newish to cycling and now id like a proper road bike but where to start

[colinr]

Bianchi Via Nirone, nice bikes. If you're reasonably confident with bike shopping, second hand can be worth a shot.

 

[Rab C Nesbitt]

I'll second Colinrs' last. Got a year old Scott Speedster S40 in September for £435. It was showroom condition as advertised. Evans receipt showed it was £700 new. Trawl ebay, loads of bikes 2nd hand. I wanted a Bianchi, but am delighted with the Scott. Have changed the crankset to a compact for £55 and, as the other punters have stated, the wheels are the weak part at this price, but they'll do til spring. Go into some shops and have a look at whats what. This will give you an idea of what you like and don't like when it comes to bidding for anything.

 

[gbb]

what to you think to the bianche? i like the look of the the vera nerione i think it is thanks

Love the Via Nirone. I've had two, the earlier version with the straight crossbar (9 speed) and the now have C2C 10 speed (campagnolo xenon)
Its (like most other bikes in that price bracket) been reliable and sturdy. I did crack the frame on my first one...that could have been a manufacturing fault, or perhaps because i did do the odd track or two as part of my longer rides...but TBF the LBS said he's never seen one go like that before. No other reports on the internet so i assume it was a one off.
I can ride for 5 hours with no great discomfort, so its good enough for longer rides.
I always say (according to my experience when i was looking for my first serious roadbike)...the finishing kit is mostly the same...its the look overall that swung it for me.
I looked at Specialized, Orbea, Felt...theyre all very similar. The Bianchi did it for me, simply on looks. Is it me, or does everyone do that ?

 

[aberal]

I always say (according to my experience when i was looking for my first serious roadbike)...the finishing kit is mostly the same...its the look overall that swung it for me.
I looked at Specialized, Orbea, Felt...theyre all very similar. The Bianchi did it for me, simply on looks. Is it me, or does everyone do that ?

Nope, I go on looks too. Wouldn't matter if it ticked all the boxes in terms of performance, if it didn't look the part I wouldn't buy. OTOH if it looked the bees knees but rode like an old bedframe I wouldn't buy it either. Point being...looks do matter, but only to a point.

 

[colinr]

Is it me, or does everyone do that ?

There are other ways of deciding?
I have a thing for Orbea, shame they don't do a fixed that isn't hideous though.

 

[boogie]

yes the looks do matter or i would consider doing the lapierre up abit but iv fallen in love with the look of the merida 903 at the moment ( http://www.merida-bikes.com/en_int/bike/2011/132/Road+Bike/RACE+903-18 ) as for the wheels whats week about them? is it the weight of them or do they buckle easily? and what performance increase does a good set of wheel give?

 

[colinr]

Wheels is the sort of thing you only notice if you change, typically better ones will feel faster and more responsive. Though if they're properly trued the factory ones shouldn't buckle any more or less than any other wheels.