Road Bike Advice...

[SteveS]

I'm currently riding around on a entry level road bike which I mostly use for commuting to work. I'd like something better for training and longer rides, and having received a small inheritance recently would like to put it towards a new bike.

£1,000 is my absolute maximum budget. Obviously bikes get better the more you pay, but I'd guess beyond a certain point the more you pay the smaller the return you get. If I could get something only marginally inferior for £800 say, I'd probably rather go for that.

I know very little about bikes and what components are good. Would the Bianchi Nirone 7 105 Compact be a good buy? Any suggestions?

[Ady In Accy]

The range of Focus bikes at Wiggle are worth looking at:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Fo...09/5360037591/

So much choice. They also do a range of Felt Cyclo cross bikes which is another option.............

Also consider 2nd hand. For that money you could end up with a very well specced bike.

[Bob]

105 groupsets were always pretty decent for the money.

It all depends on how much you are going to ride - I've a Specialised Allez - cost £420 but it's good enough for most of what riding I do. There's a possibility that some bike shops still have last year's models in stock and are looking to get them sold ASAP, my mountain bike was 20% off just because it was a 2006 model not the 2007 one. I reckon you'd be able to tell the difference between a £500 bike and a £1000 one but not between one at £800 and £1000. The only way to know is to have a test ride or two, most decent bike shops will have demonstrator bikes that you can borrow/hire for a day.

[trilathon]

for a grand you'll get a very capable bike these days

look at any of the big manufacturers or smaller direct to the public and you can't really go wrong unless it does not fit you !

some differentiate in geometry between out an out race bikes and more relaxed sportive models

singlespeed is popular and cheap

you're quite right in thinking that there is a massive diminishing returns on value with the more that you spend..IMO mostly you're just pandering to ego, exclusivity and small drops in weight with corresponding short lifespan of components..loads is spent on marketing to cyclists and many think nothing of spending five grand on a bike.

[Ady In Accy]

I know a man who is selling this. Excellent spec (full Campy Record). Suit the taller rider.

http://z10.invisionfree.com/NLRC/ind...ost&id=1798219

[trilathon]

i'd recommend going for a bike with alloy tubeset, which is good value for money, forget about carbon seat stays etc..just a marketing ploy and of cosmetic/ percieved status value only...good quality components eg 105, will earn their keep and really there isn't much difference between them and say Dura ace. especially if you don't look at the logo's !

prob the worst bit of any off the peg bike are the wheels..usually heavy and machine made..if you have spare funds then even a relatively cheap set of aftermarket wheels can dramatically improve a bike in turns of zippyness

specialzed are one of the biggest brands in the UK and have some great bikes in the 500-1000 range, though that bianchi looks fine

[Man from Del Monte]

i was also going to say look at specialised for that price range
i really would reccomend a bike shop as you will get a proper fit, see the choices, be able to take it back as new wheels usually need re-trueing after a few miles and if you drive a hard bargain should be able to get it at a similar price to online.

[dominion]

http://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/showthread.php?t=6937

I got a really nice Trek 1.9 for a grand last year with Ultrega.

[SteveS]

Been into Freewheel in Nottingham today for a chat. Very friendly and helpful. They stock Trek and Specialized, and I had a short ride about on the Trek 1.7 and Specialized Allez Elite which fall in my price range. I'm going to borrow the Allez for a longer test ride, was impressed with it.

Now do I go to pop Evans who have a load of other makes that fit the budget, or is that going to confuse me even more?

[daz h]

Been into Freewheel in Nottingham today for a chat. Very friendly and helpful. They stock Trek and Specialized, and I had a short ride about on the Trek 1.7 and Specialized Allez Elite which fall in my price range. I'm going to borrow the Allez for a longer test ride, was impressed with it.

Now do I go to pop Evans who have a load of other makes that fit the budget, or is that going to confuse me even more?

Steve the bianchi would be a good buy mate
what size frame are you
Freewheel are a good shop. Evans will have a good deal but staff wise errrr not so knowledgable. Went in t other week for some tubes and the lad gave me the wrong ones ( no idea )
Why are you buying a trek ????
I personally wouldnt go for one of those