Forum menu
Looking to get my first roadbike as a few mates are partial to a bit of "darkside" plus I want to commute to work a few days a week.
I would prefer to spend less than 1k and obviously want somthing that would act as a bike to get to work on but means I can go out for all day rides with my mates.
Also if anyone knows of a suitable bike circa 56cm then let me know.
1. Don't use the term darkside
2. Anything by Focus (Wiggle) / Spesh / Giant / Trek at the budget end is usually decent VFM
3. Have a look here for a cheap start - http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/fs-winter-training-road-bike-unfinished-project
4. If you want to commute on it, you'd be better with something that will take guards.
i bought my first roadbike a few weeks back though ive only had one outing on it. It was a spesh allez. It was the bottom of the range and i bought it knowing it wouldnt get as much use as i would like. It was bought so that when i couldnt be bothered heading an hour to the trails i could just go out for a few hours from home. 😀
On the first outing alone i really liked it. It needs a few tweeks to suit me but so far it was £500 well spent.
Why not walk round to your LBS and see what they've got?
1. Darkside is fine ( not using the term implies that 'dark = bad, when most dark things are usually good),Also some of us roadies have a sense of humour!
2. Couldn't agree more with geoffj's choices, though Boardman and Cube are also worth a look- any of the companies with big buying power usually give good value for money.
If it was me though and I was sure I was going to like this 23mm thing, Id stretch to a poorer VFM Cannondale CAAD 9 and upgrade when stuff wore out.
JTH- was it £500 new?
I was looking at the allez as there ways seems to be a few on eBay.
I live near all terrain cycles so I was planning on going down to see if they had anything I may be interested in as they are a giant dealer.
Also, should I aim to get something that will be worth upgrading in future?
And should I try to buy a carbon framed bike?
What is your ideal "dream" for a bike - an ultralight summer orientated bike capable of road racing even if you don't or a more utilitarian bike that could be built up with guards and even a rack for winter and commuting but can be stripped back to something a bit more sprightly in the summer?
I'd go for the latter in your position and most of the bikes mentioned fall into the former. Commuting is so much more pleasant with guards keeping the road muck on the floor (bike stays cleaner longer too) and a rack so no more sweaty back. A cyclocross bike can do a great job of all year road riding and quite a few come with mudguard and rack mounts. The position will be very slight more upright/relaxed than a full on race machine and the higher bb makes your CofG higher reducing cornering ability very slightly but all very marginal and certainly liveable with if the toughest thing you are going to do is ride with mates or a sportive ride. I've won road races using a cx frame as it was the only thing I had to hand so its pretty marginal. The additional benefit is a bit of recreational cross riding which is really good fun. Alternatively something like a kaffenback or the Ribble Winter/Audax bike would be a road only equivalent.
I think that there is the odd carbon framed bike at that price range, but value will probably be affected to some degree.
Regardless of what its made of, the most important aspect of a roadbike is that IT FITS, so make sure that is the thing you concentrate on.
Thanks for all info.
I'd considered both the kaffenback and the ribble you mention as both come in at just under a grand and I think the ribble comes with guards, which is a plus considering the time of year I have decided to start commuting!
The cheapest way to go might be to buy a nice practical frame & fork like the Dolan Preffisio, the Ribble version or the On One Lincolnshire Poacher or Kaffenback and buy a donor bike like the Focus Variado Expert 2009 on offer for £629 at the moment. Switch the bits across and ebay off the Focus frame.
Make sure it fits
+1
Far more important than on a MTB, as the bent over and in one position for longer is the norm.
If you go down the Ribble or Planet X route you will not have the opportunity to see if the bike fits you (unless you make the trip to their warehouses or have a mate with one).
For your first venture into the darkside it might be best to test-ride a few of the brands mentioned above at your LBS - different brands with the same size e.g. 56cm, can vary widely in size and position. TRY BEFORE YOU BUY.
There's loads around in the £1000 price range.
From what I can figure out the best VFM is the Boardman Carbon one, mags seem to agree as well.
The fit thing is vital, if you feel comfortable on it then it's gonna be right for you.