Hi,
Have signed up with a group of mates to do a charity bike ride next year but it's road rather than mountain. So need some suggestions as to what to look for in terms of a decent bike for this. It's 200 miles over 2and a half days which may not be much to the hardcore!
Budget would be between £500 and absolute maximum of £1k. Not sure if full route yet but the start is in the Yorkshire area so some climbs will be involved. Only preferences would be for a decent gear range and if possible disc brakes.
Any thoughts??
Giant Defy.
Select your budget, then buy one. Buy from the right shop and you'll get a proper bike fit thrown in.
They're really rather excellent bikes.
Thanks guys, the Kenesis looks good, but I have been tempted by the Defy. Seems to tick most of the boxes thus far. Good dealer not far from me but not my usual LBS who look after my MTB needs so feel a bit unfaithful
Giant Defy - you honestly can't go wrong. More "sporty"? Cannondale CAAD8. but as a first road bike, get a Defy#. In fact, a Defy 5 from Rutland Cycling for just £300 is really all you need to spend if you just want to dabble. It's a bargain. If you must have disk brakes, then a 2016 Defy should suit. Will cost more of your budget. Don't forget to allow for nice kit to ride in. shoes, pedals and a visorless helmet (unless you like a stiff neck).
#Obvious disclaimer - I have a basic Defy 5 (albeit frame only and nice ultegra and ksyrium Sl wheels), and a Defy Advanced SL. Both are great to ride. Other road bikea are available. None offer the comfort, all-round ability and value that Giant give you.
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p5228/CANNONDALE-CAAD8-TIAGRA-2013
also look at Merlin, Decathlon, the planetx alu job is a good bike
Defy' are great, but they're far from the only option in your price range... Particularly if you're prepared to look 2nd hand too.
Currently selling my Whyte Dorset and a friends Raleigh Revenio 3 right now (both would suit someone around 5ft9-6ft tall), both have done less than 1000 miles, and both for sale due to significant upgrades having been purchased already. Either would be a fantastic starter bike (if they fitted you of course, buying the right size is still paramount) and both have been well looked after, and both are available right at the bottom end of your price range...
Again, thanks for the advice guys. Would rather go for from new but I appreciate the sale offer. Planet X looks good and not too far away from me to visit in person. In terms of sizing this is important. Lots to think about I believe!
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPAPEX/planet-x-pro-carbon-sram-apex-road-bike
I'm looking to buy one of these. It's worth looking at the gearing on cheap bikes before you buy. I have a bottom of the range Trek and the lack of low range kills me on Sportives. I'm all good for the first 30 miles but once you start hitting the big climbs not being able to spin takes all of your energy. The Planet X Carbons come with a 34 front ring and 32T cassette, which is going to be a God send on long climbs.
don't forget 'Dolan' bit of pedigree 🙂
Reading this makes MTB look quite pricey vs road. True ?
don't forget 'Dolan' bit of pedigree
Off the shelf frames from Taiwan are pedigree now?
.
First road bike is always tricky as you probably won't have much idea about size, fit and position. Get some advice. Doubt you'll go wrong with a Defy though.
Reading this makes MTB look quite pricey vs road. True ?
No. If someone came here and asked for a mtb from five hundred to a thousand there would also be loads of good suggestions. You can easily spend thousands on a good road bike. Top spec off the peg Giant Propel for example, that'll be [url= http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/giant-propel-advanced-sl-0-2015.html ]8 grand[/url] please. Top spec Madone, [url= http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/trek-madone-9-9.html ]9 grand[/url]. And they aren't particularly niche or boutiquey with nice but still fairly sensible parts and wheels.
If you're after a first road bike & want a decent selection of gears then there's no reason not to buy a triple. The Cube Peleton Pro is a great value bike & is currently [url= http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cube-peloton-pro-triple-road-bike-2015/rp-prod127977 ]on sale at CRC[/url]
If you're anywhere near a Decathlon, [url= http://www.decathlon.co.uk/ultra-700-af-road-bike-105-id_8324331.html ]this [/url]looks damn fine for the money. I saw one in store recently and was very impressed with it. [url= http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-540-road-bike-105-id_8331275.html ]This one[/url] is a little less money and looks good too.looks good too.
Specialized Allez
a 29er with slick tyres on.
Another Giant Defy owner/fanboy here.
I've got a 2013 Defy 1 (with 10-speed 105) and it is a fantastic bike.
Giant have just released 2 x Defy Disc models for 2016, I think they are priced at £850 and £1k.
The £1k version in blue is gorgeous.
I'm in the market for a second road bike for winter use, I seriously considered a Defy disc, but am now leaning toward a Pinnacle Arkose because it has proper rack/guard mounts.
+1 for the Planet X Pro Carbon. I love mine.
Specialized Allez
Lovely frame. Stack height is a lot lower for a given reach than the Defy though, so would suit someone with aspirations of being a fast roadie 🙂
Bianchi Via Nirone 7 is aimed exactly at riders like you and well within your budget. Nice bike, very steady ride.
Off the shelf frames from Taiwan are pedigree now?
China dear boy, China... Only the best stuff comes out of Taiwan! 😉
+1 for the Planet X Pro Carbon
I know many a person who has bought one of these and regretted it. The phrase "good carbon ain't cheap and cheap carbon ain't good" has never applied more to another frame I'd say! These days there are exceptions emerging to prove that old mantra out of date, but the Planet X (which hasn't been updated since its inception in the days when that mantra was very accurate) certainly isn't one of them...
Just about all the ally frames mentioned so far in this thread would make a fine first road bike, geometry and fit allowing.
If you're after a first road bike & want a decent selection of gears then there's no reason not to buy a triple
There's 3 reasons not to buy a triple... Agreed it's mostly personal preference at the time of purchase, but for the same reasons I couldn't recommend someone buy a 26" wheeled MTB any more there are valid reasons...
Firstly, they've all but disappeared from the market except on some very low end machines now. I know you can still buy triple groupsets off the shelf if you're speccing your own bike, but most people aren't until well into the many thousands of £'s category.
Secondly, you can get the range of gears with a double these days. A medium cage rear road mech allows for a 32T top cog when used with a double (but confusingly only a max of 30T when it's used with a Triple) which gives a very near 1:1 bottom ratio. Yes, a Triple will have that 1:1 bottom ratio if you use the max 30T cog permitted, but there's little or no perceivable difference between 34:32 and 30:30 when pedalling. You also save a little weight with a compact double over a triple, not a massive amount but in the order of 200g or so depending on the groupset.
Thirdly, and this may or may not bother you, but... Like anything perceived as unpopular, triples are much harder to sell these days... Both new and 2nd hand... If you're after a bargain you're likely to keep for a very long time, and you're not at all bothered by the downsides of a triple, then buying a bike such as the Cube linked to above could make sense. If it's a toe in the water to try road riding, before potentially spending more money in 12 months time if you like it, then buy a compact double for certain as it will be much easier to sell on, but also your next bike would come with one anyway...
I'd go second hand, plenty of golfists will be needing funds for their 2016 drivers.
I am a huge Giant Defy fan also, although the Cannondale Synapse disc 105 looks a valid contender at just in budget.
Pauls also have the Cannondale Synapses, for example :
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p4332/CANNONDALE-SYNAPSE-ALLOY-105-2012
and some carbon ones at just over your budget.
I have test ridden that alloy one and it is surprisingly comfortable as the rear stays have some give. As a mountain biker it felt right from the off, nimble, fast, comfortable.
I really liked it, but that alloy finish put me off a bit. I bought a genesis equilibrium but it is not as comfortable even though it is steel - it took a ti seatpost to get the same sort of comfort as the Synapse.
I was looking for around a £800ish bike, the one that was pretty high up the list was the Canyon Endurance AL 6.0 for £799
https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/road/endurace/2016/endurace-al-6-0.html
or next one up at £1049, but the AL6.0 has all I'm looking for and fairly light, 11s and 105 group-set
This popped up on my FB for some reason, has discs...
http://www.wheelbase.co.uk/cannondale-synapse-tiagra-disc-6-2015.html?utm_source=FacebookAd&utm_medium=SepCS&utm_campaign=CannondaleSynapse
Mentioned the comfort of the Synapse as it is 200 miles...
Have you seen this:
http://road.cc/content/review/167777-merlin-fuse-105
Edit: not disc equipped. Sorry. Just re-read the original post.
Very good VFM though, if you can live with a headtube that long.
Sounds like its good carbon so I'd probably take that over a heavier disc-equipped alu bike with Tiagra or whatever.
New 105 is really good.
I have the dale synapse disc version and it is a lovely bike, perfect for first road bike as its a middle of the road position, a race bike tweaked for a bit more all day comfort. Disc brakes are well worth getting, coming of an mtb, clincher brakes are shit.
The Cannondale Synapse is one of the best-reviewed bikes ever, on a par with the equally excellent Specialized Roubaix, another comfort/endurance bike.
Don't be put off by a triple; it's only a snobbery thing. With a triple you get a wider range of gears and closer ratios on the cassette, which is a good thing.
I have the PX Pro Carbon and get on great with it - no issues. The amount of them I've seen in use and none have been slating them so who knows about the opinion above.
Although it was frame set only and built up with 105, Superstar tubs, etc.
All in under £800 and 7.7kgs
Also have an RT-58 - diff geometry - not as fast but with an identical build other than an ISM saddle and Fulcrum 5's at 8.3kgs and roughly £700
Comfy on longer distances, picks up well, etc.
My advice would be to go and see which fits you best first then which one suits your pocket/spec second.
I'd go second hand, plenty of golfists will be needing funds for their 2016 drivers.
This 100% ^^
but do actually ride the thing.
Don't worry about it not being perfect. just set-up for comfort at first and fine tune from there as you adapt to riding longer distances/faster. stick mudguards on it and put in plenty winter miles and if you still enjoy road riding come spring time sell it on for what you payed and buy something you "really" want.
Lolz. ignore guys like this ^^diff geometry - not as fast
With a username like that you wouldn't expect someone to be a prick.
diff geometry
Is worth having some understanding of this. Generally bikes will either be long and low (Allez, CAAD8) or taller and shorter (Synapse, Defy.) You can play around with this a lot with spacers, stem length, saddle position, etc. But generally if you want to ride quickly / race you'll be wanting something longer and lower so you can get into a more racey/aero position (they'll also typically have steeper angles for quicker handling). If you're more about covering the miles in a bit of comfort (e.g. sportives, club runs) then you'll likely want something a bit shorter and taller. Worth test riding lots of different bikes but i'm guessing from what you've said so far that you'll be wanting the latter.
Exactly Blobby - hence mentioning it.
The Pro is very steep, picks up far quicker that the RT-58 despite there being very little in it weight wise, is a lot more comfortable over longer distances.
The Pro isn't a killer by any means but I wouldn't want to be doing Sportives on it! Well not without one of those huuuuuuuge gel Bell saddles they do in Asda 😛
+1 for the Planet X RT-58.
It's all the bike I've needed as a casual road rider, it's quick enough, light, good components and great for long distances. It's also a great bargain, good level of kit for not a great amount of dough.
No disc brakes though, although I wouldn't let this put you off most bikes. 🙂
That synapse at £600 is a bargain. For lower end bikes the spec is hit somewhere and the dale does not have the best wheels in the world but you could get some carbon wheels on that and still be in budget!
Re geometry, pre 2013 synapses were definitely short and upright but there was a revamp of the frame where the 2014/15 models are bang in the middle and that is the one that has won numerous tests.
The Pro isn't a killer by any means but I wouldn't want to be doing Sportives on it! Well not without one of those huuuuuuuge gel Bell saddles they do in Asda
I'm sorry man but this is bollocks.
I can't be arsed picking apart the wrong assumptions and misunderstandings in the above quote. I'll just say - OP - you can safely ignore it.
Fit is so important with road bikes. don't get anything unless you are copnfident it's right. Worth trying a few brands for size, in a couple of shops and comparing geometery.
I would recommend something that will take mudguards as an allrounder\ first bike. makes such a difference to winter riding: keeps the filth off the bike too so the groupset should last longer.
Why is it bollocks Hebden?
For [b][i]ME[/i][/b] personally the Pro is great for fast rides, when I want to get out and hammer it. Is it comfortable? Yes. Would [b][i]I[/i][/b] want to do longer distances on it? No - [b][i]I[/i][/b] wouldn't.
With identical kit - and I mean identical other than the saddle/wheels the RT is a completely different animal - for [b][i]ME[/i][/b].
Could I make them the same by messing with stack heights, seat, etc - probably - but then thats defeating the object of having the lightweight Pro and the RT for distance/winter isn't it.
So by all means spell out what wrong assumptions and misunderstandings there are in it.
Evening. How about a Giant Defy Advanced 2 or 3?
My best advice is don't buy cheap carbon, buy expensive aluminium instead.
There really is no helping some people. 😥
The Pro isn't a killer by any means but I wouldn't want to be doing Sportives on it! Well not without one of those huuuuuuuge gel Bell saddles they do in Asda
What's probably confusing is I'd read that and assume it was something to do with some sort of harshness in the ride, rather than being down to the geometry of the bike. I guess it could be something to do with your position on it, which could partly be down to fit and geometry.
FWIW, my race bike is a long low TCR (M/L frame with a slammed 140 stem) but I'll happily ride it all day long. But then I have put a lot of work into that position.
My best advice is don't buy cheap carbon, buy expensive aluminium instead.
Definitely!
Road.cc had a cheap road bike review a few days ago, might be helpful.
The Pro isn't a killer by any means but I wouldn't want to be doing Sportives on it! Well not without one of those huuuuuuuge gel Bell saddles they do in AsdaWhat's probably confusing is I'd read that and assume it was something to do with some sort of harshness in the ride, rather than being down to the geometry of the bike. I guess it could be something to do with your position on it, which could partly be down to fit and geometry.
Plus, the PX does not have particularly aggressive geometry, and is excellent for all-day riding. To try to create the opposite impression, to someone looking for purchasing advice, is unhelpful.
There may be a PX pro carbon for sale in the classifieds, which would leave you plenty in budget for some quality shorts, and half decent shoes and pedals. And a box of energy gels too!
Defy's nice enough but my god they are dull, your not going to want to actually ride it.
Also yes "fit" is important but modern bike are so flexible any of three sizes can be made to fit most riders. How are you, I'll tell you thr middle of those three.
If your paying cash, get that Canyon or get something second hand with a nice paint job.
I have a px pro carbon and love it, however it really is important to get a good fit on a road bike. I would therefore find a good lbs that you trust to get you well fitted as this will make far more difference than weight/spec.
Make sure it has a wide range cassette and compact cranks if you're going to be doing hilly miles of course.
My advice, go "mainstream" as you are not just after "a first road bike" but something to use for a specific event and the training leading up to it, March in to a Giant dealership tell them about your planned use, your riding background and then understate your budget a bit (tell them £400-700 maybe).
Get a representative test ride out of them if you can, don't dismiss older models which might be on clearance.
Then repeat the whole exercise with a specialized dealer, and maybe a Trek shop if you can, and see which one does the best job of understanding your needs.
Sod the bling, and the ultimate interweb bargains.
There's little point pissing about with smaller niche brands, and online retailers when you are going to be more interested in fit, comfort and general service as a "beginner"...
Just see who floats your boat and see what they're willing to chuck in if you suddenly find the ability to stretch the original "budget"...
Any wiser Op Lol. Just go into a bike shop, pick any one you like the look of. Get the staff to help you get the right size and away you go. As it's your first road bike anything mainstream will be just fine for what you want.
Blimey!!! Wiser? Yes! Spoiled for choice? Absolutely!
Had a good look st the Planet X pro carbon and RT 58 online. The RT 58 is out of stock in my size at the mo so need to speak to the shop direct about lead in times etc. The carbon is a definite possibility as its well in budget and has great reviews.
Giant Defy is still an option as well and I have a local LBS dealer about 5 miles from me so that's a good shout.
Won't go near Specialized again after a horror show with my MTB a few months back.
As for expense compared to MTB then it's just as easy to set a budget and then blow it out of the water. Did this recently when I bought a new bike (budget of £1500 ended with outlay of just shy of £3k!!). So got to stick witching the numbers this time. Looks like an LBS trip next Monday morning then a jaunt over to Sheffield later in the day to check out Planet X.
Thanks again for all the advice and tip guys!
China dear boy, China... Only the best stuff comes out of Taiwan!
😀
+1 for the Planet X Pro Carbon
I know many a person who has bought one of these and regretted it. The phrase "good carbon ain't cheap and cheap carbon ain't good" has never applied more to another frame I'd say! These days there are exceptions emerging to prove that old mantra out of date, but the Planet X (which hasn't been updated since its inception in the days when that mantra was very accurate) certainly isn't one of them.
As others have said, good alloy is better than cheap carbon.
For example, one of the spanner monkeys at my LBS, who can have pretty much anything he likes, has an utterly lovely Smartweld alloy Spesh Allez, pimped up with Zipp Service Course and SRAM Red. It's a little small for me, but oh my....what a ride. It's brilliant.
The Smartweld Allez is lovely, a nice example and some other nice alu bikes in [url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/aluminium-road-bike-comeback ]this thread[/url]. If I was buying a frame for crit racing it'd be near the top of the list.
I had a Specialized sectuer as a first road bike and found it excellent! Triple chainset helped with the hills and a comfier position than some racier bikes. Also has shock absorber things in forks and rear triangle, may have helped or maybe just a gimmick but the lbs sold me on them!
. None offer the comfort, all-round ability and value that Giant give you.
Sorry but this is nonsense
Evenin'. I bought into the 'wow full 6800 and a carbon frame for 1k'.
The Pro carbon- wish I'd gone Defy or Cannondale. It was orrible and those FSA wheels should be smashed up
My best advice is don't buy cheap carbon, buy [s]expensive[/s] [b]decent quality[/b] aluminium instead.
In a nutshell... Use of the word "expensive" is probably a little misleading (there are still some ultra high end ally frames out there), quality should be more of a concern than price. But the sentiment is entirely correct IMO.
Whatever you get though, that it fits you correctly and is suitable for purpose (ie. you can get guards and say 25c tyres on it if you're riding it through winter just as an example) is far more important than brand etc.
There really is no helping some people.
Ignorance is often bliss... Hence those riding Planet X Pro Carbon's on this thread piping up!
Evenin'. I bought into the 'wow full 6800 and a carbon frame for 1k'.The Pro carbon- wish I'd gone Defy or Cannondale. It was orrible and those FSA wheels should be smashed up
It's rare people on here get to agree with Hora, but... 😉
be sure you want a road bike though - I bought one for a sportive after pressure from a mate not to use my HT again, but I rarely use it because offroad is so much better - and now its only use will be mounted on a wahoo kickr in the garage.
The cx style bike - the kinesis tripster, and the croix de fer before it, however gets used all the time offroad as it is so much fun and can be pressed into road use if needed.
On the tripster thread there are several people that post about as good times on the tripster as they did on their road bikes even though it is much slacker, and in the case of the tripster it is massively comfortable as well.
Don't forget about Ribble bikes!!....the gran fondo is excellent value ..and you can change the parts before you buy
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/bbd/road-track-bike/ribble-gran-fondo?part=BB15RIBGRFONDO&sub=conf_BB_ALL&bike=1
On the subject of 'cheap' carbon, in August 2013 I bought a MEKK Potenza SL carbon road bike. Fettled with the stem length until I got used to the position of my first road bike & enjoyed riding it.
Broke the frame in Feb 2014 when the chain failed & ripped the rear mech off the frame, over the cassette & into the seatstay.
MEKK offered me a replacement frame but kept messing me around with delivery dates, so in the end I went for a £600 Dolan l'etape frame.
The difference was night and day, why I don't know because I'm not that knowledgeable about such things, but it rides a LOT better & is much more fun to ride.
I've done 200+K audax's on it & found myself still able to walk the next day, it's just a lovely bike to ride - especially with the Cero AR 50 wheelset I treated myself to 🙂
Lolz at some stuff. Anyway…
Some advice based on my experience of coming from MTBing to road riding (YMMV):
- Decide whether you want discs or rim brakes for a start. Then think about it a bit more and decide again.
- If there's a chance of you using the bike for anything but dry summer riding, consider a frame mudguard mounts. Ditto the above.
- Find something that lights your fire and that'll make you want to jump on it. There are a lot of good bikes out there.
- Understand that everything you understand or have got used to as regards positioning on an MTB is useless. (I bought the wrong size road bike first time out, and on top of that it took me a few years to gradually adapt to a road bike position.) If you're planning on rides of any decent length, position is everything. If you get it right, you can spend as much time as you can handle on a stiff frame with no problem; get it wrong and you'll be aching after a couple of hours. But if you're anything like me, it'll take time gradually tweaking both the bike and yourself before it's all just right. (Though I guess if you're still going to be mainly MTBing then this is probably less of A Thing.)
- Also remember that, especially if you're a big guy, any bike in that price range will come with uninspiring and often poorly-built wheels. A change of wheels and tyres can transform a bike.
If you're normal, whatever you buy you'll end up basically rebuilding it over time anyway, right? All that's left of the bike I bought is the frameset and the handlebar 🙂
Get something with a triple.
Honestly, you will need those gears at some point.
You could get a Spa Audax for about £900.
They are lovely.
Fast and comfy, great frame and spec, versatile.
You could use it for pretty much anything and it will probably last for ever.
It's designed to do exactly what you want - cover large bits of Yorkshire in comfort. 🙂
If you want to go racing, buy a racer.
If not, don't.