What Bike

[Garthur]

Hi,

I've been looking at getting a road bike but don't really have a clue. I won't be doing any commuting but I plan on doing around 150 miles round trip at the weekends (caravan and back) and have been thinking of getting a tent and going away for weekends with this. Ideally a bike that supports panniers.

Currently have a mountain bike but I've been doing more road journeys on it than anything else.

I've been thinking carbon fibre but been looking at the giant bikes and theirs don't start until £3000 for carbon but it seems that their other frame is fairly lightweight anyway. Not sure if it is worth going fibre or not if I will notice the difference, probably not.

My budget is £2000 however I'm willing to spend some more if it means a much better bike. Can't really justify more than that on a bike though when I can't use it for commuting (must have a car).

I've seen the Giant Defy Composite 1 and the Giant TCR Composite 1 which I like the look off, both the same price but don't know what the difference is, if any.

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Giant-Defy-Composite-1-2013-Road-Bike_56269.htm Defy
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Giant-TCR-Composite-1-2013-Road-Bike_56334.htm TCR

Thanks

 

[Peteaud]

TCR is more race, Defy is more comfort.

 

[cyberknight]

IMHO
If you want a load carrying bike i would be looking at a tourer or cx bike and be looking at long term comfort rather than speed ,do those carbon machines have rack points? i have read that using seat post racks on carbon seatposts is a no no.
how about ?
http://www.enigmabikes.com/bike/bike-enigma-ethos.html

 

[simon.r]

Why carbon? Carbon framed bikes are generally built for lightweight and speed. As said above, rack points may be an issue.

It sounds as if you may want a touring or audax bike.

Often, though not always, these have steel frames and will come ready fitted with a rack and mudguards. Dawes Super Galaxy is well regarded. You could even look at titanium framed bikes, example - Spa Cycles Audax.

Forgive me if I sound rude, but I wonder if you need to do a bit more research and some more thinking about what you want from the bike before spending any cash.

 

[ushills]

+1 for the Spa Audax, this will be the best bike I get as it seems to be the best value, most suitable and lightest bike for my needs. Not into racing but want to travel decent distances with occasional luggage and able to fit mudguards.

 

[Garthur]

I don't know much to be honest. My mate keeps going on about carbon and he just bought himself an expensive carbon road bike (not sure on name) and keeps going on about how awesome it is and how I should get one, so that's why I was thinking about carbon. Doing a little reading though and I don't think I would even notice the difference if I got a carbon bike.

I was under the impression that you could just stick a rack on any bike to be honest. Although I'm planning on doing long trips, I won't be carrying much. Probably a back packs worth every weekend. But I also like the idea of just packing a tent on a rack with a few days supply and heading somewhere. And I was also looking for something that I could just cycle around on a weeknight after work with. So that's why I thought a road bike would be ideal.

Don't know what to do now. Buying a bike is harder than buying a car! Lol

 

[stumpy66]

I would go for an audax style road bike, its comfortable for your longer trips and you can also then put on full mudguards and a rack to carry enough gear for a weekend trip. A carbon bike isnt ideal for carrying a tent etc.

 

[stumpy66]

SPa audax, Hewitt Chiltern, Condor Fratello, Byercycles Aravis, Bob Jackson amongst others that would fit the bill/budget

 

[ushills]

Not all bikes will take a rack, or mudguards, this is more so the case with carbon or race specific bikes, they also generally allow only small tyre width 23-25mm.

Audax or touring bikes will allow racks, mudguards and wider tyres generally.

Based on what you have said I would suggest an audax bike, perhaps a tourer if your planning longer multiday trips.

 

[lip03]

almost all blogs I read on touring use a tourer or audax, most popular is a dawes galaxy, http://www.evanscycles.com/products/dawes/galaxy-2012-touring-bike-ec027657
or I think koga do some pretty special touring bikes but think they are aimed at people who want to cycle around the world!! (belive me they do that! haha look-->
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kBMGbHanLU
)

hope that helps

 

[simon.r]

Don't know what to do now. Buying a bike is harder than buying a car! Lol

It certainly takes me longer to choose a new bike than it does a car

I think I'd be tempted to go and find a decent LBS (local bike shop) and have a chat with them. It might pay you to buy a relatively cheap bike (£500 ish will get you a very acceptable bike) and ride it a bit to decide what you like / don't like about it. Armed with that knowledge and some experience you'll be in a better position to decide what you want when you come to spend £2k+ if the bug bites. You can always sell the 'cheap' bike on or keep it as a spare.

 

[Dar Crammond]

Ok, here's my 0.02 dollars:

In the midst of a tour of Scotland. Riding every kind of trail with relatively light panniers, going B and B most of the way, or as we say, cycling on the credit card.

Best bike: Ti framed Cx bike with discs and 28 mm touring tires. It will handle everything from pave to single track. Fast, strong, light, comfortable, fun. I am completely leaving everyone on MTBs in the distance and loving every minute.

Look at the Motobecane Ti Fantom Cross Pro, outfitted with BB7s, total cost is about $2,200. You will not be unhappy with this bike.

 

[Dar Crammond]

I also use this bike as a commuter every day, with fenders, in rainy Portland. Best money I ever spent on a bike.

 

[Garthur]

Thanks for the replies. I've done a little more looking. Going to go for the Galaxy now I think. Or at least I need to go have a look at one and take it for a ride before ordering.

Just another question. Is there much difference between the Dawes Super and Ultra Galaxy? Is the Ultra worth the extra £300?

Thanks

 

[Garthur]

Does anyone also know when Dawes 2014 range comes out? No point paying full price if the new models are only a month or 2 away :-) thanks again