What have you got?

I’m liking the look of this.

i got my giant defy 3 new last year for £490. Bargain that was.

I’m looking too atm

What you after Harry

steel, alu, fits guards? double/triple chainset?

Unless you go sh, you’ll struggle to beat the speccy.

Unless of course you want to take part in the ribble lottery.

What you after Harry

Just something to commute on and for a bit of fun on the country roads.

This is the same price but doesn’t have a carbon fork.

Also in a similar position. Though looking second hand – probably a low spec Trek or Ribble. What is the Ribble lottery?

Just picked up a 2010 Bianchi Via Nerone for £525!!

Mate just picked up a 2010 Allez from Dooleys for £399

Where did you get the Bianchi?

Dryburgh Cycles…

Click Here

Ta.

How tall are you? I’m 5’11” so would be a 55 or a 57 I guess.

6ft and a 57 fits great

What road bikes in that price region have mudguard and pannier capabilities.

The Trek does IIRC.

For £550 it might be worth tracking down a 2010 Boardman Comp with Tiagra/105. £559 at the mo.

What is the Ribble lottery?

I was alluding to Ribble’s less than perfect customer service record.

For £550 it might be worth tracking down a 2010 Boardman Comp with Tiagra/105. £559 at the mo.

+1

Looked at it myself and seemed very light compared to many of the rivals at that price.

Went for a higher model with carbon farme myself though. Bad back.

Kona Honky Tonk from Evans? £550 in the sale, got some superb reviews as well.

Link.

Or you could just get a second set of wheels for your crosser and spend the rest on a BMX 🙂

Due to their rubbish website I can’t see what you’d get for that price but Decathlon would be worth a look I think.

Due to their rubbish website I can’t see what you’d get for that price but Decathlon would be worth a look I think.

For £599 you can get one of these…

I paid £500 for mine after doing a deal at the Bike Show at Excel. For that money I got 10-speed Campagnolo, aluminium frame with carbon stays and a carbon fork. Well pleased as I was looking at the Broadman Comp before for a around £600.

That Allez was a bargain. Well spotted!

What about a Cannondale CAAD8 Sora from Pauls Cycles? £499.95

I bought the CAAD8 105 last week and I’m absolutely delighted with it.

For commuting and general country road fun I got an Allez 24 on offer at Tredz (same price as above). Bit of a bargain, though it’s not quite as fun as my old Langster, gears make it a bit dull sometimes!

Get to a bike shop and try a few. What suits one person may not suit you. At around the £550 mark there are offerings from quite a few different brands. The specs will usually be about the same level but the sizing and geometry of one brand may not feel as right as that of another. If you plan to be in the saddle for a while the fit of the bike is much more important than if it has a Sora or Tiagra rear mech.

like one_bad_mofo I’ve got a Decathalon one, a year older than that but a campag 3×10 setup, same frame. I’ve done plenty miles on that, great fun, nice and light. I’d been looking at Trek, LeMond, Spesh etc too, and thought this looked better for the money if you’re not a badge snob.

Moore Large’s own brand Forme seems good value.

one bad mofo

what is brand/model is that?

Couple of Options in Wiggles Clearance section (so sizes might be limited).
In ascending price order:-

Giant Defy 4£419.99

Tifosi CK3£489.99

Raleigh Airlite 400Slightly overbudget at £664.99

I’d be buying that Cannondale. Mate just got one and it is really nice.

Specialized secteur (sp?) I bit more upright than the allez takes guards and panniers

What size are you after OP by the way?

Oh and Kona Zing for £419 at Rutland (49cm/59cm/61cm) and £499 (56cm)

Base Allez is great for that money, you will not go wrong.

If you can get a deal on a Bianchi Nirone then it looks nicer and has more cachet but the Allez is light stiff and racy for the dosh.

Or discount Boardman, good bikes and light and great spec for the wedge but they lack desirability

Pity they should be cool as because Sir Chris definitely is