First Road Bike -£1500 to spend - advice?

[andyk_5]

Hi,

I'm looking to buy my first road bike and I'm currently stuck with the various options available. I have approx £1,500 to spend but could stretch this a bit further. I've looked at Bianchi and Cannondale bikes although for the money I am looking to spend I'm not sure whether I'll be getting value for money or just paying for a well known name?

Should I be spending a bit less on a first bike?

Does anyone have any recommendations?

 

[RebornBumbler]

Both Cannondale and Bianchi make fine bikes.
You might well get better value for money, but there are advantages to sticking to well-known names - notably things like extended warranties and perhaps better resale value.
Other than the description 'road bike' there isn't much to go on to be honest.

Should you be spending less - probably.

I have been putting hundreds of miles onto a Felt bike with mostly Shimano Sora equipment that cost me just under £450 recently, and don't feel I'm being hobbled by it. Garages all over the country are full of bikes that never made the first 100 miles.
Bear in mind that you'll probably need lots of ancilliary equipment and clothing, and it's often not cheap (a good pair of shorts can easily be over £50).

I'm sure everyone will have loads of recommendations - but that won't really help you too much. Perhaps start with a search such as this link:

http://www.cyclechat.net/search/4136123/?q=1500&o=relevance&c[node]=39

 

[MartinQ]

http://road.cc/content/buyers-guide/70802-best-£1000-£1500-road-bikes
has a reasonable set of ideas / comments / ....

Depends on your finances, aims, ... but for a 1st road bike, I'd probably spend less
http://road.cc/content/buyers-guide/121928-10-best-road-bikes-under-£1000
or even
http://road.cc/content/buyers-guide/116764-10-best-£500-£750-road-bikes
Less to write off with any accidents/learning to repair/...

 

[Doyleyburger]

For £1500 you will get a great bike such as the cannondale Caad 10...... Or you could spend a £1000 on a bike (perhaps a carbon Boardman) And use your left over cash for a wheel upgrade.

 

[JoeyB]

I would also perhaps hold off for a few months if you can bare it, as 2015 models will be out soon. This gives you additional bikes to look at or even better, will reduce the price of current models.

 

[Wafer]

But the good cycling weather is now!

 

[JoeyB]

But the good cycling weather is now!

True story, I did think that as I typed lol

 

[vickster]

There are already deals out there on 2014 bikes, also 2013 and older models

 

[JoeyB]

There are already deals out there on 2014 bikes, also 2013 and older models

I'm holding out for Genesis discounts

 

[vickster]

I think some retailers may already have depending on model

 

[doog]

For £1500 you will get a great bike such as the cannondale Caad 10......

brand new CAAD10 105 for £999

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p5230/CANNONDALE-CAAD10-105-2013

The crazy thing is that last year that model was sold out both in the UK and Europe...you couldnt get it for love or money (I tried)

 

[bpsmith]

It's a toss up between buying a cheaper bike to test the water and soon wishing that you had spent more vs buying an expensive bike and finding that your not that bothered. It's a tough one really, and not much to go on, as stated above.

I bought a Giant Defy 1 almost a year ago and am so hooked that have already just ordered n+1.

Stepping up to a more expensive model, but with the knowledge that the Defy won't go to waste as will ride more through the Winter now I am in to it more.

 

[AndyWilliams]

Me and a friend have always gone for Trek or Specialized. You can get a lovely one for less than £1500.

Good luck. You will love what ever road bike you buy I'm sure.

 

[Berties]

I'm holding out for Genesis discounts

I thought the same last year ,looked in August the only discount genesis in the area was a day one Alfine 8 in my size,and then had to wait till mid oct for the 2014 for my croix,

 

[vickster]

From what I recall, the lush orange 2013 Equilibrium only started to come down in price late in the year