New Bike help please Budget £500-800

[Jonny17291]

Bit of detail about myself I'm 5ft11, New to the Road scene, Currently have 2012 specialized rockhopper, but its not great for road so looking to get one with the cycle to work scheme. I'm looking for a Road bike and will use my other bike for off road trails ect.

I want to do the London>brighton bike ride next month along with a few friends, did the KM 50km a few sundays ago with my current bike and found it wasn't great on the road.

I live in Kent and have been to a few cycle shops, ideally want to avoid halfords entirely heard too many bad stories about them, Cycles UK looks like the best bet for my location.

http://www.cyclesuk.com/en/Mens-Road-Race/c-21.aspx?SortBy=DiscountDESC

If you can assists me on any bikes you think are good for the price as there seems to be some nice discount on some, any tips as well will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

 

[vickster]

The btwin alur 700 from decathlon is a good bet with very good components for the money if you like the look of it.

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/alur-700-road-bike-id_8290145.html

Ashcycles have the 2014 giant defy reduced, ever popular. You'd want to confirm which size you need. Probably the M/L

http://www.ashcycles.com/site/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=88_111_675_817

 

[jnrmczip]

I'm 5'10 and the giant m/l fits me perfect. I personally bought the giant anyroad 2 which is cyclocross definetly an excellent choice cost £849. It is outstanding for commuting as it has thicker tyres but still designed more or less like a road bike. This means it's a lot more comfy to ride through parks canal paths and so on. Also comes with 2 extra brake leavers on the bars so makes it easy to ride upright and slower when in heavy traffic or through the city where there is a lot of people about and parked cars. The bike also has the option of putting on pannier racks if needed and mudguards. I even use the bike for non commuting and simple enjoyment after work or long weekend rides. Owned the bike for 2 months now and can't fault it in any way. P's it rolls as well as a road bike as well so not much difference in speed capability.

 

[Sharky]

Where in Kent?
I'm near Gravesend.

Keith

 

[surfdude]

another one for looking on Ash Cycles . i got a bike off them a few years ago and it was very smooth and easy . plus i really rate the defy range of bikes . looking to upgrade to the defy 0 . nice comfy bike and well made .

 

[jnrmczip]

I also owned a defy 5 2014 model which was giants entry level road bike. Which served me well before I upgraded. As others say the defy range is good

 

[Jonny17291]

Thanks for all your replies, my local shop sells the Giant defy models and can test ride them so will do tomorrow, however for example they have the Giant Defy 1 for £975 in the shop but on ashcycles its £698.95, will the shop match there price you reckon? or do ashcycles bikes not come assembled hence the lower price?

and It's Canterbury Sharky

 

[jnrmczip]

Thanks for all your replies, my local shop sells the Giant defy models and can test ride them so will do tomorrow, however for example they have the Giant Defy 1 for £975 in the shop but on ashcycles its £698.95, will the shop match there price you reckon? or do ashcycles bikes not come assembled hence the lower price?

and It's Canterbury Sharky

As far as I'm aware all bike come assembled and you only need to put peddles on and turn handlebars round. The Web sites do tend to be cheaper than shops because of the whole bulk buy thing and ability to have larger sales. I used a well known Web site for my last purchase and the build quality was less than good had to take the bike apart and do it myself and I'm not a bike maintenance pro but did manage with the use of youtube videos. To iron out the kinks now the bike seems solid and runs smoother. The good thing about a shop is its easier to take it back have them fix it if not working correctly.

 

[jnrmczip]

Would definitely suggest going to the shop for sizing and also a test run.

 

[vickster]

The giant defy has had a face lift for the 2015 range. Make sure you compare the geometries closely if looking at both. The LBS won't match a 2014 price, but you could negotiate a bit off most likely

 

[Cyclist33]

As far as I'm aware all bike come assembled and you only need to put peddles on and turn handlebars round. The Web sites do tend to be cheaper than shops because of the whole bulk buy thing and ability to have larger sales. I used a well known Web site for my last purchase and the build quality was less than good had to take the bike apart and do it myself and I'm not a bike maintenance pro but did manage with the use of youtube videos. To iron out the kinks now the bike seems solid and runs smoother. The good thing about a shop is its easier to take it back have them fix it if not working correctly.

It does differ from shop to shop and bear in mind you may not be covered if you bugger up something during unpacking / assembly.

I don't think the geometries have changed.

 

[surfdude]

when mine came from Ash cycles i only needed to do the peddles and handle bars and off i went with no problems . order it and was with me within 2 days . next one i buy will be from them

 

[Cuchilo]

My local giant store had a price match poster in the window last time I was in there . I didn't read the details though so probably best to ignore me

 

[Doyleyburger]

Iv had a giant defy and it was great, but last August I purchased a Felt Z85. No comparison for me. The Felt is more comfortable, more responsive and in my case had a better groupset. Purchased for £675

 

[Jonny17291]

I phoned up Ashcyles yesterday and spoke to a women and said I'm looking at getting the Giant defy 1 for
£995.00 £698.95
Save: 30% off
with the cycletoworkscheme, and she asked who I work for and said that they will have to add 10% of the price of the bike onto it as they get charged or something like that, have you heard anything of this?

Also she said normally the cycletoworkscheme is only on full prices bikes not bikes on offer