£450 - £500 to spend, need opinions and advice please, good or bad.

[Rich Worrall]

Hi Guys and Gals
Only got into road bikes since xmas after buying a very cheap Specialized Allez from a workmate. Only managed to use is 4 times before the local chavs decided they wanted it more than me and took it from my shed. My insurance have agreed to payout £500 and that really is my max price i want to pay, and ive not had that much experience in understanding all the different groupsets and manufacturers etc that i can get for my money.
Im from the Raleigh 'oldskool' of biking many years ago and all the new brands i have no idea which are better than others.
Ive been looking a bit this last week
My local shop has a Raleigh Revenio Two 2013 with the sora groupset
Also a Giant Defy 5 with a lesser groupset(cant remember type)
Decalthons own brand has been mentioned Triban 5
The Cannondale CAAD8 has been mentioned a few times as well.

Ill only be riding at weekends, occasional evenings, average 30-40 miles.
Are there any others i should be looking at?

Thanks for any advice anyone can give
Rich

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Why not just get another Allez?

 

[jay clock]

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cycle/road-bikes/?o=2 Several for well under 500. I would get one with carbon forks, and unless you are a strong hill climber, aim for a compact chain set (50/34). The Battaglin is a nice bike - a friend has one

 

[DCLane]

Revenio's are decent, but as I like Raleigh I'd say that.
Cannondale has a good reputation.

My current Decathlon 7.1 commuter is nowhere near as good.

 

[Cubist]

Triban

 

[Rich Worrall]

ok, well thats that sorted. Thought i was getting £500, bike replacement dept offered me a £900 Allez Elite 2014.
Couldn't really say no to that.

 

[Leodis]

I picked up a Boardman Road comp last weekend from eBay for £300, Tiagra/105 mix and in great condition, keep your eyes on there as well.