I know there's a few cyclists on here so, any tips on a good value road bike? I can join the cycle to work scheme but heard there are sometimes better deals to be had paying cash. At the moment I'm pondering the Giant Defy range with the Defy 3 compact being suggested by some.
Depends on your budget and requirements, and riding type. Honest riding type - not what you think you might do! I'd stick with a compact chainset (2 mid range front rings 50/34 teeth) unless you are old/weak (in a riding sense, not a general sense!) and want the granny ring for hills that a triple provides. A standard front 53/39 teeth is too high end for a newbie. As for what bike - if you are serious then try and spec shimano 105 or sram rival as minimum. These represent the best value point in the ranges (ultegra and force being a step up respectively). Frame choice? Depends on price - try bikeradar's review section for a guide and their £1k bike winner articles each year.
Cheers Steve. At the moment I do about 30-40 miles minimum when I'm out on the hybrid at least a couple of times a week, the limit tends to be time. I use the granny if I hit Brantingham or Nunburnholme after a long ride, but I was a bit fitter last year and got up both many times in the big ring, refusing to drop to middle (even going back on a series of loops to build my legs for C2C), so I reckon a lighter bike should get me up them if I MTFU. The reason for looking at the Defy was that the frame's the same throughout the range, so I could upgrade later if I felt the need. I was pointed at the 3 because of the carbon forks. It's also a 10 speed, so should give more actual different ratios than a standard tripple? I'm expecting a road bike to mean an increase in average speed,even if it's a slight one, so hopefully I could get a few extra miles in for the same time, hopefully building to 100+ in a day. (It'll be a flatish route).
I have no idea what either of you are talking about but i went by the bike place at the beginning of town were Kwiksave was today and they've got bikes in there for 800 quid!! FFS ive paid 40 quid for a car a few times.
Some people pay more than £800 quid just on the pedals!!! It's a mine field and why I'm asking advice. Sometimes the increase in price between models is not matched by the benefits unless you're planning to enter competition.
I use a Trek 1000 - good starter bike, not too expensive (I got mine of e-bay for just over £100.00), very light aluminium frame with carbon fibre front forks. I've also got a Ridgeback Velocity which is a bit heavier, more versatile if you wander off road a bit and has a megarange gear set which is useful if you happen to come across a very steep hill. Of the two I prefer the Trek.
Cheers, I'll have a look at the Trek. I know you can get good ones, but I'm wary of second hand unless I know the previous owner. I don't want a nicked one and unless it's someone that gets one on a whim (the cycle to work scheme does encourage it) they're not often sold for no reason.
I know very little about motor bikes, but the retro Kawasaki with the chrome spoked wheels (with a W on the tank) looks a bit decent.
Hi Dutch, I know a couple of people who swear by the Boardman bikes at Halfrauds of all places. You see a lot kicking around South Cave as we get invaded by Lycra clad speed freaks. When are you doing the coast to coast? I quite fancy doing the Trans pennine trail which is from Southport to Hornsea. Don't rule out Boardman bikes just because they are from Halfords - tend to get very good write ups and 2 fairly serious riders I know swear by them. Cube are worth having a look at, as are Orbea - my mate used to own a bike shop and Orbea was a range that he stocked - he said they were terrific. Despite not now having the shop he still uses an Orbea for triathlons and iron man events! Good luck! Here's a link from Bike Radar on Boardman http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-boardman-team-carbon-10-37560
Yes, I've had some good reviews on the Boardman range, some clued up people saying they give real good value for money, but that I'd need to check the build before riding it. I'll have a look at Orbea.
I got a racer for 140 from my local bike shop just to get started, do about 16 miles a night. Been fantastic I keep thinking about getting a cannondale or similar but not sure if it will benefit me anymore than my cheapy
Get a Lambretta Dutch, you're legs will get just as much exercise as you would on a road bike, but it will also help with your upper arm strength. Mainly because it will need pushing half the time.
(Get a Lambretta Dutch, you're legs will get just as much exercise as you would on a road bike, but it will also help with your upper arm strength. Mainly because it will need pushing half the time.) poppop
glennonslastpint missed your question on the coast to coast. I did the Whitehaven to Sunderland one last year and was due to do the Southport/Hornsea one nowish, but it fell through. Also looked at the Way of the Roses, which seemed worth a ride. If you can't hi-jack someone elses ride, it's either organising back up, gambling or carting your clobber with you. But well worth the effort. Have you looked at the East Riding 3G route?
There's a lot of debate about the value or otherwise of cycle helmets, but even someone like me that votes against wearing them can see how having something over the ears and hiding the face would be an advantage peddling a scooter.
That's my dilemma really. Some of the lower end bikes are decent if (like me) you're not used to modern racers. I can't decide at what point the better components are cost effective. Most of the advantages seem to be weight based, which seem silly spending extra hundreds to save grammes and then setting a fat twat like me on top of it.
I No, I've mainly been into mountain biking, last year I split and sold a Specialized road bike that had a full Ultegra group set on it. I'd used it for a few months, but wish I had kept it, as I fancy getting a bit more serious about it. My Uncle did the Deloitte tour of Britain a couple of years ago, and my neighbour is doing the Paris to London cycle race. I'm a bit old school as I don't like alloy or carbon frames, steel has a bit of flex, and is a better material in my opinion for frame building.
