New cyclist. Possible wrong bike?

[Pale Rider]

@peterbeard

You mention going to Halfords for your next purchase.

Their bikes are OK, but the service can be variable.

Given your relative lack of knowledge, a good local bike shop would be worth a visit.

I see you are in Scotland, post a rough idea of where and someone from the Ecosse group will be able to point you in the direction of a shop or shops to try.

 

[growingvegetables]

... I really can't wait to hit the open road and see where it takes me.

Sucker! Join the club! And enjoy!

 

[adamangler]

looking at the bike you could have done slightly better for the money, a boardman or triban perhaps but i wouldnt sweat it. The argos weight has to be wrong theres no way its 16kg, probably closer to 10. If it is 16 then yes its shite lol.

Seriously ride it for a year, get fitter and upgrade in due course, as long as its the right size etc

 

[RoubaixCube]

@peterbeard

Highly recommended that you take Liz's advice. There are a lot better choices for the money.

If not the Triban, then this GT 2015 GTS Expert makes one hell of a deal.

 

[guitarpete247]

Whilst agreeing that we shouldn't dismiss your choice of first road bike outright @petebeard . my choice of newnbikenwasnthe Boardman Road Sport http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/boardman-road-sport-bike . my first new bike in nearly 30 years. I knew it was entry level bike and though not the lightest at 10.(something) kg it is still 3kg less than my old road bike. Only been out once so far but it rides well. You mentioned Halfrauds. Had you looked at their offers. My choice seems to have dropped in price since I bought it.

 

[wonderloaf]

@peterbeard: a few months ago I was in the same boat as you and went for a Calibre Achieve road bike from Go Outdoors:
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/calibre-achieve-road-bike-p296251
So far so good and no regrets at all for my first roadbike, I like it so much that I recently came into some money and upgraded the wheels to Shimano's rather than go and buy another bike. Also Go Outdoors are always giving discounts so if you keep an eye on their website sooner or later they'll discount it, normally by about 10%.

 

[RoubaixCube]

@peterbeard: a few months ago I was in the same boat as you and went for a Calibre Achieve road bike from Go Outdoors:
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/calibre-achieve-road-bike-p296251
So far so good and no regrets at all for my first roadbike, I like it so much that I recently came into some money and upgraded the wheels to Shimano's rather than go and buy another bike. Also Go Outdoors are always giving discounts so if you keep an eye on their website sooner or later they'll discount it, normally by about 10%.

Sora>Tiagra. Theres a reason why i was adamant about getting a bike with a 105 when it came to me looking for a road bike

On a side note there a LOADS of secondhand Triban 500SEs on ebay that are going for as low as £180. It could be a way to save a little money and put it towards upgrades when you get it. Not all second hand bikes are bad.

 

[wonderloaf]

@peterbeard: a few months ago I was in the same boat as you and went for a Calibre Achieve road bike from Go Outdoors:
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/calibre-achieve-road-bike-p296251
So far so good and no regrets at all for my first roadbike, I like it so much that I recently came into some money and upgraded the wheels to Shimano's rather than go and buy another bike. Also Go Outdoors are always giving discounts so if you keep an eye on their website sooner or later they'll discount it, normally by about 10%.

Know it's not the done thing to reply to your own post, but Go Outdoors have a 10% discount on all products at the moment, so £315 for a Sora equipped/ Carbon forked / FSA finishing kit road bike is a good deal in my book.

 

[broady]

Giant Defy 5 for £299 from Rutland cycles?

 

[MichaelW2]

A Scottish commuter bike really should have clearance and fittings for full-length, bolt-on mudguards.