First road bike with approx £2-3k budget any reccomendations please

[Tiny01]

Evening all ...

Just a little bit about myself , just got back into biking after a 2 year out , only a Marin MTB with road tyres but last couple of weeks been out doing 30-40 Mile trips & I'm considering getting a road bike .

I'm quite tall 6' 5" and just under 16 stone , I'm fit & train 5-6 days per week ( gym circuits ) & ride at weekends .

I'm a leisure rider but the idea of joining a local club & competing in time trials is appealing I must say & feel that's the way it's going to end up , few mates all have road bikes Bianchis & a I have a local dealer to me ( JD Cycles in Benfleet ) who specialises in these my mates rate them & say to get a Bianchi but not going to rush in & thought I'd ask for a few expert opinions before going to the shops & trying a few bikes out .

Budget as Title £2/3k max hopefully would see me with my first ever road bike

Thank you for reading & any forthcoming input

 

[vickster]

Go and try a few out, different brands and retailers

That is a lot to spend considering you've been riding for a few days! Maybe look at the £750-1000 mark? If £3k is pocket change however, go for your life

Don't forget to factor in the cost of insurance

You also need to decide whether you want a more endurance type bike for full days or a race weapon for TTs. It may be worth looking at two bikes

 

[huwsparky]

Agree with @vickster. As a first road bike I wouldn't spend what your thinking of spending as you don't really know what kind of bike your going to prefer.

Why not buy a bike for 1k as you'll get a very decent bike for that amount and see how you get on with it. Maybe something like a giant defy or Cannondale synapse etc.

Then after a few thousand miles you can decide on what bike you'd really like and go from there.

Don't forget, is not the bike that makes the bike fast, it's the person on top of it that makes the difference.

 

[Apollonius]

I was in J D Cycles on Saturday(for the first time in my life) - on a Bianchi Owners Club ride - and it really is a superb shop. They also offer very keen prices. If you are looking road bike and Bianchi and don't want to spend too much, have a look at the Intenso. A little more forgiving than the pure race types like the Oltre and Sempre, but still very quick and a tidy machine. After you have tried a Bianchi, everything else will seem ordinary. (Even though lots of other brands are very decent.) Jason will be delighted to do you a deal, I am sure, and he will get you kitted out for all you need as well as giving great advice.

 

[Wafer]

As above that's a lot of money to spend first time, though if that's not a concern, go for it!

I might be tempted to get a cheaper bike built around a good frame. Then as you get used to it and work out what you want to do you can upgrade bits.

That could be something like a synapse or defy as already mentioned. Cannondale's caad frames seem to be well respected for aluminum, new caad12 disc looks nice
Genesis equilibrium would be a very nice steel alternative but if you actually do want to get into TTs I'd guess you'd be more looking at alu or carbon.

 

[rb58]

For that money you should be able to get a good Ti bike. Look at Enigma, or for less money Van Nicholas. I've spent that kind of money on a bike more than once, but not on my first bike.

 

[Tiny01]

Some great points thanks so much for the input appreciated , will give it all some thought

 

[Tin Pot]

Buy three Cinelli Experiences, in different colour schemes, a set of scirocco 35s, a pair of Gatorskins and a pair of rubino pros, a specialised stealth helmet, a set of Spring/summerwear, bontragers heat molding shoes, spare spd sl cleats, chains, a maintenance kit and some wet lube.

Have fun.

 

[Kevoffthetee]

I'd spend no more than £1000 until you were sure road bikes were for you. For most, that budget would suit there needs anyway.

I have a 2015 giant defy 0 with ultegra groupset and will not be changing it for something "higher-end" as there is just no need for what I do which is 60-70 mile jaunts on a weekend with 3-4000ft climbing. I did change the wheelset to fulcrum racing 44's but only because they have a colour scheme to match the bike.

Unless your a 10stone string bean it's easier and cheaper to loose a few lbs from your ass and save the £££'s

 

[Apollonius]

Or you could buy a Bianchi and know you have something special.

 

[Tiny01]

Or you could buy a Bianchi and know you have something special.

Ha ha my mate just sent me this lol

 

[Apollonius]

I bet he was riding with us on Saturday. Bianchi is more than a bike, it's a way of life. There are plenty of good bikes available, sure, but if you want a Bianchi, then you will just have to have one. No alternative.

 

[Kajjal]

Due to being a similar weight as myself i would suggest disc brakes and if possible hydraulic disc brakes. I found even quality rim brakes offered poor braking, especially in the wet due the weight. My new road bike has hydraulic discs and i am now alot faster downhill with much better power and control for the braking.

Another thing is go for easier gearing as getting 16 stone up a long steep hill is alot harder than a few stone lighter even if fit. A compact with 11-32 cassette will work well as you build your cycling fitness.

Finally I used to ride 23mm tyres but found switching to 25mm smoother without any loss of speed.

 

[vickster]

If your friends have Bianchis, presumably you can try theirs out?

 

[rb58]

Or get something hand made from the likes of Feather