Help with Choosing a First Road Bike £700-£800

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crazyjoe101

New Member
Location
London
Hello all.

I've been road cycling for nearly a year now on my trusty hybrid but after trying my Dad's second hand Trek 1200 I realised that it's time to get my first road bike. I know there are a lot of other threads already but I'm starting a new one because I have quite a good idea of what I want and what I'll be using it for.

Since it's my first bike I want to get something I know will fit me and as such I am leaning heavily toward ordering through my LBS who so far have been absolutely excellent, I realise this will increase cost but also decrease options as I'm not exactly sure which brands they will order in (I know they have Cannondale, Forme and "some italian brands"). I also want a bike in a colour I like as that's probably the hardest thing to change later on. I have thought of going second hand however I think it's going to be hard to find a bike that will meet my requirements.

I will be using the bike for cycling in dry and sometimes wet weather on suburban and country roads and using my hybrid for the rest, and as such I am not bothered by versatility, I just want a fast bike for the road. I'm going to be using it for short (8mi round trip) commutes this year and longer commutes to Uni next year. I'll also be going for club and leisure rides, hoping to reach 100-150mi distances. The colours I like are black or blue although I don't mind large(ish) amounts of trim, depending on what colour that is.

My budget is £700-£800 MAXIMUM as I still have work to do on my hybrid and no doubt bits and bobs to buy for the newcomer. So far I’ve had a very loose search but it's early days to be honest and I don't know very much about road bikes, one thing that really does confuse me is which model year (2013 vs 2014 etc) the bike is out for and whether or not I would be able to order one of the last season ones via the LBS (at a reduced cost), rather than the internet. The bikes I've looked at are as follows.

£750: Trek 1.2
£875: Trek 1.5
£850: Trek CrossRip Comp
Forme Longcliffe 3.0
Synapse 8 Claris
Corratech Dolomiti Tiagra (the different versions confused me... :blush:)
Giant Defy 2

Thank you for any help you can offer, I'm looking to buy the bike late October / early November if this helps. I've tried to be as clear as possible but if you need more info please let me know!

Joe.

EDIT: I've just spotted this Eastway R4.0 on my LBS's website, it looks pretty good too.
 
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Leodis

Veteran
Location
Moortown, Leeds
Just a thought but it is online buying...

SE13SSRIBSP7005SHIMT_1_zoom.jpg


http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sed/r...ipped?part=SE13SSRIBSP7005SHIMT&sub=conf_SERA

£599 with a good build.

FrameRibble 7005 Sportive Frame
GroupsetShimano Tiagra 4600 10 Spd Double Groupset
Hide Groupset Data
CassettteShimano 10 Speed Tiagra 4600 Cassette 11-25
ChainsetShimano Tiagra Double 4600 10 Speed Chainset 172.5 39/52
HandlebarsITM Alutech Wing 6061 (31.8) Handlebars White 42cm
Handlebar StemITM Alutech 6061 (31.8) Stem White 100mm
SaddleSelle Italia X1 Man Saddle Black
Handlebar TapeITM Cork Embossed Handlebar Tape Black
 
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crazyjoe101

crazyjoe101

New Member
Location
London
Thanks for the suggestion Leodis, the specs are about what I'm looking for however I really want a bike in a colour I like. It's the sort of thing that will annoy me for the x amount of years I own the bike for.
 

goody

Veteran
Location
Carshalton
If I had that sort of budget I think I'd want at least a Sora groupset but ideally Tiagra (might be pushing it a bit to find 105 at that price). If you've had good service at your LBS go in and ask what they can offer. Cannondale make some great bikes.
 

vickster

Squire
The colours I like is are black or blue although I don't mind large(ish) amounts of trim, depending on what colour that is.

FTFY ;)

Looking at the Eastway, it lacks a carbon fork which I would want for £800
 
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crazyjoe101

crazyjoe101

New Member
Location
London
The colours I like is are black or blue although I don't mind large(ish) amounts of trim, depending on what colour that is.

FTFY ;)

Looking at the Eastway, it lacks a carbon fork which I would want for £800

Okay, I'm a bit lacking in knowledge in that department but from what I understand a carbon fork will be more comfortable as it absorbs shock better?
 

vickster

Squire
This looks like a very good deal if you're not too tall http://www.sidcupcycles.co.uk/productdetails.asp?productid=02836
 
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crazyjoe101

crazyjoe101

New Member
Location
London
@vickster I've added carbon forks to my mental list of requirements. My bike(s) might be covered under the home insurance, if not I'm sure my Dad will cover it for me, as for locks I have a mediocre cable for the school bikeshed / short stops outside shops etc. For the first while it's not leaving my sight for more than a minute until I get a proper lock anyway XD.

@Leodis Thank you for those sugestions, all on my new CC suggested list to go and discuss at the LBS with regard to ordering and test driving.

Thanks for all the help so far guys. My CC approved list is now as follows:

" Felt F75 105 2013 £798.32

Battaglin S11 Ultegra Mix 2013 £747.49

UK brand Mekk Carbon - Mekk 2G Poggio P1.5 Sora 2013 £824.24 "

http://www.sidcupcycles.co.uk/productdetails.asp?productid=02836

Out of interest, were any of the bikes in my OP worth discussing with them? I know they can get some of those in.
 
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crazyjoe101

crazyjoe101

New Member
Location
London
Okay thanks for the help guys. My list to discuss with the LBS is as follows:

Giant Defy 2 (2014)
Forme Longcliffe 3.0
Felt F75 105
Battaglin S11 Ultegra Mix 2013
Mekk 2G Poggio P1.5 Sora 2013
Forme Vitesse 2011

On second thoughts the Trek 1.5's a bit much (especially after that respray... :laugh:)
 
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