doing things.
nammynake said:
For your first road bike, and occasional use, you can't really go wrong if you stick to known brands (including the likes of Planet X, Ribble etc). Shimano groupsets are reliable - Sora or Tiagra is more than adequate for your needs. As for wheels - again if you stick to main brands you won't go wrong. Mavic Aksiums are a good solid choice and pretty cheap.
You will not see any performance gains from lighter/more expensive components. The bike will 'feel' nicer to ride but so many people get sucked into buying upgrades with the expectation they'll add 1 mph onto their average speed.
I think that this is 24carrat advice. You can probably look at other threads on PH, watches, HiFi, cameras, where if someone has just bought X, another poster will tell them that X is crap, they should have bought Y, or upgraded it with Z.You will not see any performance gains from lighter/more expensive components. The bike will 'feel' nicer to ride but so many people get sucked into buying upgrades with the expectation they'll add 1 mph onto their average speed.
If a big brand is heavily involved in sponsoring a team and lavish marketing then that will inevitably be reflected in the cost of their products compared to another producer with just a website - the price at which they can manufacture a frame and buy-in components will inevitably be about the same if they can shift enough of them.
Personally i'd just buy a very pretty entry level bike & see how you go for a couple of months, if you like the look of the bike then you can always add on at a later date o0r when theres specials on the bits you want to upgrade.
I think it's just as important to to be attracted to the bike as to what spec you have on it, i really would not want to ride a bike that i thought was ugly.
I think it's just as important to to be attracted to the bike as to what spec you have on it, i really would not want to ride a bike that i thought was ugly.
Thanks for the additional pointers. Comment about riding up/down kerbs was a little tongue in cheek, though have taken Mrs PB's OCR along a couple of fire trails, at pace, and its come back unscathed so far. In my youth I used to wheelie my old Peugeot Premiere the length on our road - about 150m - before slamming the front down, sliding broadside to a near-halt then bunny-hopping onto the pavement at the end. Wheels always needed repair... 
If a big brand is heavily involved in sponsoring a team and lavish marketing then that will inevitably be reflected in the cost of their products compared to another producer with just a website - the price at which they can manufacture a frame and buy-in components will inevitably be about the same if they can shift enough of them.I've been riding long enough to have a reasonable feel for what works for me and what's marketing BS. Often hear how someone's bought the latest series drivetrain because its so much more precise and a couple of micrograms lighter, when all they needed to do was leave out a couple of pies and save themselves a fortune. But that money can pay for some development, and this year's XTR is next year's XT... In my experience, a decent set of wheels can make a difference, esp off-road, perhaps less so on-road.
rdjohn said:
nammynake said:
For your first road bike, and occasional use, you can't really go wrong if you stick to known brands (including the likes of Planet X, Ribble etc). Shimano groupsets are reliable - Sora or Tiagra is more than adequate for your needs. As for wheels - again if you stick to main brands you won't go wrong. Mavic Aksiums are a good solid choice and pretty cheap.
You will not see any performance gains from lighter/more expensive components. The bike will 'feel' nicer to ride but so many people get sucked into buying upgrades with the expectation they'll add 1 mph onto their average speed.
I think that this is 24carrat advice. You can probably look at other threads on PH, watches, HiFi, cameras, where if someone has just bought X, another poster will tell them that X is crap, they should have bought Y, or upgraded it with Z.You will not see any performance gains from lighter/more expensive components. The bike will 'feel' nicer to ride but so many people get sucked into buying upgrades with the expectation they'll add 1 mph onto their average speed.
If a big brand is heavily involved in sponsoring a team and lavish marketing then that will inevitably be reflected in the cost of their products compared to another producer with just a website - the price at which they can manufacture a frame and buy-in components will inevitably be about the same if they can shift enough of them.
I think this would be the equivalent of that Tribus mentioned earlier - any thoughts? Bit more money than I wanted to spend for an occasional use bike, but isn't that how bike purchasing is supposed to go...???
https://www.bicyclesonline.com.au/2016-polygon-hel...
https://www.bicyclesonline.com.au/2016-polygon-hel...
That looks like a great deal.
Not many people in the UK will have heard of Polygon, but they make decent bikes.
Can't comment on the frame quality obviously, but it has all the thing I would look for in a bike at that price (~£500).
Tiagra is great, it feels no different to 105, just one less gear on the block.
Carbon fork is good at that price
Shimano branded wheels is more than I would expect.
Canyon have just entered the Australian market, they are worth a look as well. Not sure if their prices are as keen as over here though.
Not many people in the UK will have heard of Polygon, but they make decent bikes.
Can't comment on the frame quality obviously, but it has all the thing I would look for in a bike at that price (~£500).
Tiagra is great, it feels no different to 105, just one less gear on the block.
Carbon fork is good at that price
Shimano branded wheels is more than I would expect.
Canyon have just entered the Australian market, they are worth a look as well. Not sure if their prices are as keen as over here though.
Edited by matt-ITR on Tuesday 17th November 07:39
matt-ITR said:
That looks like a great deal.
Not many people in the UK will have heard of Polygon, but they make decent bikes.
Can't comment on the frame quality obviously, but it has all the thing I would look for in a bike at that price (~£500).
Tiagra is great, it feels no different to 105, just one less gear on the block.
Carbon fork is good at that price
Shimano branded wheels is more than I would expect.
Canyon have just entered the Australian market, they are worth a look as well. Not sure if their prices are as keen as over here though.
Tiagra brakes aren't that great IMO. Not many people in the UK will have heard of Polygon, but they make decent bikes.
Can't comment on the frame quality obviously, but it has all the thing I would look for in a bike at that price (~£500).
Tiagra is great, it feels no different to 105, just one less gear on the block.
Carbon fork is good at that price
Shimano branded wheels is more than I would expect.
Canyon have just entered the Australian market, they are worth a look as well. Not sure if their prices are as keen as over here though.
Edited by matt-ITR on Tuesday 17th November 07:39
If you want a decent base, the Planet X's Pro Carbon is down to £700 now. Thats a decent frame with entry level Tiagra groupset. You can get used ones with 105 or Ultegra for £600 on Ebay.
Giant Defy ali frames bikes are pretty good. I've had mine since 2010. Only the frame and seat post is original though. You can probably get a decent used one for £300-400
If you intend to keep the bike for any length of time then set the budget at whatever it takes to land you with carbon forks and 11-speed Shimano 105 shifters & mechs.
That way you won't have compatibility issues if you want to treat yourself to a nicer bike in the future, but you'll also have a bike that's a nice place to rack up the miles and keep as a trainer.
That way you won't have compatibility issues if you want to treat yourself to a nicer bike in the future, but you'll also have a bike that's a nice place to rack up the miles and keep as a trainer.
Had a look at the Polygon today - Aus showroom is just down the road from me. Looks conspicuous good value, and as well as the usual quick punt to check how it fits, they offer a 14-day 'test ride' - you buy it, and if you don't like it, just return in 14 days for full refund. Not bad.
However, I had a look at the Specialized Diverge too - seems someone thought of MTB'ers who might want a road bike and would still head for a firetrail. Anyone any experience of these??
However, I had a look at the Specialized Diverge too - seems someone thought of MTB'ers who might want a road bike and would still head for a firetrail. Anyone any experience of these??
PomBstard said:
Had a look at the Polygon today - Aus showroom is just down the road from me. Looks conspicuous good value, and as well as the usual quick punt to check how it fits, they offer a 14-day 'test ride' - you buy it, and if you don't like it, just return in 14 days for full refund. Not bad.
However, I had a look at the Specialized Diverge too - seems someone thought of MTB'ers who might want a road bike and would still head for a firetrail. Anyone any experience of these??
They seem popular there are a few owners on here and a thread a few months back However, I had a look at the Specialized Diverge too - seems someone thought of MTB'ers who might want a road bike and would still head for a firetrail. Anyone any experience of these??
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