Sorry... Which bike?

[Pulse]

So I'm quickly realising I do the majority of my riding on road, and whilst the flexibility of the MTB is great (which I plan to keep), I'd like something I can go a lot faster and a lot further on.

What I'm not sure about is anything to do with road bikes...!

I know I'd favour comfort over speed, so probably a less racing geo would be good. I don't mind paying for quality, and have no real budget, but would like to really know the difference between the different elements... Alu to Carbon to Ti... 2300 to Sora to Tiagra, etc... For example, is there anything wrong in just going for a budget bike? Or are there reasonable benefits for spending just a little bit more?

If I were to set a budget, I'd probably quite like to spend no more than £700, but quite happy for scope to creep for bargains/benefits.

Thanks for any help!

[Magic919]

Have a look at the Giant Defy range for a less racer-like fit. Spending more gets better quality parts, but the law of diminishing returns applies. You can't really get titanium or carbon for the budget you mention.

[Pulse]

Thanks. Lost in the world of road bikes, and thought the Defy was a nice bike but thought it was a racing geo.

Of course a lot comes down to loving the looks, and I have to admit I do love this Cube: http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/products.asp?cate...

Unfortunately they don't have my size, but it is lovely. I'm 6-foot so I think I need the size up.

The alternative is I look into the CycleScheme. I'm a 40% tax rate worker, so may be worth my while? Anyone with any experience, or does it depend scheme to scheme?

[Disco You]

For the budgetest of budgets, look at the Decathalon Triban 3:
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-red-road-bike-...

Above that, consider these:
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBSABLAROCTIA/...
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/bbd/road-track-bike/...

[Magic919]

Cyclescheme will get you more for your money. Get a £1000 voucher, pay about £550 over the year. Leave the bike in the scheme for 3 years then pay £120 to keep, or leave in for 4 years if you can and pay about £70.

[TheLemming]

Disco You said:

For the budgetest of budgets, look at the Decathalon Triban 3:
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-red-road-bike-...

Above that, consider these:
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBSABLAROCTIA/...
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/bbd/road-track-bike/...

Upgrading that Ribble Winter Trainer to 105, adding GP4season tyres and some cheap pedals knocks it up to £950 however. It's £100 up to go to Tiagra.
Suddenly not quite so cheap.
I hadn't seen that Planet-X bike. Looks like storming value for money.

This one looks quite interesting too, somewhere between a CX bike and a proper Roadie
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBPXKAFF2TIA/p...

This one is what I should have bought instead of trying to shave a couple of hundred off my budget using ebay.
Stonking spec and also available in black (if white white white isn't your thing)

It's a couple of hundred more, but hey, budget creep (I linked the SRAM model but there's an identically priced Ultegra)

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPWHT/pla...


Perhaps a personal view, but I'd rather go for either the Triban 3 (it really is the go-to budget road bike according to everyone on the internet) or look at something like a Boardman Team Carbon on ebay etc for around the £600 mark, or the £1K planet X (or similar spec)
I don't feel that paying near £700 for a Sora equipped bike is really getting the most bang for bucks (overused phrase that one, sorry) - so my thought would be spend less, or spend more...

[Pulse]

Magic919 said:

Cyclescheme will get you more for your money. Get a £1000 voucher, pay about £550 over the year. Leave the bike in the scheme for 3 years then pay £120 to keep, or leave in for 4 years if you can and pay about £70.

See, this was my logic, but I can't guarantee I'll be there for 4 years! What happens then? I actually plan to be with the company for a very long time (current plan is 15+ years) but just in the event... What's the cost after 12 months? Or how does it all work?

[Pulse]

TheLemming said:

It's a couple of hundred more, but hey, budget creep (I linked the SRAM model but there's an identically priced Ultegra)

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPWHT/pla...


Perhaps a personal view, but I'd rather go for either the Triban 3 (it really is the go-to budget road bike according to everyone on the internet) or look at something like a Boardman Team Carbon on ebay etc for around the £600 mark, or the £1K planet X (or similar spec)
I don't feel that paying near £700 for a Sora equipped bike is really getting the most bang for bucks (overused phrase that one, sorry) - so my thought would be spend less, or spend more...

Budget creep is perfectly fine. I could in reality afford a lot more if I wanted, but no point spending too much when I won't use it all that much - perhaps 500 miles or so a month.

I agree that it's either go budget (but the B'Twin I just don't like) or go for something like the £1k Planet X (too bargainous for my own good!). Didn't know they did it in white as well....

[Magic919]

It's 25% at 12 months. It is still 'worth it', but by a smaller margin.

[Pulse]

Magic919 said:

It's 25% at 12 months. It is still 'worth it', but by a smaller margin.

Ok, sounds like a plan. Only saves me around £50 or so on a £1000 bike, but still worthwhile...

That Planet X in white is seriously lovely. Not sure how it compares to the black one of the same price with Ultegra and a few different bits, but it looks ace.

[Gizmoish]

Sod cyclescheme. Buy a 2013 model in the sales that are on. Cannondale Synapse 105, 2013 model, it'll be as 'comfortable' as a £1k carbon frame and you should find one around £800.

Edit: http://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/m14b280s6p10616/CANN... bingo.

[TwistingMyMelon]

Id probs be tempted to spend about £700, you can then work out what you want from a road bike and upgrade to something more suitable 6-18months later (and the bike should be worth circa half) , IE do you want relaxed geo, compact or double ratios, comfort or speed etc... Once you spend time on a roadie, you can work out what floats your boat.. TBH there aren't many bad bikes available for under a grand!!

Hargreaves have a good choice, I prefer Mitchells by the Magic Bout' they dont have much in the shop, but have huge stock available and offer good old school advice. They did a deal on my latest bike that was better than anything internet based.

I dropped out of the cycle scheme, you can get a good deal, but all the paperwork & bullst takes up so much time it delays you actually buying the bike!!

[TwistingMyMelon]

Pulse said:

TheLemming said:

It's a couple of hundred more, but hey, budget creep (I linked the SRAM model but there's an identically priced Ultegra)

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPWHT/pla...


Perhaps a personal view, but I'd rather go for either the Triban 3 (it really is the go-to budget road bike according to everyone on the internet) or look at something like a Boardman Team Carbon on ebay etc for around the £600 mark, or the £1K planet X (or similar spec)
I don't feel that paying near £700 for a Sora equipped bike is really getting the most bang for bucks (overused phrase that one, sorry) - so my thought would be spend less, or spend more...

Budget creep is perfectly fine. I could in reality afford a lot more if I wanted, but no point spending too much when I won't use it all that much - perhaps 500 miles or so a month.

I agree that it's either go budget (but the B'Twin I just don't like) or go for something like the £1k Planet X (too bargainous for my own good!). Didn't know they did it in white as well....

LOL dont let all the internet braggers tell you that 500 miles isn't a lot a month, that's some good going I would makes sure the bike fits well when doing that mileage and going through winter will kill cheaper components very quickly

[CaptainSlow]

Gizmoish said:

Sod cyclescheme. Buy a 2013 model in the sales that are on. Cannondale Synapse 105, 2013 model, it'll be as 'comfortable' as a £1k carbon frame and you should find one around £800.

Edit: http://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/m14b280s6p10616/CANN... bingo.

+1, don't dick about with cyclescheme...especially if you're a 20% payer and may leave the company soon. The 2013 bargains don't hang around long and you have to act quickly. The Cannondale above is only available in giant size now.

I'd go for this, a bit heavy but well spec'd.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-z85-105-2013/

[Daveyraveygravey]

If it is comfort you're after, have a look at the Trek Domane. They start at around £1k and I haven't seen many discounts, which makes me think they sell well without price reductions. They have what they call an Isospeed decoupler, which sort of isoltes the seat tube from the frame (may not be exactly right, but that is the general idea) and they are meant to be supremely comfortable especially over long distances.

Having said that they may not suit you, so you need to get to a good shop and try a few different ones out. Bikeradar does reviews too which may help give more info.

2300 is Shimano's basic groupset, and they work up through Sora, Tiagra, 105 etc. Spending more usually gets better quality and better action, and less weight. Tiagra used to be where the brake levers worked the gears up and down; Sora and below had a little button to go down the cassette and was criticised by someone for being hard to work. I think 2013 Sora now has dual action levers though.

The mantra is usually spend the money on the frame, then the wheels then the groupset; you will probably only change the frame when you upgrade to a whole new bike, but components and wheels wear out so you get the chance to improve them.