First road bike

[mattp]

Hello, everyone! I'm looking at making the plunge into my first road bike. Now I have a rather small budget, but this is made up for by a friend looking to donate his old 105 5800 groupset as he upgrades to Ultegra.

I'd prefer a bike with disc brakes and I know with a small budget I'll end up with mechanical, but when I have a bit of spare cash I can swap out for hydraulics.

Most of the bikes I've been looking at in the £300-£450 range have a Shimano HG50 11-28T 8 Speed cassette and it's this that's worrying me. The crank/derailleur won't be an issue to swap but if the wheels are not capable of being upgraded then I'll be forced to spend a lot of money on new wheels. Is there anything I can look out for, or any recommendations on a bike in that price range with disc brakes that's capable of accepting a 105 groupset?

Ta!
Matt

 

[vickster]

Are you just looking to buy a frame? Don't think you'll find a disc capable bike for £400 new with wheels that will take an 11 speed cassette

Also the 105 5800 shifters aren't hydraulic disc suitable, so you'd need to find more money for compatible shifters

I'd forget the disc brakes and get a frameset and V brake wheels. Look at Planet X

 

[rivers]

I would second buying a frame. Planet X have a pro carbon frame for £250 at the moment. Add in wheels like shimano rs010 for £85, you still have enough for a stem, handlebars, seat/seatpost and pedals. And you have a carbon bike with 105 for around £450.

 

[vickster]

If you really do want a disc frameset, this, purely as an example, is a cost effective option (if you are tall and ok with zesty lime)...you'd need disc brakes, compatible wheels, tyres and finishing kit but you could pick up much of this second hand

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/FRPXLONRODDP/planet-x-london-road-frameset

If you really only have £400, then V brakes the way to go (which parts is your mate actually providing)

 

[mattp]

Hi rivers, vickster,

Thanks for the feedback :-) I didn't actually think of going down the self-build route but that's given me something to contemplate :-) So while we haven't discussed actuals I believe it will be the crank, cassette and front+rear derailleur. I suppose I'd be fine with zesty lime. Also over the weekend, my employer has said that they are opening the cycle to work scheme to pretty much any retailer who is a partner so I am now thinking of getting a £1000 voucher from them and getting something better. Still none the wiser to what to get though as I'm coming from an MTB background (albeit with road orientated tyres).

Are disc brakes on a road bike worthwhile? I've just been caught a couple of times a few years ago on the MTB with cantilever brakes and loved the shift to hydraulic's.

 

[vickster]

No shifters? Those are the expensive bit to buy, £100+ even second hand

The C2W option sounds good

Try some bikes out. Discs not needed on a roadbike, but useful on an all weather commuter to be used in traffic

 

[mattp]

Yea no shifters as he is just replacing the crank/cassette/derailleur's/chain.... hmmmm might have to hold out for the C2W option then. They only open the C2W scheme up twice a year for about 2 weeks. I think Sept is the next one (at least I hope it's then and I don't have to wait any longer - yes I am super impatient). Guess for that price I should be able to comfortably get something with a 105 groupset on already. Will have to see if my local bike shop wants to play nice or if I'll have to go to Evans. Shame that Planet X is so far away as some of those bikes look very nice, just don't fancy 4 hours in the car or 4 1/2 hours on the train!

 

[vickster]

There are always deals around, look at Paul's cycles. Can you get an interest free CC and set up a direct debit to pay it off. September is only a couple of weeks away tho

 

[Cycleops]

This might help you sort out what kind of road bike you need:

View: https://youtu.be/p6A3kni_108


The Decathlon range of road bikes takes a lot of beating for sheer VFM and this is one of the best:
http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/bikes/road/product/btwin-ultra-720-af-review-51233/

 

[mattp]

My only concern with somewhere like Pauls Cycles again is the distance. I'd be buying the bike without ever trying it out. Might have to see if there are any other bike shops near me but slightly further afield. It's a shame as the shop I used to go to has shut down now :-( Those guys were excellent! Thanks for the yt @Cycleops. Will have to watch that! And I don't know why I never think of Decathlon, there's one in Crawley I could nip by.

You guys are awesome :-)

 

[JasD]

I can thoroughly recommend Pauls Cycles. I ordered from them earlier in the year and the service was exemplary. They kept in contact with updated information, and for the first time ever, the specialist delivery requirements i requested via the online form were actually followed to the letter.

 

[mattp]

So try some bikes out or grab a deal online??

 

[vickster]

Depends what you want and how much you have to spend

Crawley is pretty much home to Evans who make testrides v easy

 

[biggs682]

So try some bikes out or grab a deal online??

either way make sure you keep the receipt just in case you sell it later on in life so you can prove its yours to sell

 

[vickster]

either way make sure you keep the receipt just in case you sell it later on in life so you can prove its yours to sell

Very sensible advice to a newbie