Help with Choosing a First Road Bike £700-£800
- Thread starter crazyjoe101
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crazyjoe101
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- London
Why not try to get a 2013 Defy 2, will be much less and the same spec, not a bad colour either (i.e. not black)
I thought it only came in white...
. it looks niiiice in black though 
Giant Defy 2 (2013)
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
To be honest it's going to be down to A) what my LBS can source, B) what I can get my hands on to try and C) the components they have (after more in-depth research).
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crazyjoe101
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- London
I'm about 5'10" and a ripe old age of 18 this October but I'm only going to ask about that particular model to see if they have it still under clearance and whether or not it will fit me as I didn't see it in there today. Perhaps I could have explained this more clearly.
Edit: I'm fairly sure I'm not going to be going up any more, I've been at this height for nearly a year.
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crazyjoe101
New Member
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- London
That's a very helpful post. It's something to discuss with them when fit comes up because it would be very unfortunate for me to suddenly grow a bit and not have a proper fitting bike as this has to last me a considerable amount of time as I won't have this sort of funding again until I'm in full employment and I'm choosing this over a c**** car.
michaelcycle
Senior Member
- Location
- London
If you don't have a previous bike you find comfortable and compare measurements with I would suggest using the following:
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/Store/catalog/fitCalculatorBike.jsp?INT_ID=IB12809
What this will do is, based on your measurements, is predict what top tube, seat post, stem length etc will be roughly right for you and your preferred riding style (competitive, relaxed or somewhere in between.)
You can then compare these measurements with the geometry charts of the bikes you have listed to find the right size for you and what will fit you the best (outside of actually riding them.)
Then when you get your new bike all you will have to do is make minor adjustments as you go.
It may seem like a lot of work initially but it will save you money in the future (by buying a bike that doesn't fit you well which probably mean you won't like riding it that much or getting a bike fit to resolve the issues.)
It's not a perfect method but should do you well unless you are unusually proportioned (and I sincerely doubt you are a 51)
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/Store/catalog/fitCalculatorBike.jsp?INT_ID=IB12809
What this will do is, based on your measurements, is predict what top tube, seat post, stem length etc will be roughly right for you and your preferred riding style (competitive, relaxed or somewhere in between.)
You can then compare these measurements with the geometry charts of the bikes you have listed to find the right size for you and what will fit you the best (outside of actually riding them.)
Then when you get your new bike all you will have to do is make minor adjustments as you go.
It may seem like a lot of work initially but it will save you money in the future (by buying a bike that doesn't fit you well which probably mean you won't like riding it that much or getting a bike fit to resolve the issues.)
It's not a perfect method but should do you well unless you are unusually proportioned (and I sincerely doubt you are a 51)
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crazyjoe101
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- London
EDIT: So I've spoken to their customer service and the limited edition does have an alloy front fork however the normal version does not. I'll also be unable to test ride either of them...
). It doesn't have black spokes but oh well, it still looks nice and has all the specs I was looking for. Now there's the issue of fit and whether or not I'll get a test ride (on the discounted bike) but I'm going to A) use that link michaelcycle gave me and B) contact wiggle. Thanks for all the help so far.
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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...)
Don't discount the Trek 1.5 just yet because that's what I've just got from my LBS for £700 - reduced from £850 because they're expecting the 2014 models fairly soon.
It is white though but I think it looks smart - we're all starting to sound like Gok Wan
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crazyjoe101
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- London
OK guys, sorry but here's a rather long 'update'.
Right, I had a minion measure me and used the calculator @michaelcycle gave me and it threw out some results for me. My problem now is that I don't really know what I'm doing.
I've been reading up on bike fitting and am still unsure of what parts of the geometry are the most important and what sort of margin for error there is, it seems either the seat tube c-c or top tube on any bike is 'wrong' according to the calculator. On top of this I've had a change of budget due to my family coming around to the idea of me cycling around places.
As such I was looking at a Cannondale caad8 105 5 2014 (I actually fell in love with the blue version @vickster(no sarcasm)) as my LBS can get this in and I will get a 10% discount as a club member; I'll also get it fitted and two years servicing for free which I think is a good deal. I should also be able to test ride one also. I'm just terrified of spending just shy of 1K on a bike only to discover it's not the best fit. My 'hybrid' is basically a hardtail with its current gearing and I'm not spending money to stick higher gears on, I'm just going to buy a cheap winter / rough bike; that's right I'm now getting two bikes 
.
I just thought I'd ask for some more advice before I do anything. How accurate is the whole bike sizing thing? Is the Cannondale a sensible choice? Should I *TRY* to get the second-hand winter bike first so I get a feel for what works in terms of size? It's a shame there are no red triban 3's going as one of them would have done the job. I feel a bit overwhelmed by all the changes of plan, which is utterly my fault
.
Thanks in advance.
Right, I had a minion measure me and used the calculator @michaelcycle gave me and it threw out some results for me. My problem now is that I don't really know what I'm doing.
I've been reading up on bike fitting and am still unsure of what parts of the geometry are the most important and what sort of margin for error there is, it seems either the seat tube c-c or top tube on any bike is 'wrong' according to the calculator. On top of this I've had a change of budget due to my family coming around to the idea of me cycling around places.
As such I was looking at a Cannondale caad8 105 5 2014 (I actually fell in love with the blue version @vickster
(no sarcasm)) as my LBS can get this in and I will get a 10% discount as a club member; I'll also get it fitted and two years servicing for free which I think is a good deal. I should also be able to test ride one also. I'm just terrified of spending just shy of 1K on a bike only to discover it's not the best fit. My 'hybrid' is basically a hardtail with its current gearing and I'm not spending money to stick higher gears on, I'm just going to buy a cheap winter / rough bike; that's right I'm now getting two bikes .I just thought I'd ask for some more advice before I do anything. How accurate is the whole bike sizing thing? Is the Cannondale a sensible choice? Should I *TRY* to get the second-hand winter bike first so I get a feel for what works in terms of size? It's a shame there are no red triban 3's going as one of them would have done the job. I feel a bit overwhelmed by all the changes of plan, which is utterly my fault
.Thanks in advance.
vickster
Squire
Any knowledgeable LBS should be able to help you with fit by putting the bike on a turbo for you and measuring all the necessary bits of you It may need tweaking which may cost a few quid but if you are aesthetically pleased by the bike and can get this sort of help from the shop, go for it
CAAD is quite an aggressive racy fit but that may suit you just fine
It may need tweaking which may cost a few quid but if you are aesthetically pleased by the bike and can get this sort of help from the shop, go for it CAAD is quite an aggressive racy fit but that may suit you just fine
michaelcycle
Senior Member
- Location
- London
The CAAD sounds like a good deal to be honest. All you really need to do is get into the right ballpark when it comes to the geometry - then you can tweak as necessary.
I did it myself but if your LBS will do it for you and you get two years free servicing as well then job's a good 'un.
I did it myself but if your LBS will do it for you and you get two years free servicing as well then job's a good 'un.
themosquitoking
Guru
- Location
- Spain
Go for the one you love most then find a size that fits. One of the sizes will be close enough to be a good fit with some saddle and handlebar adjustments. Maybe a new stem.
potsy
Rambler
- Location
- My Armchair
Doubt you'll be disappointed with a Caad8, even one with colour (unlike mine)
I'd guess you'll be wanting a 56cm, they aren't as sporty a fit as the Caad10 and come with plenty of spacers under the stem to make them a bit more upright
I'd guess you'll be wanting a 56cm, they aren't as sporty a fit as the Caad10 and come with plenty of spacers under the stem to make them a bit more upright
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crazyjoe101
New Member
- Location
- London
Thanks for all the advice guys, I think I'll strut in there in the not too distant future (pending mah cash) and get them to measure me up for a nice new caad8, they've said before they can find the right frame before ordering it. I can then take my time looking for a second bike for lugging lots of stuff around (panniers) and locking up for longer stays etc. I can normally get my bike left in a secure place but I wouldn't want to lock it up for too long if I was shopping or *shivers* at school with those rampant BMX kids running around breaking things (someone once kicked the back wheel of my old MTB so out of true that it needed replacing, I didn't even know him).
