First bike for 15-20 years - Advice please
- Thread starter sleaver
- Start date
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OP
OP
sleaver
Veteran
Well, I went to the shop I mentioned earlier today and I have hopefully choosen what I'm going to get!
They were very helpful and explained things a lot and when I had mentioned what I had been told about things like bottom brackets and other places trying to up sell, they understood and said that I didn't really need to worry about things like that. They also said that the position of the down shifter doesn't really matter because you are normally only on the drops going down hill and most people spend most of their time on the shifters. My opinion is that I don't know any different so I'll need to get used to either way what ever. They also talked about 8/9/10 gears and said that even with 9 you can still upgrade to 10 and for what I want the bike for, 8 wouldn't be a problem.
I also mentioned the Boardman because of the discounts on at the moment brought it in-line price wise with what I was looking at but he didn't really rate them because if the problems they had with one a customer brought in for a service.
Anyway, I am thinking I'm going to go for the Specialized Secteur Triple, one of the reasons being that the geometry makes it a bit easier on the body and it's around the right price point. The 2013 colour like nice as well. It may not be the best in the world, but it fits what I would like to use it for and I can afford it
I just thought that I would be spending a bit more for the Boardman only because of the discounts and nearly everyone I have spoken to has good things to say about Specialized bikes.
Only thing is, they are not getting them in until the end of next month and I'm good at being impatient. So, I've got lots of time to still um and ah unless it comes into stock sooner or I source it else where!
They were very helpful and explained things a lot and when I had mentioned what I had been told about things like bottom brackets and other places trying to up sell, they understood and said that I didn't really need to worry about things like that. They also said that the position of the down shifter doesn't really matter because you are normally only on the drops going down hill and most people spend most of their time on the shifters. My opinion is that I don't know any different so I'll need to get used to either way what ever. They also talked about 8/9/10 gears and said that even with 9 you can still upgrade to 10 and for what I want the bike for, 8 wouldn't be a problem.
I also mentioned the Boardman because of the discounts on at the moment brought it in-line price wise with what I was looking at but he didn't really rate them because if the problems they had with one a customer brought in for a service.
Anyway, I am thinking I'm going to go for the Specialized Secteur Triple, one of the reasons being that the geometry makes it a bit easier on the body and it's around the right price point. The 2013 colour like nice as well. It may not be the best in the world, but it fits what I would like to use it for and I can afford it
I just thought that I would be spending a bit more for the Boardman only because of the discounts and nearly everyone I have spoken to has good things to say about Specialized bikes.Only thing is, they are not getting them in until the end of next month and I'm good at being impatient. So, I've got lots of time to still um and ah unless it comes into stock sooner or I source it else where!
Zakalwe
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Barnsbury, London
They'll bad mouth a boardman because they can't sell you one, and you can't upgrade from a 9 speed to a 10 speed just like that, you'll need new brake levers (which come in pairs) to match the rear derailleur. All that you'll keep from your old groupset is the crank and the front mech. Saying that, 9 speeds don't miss much from a 10, just drop the 11 or 12 cog, and Secteurs are good bikes, I'm not sure how much is between Specialized and Boardmans to be honest. They both have a lot of fans and you rarely hear riders of either complaining. My winter bike's an Allez and it's solid and comfortable.
The riding on drops only when going downhill is a bit silly too, you should be able to use them as and when you like. It's better to use them more often than the hoods to be honest, to take in the aerodynamic advantage. If you feel like you aren't comfortable in the drops then the shop sold you the wrong frame or they set it up incorrectly. If you never ever want to use them, well, you should have got a hybrid.
The riding on drops only when going downhill is a bit silly too, you should be able to use them as and when you like. It's better to use them more often than the hoods to be honest, to take in the aerodynamic advantage. If you feel like you aren't comfortable in the drops then the shop sold you the wrong frame or they set it up incorrectly. If you never ever want to use them, well, you should have got a hybrid.
I have a Secteur sport, 2 years old. It's a very good starter bike. Since then I have upgraded components as they have worn out. With new and better wheels and tyres it is much improved. However I did change from Sora shifters, I couldn't be doing with them. That said get a bike and start riding. Any of the bikes you mentioned will be fine.
OP
OP
sleaver
Veteran
Sorry, but I've found another option 
.
Does anyone have any opinions on the Felt F75? It's been recommended to me because of the Shimano 105 components and I've also noticed that it's got 10 speed on the back. Plus, Wiggle have it for £881.24 and I think I can get a further 12% off: Wiggle | Felt F75
.Does anyone have any opinions on the Felt F75? It's been recommended to me because of the Shimano 105 components and I've also noticed that it's got 10 speed on the back. Plus, Wiggle have it for £881.24 and I think I can get a further 12% off: Wiggle | Felt F75
Peteaud
Veteran
- Location
- South Somerset
Sorry, but I've found another option
Does anyone have any opinions on the Felt F75? It's been recommended to me because of the Shimano 105 components and I've also noticed that it's got 10 speed on the back. Plus, Wiggle have it for £881.24 and I think I can get a further 12% off: Wiggle | Felt F75
Yes, its very very nice and good spec.
Alexvs
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Milton Keynes
This was one of the bikes I was looking at when I was in the market at the start of the year but ended up going for a Specialized Secteur Comp which I got a good deal on. This is now the bike I'm recommending to my mate who's currently looking and I recommended it to him from Evans website which is £1,050Sorry, but I've found another option
Does anyone have any opinions on the Felt F75? It's been recommended to me because of the Shimano 105 components and I've also noticed that it's got 10 speed on the back. Plus, Wiggle have it for £881.24 and I think I can get a further 12% off: Wiggle | Felt F75
so thanks for posting that as will now send it through to him to look over. Is the extra 12% you mention a secret or could you share how that's available, that would make it even more attractive 
It's a nice bike with a good level of components, I love my bike with the 105 groupset.
OP
OP
sleaver
Veteran
You can get 12% off Wiggle through British Cycling but it says that the discount has been applied to the prices when displayed but when following the link, it's the same price as their normal site. However, if you like Pizza Express pizza's, you can still get 10% off.Is the extra 12% you mention a secret or could you share how that's available, that would make it even more attractive
Alembicbassman
Confused.com
I always consider resale value on a new bike. Typically you lose 50% when you come to sell it. If you buy something you don't like or end up not liking cycling you take a bigger hit on a more expensive bike.
There's quite a difference between a £200 and a £500 bike, but much less of a difference between a £500 bike and a £800 bike.
You're going to be paying full RRP for a 2013 bike, when the 2012 bikes (usually same frame and components just different colours) are selling for 25%-40% less.
In terms of gears, I have a 22 year old 21 speed Raleigh MTB with 7 speed rapid fire shifters, it still shifts as nicely as my 24 speed 2010 MTB and I don't miss the 1 extra cog.
On a road bike you notice it even less as the cassette will usually have 12 teeth on the smallest cog and 25 or 27 teeth on the biggest cog whether it's an 8 speed, 9 speed or 10 speed. It's the same size cake, just smaller slices.
There's quite a difference between a £200 and a £500 bike, but much less of a difference between a £500 bike and a £800 bike.
You're going to be paying full RRP for a 2013 bike, when the 2012 bikes (usually same frame and components just different colours) are selling for 25%-40% less.
In terms of gears, I have a 22 year old 21 speed Raleigh MTB with 7 speed rapid fire shifters, it still shifts as nicely as my 24 speed 2010 MTB and I don't miss the 1 extra cog.
On a road bike you notice it even less as the cassette will usually have 12 teeth on the smallest cog and 25 or 27 teeth on the biggest cog whether it's an 8 speed, 9 speed or 10 speed. It's the same size cake, just smaller slices.
vickster
Squire
I paid around £480 for my 2011 Sirrus Elite a year ago as an insurance replacement (bike & mudguards, got £100 off the bike), 800 miles later, no spend other than a new inner tube, sold on fleabay for £340 (less their 10% fee) - not too bad, good time to sell a decent bike, less good to buy secondhand as a brand new 2012 model can likely be got for sub £500!
Alexvs
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Milton Keynes
Oh ok no worries. I've gone on and looked today and they've increased the price now up to £939.99 which is strange so maybe it was a short term special offer or incorrect price.
Alembicbassman
Confused.com
This is a bit of a bargain http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/36397/Genesis_Aether_20_Bike_2011 Tiagra groupset. Nice frame, good make. £550
OP
OP
sleaver
Veteran
Oh well, that answers that one then!
I'll ask the last question that I was going to ask anyway just incase the price drops again! Obviously for the money, the Felt was (may still be but now to much for me) was the best value for money compared to the two Specialized bikes that I'm looking at. As this would be my first road bike and what with the three having all different geometry's, would it be worth taking a punt on a bike off the internet compared to the other two that Evan's have said they could order in so that I can see which one suits me the best? If I brought the Felt, and it was uncomfortable, I'd either be stuck with it or have the hassle of sending it back.
