is it such a bad buy?

[Claudia]

not now but...

 

[Saluki]

Claudia, do you have something against STI shifters? I only ask as the evans cycles one above has those horrid butterfly handlebar shifters, similar to that of the viking that you first mentioned.

 

[Claudia]

nothing at all. it just seems to be the only thing that comes up when I choose the option 'price: low to high'

 

[Saluki]

nothing at all. it just seems to be the only thing that comes up when I choose the option 'price: low to high'

I might suggest taking a look at your local Halfords and their carerra road bikes if £300 is your budget. Obviously get someone else to stick it together for you though unless you have a good bunch in the bike hut there. I am another person who would recommend a quick call to decathlon as well. The Triban 3 is a great bike.

 

[Claudia]

I will go to decathlon on sunday to see this one. hopefully they'll keep it in stock until then.

 

[vickster]

The Red Triban really is the best £300 new road bike bar none. Can you not order online?

 

[Claudia]

I don't like red. and as they say, 'white goes faster' yeah, I can but I have to pay for it upfront and I'd like to see and try it first.

 

[vickster]

The white one is still better than the Viking or Giro. The red one is better than the white one.

Red bikes rock (and are faster, look at Ferraris )

To try go at a time that is quiet as you'll only be able to ride it around the store

 

[Claudia]

yeah, will most likely go for the white one. in all honesty, if I could choose, it would be black... that's the good thing about mango bikes. probably the only good thing though...!

 

[Crackle]

Here's a few more ideas

http://road.cc/content/news/72001-best-entry-level-road-bikes-under-£500

I'd check out what Edinburgh Bikes have, for definite. Online prices are likely to be keen at the moment.

 

[Judderz]

what about this beauty???

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=181238723066&ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:GB:1123

Orbea Aqua's are carbon fork, aluminium frame, not full carbon.

Hard to say what price that should be without knowing what groupset is on it.

 

[vickster]

If you can push to £400, this would come into play

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gt-gtr-5-2013/

 

[TissoT]

Bad grammar in his add (viking bikes) .... stay clear looks dodgy!!!

 

[Claudia]

dawes, carrera and triban still on the affordable top 3... yep, guess I'll go for the triban. 99% sure. evans doesn't even have the dawes in stock, contacted them and they said it is due to arrive on the 13th of December. sure thing, will sit here and wait until then! not. and decathlon customer service is MUCH better than Evans. so yeah... easy decision!

 

[Claudia]

If you can push to £400, this would come into play

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gt-gtr-5-2013/

mmm... I'd like that! let's see what the payslip looks like tomorrow... or, if I commit myself to only use the bike for a month, the £140 I spend on rubbish public transport, can be invested on it!