Best budget road bike

[Ruth70]

Hi all,

I am considering selling my touring bike and buying road bike instead. My budget around 400-500 GBP. What wuld be the best bike around this budget? Could be second hand too. I would like to be able to install a 28mm wheels on it. One of the models I have my eye on is Cube Axial, but interested to hear your opinions too.

Thanks!

 

[Racing roadkill]

Hi all,

I am considering selling my touring bike and buying road bike instead. My budget around 400-500 GBP. What wuld be the best bike around this budget? Could be second hand too. I would like to be able to install a 28mm wheels on it. One of the models I have my eye on is Cube Axial, but interested to hear your opinions too.

Thanks!

Decathlon's Triban 520, would be my choice. A lot of bike for 450 quid. 28mm tyres fit with no problems, 9 speed Sora, and a very nice frame.

 

[Saluki]

+1 on the Triban 520. I had a go on a friend's one and was most impressed with it.

 

[Racing roadkill]

+1 on the Triban 520. I had a go on a friend's one and was most impressed with it.

It's good for 100 mile Sportives as well

 

[Joffey]

B'Twin are great bikes and if anything goes wrong Decathlon will jump through hoops to get it sorted for you.

 

[vickster]

Giant avail worth a look, definitely take 25mm tyres, not sure on 28s especially if wanting mudguards to fit

Decathlon don't offer a wsd range of roadbikes, so keep some budget for changes like a new saddle, potentially narrower bars etc

 

[Aunty Tyke]

I'm new to road bikes and got a Giant Thrive Liv 2 and love it

 

[Tojo]

Rutland cycles have some good deals on 2015 giant's and Pedalon have some good deals on various brands at the minute also....worth a look.......

 

[vickster]

@Ruth70 are you confident buying online? If so, you could add Ashcycles and Paulscycles to that list of online retailers

Where are you based?

The best bike is one that fits you, is comfortable to ride and makes you smile while doing so

 

[Dirk]

Giant avail worth a look, definitely take 25mm tyres, not sure on 28s especially if wanting mudguards to fit

I've put 28mm tyres and mudguards on my Giant Defy 5 - no problem.
Shouldn't be any different with a low spec Avail.

 

[vickster]

I've put 28mm tyres and mudguards on my Giant Defy 5 - no problem.
Shouldn't be any different with a low spec Avail.

With mudguards? Those dreadful crud ones rubbed on 25mm tyres on my Avail

 

[Dirk]

I'm using the standard 'Giant' road mudguards and 28 mm Schwalbe look alike tyres (IMPAC - which I'm informed is Schwalbe's budget brand). No problem with clearance.

 

[Karlt]

B'Twin are great bikes and if anything goes wrong Decathlon will jump through hoops to get it sorted for you.

This is extremely true. I bought a Sport 1 in 2010, shortly before it was retired in favour of the Triban 3. After about six months I bent it in an underpass and because they couldn't get the original steel fork any more they sold me a Triban 3 Carbon Fork at cost - £50.

Then last August (2014) I needed to replace the bottle cage and found that the fixing bolts had seized to the mounting holes so that the bolt and hole just rotated around in the frame loosely without unscrewing. Because they couldn't get a replacement frame - this is four years on - they replaced the entire bike with a Triban 500 SE.

I can't fault that. I don't know how they make money, but they will honour warranties.

 

[Elybazza61]

Another thumbs up for Liv/Giant Avails;better half is well happy with her Avail 3.

Smack bang in your price range too(if the sizes are ok of course);

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/75607/Liv_Avail_3_2015_Womens_Bike

 

[Elybazza61]

It's good for 100 mile Sportives as well

View attachment 108866

That Garmin is at a funny angle