newbie road bike for £600

[david k]

i agree with cybernight, sizing is confusing. i bought the 2010 model which is a higher spec than 2011, this year was cheaper but spec was less. i managed to get last years in the sale for £460 i think, had to travel 30 miles to get it. i then took it to st helens halfords to get set up as they are a great bunch of lads

 

[david k]

i also prefer the twin or compact, like cybernight i never use the small ring on my hybrid

 

[Peteaud]

I wont / never have bought a bike without riding it first. My current bike a trek hybrid wasnt even on my list when i bought it, but i loved the way it road and the feel of it.

For me i have to have a triple, as i prefer the options of many gears, and i live in a hilly area. That said i have never had a compact.

 

[Thomk]

I'm not convinced that riding a road bike in advance or purchase is all that useful for someone who has never riden or owned a road bike before. The major makes are all fantastic bikes and my choice came down to the Giant Defy 2 2011 (compact, sora) and the Specialised Secteur Sport 2011 (triple, sora/tiagra mix). I briefly tried both and it was only useful to get the correct frame size as the whole experience of riding a road bike was so alien that I couldn't decide which one I liked more. I decided on the Defy in the end because I thought the compact would be less hassle than the triple for a newbie and it was £100 cheaper (£499 instead of £599). I think the talk about sora/tiagra is a red herring. Since tiagra is moving to 10 gear rings this year you will be stuck in either case with components which will be difficult and expensive to upgrade. If you can find 105 inside your budget then go for it. Otherwise most of the bikes sugested in this thread will be fantastic and you'll be pleased with whatever choice you make.

 

[Peteaud]

I'm not convinced that riding a road bike in advance or purchase is all that useful for someone who has never riden or owned a road bike before. The major makes are all fantastic bikes and my choice came down to the Giant Defy 2 2011 (compact, sora) and the Specialised Secteur Sport 2011 (triple, sora/tiagra mix). I briefly tried both and it was only useful to get the correct frame size as the whole experience of riding a road bike was so alien that I couldn't decide which one I liked more. I decided on the Defy in the end because I thought the compact would be less hassle than the triple for a newbie and it was £100 cheaper (£499 instead of £599). I think the talk about sora/tiagra is a red herring. Since tiagra is moving to 10 gear rings this year you will be stuck in either case with components which will be difficult and expensive to upgrade. If you can find 105 inside your budget then go for it. Otherwise most of the bikes sugested in this thread will be fantastic and you'll be pleased with whatever choice you make.

Well i did have a roadie about 30 years ago, but things have moved on a bit. I would like to ride one, purley to check the fit etc as somany makes offer different sizes and all can be different, although i am basing that on hybrids. I am not to bothered about sora / tiagra, but some bikes, again basing this on hybrids, just feel right or wrong.

 

[Thomk]

Well i did have a roadie about 30 years ago, but things have moved on a bit. I would like to ride one, purley to check the fit etc as somany makes offer different sizes and all can be different, although i am basing that on hybrids. I am not to bothered about sora / tiagra, but some bikes, again basing this on hybrids, just feel right or wrong.

Sounds good.