The best all rounder?

[Mike5537]

I'm sure people must be getting bored of answering the same question, What bike should I buy?

This one is hopefully a little different and your answers could save me hours of trawling the tinterweb.

I'm looking into getting a bike on the cycle to work scheme so I can use it for the occasional commute but it will primarily be for my enjoyment and general health and fitness. I am looking for a road bike that combines speed and comfort, the commute to work is around 12 miles each way combining single track country lanes, a small A-Road, through a country park then side roads so I need something that can handle them all when need be but I would predict 90% of usage will be on country b-roads. I'm looking at bike between the £600-£800 mark but i can go up to £1000 if need be, but I'd rather not.

So to sum up, given the choice what would you experienced riders recommend that is fast, reliable and comfortable. I've looked at some Bianchi's, Scott's (which appeals as its my surname! not that I'm vain at all!) and Trek bikes but its such a minefield knowing which have good quality parts, I guess I want to know whats best in the quality/price bracket, the best bang for my buck as it were!

Thanks in advance!

 

[cyberknight]

Depends on whether you want to carry loads in a backpack or on a pannier rack be it frame mounted or seatpost rack for quick release.
You could look at a tourer or a CX bike that could be slicked up , in your budget there are many options .
I ride a boardman road comp (£799) with sram apex groupset you can ride fast and the gearing is low enough to get you up any hill, the bike itself is very comfy as well and can be ridden all day long .
http://www.boardmanbikes.com/road/road_comp.html
I know a lot of people rave about the specialized tri cross, you can run wider tyres for comfort or slick it up for faster rides, room for mudgaurds + rack etc.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/tricross-2012-road-bike-ec030752
Another favourite on here is a giant defy ....
http://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/bi...02304&utm_campaign=product+listing+ads#259905
Most of the bikes i have listed you can get cheaperor more expensive versions , the main difference being that the shifters will either be 2300/sora with a thumb button to up shift or tiagra if you pay more that has a lever under the brake/downshifter .both systems work fine but some people prefer tiagra or above because you cant upshift when on the drops , not really an issue unless your racing as you will spend 95 % of the time with your hands on the hoods (resting on top of the brake levers ) and they work perfectly fine .

 

[Peteaud]

Giant Defy 2

2012 model
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/defy.2/9317/49822/

Tiagra and now 10 speed with a 30T rear,get you anywhere.

Gets fantastic reviews

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-giant-defy-2-12-45687

Top of your budget i know but will do what you want all day long.

 

[defy-one]

Boardman or Defy - both comfortable and the geometry is a little more relaxed.

 

[oldfatfool]

Flat bar or Drop?

 

[Mike5537]

Drop bars, the hybrids dont appeal so I'm looking for the best road racer I can get for my needs. The boardman looks good, I live in a hilly area so the gearing appeals to me! Now I need to find somewhere that sells it in my area so I can test one out!

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[oldfatfool]

Cube are well specced and well thought of http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/126031.html

or a bit cheaper http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/126030.html

 

[This Time Next Year]

Now I need to find somewhere that sells it in my area so I can test one out!

Boardmans are sold exclusively by halfords. Little chance of trying them out apart from sitting on it (if you're lucky!).

 

[RoadBikeRecommendation]

The cube 2012 peleton pro above is very good at that price and the triple chainset might be handy in your area.

For a brand you may not have heard of http://www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/valence-a1-compact-2012-road-bike-ec031679#features Comes with some good kit and Evans have several sizes still in stock in the sale so should be able to ship one to your local store and arrange a test ride for you. Built for comfort as well as speed.

 

[Mike5537]

So between the norco and the boardman which would be best? I am very put off by having to go to halfords for the boardman tho, is it that good for is it mostly branding, I'd feel much happier getting the bike from a lbs if only to help local business rather than a chain who don't care!

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[cyberknight]

So between the norco and the boardman which would be best? I am very put off by having to go to halfords for the boardman tho, is it that good for is it mostly branding, I'd feel much happier getting the bike from a lbs if only to help local business rather than a chain who don't care!

Evans or Halfords...i have heard horror stories about both , if you go to your LBS you will get a better service but pay a premium for it so its your choice.
Boardmans always get top reviews from cycling magazines comparing bikes at the same price point they always comes out close to the top for ride and specification.
cant say i have heard of norco personally but looking spec for spec i would compare it with the undiscounted price of a boardman team at £50 more that has the same shifters etc but a better wheel set.The cheaper comp at £799 undiscounted has sram shifters which according to press are a similar weight to shimano 105 , slightly cheaper wheels but otherwise there is not much in it.

When you get to this price point you can`t really buy a bad bike, they may have different personalities based on what the bike is designed for eg sportive geometry for all day speedy comfort , a more racy geometry that gets you more stretched out with a shorter head tube and others inbetween.A lot of the differences can be tweaked by changing stem length , height , seat post layback etc but the best thing to do is to try different bikes for size.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

How about something different?
http://www.surosa.co.uk/369896/products/surosa_toledo_audax_2012_s46t.aspx

I fancy one of these but my Verenti is only a couple of years old, barely run in, and I'm busy with electricians and other house stuff at the moment.

 

[Mike5537]

What do you guys think of the Merida ride lite 93?

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[Piemaster]

Don't have one myself but Ribble winter trainers/audax seem well liked

 

[RoadBikeRecommendation]

What do you guys think of the Merida ride lite 93?

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I prefer the spec of the Norco but I think they are only sold via Evans so not great if you want to support your LBS. The Merida 'lite' is 9.5kg so on the heavier side compared with most of the others mentionned so far but can found online for £765 so not bad on price.