Another 'what bike' thread - first road bike
Discussion
Gents,
apologies, it's another 'What Bike?' thread, but I've done my research and I value your opinions. Essentially I'm after my first road bike after spending the latter half of last year out and about on my Specialized Crosstrail Sportdisc hybrid. I got in to the routine of riding 4-5 times per week for about an hour at a time and I've loved every minute of it (well most
) so it's time to get my first road bike.
I want it purely for my own fitness, I'm never going to race it and it's unlikely I'll do things like sportives so the last word in spec isn't an issue. That said I like stuff that works well and is good quality! So....best entry level bike with good bang for the buck seems to be the Felt Wiggle F85 Tiagra if I go for new, or something maybe in to 105 territory if I go second hand. For info I'm 5'9" and 12 stone so looking at a 54cm bike.
Anything else I should be looking at? Have I picked the wrong bike geometry-wise for fitness-only riding? Thoughts and criticism welcome!
apologies, it's another 'What Bike?' thread, but I've done my research and I value your opinions. Essentially I'm after my first road bike after spending the latter half of last year out and about on my Specialized Crosstrail Sportdisc hybrid. I got in to the routine of riding 4-5 times per week for about an hour at a time and I've loved every minute of it (well most
) so it's time to get my first road bike.I want it purely for my own fitness, I'm never going to race it and it's unlikely I'll do things like sportives so the last word in spec isn't an issue. That said I like stuff that works well and is good quality! So....best entry level bike with good bang for the buck seems to be the Felt Wiggle F85 Tiagra if I go for new, or something maybe in to 105 territory if I go second hand. For info I'm 5'9" and 12 stone so looking at a 54cm bike.
Anything else I should be looking at? Have I picked the wrong bike geometry-wise for fitness-only riding? Thoughts and criticism welcome!
Have a look at Ribble £599 gets you a winter training bike from them, mudguards are very nice to have in the winter.
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/
You can up spec whatever you want - bike builders quite fun.
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/
You can up spec whatever you want - bike builders quite fun.
I'd be tempted to up the budget and I'd get this Canyon which is a fantastic all round package for the price. The extra you spend over the Felt will be hugely noticeable.
I know its £300 more and thats a lot but there is precious little Tiagra on that Felt, you're getting the mechs and shifters and then the dregs from a parts bin, those brakes in particular look very cheap.
I look at it this way, you will start riding for an hour or so, by riding a nice comfortable and fast bike, that easily becomes two hours, then its a little further and you'll purposely go looking for some hills, come the end of the summer you will want something more than the Felt whereas the Canyon, by virtue of being a better bike from the outset, will last you a lot longer.
I know its £300 more and thats a lot but there is precious little Tiagra on that Felt, you're getting the mechs and shifters and then the dregs from a parts bin, those brakes in particular look very cheap.
I look at it this way, you will start riding for an hour or so, by riding a nice comfortable and fast bike, that easily becomes two hours, then its a little further and you'll purposely go looking for some hills, come the end of the summer you will want something more than the Felt whereas the Canyon, by virtue of being a better bike from the outset, will last you a lot longer.
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 7th January 20:14
Pulse said:
It is a bit of a bargain, nicely specced for the money and damn cheap for a carbon frame.On the other hand choosing between the two I'd probably go for the canyon linked above.
Better wheels, better group set.
Not a lot in it on weight either
Pablo, thanks for that. Right now though, I cannot stretch to £900, not because I don't want to but because I've got two other major projects going on (house refurb and I'm refreshing my Caterham over the winter) so £600 possibly £650 is the budget including pedals. The Holdsworth looks good too but again is still over-budget as I would need pedals.
I get the Felt doesn't have that much Tiagra on it, I didn't actually spot that which I probably should have done! Plus the fact some more reading points to the geometry being more to the racey end of the spectrum means it's probably not right anyway. So back to the drawing board...
I get the Felt doesn't have that much Tiagra on it, I didn't actually spot that which I probably should have done! Plus the fact some more reading points to the geometry being more to the racey end of the spectrum means it's probably not right anyway. So back to the drawing board...
I'd been riding around on a Crosstrail Sport Disk for a couple of years before getting a roadie last year, and was going to buy a similar Felt from Wiggle 
Ended up visiting Decathlon and trying a Triban 5a and buying it on the spot. There was nothing to put me off; the 2013 Sora has 9sp and proper brifters so I couldn't see any merit in spending more for Tiagra. But mainly I was able to make sure it would fit me properly.
The Crosstrail feels very heavy and long compared to the Triban now, but I still ride both.
Ended up visiting Decathlon and trying a Triban 5a and buying it on the spot. There was nothing to put me off; the 2013 Sora has 9sp and proper brifters so I couldn't see any merit in spending more for Tiagra. But mainly I was able to make sure it would fit me properly.The Crosstrail feels very heavy and long compared to the Triban now, but I still ride both.
grenpayne said:
Pablo, thanks for that. Right now though, I cannot stretch to £900, not because I don't want to but because I've got two other major projects going on (house refurb and I'm refreshing my Caterham over the winter) so £600 possibly £650 is the budget including pedals. The Holdsworth looks good too but again is still over-budget as I would need pedals.
I get the Felt doesn't have that much Tiagra on it, I didn't actually spot that which I probably should have done! Plus the fact some more reading points to the geometry being more to the racey end of the spectrum means it's probably not right anyway. So back to the drawing board...
Or get the Felt z95. Only sora but it will be OK and the geomerty is better.I get the Felt doesn't have that much Tiagra on it, I didn't actually spot that which I probably should have done! Plus the fact some more reading points to the geometry being more to the racey end of the spectrum means it's probably not right anyway. So back to the drawing board...
Near Cheshire? Buy this hardly used 105 54cm Giant Defy 1. Try and find a bad review. You should be able to split the 10% sellers fee if you go to view and buy in cash.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Giant-Defy-1-2013-Compac...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Giant-Defy-1-2013-Compac...
Richard, funny I found that on eBay last night but it's a good 3 hours drive. Anyway, after spending most of the morning on the phone and on the net, I've just bought a brand new 2013 Giant Defy 2 for £599. It's better spec'd than the Felt I was thinking about and having ridden a friends back in the Autumn I know it felt comfortable. I'll look to upgrade the wheels in a few months but in the meantime it should be quite a difference from my Crosstrail Hybrid.
Thanks for all the suggestions, especially the Canyon which looked superb, just out of my price range.
Thanks for all the suggestions, especially the Canyon which looked superb, just out of my price range.
grenpayne said:
Richard, funny I found that on eBay last night but it's a good 3 hours drive. Anyway, after spending most of the morning on the phone and on the net, I've just bought a brand new 2013 Giant Defy 2 for £599. It's better spec'd than the Felt I was thinking about and having ridden a friends back in the Autumn I know it felt comfortable. I'll look to upgrade the wheels in a few months but in the meantime it should be quite a difference from my Crosstrail Hybrid.
Thanks for all the suggestions, especially the Canyon which looked superb, just out of my price range.
That's a great buy Thanks for all the suggestions, especially the Canyon which looked superb, just out of my price range.
Wheels are alright actually, just check the spoke tension. Some experience flex with hard climbing but they're better than most OE wheels. I'd recommend some Mich Lithion 2 tyres (25mm, they were £25 a pair delivered at planet X) as a good upgrade for spring onwards.I know you're not planning on mudguards, but if you do get the proper Giant ones, they look, fit and work a treat.
That's great info, thanks 
I certainly wouldn't rule out mudguards but having said I'd keep the Crosstrail, I've now put it up for sale and will get a proper (second hand) hardtail in the Spring for the trips out with the family and for when the weather is poor, hopefully keeping the Defy for drier rides out on my own.
I certainly wouldn't rule out mudguards but having said I'd keep the Crosstrail, I've now put it up for sale and will get a proper (second hand) hardtail in the Spring for the trips out with the family and for when the weather is poor, hopefully keeping the Defy for drier rides out on my own. Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff