Road bike help

[Bill93]

Hi, im looking for my first road bike moving from a hybrid . I have a few bikes in mind but tbh I dont really have a clue about the technical side... I will be using the bike quite a bit and want to try a london to cambridge or something along those lines. I have about 850ish to spend

I would like something comfortable so maybe a less harsh setup to some racers I have seen
So if anyone could take a look at this bike I have in mind and tell me if the chainset etc are decent it would be much appreciated or if you have any ideas on good bikes around that price range, thanks

http://www.evanscycles.com/products...disc-compact-2013-road-bike-ec042263#features

 

[David5416]

Hi Bill I've just got a Cube agree GTC pro ( carbon) for £970 I ,know it's over your budget but it is well worth the extra for Carbon, Shimano 105 ,Ultegra rear mech

 

[Cuchilo]

I cant comment on that bike but having bought a Giant Defy 5 and caught the road bike bug because of it I can highly recommend any of the Defy range .

 

[simon.r]

At that price you won't find a bad bike.

Components will vary, but I'd doubt you'll be able to tell any real world difference between, for example, Shimano Sora and 105. The bike you've linked has disc brakes, which will probably mean slight cost-cutting elsewhere. You may want to consider a triple chainset for lower gears.

Most bikes in that price range will be aluminium, but consider steel - many consider that the ride of a steel frame is less harsh. Having said that, there's steel and there's steel!

Probably the most important thing is to find a bike you feel comfortable on.

 

[DooDah]

+1 for cube bikes, you will find them a bit more relaxed and very good value for money.

 

[simon.r]

Here's a steel framed bike in your price range: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/genesis/equilibrium-00-2013-road-bike-ec044427

Or a bit of a curved ball, a hub gear: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/genesis/day-one-alfine-8-2014-cyclocross-bike-ec055501

 

[vickster]

You can get a 2013 Defy 1 from ashcycles for around £800. Definitely worth considering. No disc brakes but higher groupset spec than the Specialized

http://www.ashcycles.com/site/giant-defy-1-2013-white

 

[DooDah]

Ah, the cube (me) and giant defy (@vickster) fans are out in force. Tbh both are very good bikes and a more relaxed fit. Personally, i prefer the styling of the cubes and i think they are better value for money, but that is only my opinion (i did try both before my purchase btw). But you should test ride both and choose the one that fits you best. Either way you will end up with agreat bike

 

[vickster]

I am not really a Defy fan (indeed I have just sold my Avail), however, at £800 for a 2013 model it offers good vfm and ticks all the OPs boxes

Usual rules apply - go ride them Evans do not sell Giant or Cube, they do have a very flexible test riding policy however unlike quite a few retailers

 

[Doyleyburger]

You can get a 2013 Defy 1 from ashcycles for around £800. Definitely worth considering. No disc brakes but higher groupset spec than the Specialized

http://www.ashcycles.com/site/giant-defy-1-2013-white

£800 - that's a absolute bargain, wish I could afford a defy 1.
That would be my choice in that price range

 

[themosquitoking]

The 2013 Defy 1 is so pretty

 

[Hellchops]

KB Cycles have a Scott Speedster LTD frame built with a 2013 Speedster 20 (105 10speed) build kit. £699. Not on the site yet, but it's in store. Great spec for the money. This frame: http://www.pinarelli.com/tr/kadrolar/277-scott-speedster-ltd-.html

 

[Andrew Br]

Warning; pro-disc bias from me, I have them on all my road bikes.

I like the look of that Specialised.
I know some are slightly sniffy about Sora (perhaps due to the thumb shifters on the older models) but I've found them to be perfectly satisfactory on my GF's bike; they change OK and they've been reliable. I imagine that the current versions are better still.
What I'm not a fan of is BB5 calipers compared to the BB7s that I have. Again my GF's bike has the BB5s and they're slightly more difficult to set up and the pads wear out more quickly than BB7s. Having said that, the pads last much longer than rim brakes and, most importantly, they work in the wet.

Other good things about that Secteur:-
It takes 28mm tyres although I bet the standard ones are the 1st thing that you'd replace for something a little lighter and "sporty". Stick with 28mm though for a cushier ride.
The "Roubaix" geometry gives a more relaxed/comfy riding position.
From the Q&A, you can fit a rack and mudguards and a 32 tooth cassette if you want to gear it down.

I reckon these are all poitives for a 1st bike.
When you come to upgrade (that's "when", not "if"), you'll have a better idea of what type of riding you like doing and you can go for a more focussed bike. The Secteur will then make an excellent Winter/training/touring/spare/do everything bike.

Downsides:
Maybe the ride will be a little harsh because the fork may have been made stiffer to cope with the disc brake forces.
It'll almost certainly be heavier than an equivalent rim-braked bike.

The bikes that the others have mentioned are almost certainly more "sporty" although they may be equally comfy.

You need to go and ride a few to decide which you like the feel of most.
Then buy the most attractive looking

Whatever you get, come back and post pictures.

 

[SteCenturion]

+1 for Giant Defy 1 & the Cube Peloton.
I lean towards the CUBE PELOTON & I am in the process of brainwashing all CC'ers to GO CUBE.
I have also owned a Giant Defy & can vouch for its comfort quality & turn of speed.

If it were my money - I would go for either of these with better componenents & spec over disc brakes equipped bikes as you will pay a penalty in both spec & weight.

The Specialized you are looking at has plenty of gears 11-30 cassette for climbing but is only 9 speed & Tiagra/105 would be better still.

The wheels & components of the Secteur are probably & little bit weighty also.

If you have access to C2W scheme you could bag a £1k bike with very good spec & pay approx £700 or less for it in real terms (deducted from salary before tax & n.i).

Got to agree with most £800 buys a lot of bike these days.

CUBE - BUY A CUBE - YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO.

 

[Hellchops]

KB Cycles have a Scott Speedster LTD frame built with a 2013 Speedster 20 (105 10speed) build kit. £699. Not on the site yet, but it's in store. Great spec for the money. This frame: http://www.pinarelli.com/tr/kadrolar/277-scott-speedster-ltd-.html

Link to said bike: http://www.kbcycles.com/more_details.php?id=102965