Road bike help

[Amex]

I am looking to have a go at cycling on road, which bike should i opt for? budget between 250-650 all you bikers must be able to point me in the right direction.

[nikalas]

Without wishing to lure CL out of his cave, I wouldn't even consider spending as little as £250.. it'll be a dog of a bike and you won't get any enjoyment out of riding it. For £650, you'll struggle to beat this

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/...-bike-ec031777

[Stagger]

Don't take this the wrong way but the wheels will be key for a lad of your size. There are plenty of nice bike but you need bombproof wheels.
I use a triple which as 3 rings at the pedals and 10 at the back. You can't beat having the option of a couple of easier gears when the legs and body are knackered.
Compacts (2 rings at the front) are great for racing snakes, but can be hard work after a long ride when we get back in to the South Pennine hillls.
I have a Cannondale and its a cracker.

[Wheeze]

I'm sure you can find something suitable Amex. There are some old 2011 bikes on good offer at Evans. Just bagged a Scott S40 triple which was 30% off its £799 ticket price....so well within your budget.
Would agree that a triple front is something to consider given where you live and your previous injury record!

[matthew]

I would shop around, if you get last years model or 2010 you can save big money.

[ZootHornRollo]

Like Stagger and Wheeze say, get a triple. Probably won't do much better than a Specialized Allez.
£520 for last year's model here:
http://www.freeborn.co.uk/specialized-2011-allez-24
£600 at Evans for this year's.

Whatever you get, make sure you get the right frame size.

[that_fjell_guy]

Have you considered a non-suspended mountain bike with slicks? An old school Cannondale or something off ebay would be dirt cheap. Its just making sure you get a good one. I use my old Orange Prestige for most road rides, or my Klein fixie (...which I got off ebay with three pairs of wheels for £300!!) Just a thought.....

[Amex]

Have you considered a non-suspended mountain bike with slicks? An old school Cannondale or something off ebay would be dirt cheap. Its just making sure you get a good one. I use my old Orange Prestige for most road rides, or my Klein fixie (...which I got off ebay with three pairs of wheels for £300!!) Just a thought.....

I have a Spark 20 MTB which i use for road, canal off road just bloody hard work with all that rubber on the road.
as Stagger says i am not a small chap but wheels? do i have to buy different wheels for a new bike?

[ZootHornRollo]

but wheels? do i have to buy different wheels for a new bike?

no. If I was you I'd just take what comes on the bike at that price. They'll be entry level wheels but it's an entry level bike.

See if you enjoy it first.

[nikalas]

A bit over your budget at £689 but, if you can stretch a bit, an absolute cracker. The build I've specced is SRAM Apex Compact Chainset (50/34) with their super spread rear block (11-32). Wider gearing than a triple, fewer replicated gears, lighter and, well, it's not a triple

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/specia...&sub=conf_SERC