Road Bike £500-£600

[zoemax]

Hi All,
I'm new to this site and very impressed with the sound advice.

I'm looking for some advice myself regarding a new bike. I currently ride a triathlon bike that's about 10 years old. I started riding last summer as part of training for triathlons as a way of keeping fit and the tri bike was given to me by a friend but i'd like to upgrade to something a little bit more comfortable (long rides are really hard on my lower back) and hill friendly (I find it really hard to get out of the saddle on the tri bars). I do 2-3 cycles a week of up to 60kms, all part of training for Olympic Distance triathlons (40kms).

My budget is about £500-£600 and i was thinking of one of the following:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=25459
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Giant_SCR_15_Road_Bike/5360037569/
http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/15628/Felt_Z90_Bike_2008
https://www.sigmasport.co.uk/app/secure/Bike.aspx?SubCatId=269&BID=11&View=N

Anyone any thoughts on any of these? All advice appreciated.

 

[BIGSESAL]

I think I'd rather have the Giant. You get more more carbon and other better equipment. Though the Be0ne looks a lot cooler. The red/black is nice.

 

[jay clock]

I have the Trek 1.2 but a 2008 model (black). I got it purely for the winter as it take mudguards and a rack. Ideal starter bike in my view. Wheels are even still straight which with my weight is a miracle after over 1000km

I assume you are female, in which case it would be worth trying the bike for size as (particularly shorter) women can find it harder to get a bike to fit right.

Best of luck!

 

[Radius]

Well on the Storm you get 105, whereas all the others are Sora or Sora / Tiagra mix. I've got the Storm 2.0 (same frame, but with full Tiagra), and that's nice too. Looks better than the red as well

 

[Joe24]

Id go for the Giant. I like Giants and they work well.
I have the SCR4 and its a good bike.
On the SCR 1.5 you have Tiagra(which is decent, i would rather have that then Sora because of where the tab is to change gear on Sora shifters mainly) and you have slightly more carbon on the Giant then you do on the others. It also looks nicer then the others i think.
And, because its an SCR, you can upgrade everything on it easily because they use the same frames through the range.
If its in your size then go for it. They have stopped making the SCR's know though, the Defy has taken over that set of bikes.
Not sure what Giant Defy you could get for that, but thats probably worth a look.

 

[Young Un]

Giant ^^for the reasons posted above^^

 

[Radius]

So you get a semi-carbon seat post? Wouldn't it be better to have a 105 groupset?

 

[Young Un]

IN some ways yes but someways no. Surely if the BeOne has 105 goupset it means that money has been saved on the frame/forks making them of a poorer quality than those on a bike simarly priced but with a cheaper groupset. i also think that the BeOne doesn't look very nice with that multiple colour frame/multicoloured seat/ and red bar tape, but each to their own.

 

[Steve Austin]

If buying a complete bike, you should always buy the one with the best frame, as thats the bit you are less likely to upgrade soon.
What about a GT
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s6p1409
105 groupset too

 

[Radius]

Not sure about frame it's a decent alloy, but I don't like the red

 

[BIGSESAL]

So it would appear that no one is with me on the good looks of the Be0ne. My mother always said I had a bad fashion sense.

 

[Radius]

I like the concept, and love the look of my 2.0, black, gold and white, I just think the red is a bit overpowering. Would probably look better in the flesh though...

 

[Joe24]

IN some ways yes but someways no. Surely if the BeOne has 105 goupset it means that money has been saved on the frame/forks making them of a poorer quality than those on a bike simarly priced but with a cheaper groupset. i also think that the BeOne doesn't look very nice with that multiple colour frame/multicoloured seat/ and red bar tape, but each to their own.

+1
The 105 doesnt mean much, Tiagra isnt bad, and will do if your just getting into it.
The Be-One doesnt look as nice either.

 

[Mortiroloboy]

Hmm, my tuppence worth for what it's worth, the Trek, looks the best of the bunch, Bontrager finishing kit is good too, and the frame is probably the best of the lot, and I have a Giant SCR stands for Squeaks Caused Regularly

 

[Yanto]

Buy a Bianchi. You'll love it