Best budget road bike

[Swifty]

I bought a Merlin lot of bike for the money good company to deal with

 

[SteCenturion]

It's good for 100 mile Sportives as well

View attachment 108866

Wow Rr

That's one serious looking aero lid with face visor for a sportive.

Big rucksack too.

 

[Neilsmith]

On a budget you can't go much wrong with a Cube, excellent spec for the money. I bought a new Cube Peleton Race a bit above your budget, but it was a steal at the price, I bought last years model. For your budget the Cube line has some good offerings.

I have not regretted my purchase and bought a Cube Mtb off the back of that which I am also pleased with.

 

[Racing roadkill]

Wow Rr

That's one serious looking aero lid with face visor for a sportive.

Big rucksack too.

I needed the visor coming down off of Leith hill, the rucksack is just my signature thing, it makes sure that people don't think I'm too serious, plus I can fit more Jelly babies in the rucksack, than my pockets.

 

[Racing roadkill]

But back on topic, there are some bargains to be had, especially if you don't mind going for a previous year's model, or don't mind assembling the bike yourself. The new 2016 bikes are starting to appear more readily now, so a 2014 / 2015 model could appear as a sale bargain soon.

 

[Ruth70]

Triban 520 is 9.9kg and £450

I dont like Triban as much as lets say Cube Axial, as its a masculine bike. The look of the bike is very important too, I cant ride a bike I am not in love with

 

[vickster]

I dont like Triban as much as lets say Cube Axial, as its a masculine bike. The look of the bike is very important too, I cant ride a bike I am not in love with

Yep as good a reason as any

 

[Ajay]

Yep as good a reason as any

Absolutely, you're going to find little difference in specs/performance between the reputable brands at this price point, so it's really all about which brand/bike appeals to you most.
Just go round the shops and sit on a few!

 

[totallyfixed]

I dont like Triban as much as lets say Cube Axial, as its a masculine bike. The look of the bike is very important too, I cant ride a bike I am not in love with

I'm curious, what is a masculine looking bike? A feminine looking bike [for me] would be defined by the colour.

 

[vickster]

Yes you can get bikes that aren't black or grey!

And don't have the added expense of swapping bars, cranks, stems, saddles (assuming the stock saddle works)

I'm 5'10 but ride a 38cm bar and 100mm stem. A men's 54cm bike typically comes with a 42 or 44cm bar and 120mm stem

 

[Racing roadkill]

Absolutely, you're going to find little difference in specs/performance between the reputable brands at this price point, so it's really all about which brand/bike appeals to you most.
Just go round the shops and sit on a few!

The trouble with the 'brands' is, that at the less expensive end of the market, you are paying an idiot tax, on a set of stickers on the frame. It's not the case for the expensive stuff. The moulds are often the same, but the materials and / or lay up techniques used are the differentiators.

 

[vickster]

But Btwin bikes don't actually look very nice style wise imo and they are getting as common as specialized in London

 

[Ruth70]

I'm curious, what is a masculine looking bike? A feminine looking bike [for me] would be defined by the colour.

Masculine looking bike is defined by colour, geometry, etc. There is a reason they have ladies bikes, not just all unisex

 

[Ruth70]

But Btwin bikes don't actually look very nice style wise imo and they are getting as common as specialized in London

 

[totallyfixed]

Masculine looking bike is defined by colour, geometry, etc. There is a reason they have ladies bikes, not just all unisex

Yes, I get the colour thing, I live with someone who has a very pink bike. As regards geometry, apart from the mixte frames which you don't see as much these days, all our women friends ride road bikes that are impossible to tell apart from any road bike.