Alright for first road bike?

[dontfollowme]

https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15921292/calibre-rive...

I haven't cycled in years but I like the idea of using these lighter evenings to get into the countryside. Would the linked bike be suitable as a first bike? I am aware I will have to buy a bit of kit like shorts etc.

[lufbramatt]

That looks amazing for 300 quid! Full Tiagra groupset and carbon fork, bargain.

The calibre mountain bikes get good reviews so that should be a decent bit of kit.

Ditch the schwalbe tyres for some decent rubber and that will fly.

[flight147z]

For £300 you can't go wrong. You will either be happy with it given what you use it for or you'll get into cycling enough to not care about the cost of upgrading it in the future

Looks like a great option for dipping your toe into the water

[keith2.2]

Suggesting that 10spd Tiagra is pro level (I'm paraphrasing) is a bit naughty - but for 300 you'd be hard pushed to get a spec like that second hand nevermind new.

[Usget]

That is ridiculous value! What a find!

[Usget]

keith2.2 said:

Suggesting that 10spd Tiagra is pro level (I'm paraphrasing) is a bit naughty - but for 300 you'd be hard pushed to get a spec like that second hand nevermind new.

Probably comes from Shimano's marketing bumf, they will be referring to things like HTII bottom bracket and four-arm crankset etc.

Slight pinch of salt but it is true to say that various innovations from Dura Ace eventually trickle their way down the levels.

[lufbramatt]

Only thing I can see that might be an issue is it has an 11-25 cassette on it which might make climbing hills tougher than you'd want if you're new to cycling. Easy to swap for one with more teeth though.

[Your Dad]

If you've got an eligible Santander account then you can get 10% cashback on the purchase. Would cover the cost of some pedals.

[louiebaby]

That's a great price, the Tiagra groupset is about £250 to buy.

Wow.

[dontfollowme]

I have a multi retailer £100 gift voucher which I am going to try and use. I have a helmet already but will need to learn about padded cycling shorts.

At 5'8 do people agree I need the 54 frame?

Thanks

[Usget]

You'd do well to go and test one. Normally I'd say 52-54 would be the right fit but 54 seems to be the largest they list on the site, so they might have some weird sizing system. Better to check it out first I'd say.

[louiebaby]

Usget said:

You'd do well to go and test one. Normally I'd say 52-54 would be the right fit but 54 seems to be the largest they list on the site, so they might have some weird sizing system. Better to check it out first I'd say.

The sizes aren't in order, so there is a 56 there as well. Why not get the 52, 54 and 56, and send the other two back?

[InitialDave]

The sizing tab on the Go Outdoors site doesn't seem to display for me, but on the Calibre site they list L as being 520mm seat tube (BB centre to top of ST), and state it as being for 6'-6'6".

But the Go Outdoors site lists 47/48/49/50/52/54/56 as opposed to Calibre's own S/M/L (which I would equate to 44/48/52, from their geometry chart).

Hmm.

[anonymous-user]

a 54 will be too big for you.

[lllnorrislll]

Had the Rivelin 1 (black/orange claris groupset) for about 3 and half years, as I picked it up just after it came out, as the old calibre mountain bikes had a good rep for budget bikes and it fell inline with one of there 20% off weeks. Was my first road bike since I was a kid in the early 90s.

No problems in all that time and have done a fair few miles on it and it's still fairly sound, with a couple of subtle upgrades and now kept as a winter / turbo / spare bike. It will lead to better and more expensive bikes, so will be a good starting point

For that price it's pretty good, suspect there is probably a newer bike in the pipeline and more than likely clearing stock, as I think it's been around for a couple of years.

[ED209]

It won’t be much cop for hills if it only has a 25 rear casette. Still looks a bargain though.

[anonymous-user]

A 34/25 is fine for most hills, unless you’re planning for the Fred Whitton. Changing the cassette only takes a couples minutes, you’ll need the tools but they are only a couple of quid. A new tiagra cassette is £18

[dontfollowme]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I have been on to Go Outdoors to clarify the sizing issue. No where local has stock so I am waiting on their response.

Good to hear the rear cassette will not pose a major problem down the line.

[flight147z]

You will be fine with a 34-25 unless you are going out of your way to find very difficult hills.

I used to ride 34-25. I now run 36-32 which I much prefer but neither is a limitation

The tools are around £15 to take a cassette off. If you only plan on doing it once a bike shop is often cheaper

[citizenmtb]

Just incase, you can get this for £254 with code EXPOTH15

Good luck!