Like a what car thread, but for bikes.....

[Deerfoot]

OK, a bit of background for you. I retired from 23 years in the REME back in Jan 2011. Although my eating habits haven`t changed I didn`t get the opportunity to excercise as much as I had previuosly. I ended up putting on around 18 lbs until September this year. Something needed to be done.

I used to cycle to work whilst in Germany and I loved it. So, I dug out my 1999 Scott Boulder hardtail, fitted some slicks and got out cycling after work three days a week, covering around 22-25 miles per outing. I`ve so far lost a stone and feel much better for excercising regularly again, I`ve even got on Strava but only to compare my performances against myself.

Anyway, I`m thinking of buying a new bike. I have a good friend with a Scott CR1 which I`ve had a go on. To be honest I didn`t get on with it. I didn`t like the layout of the bars, brakes and gears and I felt a bit of a fraud on it!

So, my attention has been drawn to either a Boardman Hybrid Comp, Specialized Sirrus or a Charge Zester as I like the idea of flat bars mixed with a more focused ride.

Am I missing something? Is this the kind of bike I should be looking at? Are there any others I should be looking at?

I`ll be spending around £300 via fleabay, gumtree or preloved etc.

[magpie215]

Giant rapid or Giant FCR should be on your radar

[Disco You]

MTFU and get a road bike. Once you're used to drop bars, you won't look back.

Used specialized allez are good at this price.

[nammynake]

Road bikes (drop bars) can take a little getting used to, especially coming from the more upright position of a mountain bike, but don't discount them so quickly. My first few rides on a road bike were uncomfortable, twitchy and not very enjoyable. However, once you get used to the position (and this can require some tweaking of seat height etc) they are actually quite comfortable, and you can really throw them around. Those skinny tyres have a lot more grip than they first appear to have.

I just love the speed of the things!

[mikees]

Disco You said:

MTFU and get a road bike. Once you're used to drop bars, you won't look back.

Used specialized allez are good at this price.

Got a mint cannondale caad on bikeradar for 300 as a winter trainer. Bargains at this time of year.

Mike

[shoestring7]

I had a Sirrus. I found that on longer rides it was pretty uncomfortable - you're locked into one position and can't shift your position like you can on a road bike. YMMV.

SS7

[Deerfoot]

Disco You said:

MTFU and get a road bike. Once you're used to drop bars, you won't look back.

Used specialized allez are good at this price.

Hmm, this did cross my mind. I caught a reflection of myself on the CR1 in a shop window and I thought I looked like a silly old fool.

I might see if I can borrow it again for a longer ride.

Thanks for the comments everybody.

[gazza285]

Deerfoot said:

Disco You said:

MTFU and get a road bike. Once you're used to drop bars, you won't look back.

Used specialized allez are good at this price.

Hmm, this did cross my mind. I caught a reflection of myself on the CR1 in a shop window and I thought I looked like a silly old fool.

I might see if I can borrow it again for a longer ride.

Thanks for the comments everybody.

You look like a silly old fool? So what, only you think so. I personally don't give a flying feck what you look like, do you? If you do, Why? Enjoy the ride.

[Apriliaer]

Mate, 23 yrs in green pyjamas (OK only the REME ) get what you want.

[Deerfoot]

OK, have added an Allez to the search list. There appears to be loads of different specs of Allez around though.

[47p2]

I did a lot of road cycling in my 20s-30s and then stopped. In an attempt to get back into it 25 years later I bought a hybrid a few years ago and hated it so much that I managed to do 20 miles on the bike in 2 years of ownership and left it hanging in the garage. I eventually gave the bike to my son-in-law and dug out my old Peugeot road bike and got back into the swing of things. I was unfit and carrying extra weight so the position on a road bike was not comfortable but more familiar than the hybrid, thus making the rides more enjoyable. If you want an upright position as that seems to be what you are used to then go for it. As you become fitter and loose more weight and the addiction of cycling gets stronger then you may wish to try drop bars, but for now you should stick with what you know

[Disco You]

Deerfoot said:

OK, have added an Allez to the search list. There appears to be loads of different specs of Allez around though.

Allez<allez sport<allez elite <allez race

The main difference is in the groupset. There's a nice guide to Shimano groupsets here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shimano#Road_groupset...

But basically:

2200<2300<sora<Tiagra<105<<Ultegra< dura ace

You'll probably be looking at allez and allez sports, so they'll have 2300 or sora. Obviously there are differences between model years too.

[anonymous-user]

I'd spend £350 and get this. Spec wise it's good value for money, forme aren't a big brand but are british albeit made in the Far East like the others.
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/153515/products/form...

If tyre looking second hand, you can't be too picky about brand or model, spec etc. Good bikes well priced will go quickly but there is a lot of over priced bikes out there too. The general rule is half rrp then 10% off per year though upgrades etc do not make it an exact science. Get an idea of the right size for you then keep an eye out and act quick if you see something you like.

[Deerfoot]

^ That looks great.

I'm 5ft 8in with a 32 inch inside leg, as they only have 56, 58 or 60 cm frames left will they be too big?