First time Road bike buyer advice needed!

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Sheffordian

New Member
Hello good people,

I have started cycling for the first time since a kid back in July and have really enjoyed myself. I brought a Felt Hybrid that i love but am looking to step up mileage and speed in 2015 and want to buy a road bike. My budget is around the £600-£700 mark and as a 36 year old with Arthritis i am looking for something relatively comfortable to ride. I have been directed to the following links that seem good value -

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/...8_1419637599_f0ed74e84b593f41e4125ed97dc7665a

http://www.merlincycles.com/felt-f75-road-bike-2014-71825.html

But to be honest i am finding it all a bit of a minefield. Carbon/Ally/Steel Sora/Tiagra/105 etc As a newbie i would appreciate any feedback.

S
 

BrynCP

Über Member
Location
Hull
Depending on your definition of comfortable, the Felt 'F' series is a more race orientated geometry than their 'Z' series. If I recall correctly from when I was looking, the Cube Peloton is more relaxed. But I guess it ultimately depends what you'd find comfortable.

The groupset component quality is in the order you listed, so Tiagra is better than Sora, and 105 is better than Tiagra; there are others either side too.

Aluminium frames with Carbon forks are common in your price range, the carbon should help dampen road vibration; I have no idea about steel.

I bought a road bike similarly to you, after 6 months of having ridden a hybrid and being new to cycling. I got a Felt Z85, which at the time, came with 105 shifters and dérailleurs, aluminium frame and carbon forks and seat post. I cannot fault the bike or components, I have enjoyed riding that through summer and autumn and continuing into winter. Newer models are not the same components though so probably not as good value as what you posted.
 
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vickster

Legendary Member
Where's the arthritis? You would perhaps be wise to buy from a shop where they can check the sizing and set up for you, it may cost a little more but could be well worth the few quid

Assuming you are in Sheffield as your username suggests, you could do worse than Planet X who have a store there and offer excellent value bikes with good components

http://www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/bikes/road-bikes
 

slowmotion

Quite dreadful
Location
lost somewhere
My first road bike was a Specialized Secteur Elite with 105 gearing. It was supposed to have a relaxed geometry but I never really fell in love with it. Two years later, I bought a Cinelli Experience Veloce 2013 and I have spent a year in Heaven. It's nippy for commuting in London, and it's comfortable for longer rides. You really should take a test ride. Now is a great time to buy as the retailers try and shift last year's model, but you should hurry because the discounts don't last forever.
£650 of fun...
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cinelli-experience-veloce-2014/

Good luck, whatever you choose.
 

steveindenmark

Legendary Member
Someone asked the question, where is your arthritis? It's a good question because it may mean you should not be looking at road bikes at all.
 

Doyleyburger

Veteran
Location
NCE West Wales
I would stay away from the F series Felt as this is a more of a race style geometry, especially if your after comfort. I bought a Felt Z85 last year just before I did a 300 mile london to Paris trip and it is extremely comfortable and looks great IMO
image.jpg

I absolutely love it !
I got it for £660 back in August with 105 all round. I think you can get it from wiggle even cheaper at £599 now
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-z85-105-2014/
 
OP
OP
S

Sheffordian

New Member
Thanks, the Z85 would have fit the bill exactly and i was quite excited when i first saw the link a week or so ago but the frame size available is a 58 and i am looking for 56. Typical - the Arthritis is a side issue (my condition has improved considerably since i started cycling) i am very aware of my limitations but obviously want something that will minimise the impact so have ruled out the F series bikes now. Felt do have a Z7 within my budget which could fit the bill. Any thoughts on Frame over Group set? Carbon/Sora or Ally/105? Thanks
 

SteCenturion

I am your Father
Thanks, the Z85 would have fit the bill exactly and i was quite excited when i first saw the link a week or so ago but the frame size available is a 58 and i am looking for 56. Typical - the Arthritis is a side issue (my condition has improved considerably since i started cycling) i am very aware of my limitations but obviously want something that will minimise the impact so have ruled out the F series bikes now. Felt do have a Z7 within my budget which could fit the bill. Any thoughts on Frame over Group set? Carbon/Sora or Ally/105? Thanks
Hi @Sheffordian

Two bikes immediately spring to mind, both within budget, both with a high specification & value for money & both heavily reduced.

The two bikes in question are the 2014 Cube Peloton Race (which I ride) & the 2014 Giant Defy 1 (which I have ridden a lower spec version of).

Both come with a Shimano 105 group set & both have a relaxed/comfortable geometry, the Cube is a little better specified, but both are great bikes for the £££, of which you will need less than 700 of.

Go take a look, bet you will buy one of them.
 
OP
OP
S

Sheffordian

New Member
Hi @Sheffordian

Two bikes immediately spring to mind, both within budget, both with a high specification & value for money & both heavily reduced.

The two bikes in question are the 2014 Cube Peloton Race (which I ride) & the 2014 Giant Defy 1 (which I have ridden a lower spec version of).

Both come with a Shimano 105 group set & both have a relaxed/comfortable geometry, the Cube is a little better specified, but both are great bikes for the £££, of which you will need less than 700 of.

Go take a look, bet you will buy one of them.


Hi SteCenturion,

Funnily enough i have narrowed it down to just the Cube and am hoping to order this week! Glad to hear you can recommend it.

Thanks
 

SteCenturion

I am your Father
Hi SteCenturion,

Funnily enough i have narrowed it down to just the Cube and am hoping to order this week! Glad to hear you can recommend it.

Thanks
It's a great bike @Sheffordian with top notch parts for the money, lightweight, comfortable & good looking (especially in white/red/blue) the only niggles so far have been that the bar tape is not the best & one of the ber end plugs fell out (but they are cheap to replace) & the welds are not the smoothest/prettiest I ever saw.

I got my Peloton Race from www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk but I have seen them cheaper now at Chain Reaction Cycles & www.paulscycles.co.uk (under £700)

the only advice I have is to try & sit on one if you can as, when I went, the shop guy suggested a size 60 (they are supposed to come up a little small compared with other brands), however I preferred the fit of the size 58 so I got that.

If it is any help at all, I am a smidge over 6ft with roughly 33" leg & long body.

The 11-32 cassette as fitted would also get anyone up the steepest of hills, although I haven't used the wheels because I mess around with my bikes & fitted my own wheels & 11-28 cassette.

There are loads of Cube owners on the forum if ever you need to ask anything.

Best of British.
 
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