Entry Level Road Bike

[leedsmick]

With all the sales on at the moment, i'm looking at buying a road bike in the next month or two.

I've spent some time this morning reading a few reviews and looking at costs and have narrowed it down to these listed.

Just out of interest i thought i'd do a vote, open to anyone who has bought, ridden, seen or read, which would you go for?

Use wise it's just for riding on my own recreationally lunchtimes, weekends. Distance wise 10-50 and anywhere in between.

 

[Tin Pot]

As always; what are you going to use it for?

Type of journey, distances, type of recreational activity, sport, racing, touring, commuting, riding with kids...?

 

[swee'pea99]

eeny meeny minee mo

 

[leedsmick]

As always; what are you going to use it for?

Type of journey, distances, type of recreational activity, sport, racing, touring, commuting, riding with kids...?

Just updated.

 

[vickster]

Go test ride and find the right bike for YOU

For me of that lot the Scott, possibly Ribble, less common than the rest

 

[13 rider]

I voted giant only because I have a defy 0 and I love it . At the price range there are no bad bikes .You need to find the one for YOU . try as many as you can and hopefully you will know when you found the one . Every one will have different options its yours that counts . good luck hunting

 

[leedsmick]

Daft question but test ride wise, what do you get, are some places more accommodating than others? Is it a matter of up and down the car park or do you get to go a bit further, Or is it more how it feels just sat on it size wise etc?

 

[13 rider]

Daft question but test ride wise, what do you get, are some places more accommodating than others? Is it a matter of up and down the car park or do you get to go a bit further, Or is it more how it feels just sat on it size wise etc?

Depends on the shop . Ride as much as you can .15 mins will give you a good idea . Comfort on first sit on will give a good idea of the right bike

 

[oldstrath]

Find your local club and seek opinions?

 

[vickster]

Daft question but test ride wise, what do you get, are some places more accommodating than others? Is it a matter of up and down the car park or do you get to go a bit further, Or is it more how it feels just sat on it size wise etc?

Evans are the best, on road tests, they just let you take the bike. Need photo ID and a bank card that they'll swipe and debit a penny. Assuming they have the bike somewhere in stock, they'll even get the right size bike in for a £60 (IIRC) refundable deposit. Being a chain however, service does vary from branch to branch, one near me for example is good, the other closest not so much

They even offer a 30 day right bike guarantee
http://www.evanscycles.com/help/right-bike-guarantee
And they price match a lot of other online retailers as well

 

[HertzvanRental]

Following my recent experiences, if I was in the market for a "bimble" bike, I would go for a nice 531 steel jobbie at a fraction of the cost. Great fun!! Come to think of it, it doesn't need to be that much of a "bimble!!"

 

[Dave7]

I can't "compare" as I have only actually ridden the Ribble & Giant Defy. Pound for pound the Ribble would probably have better spec' but the Defy will have a better/more responsive frame. I found the Ribble Sportive very relaxed & comfy as is the Giant but I seem to get more response for the same effort out of the Giant.

 

[Lilliburlero]

@leedsmick Get something that makes you smile when you look at it

 

[leedsmick]

@leedsmick Get something that makes you smile when you look at it

The problem is 75% of them do!

 

[Tin Pot]

I would err on the less expensive side for pootling about.

So Ribble or Triban.

Get a red one cos they go faster.

Have fun