Discussion
Looking at something with drop handle bars, light and fast. Want to go to work on it but also want to use it on weekends too. I kayak too so want to start getting fitter and get my power to weight ratio down. Budget less than £900 but I'm feeling a bit thick as to what I should be getting. Went into my local bike shop who said I'd need a 56cm frame and we talked about what gear system to go for. I know the Shimano Dura-Ace is the top one as a friend has it on his bike but his bike was almost 3k a few years ago so that's pretty much out. The next one down is the Ultegra and then down from that is the 105. Can anyone tell me the difference between them and why is one better than the other? I'm guessing the Ultegra is just lighter? Seen a few using Tiagra is this any good?
Then what else should I look out for? Did look at a bike by Trek which was aluminium but had carbon forks. It's been a long time since I've ridden a bike properly so sorry for seeming thick. Used to cycle 65 miles a week before I passed my test. Also been told I'm better off buying something used for now to see how I get on and then work out what I need from there
Then what else should I look out for? Did look at a bike by Trek which was aluminium but had carbon forks. It's been a long time since I've ridden a bike properly so sorry for seeming thick. Used to cycle 65 miles a week before I passed my test. Also been told I'm better off buying something used for now to see how I get on and then work out what I need from there
Got this for sale at the mo. Has a large frame so would suit someone around 5'10" or taller......
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Carrera-Virtuoso-Race-Bi...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Carrera-Virtuoso-Race-Bi...
It might be worth checking out whether you qualify for the cycle to work scheme. My friend has recently bought his first road bike. He got the Specialized Allez and is very happy with it. It might be worth just heading to a few local bike shops and having a look at what they have. The 2012 bikes are out now so there will be some discounts on 2011 models.
dont get obsessed with gears!
apologies for the patronising example but
you have a car right, it has a gearbox, probably a stick in the middle of the car you move around and everytime you want to change gear, it changes gear right? a ferrari has a gearbox too, probably some flappy paddles behind the steering wheel and every time a ferrrari owner wants to change gear, guess what, it changes gear....
the point i am making is that regardless of whether you have dura-ace or sora, you will be able to ride in any of the 20 gears you choose.
there are far more important things on a bicycle than the gears, namely the frame and the wheels but they arent as easy to explain or as universally understood compared to the groupset so the salesman will largely ignore them.
the higher up the groupset food chain you go, the lighter the components and, if you belive the reviews and the salesman, the more precise and refined the shifting but to be honest, sora and tiagra are fine. a bit clunky, not as good looking but perfectly functional.
before a thousand people descend on you and offer suggestions confusing you, go out and buy a Cannondale CAAD10 and be incredibly happy that you have the best aluminium frame on the market and it is fitted with more than adequate components whcih can be upgraded whenever you want....
apologies for the patronising example but
you have a car right, it has a gearbox, probably a stick in the middle of the car you move around and everytime you want to change gear, it changes gear right? a ferrari has a gearbox too, probably some flappy paddles behind the steering wheel and every time a ferrrari owner wants to change gear, guess what, it changes gear....
the point i am making is that regardless of whether you have dura-ace or sora, you will be able to ride in any of the 20 gears you choose.
there are far more important things on a bicycle than the gears, namely the frame and the wheels but they arent as easy to explain or as universally understood compared to the groupset so the salesman will largely ignore them.
the higher up the groupset food chain you go, the lighter the components and, if you belive the reviews and the salesman, the more precise and refined the shifting but to be honest, sora and tiagra are fine. a bit clunky, not as good looking but perfectly functional.
before a thousand people descend on you and offer suggestions confusing you, go out and buy a Cannondale CAAD10 and be incredibly happy that you have the best aluminium frame on the market and it is fitted with more than adequate components whcih can be upgraded whenever you want....
The best value for new bikes comes from some of the online suppliers:
Planet X
Ribble
Canyon Bikes
The downside is that it's hard to know whether it 'fits' as it will be an online purchase. On One and Ribble do have warehouses, but it depends on you being bale to head to their northern locations.
Planet X
Ribble
Canyon Bikes
The downside is that it's hard to know whether it 'fits' as it will be an online purchase. On One and Ribble do have warehouses, but it depends on you being bale to head to their northern locations.
Went to another bike shop and saw this http://www.urban-cyclery.co.uk/shop/trek-1-5-2012/
Any good? Hoping to buy a 2nd hand one for now as what keeps cropping up is if I get into it I'll want to get something better again.
Any good? Hoping to buy a 2nd hand one for now as what keeps cropping up is if I get into it I'll want to get something better again.
You have a budget of £1000, so in true PH tradition this is £60 over http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod... but carbon, 105's etcc
or under budget http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/product_info... which has great wheels, a good frame and more bike for your buck than the Trek.
Bear in mind Trek and Specialized Basso etc give less value for money as they can trade on their name.
MartynVRS said:
Looking at something with drop handle bars, light and fast. Want to go to work on it but also want to use it on weekends too. I kayak too so want to start getting fitter and get my power to weight ratio down. Budget less than £900 but I'm feeling a bit thick as to what I should be getting. Went into my local bike shop who said I'd need a 56cm frame and we talked about what gear system to go for. I know the Shimano Dura-Ace is the top one as a friend has it on his bike but his bike was almost 3k a few years ago so that's pretty much out. The next one down is the Ultegra and then down from that is the 105. Can anyone tell me the difference between them and why is one better than the other? I'm guessing the Ultegra is just lighter? Seen a few using Tiagra is this any good?
Then what else should I look out for? Did look at a bike by Trek which was aluminium but had carbon forks. It's been a long time since I've ridden a bike properly so sorry for seeming thick. Used to cycle 65 miles a week before I passed my test. Also been told I'm better off buying something used for now to see how I get on and then work out what I need from there
Fit.Then what else should I look out for? Did look at a bike by Trek which was aluminium but had carbon forks. It's been a long time since I've ridden a bike properly so sorry for seeming thick. Used to cycle 65 miles a week before I passed my test. Also been told I'm better off buying something used for now to see how I get on and then work out what I need from there
Frame.
Wheels.
Gears.
...in that order. Dura Ace gears are utterly useless if the bike's horrible or uncomfortable to ride. Wheels are cheaper to change than gears yet make a much bigger difference to how a bike feels/goes.
Tiagra's fine. "Only" 9-speed (so there's no gradual upgrade path: it's all or nothing) out then again it's cheaper. Still works nice enough, and again, a well-setup, well-maintained Tiagra drivetrain will be infinitely nicer than a poor Dura Ace affair.
Set a budget, deduct a bit (£100?) for the spares and odds/sods you WILL need (tubes, pump, chain lube etc...helmet (up to you), clothing and whatnot), and then try as many bikes as you can find that meet said bike budget. At around £1000 most of the bikes will be of reasonable spec (and probably from the same three or four factories!).
I'm really tempted to build from scratch since I keep looking at bikes and there's always something put on it to cut costs. My build will all depend on costs but plenty of places I've noticed like Parker International and Ribble have clearance at the moment so may be able to pick up a groupset cheap (either 105 or Ultegra probably 10speed) and go from there. I'll be buying it bit by bit and assembling it before the Spring so there should be plenty of opportunities to pick up a bargain. Anyone know of a decent frame? I want the old style frame with no tilt in the top bar so it's flat if that makes sense. I remeasured and I'm actually a 58cm frame in that style and 172.5mm crank.
Had a chat with a friend whose got a custom made frame with a full Dura Ace Groupset. It's a lovely bike but the costs are off this planet. He did suggest looking at electronic shifting but I know nothing about them and don't know how much extra it would be.
Had a chat with a friend whose got a custom made frame with a full Dura Ace Groupset. It's a lovely bike but the costs are off this planet. He did suggest looking at electronic shifting but I know nothing about them and don't know how much extra it would be.
MartynVRS said:
I'm really tempted to build from scratch since I keep looking at bikes and there's always something put on it to cut costs. My build will all depend on costs but plenty of places I've noticed like Parker International and Ribble have clearance at the moment so may be able to pick up a groupset cheap (either 105 or Ultegra probably 10speed) and go from there. I'll be buying it bit by bit and assembling it before the Spring so there should be plenty of opportunities to pick up a bargain. Anyone know of a decent frame? I want the old style frame with no tilt in the top bar so it's flat if that makes sense. I remeasured and I'm actually a 58cm frame in that style and 172.5mm crank.
Had a chat with a friend whose got a custom made frame with a full Dura Ace Groupset. It's a lovely bike but the costs are off this planet. He did suggest looking at electronic shifting but I know nothing about them and don't know how much extra it would be.
you are looking for a horizontal top tube. for starters what about this? Had a chat with a friend whose got a custom made frame with a full Dura Ace Groupset. It's a lovely bike but the costs are off this planet. He did suggest looking at electronic shifting but I know nothing about them and don't know how much extra it would be.
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/FRGUPIR/guerci...
electronic shifting is pointless to be honest, you are better spending the money on somethign that will make ad ifference like the wheels. it adds very little that a well maintained high end (eg ultegra/force) groupset doesnt already offer. electronic dura-ace is £1500, ultegra about £1000? £1000 for just the shifters and mechs is ridiculous when you can get a complete (hubs, bottom bracket)105 groupset for £500.... your friend is either very fast or very rich.
when building a bike from scratch, dont forget that you will need to include the cost of bars, stem, spacers, bar tape, forks, seat post, saddle, seat collar, wheels, bottom bracket, pedals, tyres, etc. its rare to build a bike up from scratch that is better value than an off the peg bike though you do get to spend the money on the things that matter and the personal touch.
pablo said:
you are looking for a horizontal top tube. for starters what about this?
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/FRGUPIR/guerci...
electronic shifting is pointless to be honest, you are better spending the money on somethign that will make ad ifference like the wheels. it adds very little that a well maintained high end (eg ultegra/force) groupset doesnt already offer. electronic dura-ace is £1500, ultegra about £1000? £1000 for just the shifters and mechs is ridiculous when you can get a complete (hubs, bottom bracket)105 groupset for £500.... your friend is either very fast or very rich.
when building a bike from scratch, dont forget that you will need to include the cost of bars, stem, spacers, bar tape, forks, seat post, saddle, seat collar, wheels, bottom bracket, pedals, tyres, etc. its rare to build a bike up from scratch that is better value than an off the peg bike though you do get to spend the money on the things that matter and the personal touch.
Yeah I guessed electronic shifts would be expensive and not being an experienced racer I'm not going to see the benefit. My friend isn't that rich but always wants the best he can afford. His bike is 10 years old now so he wants to replace his groupset as it's worn and was considering electronic as an option.http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/FRGUPIR/guerci...
electronic shifting is pointless to be honest, you are better spending the money on somethign that will make ad ifference like the wheels. it adds very little that a well maintained high end (eg ultegra/force) groupset doesnt already offer. electronic dura-ace is £1500, ultegra about £1000? £1000 for just the shifters and mechs is ridiculous when you can get a complete (hubs, bottom bracket)105 groupset for £500.... your friend is either very fast or very rich.
when building a bike from scratch, dont forget that you will need to include the cost of bars, stem, spacers, bar tape, forks, seat post, saddle, seat collar, wheels, bottom bracket, pedals, tyres, etc. its rare to build a bike up from scratch that is better value than an off the peg bike though you do get to spend the money on the things that matter and the personal touch.
Building it myself may cost a little more but every part I put on I'm putting because I want to and not because a shop wants to make more profit. Plus I'll be gaining valuable experience in building a bike from scratch. Is it best to buy a bike holder to make it easier to work on? About £50 aren't they?
I have a 2011 Spec Allez Competition sitting in the shed with only 200 miles on the computer. It's a 58 cm and I'm between 56 cm and 58 cm road bikes at 5' 11.5".
Did my back in just after getting it so missed a lot of the summer and I have other bikes.
Bought for £1300 but happy to let go for £1000 with said computer.
PM me if interested.
Did my back in just after getting it so missed a lot of the summer and I have other bikes.
Bought for £1300 but happy to let go for £1000 with said computer.
PM me if interested.
Decathlons offerings of the triban 5 and 3 are great value. Granted its not 105, but I have friends with the sora groupset and theyve covered many thousands of miles without trouble.
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-5-id_8167039.htm...
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-5-id_8167039.htm...
Building it myself may cost a little more but every part I put on I'm putting because I want to and not because a shop wants to make more profit. Plus I'll be gaining valuable experience in building a bike from scratch. Is it best to buy a bike holder to make it easier to work on? About £50 aren't they?
Building your own bike works out a fair bit more expensive, unless you're an eBay/STW ninja, opt for parts of uncommon spec (end-of-season leftovers), go for a lot of S/H parts, or just get damn lucky with CRC, Wiggle et al, purely because you've not the buying power of a manufacturer.
If this is your first bike, buy a complete one, use it and tweak it as you go along. Cheaper, easier, comparatively fuss free (especially as it'll spare you the misery of headset standards).
You don't need a stand to build a bike: I built mine on my bedroom floor. Slight oversight as what when up the stairs in bits didn't come down the stairs quite so easily once assembled!
Building your own bike works out a fair bit more expensive, unless you're an eBay/STW ninja, opt for parts of uncommon spec (end-of-season leftovers), go for a lot of S/H parts, or just get damn lucky with CRC, Wiggle et al, purely because you've not the buying power of a manufacturer.
If this is your first bike, buy a complete one, use it and tweak it as you go along. Cheaper, easier, comparatively fuss free (especially as it'll spare you the misery of headset standards).
You don't need a stand to build a bike: I built mine on my bedroom floor. Slight oversight as what when up the stairs in bits didn't come down the stairs quite so easily once assembled!
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