I've been into mountain biking for a few years now, and regularly do reasonably long trips with a mixture of on and off-road and have been clocking up the miles recently. While I was clocking up some more miles on my mountain bike, I realised I was starting to enjoy the sense of achievement when you arrive somewhere miles away at a certain time more than I enjoy doing off road trips, which nearly always take a long time and use a lot of energy, without much gain. Of course, I still very much enjoy the thrill of navigating a narrow track, but I'm beginning to think it may perhaps be time to venture into the world of road biking.
My question is, though, how do I start? I've been looking at the Carrera range from Halfords and, in particular, the Carrera Virtuoso, which currently retails for £330. However, being only 16, I don't feel that I can really afford to spend close to £350 on a bike that I might be looking to upgrade in a couple of years time, especially with the prospect of university looming! I want to know if it's possible to buy a good, solid road bike which will get me places quicker and help me build up my fitness at the same time, for under £100.. I am, of course, willing to buy second hand!
However, please bear in mind that I currently have a mountain bike with lock out forks which I could relatively easily purchase slicks on - so I'm looking for something which is going to be beneficial over my current mountain bike!
My question is, though, how do I start? I've been looking at the Carrera range from Halfords and, in particular, the Carrera Virtuoso, which currently retails for £330. However, being only 16, I don't feel that I can really afford to spend close to £350 on a bike that I might be looking to upgrade in a couple of years time, especially with the prospect of university looming! I want to know if it's possible to buy a good, solid road bike which will get me places quicker and help me build up my fitness at the same time, for under £100.. I am, of course, willing to buy second hand!
However, please bear in mind that I currently have a mountain bike with lock out forks which I could relatively easily purchase slicks on - so I'm looking for something which is going to be beneficial over my current mountain bike!