Entry level road bike

[max_hughes]

Hi guys,
I'm 16 and I am looking for a first road bike. I've always had mountain bikes but now I'm looking to venture out into the road cycling scene. I plan on using it to cycle to school and use it for leisure on the weekneds etc. My budget is about £600 and I am looking for something that will last me at least a few years. I am 6' tall and want something that will offer me good value for money and a bike that has a goood ride. Any replies or advice would be appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Btwin Triban 3 or 5 from Decathlon

I have no experience of these bikes, but this is what everyone always says, so I thought I'd be the first to say it!

An alternative would be to go old skool and do up an old steel framed bike. This depends if you are into bike mechanics (it's not hard) and enjoy that kind of thing. And don't mind riding a bike that isn't quite the "latest thing". Or maybe @biggs682 could flog you one!

 

[Heigue'r]

Specialized sport 2014 model,£600 in stock at evans and probably elsewhere, i had 1 and liked it while i had it
Giant defy 4 or 3,3 is £50 over budget, 2015 model or try and find a 2014 model and get a bit more for your money
Im currently riding a 2014 defy and love it
I dont have any experience of another model but a couple of options to choose from

 

[Cycleops]

Depends what you mean by a "good ride". A road bike on 23c tyres is going to feel very unforgiving after your MTB and more twitchy. Try to get something that will take up to 28c rubber. The Defys seem to be very popular or try looking at the Boardmen range at Halfords. Very well finished and equipped bikes. http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/boardman-cx-comp-bike-2014
Ridgeback also offer good value bikes, something like: http://www.ridgeback.co.uk/bike/advance-4-0#details
Price is a little high though but might be poss with a bit of discount.

 

[Cycleops]

PS Halfords have 10% off until Monday.

 

[sgl5gjr]

Triban 3 plus as Cycleops says 23c's will be very twitchy after 2.1 inch MTB tyres...... You are young enough to easily adapt to the change,also the speed of a roadie will get you as well as how "poor" the brakes are compared to MTB's on disc(s)

 

[AndyRM]

Cannondale Synapse is worth looking at.

I'd not get too hung up on the bike feeling 'twitchy' for long. I appreciate that everyone's different, but the adjustment is pretty easy, just don't rush yourself.

 

[Cyclist33]

Hi guys,
I'm 16 and I am looking for a first road bike. I've always had mountain bikes but now I'm looking to venture out into the road cycling scene. I plan on using it to cycle to school and use it for leisure on the weekneds etc. My budget is about £600 and I am looking for something that will last me at least a few years. I am 6' tall and want something that will offer me good value for money and a bike that has a goood ride. Any replies or advice would be appreciated.
Thanks.

Got a mate selling a 2013 Cannondale CAAD8 Tiagra, that was about £900 new, he wants around £450... whereabouts are you anyway? His bike's in good condition and it's a great bike especially for starting out - pretty nimble and comfortable...

It's in the Classifieds on here...

Stu

 

[SteCenturion]

Hi & @max_hughes

If the budget can be stretched a touch to £699 an excellently specced & highly regarded 2014 Giant Defy 1 could be yours.
Full Shimano 105, lightweight & quality bike.

If not, then look to get a quality aluminium bike with Shimano 10 speed Tiagra, like a Defy 2 or try www.merlincycles.com who have a sale on Felt F series & Z series bikes, a guy on another thread just bagged a 2014 F95 boxed for £365 (lower spec though).

The 2014 F75 with mostly 10 speed 105 is great value at £639 reduced from £949 & they have some fans on CC, tag @Drago who is a happy owner.

 

[AndyRM]

Ribble also have great options around the £600 mark, assuming you don't go mental with bling and are happy to upgrade a decent frame over time

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/bbg/road-track-bike/ribble-alloy-road-bikes?sub=conf_BBRA&type=RIBMO

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/bbg/r...training-audax-bikes?sub=conf_BBRW&type=RIBMO

 

[Cyclist33]

Hi & @max_hughes

If the budget can be stretched a touch to £699 an excellently specced & highly regarded 2014 Giant Defy 1 could be yours.
Full Shimano 105, lightweight & quality bike.

If not, then look to get a quality aluminium bike with Shimano 10 speed Tiagra, like a Defy 2 or try www.merlincycles.com who have a sale on Felt F series & Z series bikes, a guy on another thread just bagged a 2014 F95 boxed for £365 (lower spec though).

The 2014 F75 with mostly 10 speed 105 is great value at £639 reduced from £949 & they have some fans on CC, tag @Drago who is a happy owner.

I would have zero hesitation in recommending the Defy

 

[SteCenturion]

P.S avoid carbon bikes if £600 is the budget, unless you know someone crazy who has a mint bike that fits perfectly.

That CAAD 8 up thread looks GVFM if it fits.

 

[vickster]

Or you could get the one from Argos, look for posts by @Justinslow who got one for £400, £600 at the mo I think

 

[Drago]

I can't recommend the F85 highly enough. Decent spec, excellent finish, but such a brilliant 'feel'. Indefinable, but ride one and you'll know what I'm getting at. Best of all, its an £800 bike but some outlets, including Wiggle, are selling 2014 models for £499, which is a bargain.

After that the evergreen Defy isn't going to disappoint.

 

[biggs682]

@max_hughes i presume this is your first road bike ?

well i wouldnt want to spend £600 on a whim

go 2 nd hand and for around £250 you will get yourself a decent bit of retro bike that should almost be an investment

where are you based if local or passing by Northamptonshire feel free to contact me and come and try a proper retro bike