Buying first road bike

[Stevebeckhead]

Hi

Looking for some advice.

Currently ride Marin Hybrid (approx 10 years old) and looking to purchase first specialised road bike. Have read a number of mags and looked at various websites and would welcome some ideas as to what to look for and/or specific bikes.

What my parameters are:

Budget give or take about £1000 - would pay a little more if required (and if I can get permission).

Currently try to do 50/60 miles each weekend but hopefully warmer weather/lighter nights will allow me to increase.

Not used for commuting.

Not looking for a true "racing" bike but rather one which will cover the ground.

Will use this summer for cycling holiday (first time) so will need ability to fix panniers to carry some stuff.

To simplify a road bike that's not for racing but will do some limited touring (probably once a year) for about a £1000.

Hope this all makes sense and look forward to some sugestions.

Steve

 

[Tynan]

sounds like an audax bike to me, they'll take all the fittings and do light touring, while still being a proper road bike

 

[Norm]

It does sound like a call for an audax-type bikes, doesn't it. A few of us ride Specialized Secteurs (have a look at this thread ) and the Elite would seem to match your requirements.

However, get a ride on a few models from a few manufacturers, if you can. Different geometries, different components, different priorities, it's only after you've tried a few and figured out what you don't want that you'll start to know what you do want. IMO.

 

[Stevebeckhead]

Thanks for the advice above. I've done a bit of research and I am edging towards a basic road bike. I've been around the local Evans Cycle Store and have come up with:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/secteur-elite-2010-road-bike-ec019549

at my local independent - where I have to be honest and say I felt much more comfortable (advice and service) I have had a look at:

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-GB/bikes/model/defy.2/4861/38959/

The Giant is a bit cheaper £850 vs £1000.

I've arranged to go back and test ride both next Saturday but already am edging towards the Defy 2.

Any thoughts or suggestions.

 

[Norm]

The main difference looks like the Secteur has a triple whilst the Defy has a double, although the Secteur also has better brakes.

I narrowed it down to the same two bikes - although lower down the range, as I was looking at spending about £650. My decision was as much down to the local dealers as anything else, as my local Giant stockist didn't allow test rides whereas I was given the Specialized for as long as I wanted.

 

[Stevebeckhead]

Well - decided on the Giant Defy 2 with a rack fitted for limited touring. Picked it up on Saturday and surprise/surprise it's not stopped raining since. Hopefully weather should be better over the next week.

 

[Tynan]

£1,000 is a basic road bike?

touring without rain sounds fun