I have set a target - First road bike in years

[Firestorm]

I have set myself some aims for the next few months.
I currently have a lovely rigid mtb, with which I aim to up miles.
Once I have managed a several 40 miles on consecutive weekends I will consider it worth getting a road bike (and be able to justify it)
I love my KTM and really like the look of their roadbikes, anyone here got one?
My brother rides them, on the road and in cyclo cross, plus he sells them, so whilst his input will be sought, I am not obliged.
That said, I also quite fancy disc brakes and that limits the choice somewhat.
the defy 3 looks good, but the reviews are quite poor.
I am 5.9 but an inside leg of only 29" so, I would guess that would be a 21 inch frame or smaller (am I showing my age?)

If I reach my targets I plan to do the London-Southend and then kick on from there.

Any input would be great , and feel free to mock !

 

[bonsaibilly]

They tend to market road bikes size either in cm or a letter. Five niners usually end up on a 54 or Medium. That's all the help I've got. Set a budget and go and try some out. Decathlon is great for entry level vfm. BB

 

[tallliman]

If you haven't already, it might be worth improving your mtb a little (slick tyres for example) if you're only doing road riding now.

 

[Firestorm]

If you haven't already, it might be worth improving your mtb a little (slick tyres for example) if you're only doing road riding now.

I am doing the miles on the road, but I do trails , fitch way etc, with my wife.

 

[Citius]

One of the KTM cross bike range would be a good choice, presumably you can get one at a discount. Well-regarded bikes and something a bit different, which is never a bad thing.

I had a 400 KTM motocross bike in 1979, but that's probably not very useful info now...

 

[Saluki]

Even if you are riding on trails with your wife, it might be worth having less knobbly tyres on. I used to have 35mm hybrid type tyres on mine. Made a heck of a difference.

I didn't wait to up my mileage before getting a roadie though. That MTB of mine was hard work. Roadie was much more fun to ride and I found myself getting fitter, faster and riding more because I was on a bike I loved and not torturing myself of that horrible MTB that I had.

 

[Firestorm]

Thanks for the input.
I have got a pair of non knobblies , I might well swap them out.
The thought behind keeping everything the same until the mileage had increased, was largely about measuring progress, If I increase weekly and nothing else changes then I will know I am progressing
Sounds daft I know

 

[mrbikerboy73]

the defy 3 looks good, but the reviews are quite poor.

You'll not go wrong with a Defy 3. They are great bikes. I've yet to read a bad review myself...