I need a road bike that wont break! :(

[phospho]

I decided to get into road cycling around 6 months ago. I read a little about bikes online and really liked the look of the vintage race bikes (e.g. http://www.flickr.com/photos/23666168@N04/5854551262/). I headed to my local bike shop and being naive I just bought the first one I liked. It had no brand, it was green and looked similar to the image above. I used it for commuting in the London streets and it served me well for 2 months. Problems then started occurring (fork bent, headset needed servicing, wheels buckled) and it cost over £100 to fix everything (bike cost me £150) so I thought no, I'll just another better quality vintage road bike. So I headed off to eBay and found myself a deal on a old peugeot vintage road bike, which was from a guy who repairs bikes and had 100% feedback. When the bike arrived I loved it, it fitted me well, it was light (9.8kg) and I was going much faster than before. A few days later I started to hear the bearings in both wheels rattle, I went down to my local bike shop and he inspected it and told me it's better off to get new wheels as replacing the bearings would only be a temporary fix. I then sent the bicycle back for a full refund (of £130).

I was about to just give up cycling, but then my girlfriend just suggested I get a brand new one. I was always hesitant to buy new road bikes because they really didn't seem that cosmetically appealing, and the high price tag. For instance, the compact frame that Giant uses (any of the Giant Defy range) I find to be really unappealing, I understand it's more comfortable (the slanting top tube), but I really don't like it.

I then began my search for a bike which looked half decent and seemed reliable,
I came up with

- cannondale CAAD8 2300 for £500 from http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/caad8-2300-2013-compact-road-bike-ec042912
- This halfords bike (seems very heavy???) http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_810707_langId_-1_categoryId_165710
- B'twin Triban 3 seems good for the price, but never heard of the brand so I'm kind of shaken about them. Also, the size I need is not in stock
- B'twin triban 5 seems also good, but again I'm not sure about the brand
- B'twin triban 7 is just about in my budget and my local shop has it in my size - Worried about it as it seems to have a lot of carbon features, which I heard makes the bike more prone to damages (is this true?).

Ideally, I would like a bicycle for £500 or less, with warranty, which is extremely reliable (meaning I don't have to get it serviced every week), and is light (10kg or less).

Any suggestions? I really want to cycle, but it seems to be a lot of hassle!

just to add: I will be using the bike for commuting on the London roads, but I also want to join a cycling club eventually sometime this year

Thank you

 

[cyberknight]

The triban bikes from decathlon are very well respected by the cycling press and many members on the forums as they offer very high spec for your money .They brand is decathlon`s own brand and if i were looking for a new bike it would be my first port of call.
In fact the triban 5 got a best on test in a recent cycling plus comparison of £500 bikes.
You will be fine on it for club runs , if you wanted to carry more you could even look at a seat post pannier rack so you could take it off when needed.
The Carrera is a solid bike but many say it is a bit over geared for the weight and if you wanted a carrera i would look at the virtuoso as it has a compact chainset , i use that bike for commuting .

 

[Pale Rider]

You could consider a cyclocross bike - a road bike but with meatier wheels and tyres, and a slightly more upright riding position.

They are generally sturdier - ie more reliable - than road bikes which make them good for commuting on potholed roads.

Disc brakes are also well worth having on a commuter.

Here's one, although there is a weight penalty:

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/pro...sport-13?bct=browse/bicycles/cyclocross-bikes

 

[Cycleops]

Sorry about your experiences with vintage bikes. I have four with no major problems at all. You could consider the "Charge" range of bikes, retro style but bang up to date. You might struggle to find on that fits in your budget but there are usually some on bay etc. Alternatively the Btwin bikes are very popular and offer good value, plenty of users on here. Whatever you go for, good luck.

 

[Kies]

The original Triban 3 is no longer available. I use it for commuting in London and as my winter bike. Go for the Triban 5, as it's basically an upgraded 3. Pretty light as well.

 

[ColinJ]

But the Triban 3 was not rated for its wheel quality, so that might not be so good for somebody with the OP's requirements?

 

[vickster]

As much as the OP may not like the Giant Defy aesthetic, I haven't had any issues on the stock wheels on my avail over 3000 miles on rubbish roads

Get a Defy 4 for under £500 http://www.ashcycles.com/site/giant-defy-4-compact-2012-15percent-worth-of-free-goods

Otherwise, look for an older 2nd hand bike that started out more expensive - can get better wheels for £100 or less

 

[phospho]

Thank you for all your replies,

What about buying the triban 3 and upgrading the wheels? Would that be better value for money? I keep reading a lot of great things about the Triban 3, and spending £300 is very appealing!

edit: my local decathlon also has 4 in my size, so I could go monday

 

[vickster]

The red triban 3 is better than the current white one but in very short supply as it's been replaced. Still a decent bike for £300 but now no carbon fork to smooth the bumps a bit

Go have a look at it though

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Bits will always break or wear out. That said it might be easier and cheaper to source new parts and replace them for a new bike. A new bike or its components, no matter how well specced it is, will never be bombproof, I'm afraid. The mechanic's advice was a little disingenuous because, in the end, all fixes are temporary.

 

[cyberknight]

You could do that, i got some r501`s for about £70 a set and for the money they are nice wheels.
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/ro...andard-spoke-clincher-wheels-pair/shimwhfr202.

 

[cyberknight]

But the Triban 3 was not rated for its wheel quality, so that might not be so good for somebody with the OP's requirements?

having re -read the OP i think the bikes he bought to start with might have been on their last legs to start with or lemons so maybe although the wheels on the triban might not be the best maybe they would last long enough to get mileage in and then replace the wheels when they are worn out ?
With regular servicing the wheels on my virtuoso have lasted a good 4(?) years of all weather commuting and i am thinking i need to replace them due to rim wear .

 

[Saluki]

Hi
I too think that the Triban 5 is a stunning bike and they are great quality.

Just wondering if you have any idea why the first 2 bikes failed? Were they just rubbish components and you have just been unlucky. My husband has an old steel road bike and its been as reliable as the day is long. He was 17 stone + when he got it and its never skipped a beat, unless you count the odd p******e.

 

[oiljam]

The white triban 3 is not as good as the original red one. No carbon forks and lower in spec aswell. I have the triban 5 and think its a great bike.
In my opinion the Tribans are realistically priced and it takes other brands to be heavily discounted in order to compete with a like for like bike....if that makes sense.
I'm slowly upgrading mine but doesn't need to be, I just like tinkering. Just put on new lighter tyres and ordered some sora calipers. But all in all its a great bike with mudguard eyes ready for winter and a pannier friendly frame.

 

[Kies]

But the Triban 3 was not rated for its wheel quality, so that might not be so good for somebody with the OP's requirements?

The wheels are not great, but some grease in the hubs certainly sorted mine out. A set of brand new rs10's with tyres came my way eventually, so a cheap upgrade and now a brilliant bike for £380