Advice on new entry level road bike

[craigf289]

Hi All,

I'm just after a bit of advice about a new road bike. I currently cycle 10 miles to work and back a day so I'm looking for a bike that will be a more enjoyable ride than what I have now. (made a school boy error and bought a cheap bike for £200 3 month ago and have had nothing but problems) Quite new to cycling so opted for the cheaper option last time rather than going for tried and tested.Big Mistake!!!

My budget is around £500 so does anyone have any experience of bikes within that price range (give or take £100) that are good entry level bikes?Any help would be great!I'm just not 100% sure what I'm looking for in terms of gears etc.

Thank You in advance!

 

[Easytigers]

I recently bought a Planet X RT-58 (aluminium) and love it! Great for commuting and longer rides. It's pretty light too (I really notice it on climbs)

 

[Kevoffthetee]

There are some good deals on bike such as the Giant Defy's, cannondale synapse, caad8 and cube peleton. There also a lot of love for the triban bikes. Boardman seems to have a love/hate following but that may be down to halfords rather than the bikes.

I'd recommend going trying a few as typically I though I knew best and nearly bought off the internet based on size guidelines alone. I would have ended up with a bike slightly too big for me and a bike that just didn't feel right to me even in the right size (Boardman road comp).

Also it's good form to buy something from shop/dealer if you've gone in for info and they've made the effort, even if it's not a bike. I already have a bike to can buy something useful like tyres, tubes, shorts, chain etc

 

[craigf289]

Thank you for the advice guys!will take this on board. Just had a look at planet x, pretty impressed. Will definately be considering a bike from there

 

[Rykard]

Triban 500 se?

 

[Mike!]

find a local store for a test ride, some good deals around on 2014 bikes at the moment!

Can't really go wrong with any of the Giant Defy range and they have good discounts in most places now