£600 for road bike

[BPC7]

I am looking to buy my first road bike after purchasing a Carrera MTB from Halfords earlier this year. Having been firmly bitten on the backside by the cycling bug I feel the MTB is good but as mostly gets used on the road I feel the need to get a proper road bike.

My budget is not big by anyones standards at around the £600 mark so choice is very limited. I have seen a Boardman Road Race in Halfords and on line at Evans they have many in the price range I have but I know nothing of what to look for in quality of frame, wheels and running gear.

I am 5'9" and around the 12st area (on a good day) with an inside leg of 31". After reading about frame sizing I feel a medium or 53cm frame size would suit but will be trying all out for size before handing over my money.

Any recommendations and also bikes to stear well clear of please

[anonymous-user]

The Boardmans are no where near as good value for money as they were. Last Christmas I purchased the 105 equipped Comp road bike for about £550 in the Halfords 20% off sale.
Some good bikes at ribblecycles.co.uk

Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 30th December 16:13

[anonymous-user]

if the boardman is a good fot, buy it, i had one for 3 years and covered about 3000 miles on it without a single issue.

there are a lot of bikes out there for the money but they really are almost identical as its the first serious road bike price bracket so all the brands have a model around £500-600. the spec will be largely the same, shimano 2300 or sora, and the frame material will be aluminium. dont worry too much about spec, its all good stuff if you learn how to keep it well maintained. i have seen people ride around on £3k worth of bike and still have gears out of sync....

now people will tell you that brand x is better than brand y on the basis that the high end brand x bikes are better or because they have a brand x. most of this is subjective. on the plus side, you really do have to try hard to buy a lemon these days given the popularity of cycling.

the better known brands dont offer much in the way of value for money though, so you could stretch the £600 a bit further buying something like a pinnacle (evans "own brand") or even raleigh (the airlite range is very good by all accounts)

[bleesh]

BPC7 said:

I am 5'9" and around the 12st area (on a good day) with an inside leg of 31". After reading about frame sizing I feel a medium or 53cm frame size would suit but will be trying all out for size before handing over my money.

Any recommendations and also bikes to stear well clear of please

I'm pretty much the same measurements as you, and I got a Specialized Allez Sport with a 54cm frame (it's got the curved down top tube) and that is fine for me.
I think the specs have improved since 2009 when I got mine but I think the price is around your target.

[snotrag]

If you can stretch to it, we (Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op) Have some 2011 Cannondale CAAD 8's in Tiagra Spec for £699 - which is a stunning bike and a big step up from the Allez's etc (no prejudice, we sell those too). Very nice frame on these.

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?...



Not many left though I doubt so you'd need to be quick..

[BPC7]

Thanks to all for your help, think I will try and go round the stores today having a look as online is all right but I am very hands on and need to actually sit on and try them. Having never had a road bike I feel this is quite important.

[wilbo83]

Surprised no one has recommended a Giant Defy yet, these are excellent bikes in that price range, I have one myself and cant fault it. I am 5"9 and 11.5 stone

[Anthony Micallef]

BPC7 said:

Thanks to all for your help, think I will try and go round the stores today having a look as online is all right but I am very hands on and need to actually sit on and try them. Having never had a road bike I feel this is quite important.

Let us know what you buy. Im looking to get my first road bike in the new few months too. I like the look of the Boardmans as well and from I can see they are still good VFM.

[Teocali]

bleesh said:

I'm pretty much the same measurements as you, and I got a Specialized Allez Sport with a 54cm frame (it's got the curved down top tube) and that is fine for me.
I think the specs have improved since 2009 when I got mine but I think the price is around your target.

I was in the same position in summer this year - decided I wanted my first road bike and had around £600 to spend.

After reading too many online reviews I finally went and tested several at my local bike shop and to be honest was comfortable on all reccommended frames. Or should that be equally uncomfortable??

I decided to go with a Specialized Allez sport due to good reviews and it seemed to make sense to buy a good frame with cheaper compoennets that I could upgrade if needed.

I cant fault the bike 6 months on but at the same time I dont belive i'm a good enough rider to spot subtle flaws yet.

In short I dont think you will get a bad bike for £600 provided it fits!

Shameless pic:

[BPC7]

Back from the shops empty handed... at the moment!

Halfords couldnt find the key to unlock the Boardman Road Race so I couldnt try it for size.

The Trek 1.5 Compact I liked in Evans was a 52cm frame and that didnt fit me very well so would require a 54cm which they do not have or any stock of. I have found stock on line at other dealers for £699 but seeing it was only £550 in Evans I am not prepared to spend the additional money for the same thing seeing Evans have the 2012 range for £720.

I also sat on a Pinnacle Dolomite Two 52cm which was quite comfy but didnt like the plain grey paint finish.

What I have learnt from my trip out was Shimano Tiagra gearing is the way to go over the Sora and other types as they feel more comfortable and in better reach.

Will keep searching.... and will also look at the Giant mentioned above

[wilbo83]

BPC7 said:

Halfords couldnt find the key to unlock the Boardman Road Race so I couldnt try it for size.

Simple rule here, go to a proper bike shop and not the numptys at halfords! (although annoying if you do want the boardman). I also considered the allez too.

[anonymous-user]

wilbo83 said:

Simple rule here, go to a proper bike shop and not the numptys at halfords! (although annoying if you do want the boardman). I also considered the allez too.

yawn, lets knock Halfords yet again, yawn

[Teocali]

Jimboka said:

yawn, lets knock Halfords yet again, yawn

I would have defended Halfords a few years ago but my local store has long since lost it bike technicians - apparently they were vastly reduced in number to save costs....

On the positive side I can highly recommend Evans at Kendal.

[anonymous-user]

Teocali said:

I would have defended Halfords a few years ago but my local store has long since lost it bike technicians - apparently they were vastly reduced in number to save costs....

On the positive side I can highly recommend Evans at Kendal.

The 2 Halfords I use are as good as gold!. Far better than my local High St independents...