Recommend me a Flat-Bar Road Bike. Good Brand

[jay85]

As above really, looking to get a new bike for cycle track commuting and riding around Bristol.
Don't want drop-handle as I don't have the back for that sort of riding position.
I don't know a great deal about bikes and don't know which brands are good and which ones are st but I would like one of a well-known and established brand.

Anyone have any experiences? looking to spend about £600 ish

Thanks

[Mr E]

We bought a Whyte Victora for Sarah and rather like it. A touch over budget, but I think they make a similar frame for the gentleman.

[itsnotarace]

Can recommend Giant Rapid range, should be some good deals out there soon on 2013 bikes but here's some cheap 2012 models to get you going

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m9b4s156p4406/GIANT-R...
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m9b4s156p4405/GIANT-R...

[Watchman]

Bit over that budget but the Whyte Portobello sounds ideal.

[Watchman]

Bit over that budget but the Whyte Portobello sounds ideal.

[anonymous-user]

Pop into Bristol bike workshop and see if they can get a Cotic Roadrat in for you, if you get a frame you can spec it up on a budget and might just come in on budget but they are stunning bikes http://www.cotic.co.uk/product/roadrat

[pattyg]

Specialized Sirrus I had was a great bike

[BalhamBadger]

pablo said:

Pop into Bristol bike workshop and see if they can get a Cotic Roadrat in for you, if you get a frame you can spec it up on a budget and might just come in on budget but they are stunning bikes http://www.cotic.co.uk/product/roadrat

+1 for the roadrat

[jay85]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.
That road rat does look rather cool!

Anyone have much experience with Boardman bikes? This one at halfords seems a good deal having disc brakes at that price:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

Although not that keen on halfords

Edited by jay85 on Thursday 8th August 08:35

[yellowjack]

With budget creep/man maths being so important on PH, I give you....

http://www.fatbirds.co.uk/24437/products/bottecchi...

.... the Bottecchia 804 SORA Road Hybrid, yours for the miniscule sum of £825


Or if I take the OPs budget into account....

http://www.fatbirds.co.uk/256804/products/merida-s...

.... the Merida Speeder T2 Fitness Hybrid for £549.99


http://www.fatbirds.co.uk/1027197/products/merida-...

.... it's slightly higher spec brother, the T2D for £599.99

If a bit of (light) rough stuff is required, this one....

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/58069/Me...

....has a suspension fork and MTB sourced gearing, the Crossway 100D at £499.99

The Bottecchia simply because it looks stunning. The Merida stuff because they build great bikes, in huge numbers, and you won't find a volume bike builder with better worldwide market share. I've no experience of their hybrid stuff, but have owned one of their Aluminium framed road bikes for two years with absolutely no issues save for those that were caused by my own inept spannering and a little 'over confidence' which left me sprawling on the floor early in my ownership experience. Their brand image isn't strong here in UK, but in Australasia they are well known and well regarded. Don't overlook their stuff until you've had a chance to see it for yourself.

Another brand to consider would be Orbea http://www.orbea.com/gb-en/bicycles/ - have a look in the 'Street' or 'Trekking' sections. Although finding something to suit and within budget might be a little harder with them. All their nice bikes are out of the £600 budget, and most of the ones inside the budget limit are, to put it politely, a bit "industrial" looking. Orbea was high on the shortlist when I was looking for my roadie, but price/VFM/local dealer sealed the deal with Merida for me, at the time.

If you want big brand peace of mind, but like to be a bit different (ie: not Specialised/Trek/Giant et al) then the Merida range will help you stand out a little from the 'sheeple' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merida_Bikes

[Gizmoish]

Boardman all the way.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

[Mr Will]

I'd sit on a sportive geometry road bike before you make up your mind to go flat bar. It'll be just as upright but give you more position options, which will likely be easier on your back over long distances.

[Agoogy]

I'd be trying hard to up that budget if I were you.
The Road Rat is a very nice bike either way...
Planet X did a nice flat bar but I can't see it anymore on their website??.

My OH has just spent £850 on a Scot Metrix and despite the fact it was WAY too small for me I really enjoyed a little test ride...the different bars adding a weird feeling of speed as in "it shouldn't be accelerating THIS quick!....whilst I'm sat upright like this"

Disc brakes?.....heavy and unnecesary IMO.

[jay85]

Gizmoish said:

Boardman all the way.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

I've been looking at this bike and it seems like brilliant vfm. What are Boardman like as a brand?

I'm slightly put off by them because of the Halfords image but I cant seem to find a better spec'ed bike for under £600. I guess the good price comes from the bulk buying power of Halfords?

[Agoogy]

Very rare to find much negative about Boardman... despite where they are sold.

[anonymous-user]

Strange how Halfords image would stop anyone buying a Boardman bike! The Boardman is highly regarded and comes top of most reviews.

[Agoogy]

Jimboka said:

Strange how Halfords image would stop anyone buying a Boardman bike! The Boardman is highly regarded and comes top of most reviews.

Agreed..it wouldn't stop me....but it's not a good thing

[Luckey]

Colleague has one of these and it ticks all his boxes; Scott Speedster 50 Flatbar Road Bike (2013)

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Scott-Speedster-50-Flat-Ba...

[nw36984]

I have just bought a Boardman CX Team from Halfords and although over your budget I would highly recomend Halfords Derby, I think they were fantastic, a side from that my friend just bought the following bike...

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

And with discount got it down to £607.50 + £10

Bike is £750, join British Cycling for £10 if you pay by DD and get 10% discount at Halfords which brings the price down to £675, then register with the following website for free and order £675 worth of gift vouchers with a further 10% discount using the code SELOC, this means you pay £607.50 and will recieve your vouchers next day special delivery, reserve the bike online and take your vouchers and british cycling discount voucher and your sorted, I also did the same with my CX but also got a further £40 off as they have £40 off all bikes over £400 (IIRC) so got about £200 off and couldn't be happier!!

http://select.halfordsbusinessservices.co.uk/

Good luck

[Justin Cyder]

jay85 said:

Gizmoish said:

Boardman all the way.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

I've been looking at this bike and it seems like brilliant vfm. What are Boardman like as a brand?

I'm slightly put off by them because of the Halfords image but I cant seem to find a better spec'ed bike for under £600. I guess the good price comes from the bulk buying power of Halfords?

These things are always subjective, but I've had that very bike for six months now & I love it. Halfords aside, it's been great for my commuting.