£300 - £500 race bike?

[cyberdude]

Any ideas? Just trying to advance from my old Carrera bike and be more competitive.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Have a look at Decathlon Triban bikes. They are in your price bracket and are well thought of.

Lots of other people will be along with questions about why you want it and so on, and lots of other suggestions. But that's a start.

 

[vickster]

Something second hand like an Specialized Allez / Connondale Caad / Giant Defy

Or this is now £500, great 105 spec for the ££ (if right size and geographically accessible)

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/pinnacle-dolmite-6-2016.217078/#post-4803912
https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-dolomite-6-2016-road-bike-EV244122

If wanting new, look at Pauls cycles for competitive deals on 2016 models

https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p0/Road-Bikes/Racing-Road-Racing

or an older model, heavily reduced https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p5792/CUBE-PELOTON-COMPACT-2014

Merlin PR7 another well thought of budget option, with Claris
https://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-performance-pr7-road-bike-85148.html

Or Btwin 520 as mentioned - Sora groupset (which is probably as high up the groupset scale as you'll get on a new bike in your range)

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-520-road-bike-sora-id_8377757.html

You could also try better tyres on your Carrera, see if that helps

Or if you want to completely blow your budget on carbon (and you aren't very tall)
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/specialized-tarmac-sport-reduced-650.216351/#post-4803949

 

[Cycleops]

The suggestion that @vickster made for the bike that @Milzy is selling looks great (if you're medium). Can you use discs for racing?

 

[S-Express]

No discs allowed for racing currently, but it's not clear what the OP wants from a bike anyway, although he did mention words like 'race' and 'competitive'..

 

[Cycleops]

That's what I thought you said in answer to the same question on another thread, can't remember who asked it though.

 

[cyberdude]

No discs allowed for racing currently, but it's not clear what the OP wants from a bike anyway, although he did mention words like 'race' and 'competitive'..

I just want a decent race bike, that's suitable for use both competitively and casually, and is easy to adjust to coming from a hybrid bike.

I'm 5'7, male. (Not sure that will help)

 

[S-Express]

I just want a decent race bike, that's suitable for use both competitively and casually, and is easy to adjust to coming from a hybrid bike.

A bike for racing is going to feel veeery different to a hybrid, so I can't see it being particularly 'easy' to adjust from one to the other. Best bet would be to look for a secondhand Allez, TCR or Caad - there's usually plenty around.

 

[vickster]

I just want a decent race bike, that's suitable for use both competitively and casually, and is easy to adjust to coming from a hybrid bike.

I'm 5'7, male. (Not sure that will help)

What level of competition? Organised racing or sportives, club runs, against your pals? Any drop bar roadbike should be quicker than a Carrera hybrid (which one?, Subway?)

5'7 @Milzy bike might be ok, think he's 5'7. Where in the country are you?
@Dirtyhanz Tarmac should be a good size if you can stretch the funds (and will be usable in 'real' races as no discs)

 

[biggs682]

@cyberdude i would go pre owned low useage on that budget as you can get some right bargains if you look hard enough where previous owner has taken the hit

Keep a look on local Gumtree etc etc

Where are you based in the UK ?

If you want new then look at Decathlon or Merlin

 

[Racing roadkill]

http://road.cc/content/blog/154721-can-you-race-450-bike

This is interesting. Racing using a Triban 520 from Decathlon.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-520-road-bike-sora-id_8377757.html

The online bit looks like they may be out of stock, but you'll still get one in store somewhere.

 

[cyberdude]

Based in West Wales,
some good cycle paths here, nice long winding roads, and my LBS organises loads of events.

 

[vickster]

Based in West Wales,
some good cycle paths here, nice long winding roads, and my LBS organises loads of events.

So not 'competition racing' then, discs might be good (I'm assuming its quite wet there)
Unfortunately, unless @Milzy is prepared to post, probably too far too travel

 

[Grant Fondo]

Also from Merlin...Felt F95 sora for £439 and Z85 tiagra for £525...2016 models but better than buying Bored-man from halfords

 

[cyberdude]

So not 'competition racing' then, discs might be good (I'm assuming its quite wet there)

I will be competition racing, I just might to travel a bit further.

Also, in regards to my selection, I've had a good look at the Merlin PR7.