Which Road Bike Question

[chrisb1357]

Hi all,

I have been riding a Giant CSR 4 Hybrid for the last 3 year and I have now started to look for a road bike which I will be getting via the bike2work scheme at work. My local bike shop is JE James Cycyles which is part of the scheme so I went in at the weekend to look at the bikes around £500 to £600 and have my eyes on these two bikes.

Also not sure but does anyone know what max weight these take as it does not say on the site and I am around 17 to 18 stone.

Specialized 2013 Allez at £550
Giant Defy 5 Compact Road Bike 2013 - £499


I had looked at the triban 3 but they do not offer the bike2work scheme at that shop.

Chris

 

[Supersuperleeds]

If you go on the Specialized site you can download their bike owners manual, weight limits are in there.

 

[smokeysmoo]

Also not sure but does anyone know what max weight these take as it does not say on the site and I am around 17 to 18 stone.

I wish I was

If I'm buying a bike from a manufacturer I haven't used before I always email them to check their weight limits.

I've had bikes from Trek, Focus, Specialized, Giant, Peugeot, Dawes, Cannondale, Fuji, (think that's it!), and none have weight limits on their frames, (FWIW Felt do - 16 stone when I checked but might have changed now TBH).

But, while a lot of frames don't have weight limits some components do, (wheels for one). A set of handbuilt 32 or 36 spoke wheels is the easy answer. That said I've also run 20/24 spoke wheels and only ever bust one spoke, but I now run high spoke counts for peace of mind.

Hope my waffling helps.

 

[biggs682]

blimey somebody not buying a Triban 3 !!

go 2nd hand and avoid cycle to work scheme

+1 re ss 's comments

 

[vickster]

Why should the OP avoid C2W and go 2nd hand? His budget isn't silly, presumably he feels able to meet the payments (perhaps he's not got £300 cash for the Triban) and it's not his first bike purchase? Good on him for waiting 3 years to get his N+1

Without checking, I expect the Specialized and Giant will be very similarly specced - presumably Sora groupset. As said, check the weight limits, but I can't imagine 18 stone is a problem for bikes made by American companies - they wouldn't want to limit their potential market like that

OP - ask JE James to let you test ride the bikes, see which one suits you and thrills you more to ride. The Allez will be a more aggressive geometry than the Giant and may need some getting used to

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Specialized Allez for me as it has a life time warranty on frame, great support and service behind it and the Allez ride quality is exceptional for a bike in that price range, it just feels really well put together.

Having said that, I would suggest riding them and seeing which one makes you smile, if the retailer will not let you try, go to a retailer who does

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

I can't imagine 18 stone is a problem for bikes made by American companies - they wouldn't want to limit their potential market like that

Great point and very valid... but it did make me giggle, for some reason

 

[rb58]

Stretch your budget by getting a bike that has only one gear :-)

 

[Cycleops]

Stretch your budget by getting a bike that has only one gear :-)

But he'll be stretching his legs rather more!

 

[chrisb1357]

Hi all,

Sorry not been around but I have not decided on a bike yet but looking to get one next month.

Also now seen these three as well but not heard of the brands before and how they compare to Giant or Speicelized

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/mekk-pinerolo-al-zr-sora-road-bike-id78725.html

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/felt-z100-road-bike-id78737.html

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/claud-butler-ventoux-road-bike-id79200.html