Bike for beginner

[cycle389]

Hi
I am new to cycling. Just wondering, what would be a good choice of entry level road bike?
thanks

 

[vickster]

Hi
I am new to cycling. Just wondering, what would be a good choice of entry level road bike?
thanks

How much do you have to spend?
Are you comfortable buying second hand?
Popular entry level modern road bikes are Giant Defy/Contend, Specialized Allez, Cannondale Synapse or Caad, Trek or Boardman (less defined names), Btwin Triban sold by Decathlon, Carrera from Halfords (very much entry level) but in reality there are dozens more from other brands.

(There are also women’s models if that applies which may have a different name)

 

[Sharky]

How new is " new"?

What sort of bike have you had in the past. There's huge variety in bikes that even if you can test ride them, you might change your mind after a few months. So might be better to go for a cheaper model or 2nd hand, then upgrade when you know the sort of cycling you like.
Good luck

 

[confusedcyclist]

The trick to buying second hand is to avoid wasting hard won money buying a lemon, and/or paying too much, so make sure you get your mechanically competent mates to help weeding out those lemons. If you don't have that kind of knowledge to hand, you're stuck with spending money on new bikes as a substitute! If you buy new you will get less bike for your money, and there's always the risk when buying a new entry level bike you'll pine after something better almost immediately. Yes you can sell your new entry level bike, but you can't lose money faster than if you were burning it. If you know you will stick with cycling, it often makes more sense to skip entry level and go straight to 'mid range'. Look for Tiagra or 105 equipped bikes, in a popular brand you won't go far wrong. The trouble is, there is a shortage of reasonably priced bikes right now as everyone and their gran wants them.

 

[vickster]

The trick to buying second hand is to avoid wasting hard won money buying a lemon, and/or paying too much, so make sure you get your mechanically competent mates to help weeding out those lemons. If you don't have that kind of knowledge to hand, you're stuck with spending money on new bikes as a substitute! If you buy new you will get less bike for your money, and there's always the risk when buying a new entry level bike you'll pine after something better almost immediately. Yes you can sell your new entry level bike, but you can't lose money faster than if you were burning it. If you know you will stick with cycling, it often makes more sense to skip entry level and go straight to 'mid range'. Look for Tiagra or 105 equipped bikes, in a popular brand you won't go far wrong. The trouble is, there is a shortage of reasonably priced bikes right now as everyone and their gran wants them.

Or SRAM Rival or Apex

 

[MichaelW2]

Many 1st bikes get promoted to daily commuting/ foulweather riding once you get your next bike.
Be ahead of the game and pick a bike ideally suited to rainy riding. Look for a bit more tyre clearance, threaded eyelets for mud guards and possible, eyelets for a rear luggage rack.

 

[cycle389]

How much do you have to spend?
Are you comfortable buying second hand?
Popular entry level modern road bikes are Giant Defy/Contend, Specialized Allez, Cannondale Synapse or Caad, Trek or Boardman (less defined names), Btwin Triban sold by Decathlon, Carrera from Halfords (very much entry level) but in reality there are dozens more from other brands.

(There are also women’s models if that applies which may have a different name)

Thanks for the advice!

 

[cycle389]

How new is " new"?

What sort of bike have you had in the past. There's huge variety in bikes that even if you can test ride them, you might change your mind after a few months. So might be better to go for a cheaper model or 2nd hand, then upgrade when you know the sort of cycling you like.
Good luck

Thanks for the advice!

 

[cycle389]

The trick to buying second hand is to avoid wasting hard won money buying a lemon, and/or paying too much, so make sure you get your mechanically competent mates to help weeding out those lemons. If you don't have that kind of knowledge to hand, you're stuck with spending money on new bikes as a substitute! If you buy new you will get less bike for your money, and there's always the risk when buying a new entry level bike you'll pine after something better almost immediately. Yes you can sell your new entry level bike, but you can't lose money faster than if you were burning it. If you know you will stick with cycling, it often makes more sense to skip entry level and go straight to 'mid range'. Look for Tiagra or 105 equipped bikes, in a popular brand you won't go far wrong. The trouble is, there is a shortage of reasonably priced bikes right now as everyone and their gran wants them.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[vickster]

Do you have a budget? An idea of the size of road bike you may need?

 

[MntnMan62]

I agree with others. Get as good a bike as you can realistically afford. Whether you continue to ride long term could be directly related to the quality of the bike you buy. If you start biking you will quickly go from a beginner to intermediate. But if there are aspects of the bike that are holding you back, you may never stick with it longer term. Establish your budget and then see what bikes are available in that price range and then compare them. Test ride them. Once you narrow it down to two or three, then hit the forums to see what people have to say. Just my two cents.

 

[cycle389]

I agree with others. Get as good a bike as you can realistically afford. Whether you continue to ride long term could be directly related to the quality of the bike you buy. If you start biking you will quickly go from a beginner to intermediate. But if there are aspects of the bike that are holding you back, you may never stick with it longer term. Establish your budget and then see what bikes are available in that price range and then compare them. Test ride them. Once you narrow it down to two or three, then hit the forums to see what people have to say. Just my two cents.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[cycle389]

Do you have a budget? An idea of the size of road bike you may need?

About £300. 18 inch frame

 

[vickster]

About £300. 18 inch frame

That should be enough to get a decent entry level roadbike - but prices have certainly hardened a lot. A bike that will sell for £300 today may have struggled to reach £150 4 months ago.

Look on Ebay (be prepared to travel to collect), look on Gumtree and Facebook, even Schpock (but with all used bikes, ask questions to ascertain that it is indeed the sellers to sell). There's also a Classifieds on here (but as a new member you may need to post more to be able to use it)

I don't think right now you'll get anything that is much good for £300 new

18" frame - around 54cm? You're around 5'8? Roadbikes aren't usually sized these days in inches, but cms or S/M/L etc

 

[Drzdave58]

Hi
I am new to cycling. Just wondering, what would be a good choice of entry level road bike?
thanks

I am assuming you have put considerable thought into the type of riding you want to do that’s why you have decided on a road bike. If you haven’t then you should because they are a bike designed for a very specific type of riding. Some people look at a bike in a store and think they look cool and then get one without really knowing what they are getting into. You have to also consider the condition of the roads in your area and make sure the type of tires on a road bike are suitable for them. That being said it’s best to spend a little more for a better quality bike than to get something cheap. It will last much longer and hold its value more. If you have to wait a little longer to save more money it will be worth it in the long run. Good luck!