Noob looking for new bike.

[huwsparky]

Hi all.

Just signed up to the forum and said hello in the new members section.

I have spent about 5 years out of cycling and I'm looking to get back into it. My last bike was a cheap mountain bike which I have given to a family member. When I did cycle a while ago I used to really enjoy it but getting on the property ladder and spending all of my free time renovating left me with no time so just lost touch with the sport.

Basically, I'm looking for a new bike which I will use for pleasure riding on the road. Probably start at 20 mile journeys (like I used to) but will want to up that to maybe 60+ miles so I want something durable. I have been reading up trying to guage what bikes would be most suitable but to be honest I'm more confused now than I was when I started!

As for me, I'm 33, 5ft 9inch and 13 stone. Can anyone recomend me a few bikes to be looking out for, or know of any good deals going? I'm going to probably opt for the cycle to work scheme and set a buget of £500 - £600. As I understand I will save around 30% by using this scheme so i'm looking at bikes in the £800 region, thus allowing me some money for accessories.

I have no idea of what gear set etc I should be looking for this price point but basically as everyone I want to get the best value for my money as possible.

Thanks for reading and I welcome any advice you guys may have for me.

 

[RebornBumbler]

Most people will tell you (quite reasonably) that the only way to be sure is to try them out, which means finding a local bike shop (LBS) that has something that you like, can afford, is in the right size (probably a 54 or 56 cm frame), and they're willing to quickly setup for you and let you test ride.
That might be a problem, depending where you are.

Otherwise, you could use a website from the likes of Wiggle, Evans, Chain Reaction et al, and start hitting the filters (road bikes only, in stock only, by price, and take a look at the specs. of the bikes that fit your budget.

Frame material is generally Aluminium, Steel or Carbon Fibre.
On your budget I'd go with Aluminium, as I'd expect a good Carbon or Steel frame to cost more than you've allowed for in total.
Then there's the gears/cranks/shifters (levers) and possibly brakes package, jointly known as a groupset. Shimano are the most common offering, although there are notable others (Campagnolo and SRAM). Shimano's offerings are Claris (8-speed), Sora (9-speed), Tiagra (10-speed) and 105 (10, perhaps 11-speed) - you're unlikely to get beyond those on your budget. The number of gears are multiplied by the number of sprockets on the crank (typically 2, but there are triples in the mix too).

For example:

Checking Wiggle for road bikes in Aluminium, in stock, over £700, but under £800 gives the following:

Felt Z85 105 2014
Colnago Strada SL WiggleExclusive Tiagra 2014
Cinelli Experience 105 2014
Felt S32 2014

Of these, the Felt Z85 looks more 'relaxed' (longer wheelbase) and is likely to be more forgiving on longer runs, The Colnago and Cinelli both look pretty racy, which *might* mean less comfort, but perhaps more excitement... The Felt S32 is a timetrial special machine, and probably not too much good for anything else, so rule that one out.

Of the three remaining contenders, the Felt Z85 and Cinell have the more advanced /higher-end groupset (though none of them have a complete groupset (e.g. the cranks are FSA).

Now we're down to two, I'd then try and get a ride of the Z85 and the Cinelli somewhere - unless I'd already decided against something racy, in which case I'm left with the Felt Z85.
If you can get one of your final choices locally, then you might be best buying it there, rather than online - a good LBS is well worth finding and cultivating a relationship with (although your LBS *might* be dreadful, of course )

Most people will tell you not to buy bikes over the internet on spec. alone, which is undoubtedly good advice - though not advice I followed myself

 

[Saluki]

^^ What @RebornBumbler said.
A well cultivated LBS is worth it's weight in gold. We take ours cake.

Where abouts are you based?

 

[biggs682]

^^ What @RebornBumbler said.
A well cultivated LBS is worth it's weight in gold. We take ours cake.

Where abouts are you based?

i take my lbs work that seems to keep them happy to

 

[Saluki]

i take my lbs work that seems to keep them happy to

I take them work too, but I think that they appreciate cake.

 

[huwsparky]

Thanks for taking your time writing that very detailed post, much appreciated.

Having responses like this from enthusiastic fanatics is worth is weight in gold as I really have not much of an idea but learning slowly!

I have spent a good few hours researching since posting and may be willing to raise my budget slightly to maybe the £1000 mark, this really seems to give me more options to consider. The bikes that have taken my fancy are the Boardman carbon and the Cube Peleton Race. Anyone have any opinions on these or similar bikes? I understand that the Cube has better bits but the Boardman has the better frame...

I actually can't believe the amount of companies that make bikes...

I have 3 cycle shops within 25 miles and I will be buying from one of these hopefully if the right deal can be had.

I live in west Wales near New Quay but would consider traveling to try out a few bikes if I have to, seems a bit silly spending a grand blind to me.

Thanks.

 

[huwsparky]

Just had a closer look at the Felt and Cinell bikes mentioned and I'd not come across them in my search.

They seem to offer good value with the 105 set.

How important is it to have the 105 set? From the reading I had done it seems to be well worth spending the little extra for this spec over the lesser sets in the shimano range.

 

[huwsparky]

Went to my LBS today and they only had Giant bikes which was a bit disappointing. The bike I looked at was the Giant Defy 1 @ £999. I like the bike but I don't think I can justify it being able to pick up a similarly speced Felt Z85 or the Cinelli Experience 105 for almost £300 less.

Going to go back at the weekend to test out that bike and also the two composite Giant's which sit directly above that model for my reference. The guy in the shop thinks I'll prefer the carbon bikes considerably more. Doesn't look like he can budge on price either unfortunately.

 

[vickster]

Need to confirm how much flexibility you have in terms of which retailers will take your c2w vouchers. You may be able to go anywhere, you may not

 

[geekinaseat]

Do you see cycling as about speed/personal challenge/sport, a means of transport or a leisure activity where you can go exploring?

I think this question is sometimes missed as people often confuse the raciest bikes as the best bikes and then put them to the wrong use. On the other end of the scale I see people grinding the gears on heavy Pashleys who definitely needed something designed with a little more performance in mind.

I'd say this is much more important for a first bike than the spec and groupset as long as you are paying what it is worth. @RebornBumbler hints at this with mention of a more relaxed geometry in the Felt.

Get something that suits you, once you are hooked you'll have no problem searching for the latest and greatest in terms of components and trading up.

 

[huwsparky]

[QUOTE="geekinaseat, post: 3194962, memberplanet-x-pro-carbon-sram-rival-road-bike

ed/personal challenge/sport, a means of transport or a leisure activity where you can go exploring?

I think this question is sometimes missed as people often confuse the raciest bikes as the best bikes and then put them to the wrong use. On the other end of the scale I see people grinding the gears on heavy Pashleys who definitely needed something designed with a little more performance in mind.

I'd say this is much more important for a first bike than the spec and groupset as long as you are paying what it is worth. @RebornBumbler hints at this with mention of a more relaxed geometry in the Felt.

Get something that suits you, once you are hooked you'll have no problem searching for the latest and greatest in terms of components and trading up.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for your reply.

To be honest, cycling is going to be a hobby and nothing more. Having the urge of getting myself to the point of fitness that I would be able to complete a triathlon is kind of a mini goal but not really in a competitive sense.

I just want the best bang for buck and finding it is driving me insane!!!

I have found another few bikes to throw into the mix but I'm not sure weather I'm better off going entry level carbon or decent aluminium.

This bike does seem good value aluminium

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Giant-Defy-0-2014-Road-Bike_66436.htm

This seems good value carbon
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSL...-bikeplanet-x-pro-carbon-sram-rival-road-bike

Have been told that wiggle will put a 10% charge on C2W scheme so if anything it's over budget.

Only found one review of the Defy 0 and they said it felt dull and heavy next to it's competition. @8.8kg it doesn't strike me as being all that heavy? But at the discounted price with Ultegra it seems good value at least.

 

[huwsparky]

Can anyone comment on the above bikes for me? Typically how much cheaper will bikes be in the sales next month?

Been offered an old Giant defy to use so it's not as if I'm not riding so I can wait a little for the sales.

 

[vickster]

The giant is already reduced so probably not a lot more. Over the tour, tredz had a discount promotion running, now finished I think.

There are defy composites out there for under a grand, look at ashcycles, Paul's cycles and pedalon among others

Planet X have occasional sales but they aren't predictable and not always in bikes as their prices are so low.

Not all retailers take c2w on reduced bikes and many add an admin fee to cover what they are charged like wiggle, Px, ribble

 

[MikeW-71]

Giant Defys are an extremely good beginner choice, I started on a 2012 Defy 2 which I can't fault at all. I found it very responsive and also very stable and comfortable which is possibly where the "dull and heavy" comparison is coming from. When they say an 8.8Kg bike is "heavy" it's only relatively speaking. Bear in mind that it's lightest rival may only be 200g lighter, which is nothing. Giant have a lifetime frame warranty.

If you're thinking Giant, then the 2 or the 1 are the ones to go for IMO. Only go for the 0 if you really want the 22 speed drivetrain, otherwise Tiagra and 105 are both excellent groupsets.

Quite a few on here have Planet X bikes and they are well happy with them, I've never ridden one personally so we'll need to see if an owner comes along for a better review. Carbon frames usually have better power transfer and can feel more nimble and responsive, but they can also have a harsher ride. That all depends on how the carbon has been laid up in the frame, some do it better than others.

Once the sales start you'll usually see 10%-20% off. I ended up with £400 off a £2k bike last year and I had nearly £200 off the Defy 2 the year before.

 

[huwsparky]

The giant is already reduced so probably not a lot more. Over the tour, tredz had a discount promotion running, now finished I think.

There are defy composites out there for under a grand, look at ashcycles, Paul's cycles and pedalon among others

Planet X have occasional sales but they aren't predictable and not always in bikes as their prices are so low.

Not all retailers take c2w on reduced bikes and many add an admin fee to cover what they are charged like wiggle, Px, ribble

Thanks for taking your time to reply.

Didn't realise that wiggle, Ribble had a fee for c2w scheme. I had read that PX had a 10% fee so was aware of that and factored it into my costings.

Will have a look for the composites.