First Road Bike suggestions

[Graham]

I got a rode bike first. But the state of the roads around south Manchester were so dire that I wish I'd got a cyclocross bike like a Specialized Tri-cross or something like that.

 

[defy-one]

Get a sports hybrid, £800 will buy you a light frame,700c wheels with slightly wider tyres than a road bike. ability to tale mudguards would be a bonus if it's a year round bike
Take a look at the specialized sirrus elite and similar


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[thefollen]

Can't speak from experience on your potential models, but a Trek 1.5 is my first road bike and it's been brilliant! Carbon fork & seatpost, tiagra shifters- it's a really nice ride. Taken a couple of thumps without any significant damage too. Excellent entry level road bike, you'll simply glide along. Pricewise mine was £900 (2011 model) buut about a month later (bought mine last May) Evans put them down to £750 (buggers). Anyways, the same might happen with the 2012 model- worth a look.

Whatever you decide, I'm sure you'll love the switch to road bike and then you can claim a few scalps!

 

[thefollen]

*note on my post. My Trek's a triple (additional small cog to a compact- good for steep climbs) . The compact is a little cheaper.

 

[Mike8782]

I just wondered whether your bike is for commuting, a tourer or light tourer such as a Dawes Audax Sport might be suitable.

http://www.dawescycles.com/p-110-audax-sport.aspx

 

[AncientWyvern]

Leisure Lakes have a Wilier Lavaredo Mirage for £799 at the moment (2011 model). Willier are good bikes, and campag (although mixed models) are very good group sets. Have a look here:

http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/product/wilierlavaredomirageracingbike2011-sale.aspx?&id=15341

 

[Kevin Keetley]

I ride a Boardman Road Race (http://www.ridein.co.uk/boardman-road-race) which they sell in Halfords. Great bike. I was recommend it by a friend who works in the bike industry - he says that they're the best value around at the moment. It's a great bike to ride - looks good, very quick and all the components are really good quality. Recommend it.

 

[ianrauk]

I ride a Boardman Road Race (http://www.ridein.co.uk/boardman-road-race) which they sell in Halfords. Great bike. I was recommend it by a friend who works in the bike industry - he says that they're the best value around at the moment. It's a great bike to ride - looks good, very quick and all the components are really good quality. Recommend it.

Yes the Boardman brand is very well known and liked on these here boards.

 

[downfader]

Have ridden the Defy 3 and can say it is a lovely bike. The Bianci and the Sirrus mentioned are also very good bikes for the money. Also agree on the Dawes tourer bike suggestion

What a road bike offers over a standard road hybrid with flat bars is the drop positions to get down low, sometimes helpful when theres a headwind. I too will highly recommend you look at mudguards, keeps the crack of your a*** clean when its wet, and also keeps the muck off the chain to some extent. Installing a rack is also beneficial allowing you to get out of the saddle a little more easily and alleviating the sweaty back syndrome

 

[defy-one]

well it is 8 miles downhill to work and 8 miles all uphill on the way home.
Takes me 35 minutes to work and 50 minutes back at the moment, currently looking to get fit again.
They all look good i think but aparently i need to order them through Halfords for the cycle2work scheme

Double check that YOU HAVE TO USE HALFRAUDS - my company was saying that last year, but I just had an email from them, saying we are now using "cycle scheme" which opens up my choice. It maybe the same for you?

 

[cloggsy]

I bought a 2010 Boardman Team Carbon though my work's cycle to work scheme in April '11. It's awesome!