What bike?

[waynenortheast]

Need some help here, im going for a new road bike after the xmas but there are so many on the market im looking to go upto the £450 mark but whats the difference im new to road cycling so any comments would be appreciated

 

[Mike!]

Cycling Plus did a test in this months (maybe last now!) on Road Bikes less than £500, the Raleigh Airlite 100 at £499.99 won.

I think in your position i'd be very tempted by the Carrera TDF, currently priced at £329.99 from Halfords, leaving you a bit for accessories. Althought depending on the competancy of the local Halfords you may need to budget for getting it setup properly elsewhere!

 

[PpPete]

At that price you are probably only going to find bikes with Shimano 2200 or 2300 shifters & mechs - or the Sora range if you are lucky. Framewise choice will likely be aluminium and probably steel fork..... Halfords Carrera Virtuoso is typical of offerings in this range - not that I'd suggest ever buying anything from Halfords.
If you can find one with a carbon fork - it's worth paying a bit extra.
Decathlon Triban are about the best VFM, but it's a bit of a trek from where you are to nearest shop
Standard advice is to get to as many shops and try out as many as possible to find what you feel comfortable with.

 

[Monkspeed]

Need some help here, im going for a new road bike after the xmas but there are so many on the market im looking to go upto the £450 mark but whats the difference im new to road cycling so any comments would be appreciated

At that price point as Mike points out, the Raleigh Airlite 100 2011 model can be found online for around £350 if you hunt around. Get yourself to a big evans store and have a look at it, the frame looks quite chunky but it is light to pick up. I have looked at the Carrera TDF in halfords and personally I liked the feel of the Raleigh better. Also Decathlon have the Btwin Triban 3 for £299 (which I opted for in the end). Or the Btwin Triban 5 is available for £499 but all it offers is a full Shimano Sora groupset for the extra £200. I'm not so sure its worth that much extra to be honest.

I have a thread in the photo section of this forum of my Btwin Triban 3 if you wish to have a closer look.

Hope this helps.

Raleigh Airlight 100 2011 http://www.wiggle.co.uk/raleigh-airlite-100-2011/
Btwin Triban 3 http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-id_8167038.html and http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/pics-of-my-btwin-triban-3.91517/


EDIT: There is also the Pinnacle Dolomite 1 http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/dolomite-one-road-bike-ec027478
It is a big bruiser of a bike though, I imagine it is aimed more for daily commuting because it has a big frame and big tyres. Looks ugly to me personally but have a look at it if you go to an Evans store.


EDIT: Whoops, made the Triban 3 £399 instead of £299. Corrected now.

 

[Ruary]

The Evans next to the Metro Centre is your best bet for a look at the Raleigh, they dont always have the biggest selection of road bikes in but it's your best chance of seeing the Raleigh I'd think.

The other option is EBC in Byker, they always have a good selection of bikes on display that you can test out properly, staff have always been good with me and they will price match pretty much anything you can find online.

If you want a bit more of an LBS feel try KB on Newburn High Street, a couple of the local clubs recommend them and although I've never been I'm told the have a really good selection of bikes on show and the staff are very knowledgeable http://www.kbcycles.com/index.php

Decathlon is a bit of a trek if you want to see the bike in store, closest one is probably Sheffield or maybe Edinburgh.

 

[Madcyril]

Have a look at this mate, you might be able to find it somewhere else for cheaper, I got it for £525 couple of months ago and it's an awesome bike, I love it! This years model is £800, so that might give you an idea how good a bike it is!

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/36383/Giant_Defy_2_Bike_2011

Check out the review:

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-giant-defy-2-11-40893/

Honestly can't reccomend this bike enough, the only problem you might have is getting the right size because it sees stock is running out everywhere now. If you can get your size, the raleigh and carrera won't touch this for quality at that price

 

[Alembicbassman]

Nowt wrong with a Raleigh road bike. They are not the same as the £100 Raleigh mountain bikes sold at Halalfords. The Raleigh name has been subdivided and split up. If you stick to the stuff on the Raleigh website it's great. Anything not on the website is a licenced Raleigh product.

http://www.raleigh.co.uk/ProductType/Default.aspx?pc=1&pt=14

I bought this new in 2008 on clearance 1/2 price. Weighs nearly 2.5kg less than my Giant Defy 4

 

[Nearly there]

http://paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m7b0s6p3332
http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/products.asp?category=Bikes&product=Allez 16 Red - 2011
http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/raleigh-airlite-200-road-bike-id64270.html
Shop around theres loads of sub £500 bikes about pauls cycles has loads of bargains

 

[Zoiders]

Merlin Cycles.

Currently knocking out a Sora equipped road stick for about £330 IIRC

Spend the rest of the money on lights and winter kit.

 

[Thomk]

Have a look at this mate, you might be able to find it somewhere else for cheaper, I got it for £525 couple of months ago and it's an awesome bike, I love it! This years model is £800, so that might give you an idea how good a bike it is!

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/36383/Giant_Defy_2_Bike_2011

Check out the review:

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-giant-defy-2-11-40893/

Honestly can't reccomend this bike enough, the only problem you might have is getting the right size because it sees stock is running out everywhere now. If you can get your size, the raleigh and carrera won't touch this for quality at that price

^^^^^^^^^ +1
At £499 it's a steal and "almost" a proper bike!

 

[Kestevan]

The Triban range from Decathlon is superb value for money.