Help with road bike around >£500 <£750

[tpivette]

Hi, Im a complete cycling novice but have taken advantage of my works offer of an interest free bike loan, If I use the bike to cycle to work.

Need 1 - must be able to cycle 13miles to work on it.

I run 10Ks and half marathons and consider myself fittish, i have been toying with the idea of doing sprint triathlons.

Need 2 - Must be able to use it to train on and use as a "fun" triathlon athlete.


If it matters, I am just under 6 foot and weigh 12 stone during the summer competition months. Timewise, I normally can manage two hour before the wife complains I'm doing to much. So that will be the longest on bike time.

[mat205125]

I'm a similar height, but carrying a stone of extra "muscle" than you. I bought a 59cm sized one of these last week http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=87037 The reason for the slightly larger than expected frame size is the way that Bianchi measure them.

I'm well chuffed with it. Hunted for a couple of months for a deal on a "better" bike off of ebay without luck.

I bought, at the same time, a pair of cycling shoes (pedals and cleats included in the price of the bike), and some odds and sods for my mountain bike, plus a bike computer and a North Face waterproof jacket. They did me a really good deal on the whole lot that would sit nicely in your budget. You'd want proper shorts definitely!!!!!

[sjg]

I've competed in sprint tris on my £300 Edinburgh Cycle road bike, and will be doing olympic this year on it. People have all sorts of stuff, quite common in sprint to see people on what are basically shopping bikes or MTBs with slicks.

For the commute though something that will take a rack and proper mudguards will make far more of a difference to your happiness, so something more leaning towards winter trainer /cross / fast tourer would suit. The racier stuff does away with such practicialities for the sake of a few grams.

You don't say which scheme they're using but if you need a mainstream brand available from Evans and the like, the Specialized Tricross is well worth a look. If you think you can live without a rack and don't mind the clip-on guards (Raceblades, etc) then the Allez range is great as ever.

[tpivette]

Thanks for those, I love the Bianchi blue colour.
I think I will add that one onto my short list with the allez.
Its no particular scheme, they just give you £500 and drip it back from your wages interest free over the next year, so I can buy anywhere.

The cash is in the bank today, so cheap deal links anyone?

Edited by tpivette on Friday 1st February 11:46

[mat205125]

There are quite a few good deals on 07 bikes if you hunt around. Unfortunately 99% of these are for dwarfs and preying mantis'. "human" sized bikes get snapped up from the special offers very quickly.

I agree with the above poster's point that a less racey bike might be a better choice if commuting every day is on the cards. Maybe even something with straight bars could be more comfortable, and can still be used for competitions if you don't mind looking out of place a bit at a triathlon.

[mat205125]

BTW the Bianchi paint is actually a very subtle metallic / pearl on mine

[Surfr]

How about an '07 Condor Agio

http://www.condorcycles.com/salelist.html - top of the list.

[JPJ]

Possibly something from Planet X as they are usually exceptional value, and can be obtained by Halfords if your employer forces you down that route.

[village idiot]

Colnago Romarro from Winstanleys... £599 a the mo'... okay so it's not actually made in Italy like the rest of the range, but that might not be a bad thing...

stunning looking bike from one of the best names in the business

[Hollywood Wheels]

Talking of Winstanleys.........I;ve just got a 2007 Giant FCR2 from them for £400. Fantastic bike, basically a road bike with flat bars. Have a look, for commuting it's perfect out of the box. Butted frame, carbon forks. I've put clipless pedals and 23c gatorskin tyres on mine but I'm a picky sod. They are excellent value for money, you won't find cheaper (and I did a lot of searching).

[tpivette]

Thanks for those suggestion, most appreciated.

Browsing Winstanleys I also found this - a penny inside budget - any comments? They claim its half price, and me being Scots i like a bargain - the spec is as follows

Kona Zing Deluxe Bike (2006)
Designed for Racing and Audax riding, the Zing Deluxe is not just an upgrade from the Zing. It has a Dedacciai EM2 Hydroform Aluminium/Carbon frame with Dedacciai Black Force 4 forks. The drivetrain consists of the FSA Gossamer MegaExo cranks, with Shimano 105 gearing and the Mavic Aksium wheelset.

KONA ZING DELUXE BIKE
Frame: Dedacciai EM2 Hydroform Aluminium w/Carbon Stays
Fork: Dedacciai Black Force 4
Cranks: FSA Gossamer MegaExo, 39/53T
Bottom Bracket: FSA Gossamer MegaExo
Pedals: None
Front Derailleur: Shimano 105
Rear Derailleur: Shimano 105
Shifters: Shimano 105
Cassette: Shimano CS-105 10-Speed, 12-25T
Chain: Shimano CN-HG6600
Front Hub: Mavic Aksium
Rear Hub: Mavic Aksium
Rims: Mavic Aksium
Tyres: Continental Grand Prix WB, 700x23c
Brakes: Shimano 105
Brake Levers: Shimano 105
Handlebar: FSA RD-305 OS
Headset: FSA Orbit C8 Integrated
Stem: FSA ST-OS-150
Grips: Kona Black and White
Saddle: Selle Italia C2 Special Edition
Seat Post: FSA SP SL-280
Seat Clamp: Kona Clamp
Sizes: 49cm, 52cm, 54cm, 56cm, 58cm or 60cm
Colour: Red & Black

Edited by tpivette on Monday 4th February 09:35

[mat205125]

Sounds like a great spec. Gotta web link?

[tpivette]

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/index.html?pageT...


how best do i work out which size I need ? Most of the others I have looked at have been medium large, this is in Cm's.

Edited by tpivette on Monday 4th February 10:04

[mat205125]

I'd guess at the 56cm being about the right size for you.

Certainly is a nice bit of kit for the money.

[lee.]

Hi, Ribble make some lovely bikes for the money yor talking and will size it and build it to your spec. well worth a look.

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk