New bike needed

[Boomshanker]

I'm looking to buy a road bike with a budget of circa £700. Would welcome any recommendations (with pros and cons) as a starting point for me to look into further.

[Rico]

Road bikes are ALL about fit, so its a trip down to your local bike shop to see how things measure up.

What time of road riding do you do? You can get different types. IE all day, 4-6hour rides or sprints. A sprint bike will be very tiresome on an all day ride for example. Different geometries.

Normal general advice... frame/fork is most important, wheels/groupset can easily be upgraded. Look out for 2006 kit at stupidly low prices, but remember that there must be a reason it didn't sell (if over-supply then buy, if its actually crap, then don't bother).

[Bat Fink]

Rico said:

Road bikes are ALL about fit, so its a trip down to your local bike shop to see how things measure up.

What time of road riding do you do? You can get different types. IE all day, 4-6hour rides or sprints. A sprint bike will be very tiresome on an all day ride for example. Different geometries.

Normal general advice... frame/fork is most important, wheels/groupset can easily be upgraded. Look out for 2006 kit at stupidly low prices, but remember that there must be a reason it didn't sell (if over-supply then buy, if its actually crap, then don't bother).

Seconded, top advice.

The G/F is in the process of buying a road bike also, we looked at Specialised Allez bikes this weekend. Really, really nice ride, good frame and worth upgrading in the future. I was impressed.

I'd avoid the Italian brands bellow £1k. From checking specifications, ride and quality recently and in the past, I'd say you'd be buying the name not a top bike for the price.

Try and seek out a road bike specific shop, or one that employs road bike riders. If it's your first, good advice and service from the shop will hopefully pay big dividends in the bike you walk away with.

[mat205125]

Don't let slip to the guy at the shop when you look at a few bikes, but choose what you want then get a bargain deal on line (2006 stock as suggested above), or 2nd hand from ebay. A little use, nearly new bike on ebay will be a bargain, and mean that your £700 will effectively get you on a £1200-£1300 bike if you shop well.

[anonymous-user]

i just tried the allez as well- can recommend it as a nice, light bike at the price.

I'd add that the quality of service varies enormously from shop to shop- i'm thinking even of just my experiences with one company, big old evans.

I can recommend the waterloo cut shop for road bikes, really great service and enthusiasm, however, some of their other london shops less so, much less so!

[Boomshanker]

Polynesian said:

i just tried the allez as well- can recommend it as a nice, light bike at the price.

I'd add that the quality of service varies enormously from shop to shop- i'm thinking even of just my experiences with one company, big old evans.

I can recommend the waterloo cut shop for road bikes, really great service and enthusiasm, however, some of their other london shops less so, much less so!

Thanks. I'll give the Allez a lookover at the weekend.

[Boomshanker]

Have ordered the Specialized Allez Elite 30 2007. Took one for a test spin the other day. Very quick and not nearly as uncomfortable as I'd imagined (been riding a flat bar).

thanks again.