Entry level London Road Bike - what should I go for?

[Spoony]

Hi guys, I'm in the market for an entry-level road bike.

I'm pretty much starting from scratch learning everything. All I know is that I'm pretty set on a road bike, as I'll be mainly on the roads either cycling around the south side of London or commuting to the office. Also with the occasional cycle to Brighton if I'm feeling up to it. My budget is around £650 (Could stretch a little further). Would be nice to have a nice light frame and some disc brakes as I would like to be able to cycle in all weather conditions if needed. I also don't want it too racey, so if anyone can tell me the comfort/geometry of some of these that'd be great.

I've (sort of) nailed it down to these, what do you guys think?:

Planet X - https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXL...ic-colours-edition-sram-apex-1-disc-road-bike
Triban 500 - https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/cycle...rake/_/R-p-308097?mc=8554411&c=TURQUOISE_BLUE
Spec Allez - https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/allez/p/171311?color=264811-171311
Spec Allez Sport - https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/allez-sport/p/184448?color=302107-184448&searchText=90020-6044

The last 2 don't have disc brakes, but I've heard good things about the Allez range. I've also had a look on FB Marketplace and Gumtree for some second-hand ones, but it's difficult to find a good deal when you don't know too much about what you're looking for!

If anyone can give me some solid recommendations I'd really appreciate it.

Cheers

 

[vickster]

If you’d like disc brakes, then you could stretch your budget.
Check the availability in your size and lead times for the bikes of interest as it’s rather poor right now.
Best advice, go to your local bike shop, have a chat, try them out (if you’re in London, you won’t be able to with the Planet X). Balfes is a good independent chain with several branches in the S London area for example who sell Specialized (but stocks are low).
There are a couple of Decathlon’s too, but again stocks low (although they appear to have the RC500 in M/L) and have a read around as the wheels can be troublesome for tyre removal (you will get punctures riding around London if you don’t want heavy puncture resistance tyres slowing you down).

You could look at Trek or Giant too as Specialized alternatives, or Boardman maybe
eg https://www.balfesbikes.co.uk/bikes...-2-sportive-road-bike-in-metallic-blue__12572

Ref the 2nd Allez, £1000 for an Alu roadbike with Sora and rim brakes is outrageous, Spesh always were overpriced for the spec!
For another £100, you can get carbon and 105!
https://www.halfords.com/bikes/road...-road-bike-2021---s-m-l-xl-frames-365462.html

 

[fair weather cyclist]

Hi guys, I'm in the market for an entry-level road bike.

I'm pretty much starting from scratch learning everything. All I know is that I'm pretty set on a road bike, as I'll be mainly on the roads either cycling around the south side of London or commuting to the office. Also with the occasional cycle to Brighton if I'm feeling up to it. My budget is around £650 (Could stretch a little further). Would be nice to have a nice light frame and some disc brakes as I would like to be able to cycle in all weather conditions if needed. I also don't want it too racey, so if anyone can tell me the comfort/geometry of some of these that'd be great.

I've (sort of) nailed it down to these, what do you guys think?:

Planet X - https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXL...ic-colours-edition-sram-apex-1-disc-road-bike
Triban 500 - https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/cycle...rake/_/R-p-308097?mc=8554411&c=TURQUOISE_BLUE
Spec Allez - https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/allez/p/171311?color=264811-171311
Spec Allez Sport - https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/allez-sport/p/184448?color=302107-184448&searchText=90020-6044

The last 2 don't have disc brakes, but I've heard good things about the Allez range. I've also had a look on FB Marketplace and Gumtree for some second-hand ones, but it's difficult to find a good deal when you don't know too much about what you're looking for!

If anyone can give me some solid recommendations I'd really appreciate it.

Cheers

Of the 4 you have linked, the first I'd rule out is the planet X because it has a 1x drivetrain. I like having a broader range of gears especially when I'm on the road. 1x is popular for gravel riding, but road riding still calls for 2x. Then, whether you need it or not now, that's another story.

Of the remaining 3, I'd go with the Triban because it's better specced and better priced.

Specialized bikes are so overpriced. The only benefit of a specialized is its resale value; if you like riding and decide to upgrade, you'll get more money back from a specialized than a triban.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Of the 4 you have linked, the first I'd rule out is the planet X because it has a 1x drivetrain. I like having a broader range of gears especially when I'm on the road. 1x is popular for gravel riding, but road riding still calls for 2x. Then, whether you need it or not now, that's another story.

It's worth pursuing this a bit further.

The PX has 42/42 to 42/11 11S x1. That's 26" to 101" 11 usable gears
The others have 34/32 to 50/11 2x9 That's 28" to 120" 16 usable gears.

So the PX 1x has a lower bottom gear, which is always good. But it has lost some top end - top gear of 101" vs 120"

Now, this is where it gets very personal. Personally I think 50/11 (120") is very high and very easy to live without (which is not to say it's useless, just not essential). In fact, personally, I'd probably be happier with the range of gears on the PX because it's lower at the bottom end. Now, some people will object to the gaps between the gears in a 1x. I'm not one of those people, I think 11 increments would be fine. So for me "road riding still calls for 2x" wouldn't be true. But of course for people who ride faster than me and/or with a lower cadence than me things are different.

Anyway, it is all a matter of personal taste but I thought I'd dig into that subject a bit. If I was buying a new bike I'd give 1x consideration. But I've never ridden one, so I don't speak from experience.

That aside, if it was me I think I too would go for the Triban as I think it's best value. But also note that I'm entirely ignorant about disk brakes, so didn't really consider any differences in these.

 

[Craig the cyclist]

What size are you and where do you live? I have a Ribble carbon fibre Grand Sportive, so nice and fast, but with decently relaxed fit. It has 105 throughout and has been well looked after. £450

Excellent first bike, under budget, and a nice ride.

 

[Spoony]

Thanks for this guys. I am leaning towards the Triban mostly. It does seem to have the most bang for your buck and it's great you can just take it into a local Decathlon with pretty much any issue it seems.

Ref the 2nd Allez, £1000 for an Alu roadbike with Sora and rim brakes is outrageous, Spesh always were overpriced for the spec!
For another £100, you can get carbon and 105!

Thanks for this - it does seem a lot I thought!

What size are you and where do you live? I have a Ribble carbon fibre Grand Sportive, so nice and fast, but with decently relaxed fit. It has 105 throughout and has been well looked after. £450

Excellent first bike, under budget, and a nice ride.

I live in South East London. I'll take a look? Feel free to send me some information.

 

[Craig the cyclist]

I live in South East London. I'll take a look? Feel free to send me some information.

I will send you some pictures in the morning

 

[slowmotion]

Personally, I don't think you need disk brakes . I've never felt that disks would have helped me in twelve years of London commuting on a road bike. Pad brakes work just fine at London traffic speeds. Get something as light as possible and with narrow bars. They let you nip about more easily.

 

[ianrauk]

Get something as light as possible

There's absolutely no noticable difference in weight between rim and disc brake bikes.
The reason I have disc brakes on my commute bike is that with rim brake bike I was eating wheel rims every 18 months or so and having to buy brake pads every few months. My disc brake bike wheels are 10 years old and pads last a year.

 

[slowmotion]

There's absolutely no noticable difference in weight between rim and disc brake bikes.
The reason I have disc brakes on my commute bike is that with rim brake bike I was eating wheel rims every 18 months or so and having to buy brake pads every few months. My disc brake bike wheels are 10 years old and pads last a year.

Fair point. I wasn't criticising disks on the grounds of weight, merely that rims work well enough in London traffic. The back side of Mt Ventoux might be a different matter.

 

[si_c]

Just to throw another bike into the mix, take a look at the Trek Domane AL2, it's "only" 8 speed at the rear, but it's a gorgeous looking bike, especially in the blue with mirrored logos.

Couple of the guys at one of my LBSs ride them, they reckon they're great for commuting, cheap to maintain and they'll take full mudguards which are a must in the UK for all weather ridit.

 

[sasquath]

+1 For trek if my back was drop bar compatible I would seriously consider one.