New weekend bike advice

[Markymark]

Sorry for yet another 'what bike' thread, the length of the post and the mulitple questions!!

I have a Sirrus Sport for commuting in central London and love it. I have been doing 200-300 miles per month for the last 2 years. However, I am looking for something faster for the odd weekend rides into Essex/Kent/Suffolk. As it will only be a handful of weekends I don't want to go crazy. So my questions are:

1. My budget is around £700 - £1,000. As it will only be the odd weekend and won't be spending hours on it, will the extra £300 make any difference to me or will I regret buying a cheaper bike very quickly?

2. I would never go clipless in central London but am I silly sticking to that on country roads?

3. Any other advice welcome!!

 

[Supersuperleeds]

If it is only a handful of weekends, save some dosh and go get a Triban, Re clipless, you don't have to go clipless, I haven't gone clipless, I just use dmr flat pedals, but if you want more speed, being clipless is more efficient

 

[AndyRM]

For that money I'd be looking at the Giant Defy range, or perhaps a Bianchi Via Nirone, depending on your preference for Shimano or Campag. Specialized and Boardman also have a nice range of bikes around that mark. Find a bike shop and get your leg over a few different bikes and see what you like!

I would imagine you'll find that 'a handful of weekends' will quickly escalate so you'll want something better than a Triban (which I've never understood the fuss about, but that's personal so please ignore my prejudice).

Clipless is entirely up to you. I prefer it as I like the feel more, and it's more efficient. The big advantage I find is that you are able to make full use of your pedal stroke, rather than just pushing down.

Other advice? Enjoy yourself!

 

[vickster]

Perhaps look for a lightly used second hand bike. Perhaps go to a few lbs and get a short list. Look at decathlon and also the boardmans at halfords. I was nervous about clip less and there are no rules saying you have to, but it is more efficient if not a stop start scenario

 

[vickster]

Personally and knowing what I am like for upgraditis, I would be looking to spend up to my budget. The Triban is better than other £300 bikes but a £700 bike with carbon forks, tiagra and decent wheels will be rather better. If you have £700+ I'd look to spend it on the best bike for the money. Or spend £500 on a used bike that cost £700+ new. There are still some cracking deals to be had on 2011 or 2012 models if you hunt

 

[Pale Rider]

Clipless and efficiency is a debate in itself, but I favour the view that efficiency gains are small for most ordinary riders.

Clipless will stop your feet flying off the pedals, but again that applies to harder core riders who use a high cadence.

 

[darthpaul]

I have a Giant Defy 2 that I commute on but also do longer rides on weekends, great bike for the money IMO.

 

[samsbike]

If you have £1000 the new boardman team carbon limited looks like outstanding value.

Or if you fancy steel, a genesis equilibrium is good as well but heavier. The advantage of the genesis is that it takes mudguards so is also good for commuting.

BTW thats good going - 200-300miles a month.

 

[Markymark]

BTW thats good going - 200-300miles a month.

20 mile round trip to work keeps the belly at bay - just!

 

[outlash]

There's a huge amount of bikes in that price range. I was in your position earlier in the year with that kind of budget, get yourself down to some shops and try them out. It's not an insignificant amount of money you're spending so you want the right one. I ended up with a Cannondale CAAD8.

FWIW, I like clipless shoes/pedals as it keeps my feet in the right place on the pedals, but then I ride country roads and not city riding with all that stop/starting!


Tony.

 

[Grant Fondo]

my advice would be get something noticeably sportier than the Sirrus, otherwise stick with that for weekend rides... you can just about squeak full carbon on a 2012 bike, have a look at the BeOne Diablo Sport
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=75435