MTB to Road. Help!

[chrisobrien54]

I've got a Cube Acid on not very thin road tyres. I've used this to commute to work, around 15 miles both ways, for the last year or so. And I love it, it's brilliant. Saves me driving, getting the bus etc (which i hate with a passion)

But I've been looking at road bikes and thinking they're the way to go - faster, saves time, and more encouragement to put in long rides on weekends.

So, the Cube is a fairly good bike by all accounts and while I don't want to spend my life savings on another bike, I don't want a pile of sh*te either....

So what should I be looking at?!

CHEERS! : )

[Gizmoish]

Budget?

Essentially, you'll now have a succession of people recommending the bike they have. Whether or not it's still on sale.

[chrisobrien54]

Haha, is always the way. But pointing me in any direction is better than nothing.

£500, but willing to go up if there's a great need for it.

[chrisobrien54]

Actually, I've been looking at this one...

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gt-gtr-series-5-2012/?refe...

Waddya reckon?

[Roman]

Out-classes everything else at this budget, similar spec level to plenty of £1k bikes and currently an extra £40 off until the end of tomorrow:
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

[Comfortably Dumb]

chrisobrien54 said:

Actually, I've been looking at this one...

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gt-gtr-series-5-2012/?refe...

Waddya reckon?

I'm new to cycling but £600 for a bike fitted with Shimano's entry level 2300 kit seems steep!

Here's a bike with the next level up of components for £100 up that always gets good recommendations at this budget:

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-5-id_8167039.htm...

[ChrisMCoupe]

For around the £500 budget, I would suggest you can't go too far wrong with a Boardman like this..

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

They seem to come pretty highly recommended and you wont get too much more spec without spending a few more quid.

[Electric Beaver]

chrisobrien54 said:

Actually, I've been looking at this one...

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gt-gtr-series-5-2012/?refe...

Waddya reckon?

I have the 2011 model which was on sale at wiggle last october for £400.

Been great so far other than a snapped spoke in the rear wheel!

[chrisobrien54]

Two votes for the Boardman!

I'm afraid i've adopted a bit of a lasses view on this, I've favoured the Road Comp over the Road Race as i prefer the white frame...

Should really have a strong word with myself, and read up on the spec's a bit more.

[Roman]

chrisobrien54 said:

Two votes for the Boardman!

I'm afraid i've adopted a bit of a lasses view on this, I've favoured the Road Comp over the Road Race as i prefer the white frame...

Should really have a strong word with myself, and read up on the spec's a bit more.

Good choice - the Comp is far better value.

[chrisobrien54]

Roman said:

Good choice - the Comp is far better value.

Bought it.

Halfords 'Bike Engineers' are building it tomorrow, so should be ready around 4pm.

Wonder if that's enough time to get it to Evans for a check over? Ha! ; )

[GBDG]

I'd have gone for a ribble tourer. Useful to have mud guards/bags for when you need to lug stuff about or when it's raining. Would still be quite a quick bike as well.

Make sure you give the bike a good check, halfords bods have a reputation for being clueless.

[Funkateer]

Comfortably Dumb said:

I'm new to cycling but £600 for a bike fitted with Shimano's entry level 2300 kit seems steep!

Here's a bike with the next level up of components for £100 up that always gets good recommendations at this budget:

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-5-id_8167039.htm...

I've got the cheaper '3' - 1300 trouble free miles so far in a year, just commuting.

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-id_8167038.htm...

[chrisobrien54]

GBDG said:

Make sure you give the bike a good check, halfords bods have a reputation for being clueless.

Haha, absolutely.

What's worrying is my Cube is in the other local store getting its brakes changed and serviced.

The fact that they lost my Care Plan (it was cheap) details doesnt bode well... oh dear.

Anyways the bike itself seemed solid. I had a good look at a Trek 1.5 in another shop - they were asking £800 and the Boardman felt like just as good a bike.

Hope it's fast.

[chrisobrien54]

So I bought the bike, and first impressions are... Erm, it's different.

Either the gears are a bit crap or Halfords havent set them up right - because shifting up a cog seems a bit of an effort.

Adjusting the seat for the first time saw me thread a screw. Not even 20 second out the shop and it was fked already. Straight back in, new screw.

The riding position is dreadful. You cant brake fully when upright.

The smallest pot hole hurts your bks like nothing else.

On the flip side: taking it around some up and down hill sections in my local park, on super smooth tarmac... fk me it felt like driving an F1 car!!!

We're going to have a lot of fun together ; )

[Gizmoish]

You can reach the brakes while riding on the hoods.

But you use the drops.