opinion

[ant77]

I'm looking for my first road bike so id like an opinion on the dawes giro 200 please

 

[Dogtrousers]

Have you seen this review in Bike Radar?

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-dawes-cycles-giro-200-09-34873/

They don't like it do they? That review looks a bit out of date, as the current model has bar mounted shifters. Mind you, my confidence in the sanity of the reviewer was undermined by this about the down tube shifters "once you get used to finding them without looking or sticking your fingers in the front wheel" WTF? You'd have to miss by a looong way to do that.

Anyway, I have no direct experience but if you're on a budget it looks very basic and may be OK but is unlikely to be very comfortable for longer (> 3 hour) rides. Pushing the boat out a wee bit more would net you the very well thought of Triban 3 from Decathlon.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Much as I have a soft spot for Dawes, the Giro 200 is beaten for specification by a few bikes around that price (if buying at the RRP). For an extra £50 you could have this: http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-500-se-road-bike-black-id_8306187.html

Also consider the Carrera TDF and Virtuoso models from Halfords which are frequently "on sale" (available at £270 and £330 respectively at the moment).

 

[raleighnut]

They don't like it do they? That review looks a bit out of date, as the current model has bar mounted shifters. Mind you, my confidence in the sanity of the reviewer was undermined by this about the down tube shifters "once you get used to finding them without looking or sticking your fingers in the front wheel" WTF? You'd have to miss by a looong way to do that.

Anyway, I have no direct experience but if you're on a budget it looks very basic and may be OK but is unlikely to be very comfortable for longer (> 3 hour) rides. Pushing the boat out a wee bit more would net you the very well thought of Triban 3 from Decathlon.

Someone ought to tell the reviewer that nearly all cycles had frame tube shifters, he was probably still in short trousers then, and if he's like a lot of HiFi reviewers then if its not the latest highest spec doo-dad then they will slag it off.

 

[ant77]

thanks guys ill look those up

 

[ant77]

sorry again guys but the triban 5 looks better and its only 329 pounds

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

sorry again guys but the triban 5 looks better and its only 329 pounds

They must be trying to get rid of the last few now it's been replaced by the 500 as it's only listed in the 48 and 51 cm sizes (51 being currently out of stock) - an absolute bargain if that's the size you need. Quite likely to be too small for you though.

 

[ant77]

yeah looks like it. Think I'm going to bite the bullet and go for the caad 8 on finance

 

[ant77]

damn it ive also seen the claud butler torino sr1 looks like a couple of test rides coming up

 

[smokeysmoo]

Second hand is the way to go with your budget