help needed to choose bike

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glenhowells

New Member
Hi all looking for help looking to buy a starter road bike for my first year of sprint triathlons so will only be doing 20k to 30k races. Have a budget of up to £800 which I know will only get me an entry level bike but as I will be new to the sport I will be looking to find my way and upgrade later.

I have looked around and have narrowed it down to the following

Boardman Comp - looks good and reviews say good spec for money - have arranged for local bike shop to build if I get one as Halfords staff seem to be not very well trained.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_501991_langId_-1_categoryId_165710

GIANT Defy 2 - Looks good also and would be bought from very respected local bike shop

http://www.mikevaughancycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s6p3070&z=4004

Wilier Escape Xenon - do not know too much about this but seems a good Italian name

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/11059/Wilier-Escape-Xenon-2010.html

Trek 1.5t - Again from a well know local shop so would have good after sales service

http://www.mikevaughancycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s6p3350&z=4301

Now I understand you should ride to find out which one suits but the spec is the area I am most confused on - which do you think is the best?

 

surfdude

Veteran
Location
cornwall
Hi all looking for help looking to buy a starter road bike for my first year of sprint triathlons so will only be doing 20k to 30k races. Have a budget of up to £800 which I know will only get me an entry level bike but as I will be new to the sport I will be looking to find my way and upgrade later.

I have looked around and have narrowed it down to the following

Boardman Comp - looks good and reviews say good spec for money - have arranged for local bike shop to build if I get one as Halfords staff seem to be not very well trained.

http://www.halfords....tegoryId_165710

GIANT Defy 2 - Looks good also and would be bought from very respected local bike shop

http://www.mikevaugh...0s6p3070&z=4004

Wilier Escape Xenon - do not know too much about this but seems a good Italian name

[url="http://www.rutlandcycling.com/11059/Wilier-Escape-Xenon-2010.html"]http://www.rutlandcy...Xenon-2010.html[/url]

Trek 1.5t - Again from a well know local shop so would have good after sales service

[url="http://www.mikevaughancycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s6p3350&z=4301"]http://www.mikevaugh...0s6p3350&z=4301[/url]

Now I understand you should ride to find out which one suits but the spec is the area I am most confused on - which do you think is the best?

 

surfdude

Veteran
Location
cornwall
i am new to rode bikes and been around a few bike shops and most have said the giant is a good bike but not to racey which is what i am after . as for the others wait for some more pro advice .
 

accountantpete

Brexiteer
If you want to be competitive you need a lightweight stiff (responsive) frame and similar wheels.

For short flattish races the bet bet is a top end aluminium frame and a pair of aero wheels- but these will cost money.

I'd get a cheap second hand bike and save the rest for a serious upgrade when you know a bit more about what you want.

A decent set of wheels cost circa £400-800 new and a top end frame similar. On top you also should be looking at Shimano 105 or upwards for the groupset.
 
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