£625 budget for a beginner....

[road_runner12]

Hi all, been losing a fair bit of weight lately and want to get my fitness up to go with it. Decided to cancel the gym because it got boring and wanted to get back on the bike. Have only ever had a MTB in my life but I'm really eager to give the road bikes a go and clock up some miles.

Been to my local bike shop (County Cycles) and for my budget was recommended either:

• Giant Defy 3 (2010) £625
• Trek 1.2 £600 - £625

Shop has got a great reputation and offering about £50 of gear to go with either bike. Thing is, the tech spec is way too much for me to cope with as a beginner. Just wanted feedback on these bikes and a recommendation as to which one is the better of the two, the best value and most durable. Any feedback much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[ianrauk]

they are pretty much similar, both Alu frames with Sora components, both 27 speed triples, though the Trek has a compact option. The best thing you should do is test ride the both of them. You will then know which one is best suited to you. You cant go wrong with either bike.

ps welcome to the forums.

 

[road_runner12]

Is the Giant a significant improvement on the 2009 model or not? Wondering if it's worth tracking one down. Are the Boardman's worth a look? Have taken a look but seen such bad stuff about Halfords that I think it's a huge risk compared to a specialised shop.

I do like the look of the Giant compared with the Trek. Will head down for a test at some point soon. Can anyone give me the essential kit that I'll need to get me up and running please.

 

[gaz]

Is the Giant a significant improvement on the 2009 model or not? Wondering if it's worth tracking one down. Are the Boardman's worth a look? Have taken a look but seen such bad stuff about Halfords that I think it's a huge risk compared to a specialised shop.

I do like the look of the Giant compared with the Trek. Will head down for a test at some point soon. Can anyone give me the essential kit that I'll need to get me up and running please.

Essential kit for me:
Gloves
Lights
Padded Shorts
Spare inner tubes
Puncture repair kit
Hand pump
Track pump (possibly not needed if you have an electric pump at home)


Things like shoes, cleated pedals, helmets etc.. are all down to personal choice.

 

[road_runner12]

Thanks for the help there gaz, much appreciated.

Any further advice on the bikes?

 

[Downward]

Trek for me
Felt better, Looked Better and better equipped.

 

[Willo]

I'm not qualified to judge 1 bike versus another, but as a recent convert to a road bike I'd recommend, as others have said, that you take each for a test spin. From looking at previous threads on here, what is best for 1 person may not be the same for someone else. I tried the bikes on my shortlist and ended up feeling most comfortable on what looked like my last choice on paper.

Re the Boardman bikes, a couple of friends who are into their cycling advised me that I'd be hard pushed to find a better spec for the £s. They look really nice bikes but were slightly out of my price range at the time. Suppose you only have to buy it from Halfords and then look after it yourself or use another shop for repairs etc. I got my Specialized bike through Halford C2W scheme and have found follow up service mixed depending on who is serving. Went in Sunday to get it checked as part of the deal (it was delivered direct to my home from supplier and as part of C2W they asked I took it into my local branch) and the guy was really good and thorough. The previous week when getting some lights with the balance of my voucher, I couldn't find anyone to serve me!

 

[Lotus74]

Just got my new bike to day trek1.2 09 model in local bikeShop sale got bike for £455 . Mud gards pedals helmit lights delivered all on same day it all came to just under £670 loving it .

 

[jasonmccullum]

I had the same dilema. I bought the Giant 3 (2010) and picked it up 2 days ago. Went out for my first ride this morning and all i can say is worth every penny i spent

 

[Hacienda71]

Get a saddle bag so you can keep your kit in there rather than trying to shove everything in your pockets especially if you aren't wearing a cycling top with rear pockets. I also got a multi-tool (useful for tightening anything that comes loose on the bike) and clear glasses to stop getting muck, insects or anything else in my eyes.

 

[Willo]

In terms of investments other than the bike itself.....

Echo Hacienda re a multi-tool - 2 weeks into my new bike and I've made extensive use of my crankbrothers tool which seems to cover everything.

I learnt the hard way, the importance of a decent pump. I had a decentish hand pump which seemed more than adequate on my mountain bike and, I thought, my road bike. However, after replacing a tube after my first puncture I bought a track pump (toepeak model) which revealed I was not getting the required PSI. It has made the task so much easier (at home at least) and, fingers crossed, no more flats so far.

Stating the obvious, worth budgeting for a decent lock if you don't own one already. And another obvious one, based on my winter morning commutes - hi-vis jacket, lights etc. etc. Seems like nothing is enough for some motorists to spot me but important to be seen, particularly through the dark and gloomy winter months.

 

[road_runner12]

Going to go for a test ride this weekend. Just wondered how durable the Sora components are? How expensive would it be to upgrade these if I needed to in the future?

Also, any 2009 models that I should be aware of that I could look at as an alternative with similar spec? Is the Giant Defy 3 (2010) a significant improvement in the 2009 model? Wondering whether to ask my LBS if they can get one in or not....

 

[2Loose]

The 10 model has higher spec components, Sora levers and front mech, compared to the '09 model which has shimano 2200. I bet the '09 model is significantly cheaper if you can find one though.

 

[MrRidley]

Has to be Giant, once you test it....you'll know.

 

[johnnyb]

Have had a trek 1.2 (2010) around 10 weeks. Can honestly say that it is tremendous. It's a compact and contrary to what is said above, has a sora front mech and tiagra rear. Just a stunning bit of kit for £600.