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I'm on the lookout for a cheap road bike i.e. £350 max. I know 2nd hand would give me more options but I don't know anything about road bikes. Also I'm self employed so I'll be buying it through my non official cycle to work scheme i.e. my company will buy me what I want.
The bikes I'm considering are the following:
[url= http://www.evanscycles.com/products/claud-butler/criterium-2009-road-bike-ec018832 ]Claud Butler Criterium[/url]
Cheapest I've seen this is £263.99
[url= http://www.nationalcycles.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=38381 ]Giant SCR 4.0[/url]
Cheapest I've seen for this is £319.99 for a 2008 (I think)
[url= http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_272625_langId_-1_categoryId_165710 ]Carrera Virtuso[/url]
Halfords £325
[url= http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=37303 ]Vitus Razor[/url]
CRC £325
I've never heard of Vitus before & CRC haven't put the details up yet. Looks nice but I'm wary of this.
Some have steel forks whereas others have steel - is there any preference? I've seen some bikes have 2 chainrings whereas others have 3 - what are the pros & cons of 2 vs 3 on a roadie?
I've not ridden a drop bar bike for 20 years so I'm hoping to borrow a neighbours old bike to see how I get on with it. If I don't like it then I'll consider a flat bar bike such as the [url= http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s20p1639&z=1869 ]Giant FCR 3[/url].
I'd welcome views on the above or any other bikes.
Some have steel forks whereas others have steel - is there any preference?
Out of those options, steel is the best 😉
A triple ring setup gives you more lower gear options (good if you're new/unfit). Double is lighter & good when you never use the granny ring.
Out of the 4 bikes I'd be most tempted by the Vitus, although if it was my money I'd be going second hand. You need to sit on a few bikes in a shop and get a good fit - this is more important for roadies than mountain bikes.
i quite fancy a cheap giant tcr (if i can find a small anywhere) does anyone know if the frame is the same throughout the range (like the old xtcs used to be), and is it any good, ie a good basis for future upgrades?
Thanks Rob. Why would you be most tempted by the Vitus?
I agree that trying them in a shop is really important & that is a -ve point regarding the Vitus.
I'm pretty fit so from what you say maybe only need a double chainring.