Need some advice on Road bike/commuter

[DaHell]

Hi guys,

Right this could be long winded, but hey thought I'd ask.

I have a budget of £300 to spend on a road bike/commuter. I intend to use it for cycling to work (10miles each way) and also long sunday bike rides with the fathet-in-law and his friends on weekends.

I've had a read up on Btwin triban 3's/300's, viking (very tacky) and a few other second hand bikes.

Just need a few links and suggestions really.

Thanks,

DaHell

[numtumfutunch]

Cant help with specifics but I wish at least one of my bikes had proper mudguards

I have a number of bikes , they serve different roles but overlap in function however not one of them will take nice comfy 28mm tyres with the luxury of a set of well fitting, non fouling mudguards

If youre commuting its a given

Best of luck - Id suggest a second hand Audax bike myself...........................

[jamiebae]

For commuting you need proper guards, and ideally a rack too as a rucksack is annoying and gives you a sweaty back.

I have a Genesis Day-One which I expect is still over budget, even used, but maybe you can find a scruffy Equilibrium for that kind of money?

Boardman Sport (I think, the red one) should do the job too and can be had for just over £400 new if you stack some discounts on it.

[Kell]

The new challenger to the Triban 3 is the Merlin PR7. Bang on budget at £300.

Will take up to 28mm tyres for comfort. Alu frame with a carbon fork, Shimano Claris, set up for racks/mudguards at the rear, the only thing it doesn't have is a provision for fitted mudguards at the front, but you could always use those ones that tie on.

Review below...

http://road.cc/content/news/131472-just-new-merlin...

Edited by Kell on Tuesday 18th November 10:13

[jamiebae]

And out of stock until March as I understand it.

Also, it doesn't have front guard mounts, only rear.

[Kell]

jamiebae said:

And out of stock until March as I understand it.

Also, it doesn't have front guard mounts, only rear.

I didn't see your reply while I was editing mine above...

Shame if there's not any til March as it seems to be the best NEW bike at that price point now.

[Dr Imran T]

Kell said:

The new challenger to the Triban 3 is the Merlin PR7. Bang on budget at £300.

Will take up to 28mm tyres for comfort. Alu frame with a carbon fork, Shimano Claris, set up for racks/mudguards at the rear, the only thing it doesn't have is a provision for fitted mudguards at the front, but you could always use those ones that tie on.

Review below...

http://road.cc/content/news/131472-just-new-merlin...

Edited by Kell on Tuesday 18th November 10:13

Not bad at all that!!

Seems a bargain too. I like Merlin cycles too

[TwistingMyMelon]

Just had this come through via email, a right billy bargain: http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sed/road-track-bike/...

Over budget, but a great bike that should last you years, I cant even see any bad bits, even the wheels are good for the price

Edited by TwistingMyMelon on Tuesday 18th November 13:47

[anonymous-user]

http://www.ukbikesdepot.com/m16b0s6p0/Road_Bikes/R...

The Saracen is £350 but they only have a 56cm, the Genesis is £400 and a 54/58cm, you should fit on one of those and for the money they are good bikes. You will hate most £300 road bikes and they will not encourage you to get out and ride

[Gruffy]

DaHell said:

Hi guys,
I've had a read up on Btwin triban 3's/300's, viking (very tacky) and a few other second hand bikes.

I have the Triban 3 and I wish I'd bought the 500 that came out a couple of months later. It's a little extra but I do think it's worth it for the carbon fork. The T3 isn't the most comfortable steed for longer rides over knackered British roads.

[StarmistBlue400]

Ive got a Triban 3 for the daily commute (carbon fork one) and it stands up to the job well. Have fitted some all weather tyres and really should fit mudguards but once you are wet you are wet

[Fugazi]

I have the Triban 500SE and it's brilliant for commuting, I've even done several 100km+ rides on it without bother. Some people have reported they have had trouble fitting mudguards onto the Triban, but the SKS Raceblade Long mudguards fit well. They're supposed to be clip on and off but the metal tabs look a bit odd when they're taken off and I've found them a bit of a faff to clip on and off to be honest so I've just left them on over winter. In summer I just use a clip on SKS clip on mountain bike style rear mudguard in case of wet weather, which fits onto any seat post in seconds, weighs very little and stops your backside getting soaked.

[voicey]

I have a red Triban 3 with SKS chromoplastics - it is the perfect winter commuter. It is so cheap that I don't worry about abusing it in all weathers.

[Barchettaman]

That budget is really tight for anything worth buying new.
The Merlin is the one to go for but it's out of stock.
I'd be looking at stretching the budget to ca. £500 and/or looking to buy used.

For commuting you will need to add to your purchase price:

Lights
Mudguards
Rack
Panniers
Decent cycle specific outerwear
Some good commuting tyres (probably)
Flat kit
Track pump
Basic tool kit