[Closed] Bike advice - roadie content

You'd likely be fine just getting some slick tyres for the mtb.

This will be my first foray into the world of road bikes

Find a good LBS with a decent selection, get some advice, test ride a few.

FWIW, of those two I'd rule out the Forme due to cheap Campag (personal preference.)

Yep agree with blobby. My old housemate did a triathlon using is hardtail, just put some slick tyres on, he did very well in the end.

If it is a definite one off then slicks on a mtb.

Otherwise both those bikes are good but you'd be better off finding one you can sit on. Some of the big chains have some good bikes. The boardman's at Halfords and the Evans ones are pretty good. If you are taking a punt and know a bit about bike geometry and can buy without riding then Merlin/Ribble/Planet X are worth a look.

Is there anyone who will lend you one?

When you say lease a road bike, is that the same as renting one for a short period of time ? If you had a hard tail slicks would be fine. Maybe not so much fun if you've got a heavyish full sus.

Just looked at the S****y web site, don't see much point in leasing a bike you'll pay 65% of rrp and have to give the bike back. Just buy a cheap s/h road bike and sell it on if you decide not to keep it.

Thanks all

I'm hoping this won't be a one off event and there will also be a fair bit of training needed between now and then (have been far too sedentary for the last 12 months). I did consider sticking some slicks on my MTB (it is a hard tail) but am still unsure if I'd be able to keep up with the other guys who will all be on road bikes.

I have had a browse through the usual second hand sites but given my lack of knowledge/experience with road bikes am slightly worried about buying a duffer.

The reason for looking at the leasing option is that it meant I could get a new build but have the cover there in case of any financial issues (I'm currently 2 months into a 12 month contract with no guarantee of extension). Not really an issue if I pick up a £200 second hand bike I suppose.

50 mile charity ride in the summer

if you can get to Decathlon, have a look at the triban 3 or 5 if budget allows, these are great first road bikes (they are out there as s/h as well)

also - on the road you spend all your time in the saddle so be brave and go for some bibshorts and ditch the baggies 🙂 your backside will thank you

There are many shops now selling their own brand bikes at killer prices. They are very much a 'pay your money take your choice' thing, i.e. you will get what you pay for.

As with mountain bikes, it's very hard to buy a 'bad' road bike these days, at least in terms of the quality of the prodct.

It is however, very easy to buy a bad fitting bike and for this to really impact your enjoyment of riding it. You'll get some room for compensating a poor fit by changing stem length and height, but not much byeond being one size out (i.e. buying a 58cm when you should have got a 56cm).

That said, it's possible to buy the right size from a phone conversation with a knowledgable retailer. You would still benefit from a set up but you might be able to get help from friends if the retailer you buy from isn't local.

Ribble do a good line of own brand built bikes for good prices. Merlin will also sell a complete bike at a competitive price but it will be a little more expensive as the brand will not be their own.

My first proper road ride (130miles) was on a hardtail with slicks and a bodged rigid fork. I don't know what kind of MTB you have but if you can get a rigid fork off ebay then I would recommend it. You can always flog it on afterwards. Bar ends will also help you with an alternative hand position. A fully rigid MTB with slicks will be like a rocket compared to normal set up and wont leave you trailing behind.

Road riding is a different kettle of fish in terms of body (and hand) position. You've got time to get used to road bike position but do you want to spend the spring doing this rather than MTBing? That would swing it for me one way or another.

Another place to look would be decathlon, you could get a new Triban 300 for £279 or a Triban 500 with Sora groupset for £429.

i can;t see you loosing much on either of those bike if you decide it is not your thing.

Another place to look would be decathlon, you could get a new Triban 300 for £279 or a Triban 500 with Sora groupset for £429.

i can;t see you loosing much on either of those bike if you decide it is not your thing.

Assuming you've got a half decent MTB, imagine what it'd be like to jump on a 300 quid halfords special. It'll probably feel a bit rubbish. The same can be said for a cheap road bike. So keep that in mind when evaluating whether road biking is your thing.

Whilst i agree with you mrblobby that a cheap road bike may be a bit rubbish especially in comparison with what you can get for £7-800 at planet-x or Ribble but a couple of guys i know use the Triban 500 as a winter bike and have been pleasantly surprised by its capabilities.

I suggested the 300 merely as £200 was mentioned as an affordable price for additional expenditure on a bike.

I was in a similar situation as yourself agreed to the do the coast to coast for charity, need a road bike for it. Didn't want to spend a lot but didn't want to buy so cheap that I might as well have used my full sus!

So I picked this and and been very impressed with it since

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/mekk-pinerolo-al-zr-2015/

Just buy the Triban 500. They are fine bikes and the staff tend to be knowledgeable about fit and frame size. You can sell it on here for £250 and that would give a net cost of £150. If you take to it, swap the wheels to something nicer. If you REALLY take to it, swap the groupset to 11 speed 105.

It's a world away from a "Halfords bike". In fact in 1998 aluminium bikes were winning the Tour de France.

I'd still say 2nd hand is best in your position. Not much can go wrong really as long as the frame is not cracked, the wheels run true and the gears shift.

£200 - £300 will get you a lot of bike and something you'd want to keep or lose little on if ou didn't

Thanks all.

Been looking at various sites (eBay, Gumtree etc) and struggling to find much that isn't massively out of budget or at the other end of the country.

I have, however, noticed that Rutland Cycles are currently doing some good deals on 2014 Giant bikes so I've been toying with the idea of getting a Defy 3 (currently £399.99) and resisting splurging on a Defy 1 (£674.99). Does anyone have experience of these and would either be a decent choice as a first bike?

Went to a couple of bike shops today and looked at a few bikes from Trek, Specialized etc and all felt quite similar to my untrained eye. Not sure if the extra money for the 105 group set would offer a noticeable difference.

Chhers

I have, however, noticed that Rutland Cycles are currently doing some good deals on 2014 Giant bikes so I've been toying with the idea of getting a Defy 3 (currently £399.99) and resisting splurging on a Defy 1 (£674.99). Does anyone have experience of these and would either be a decent choice as a first bike?

The Defy range have an excellent reputation as a great bike with a relatively relaxed geometry and are ideal bikes for beginners to experienced riders. I've not ridden one but they consistently get excellent reviews in all the bike press.

Bibs. Definitely. You'll probably find you sit better on a road or cx in bibs than baggies also. The dhb ones in wiggle are fine.

Re the concern over financial commitment, maybe research cx's (or road if you plan to carry on riding Road...) and buy something decent for a sensible sh price on eBay so you can sell it on if you suddenly need to without the hit of showroom to secondhand. Being That time of year, people may be looking to offload an older bike as they prepare for the new cycle to work bike...

Agree the lease option sounds expensive.

105 is nice, but since 2013's 3500 Sora is fine. I just dropped the 3500 kit off my bike for 10sp 105. The 105 *is* nicer, the levers feel better and work more smoothly, but if the price was right I'd have Sora again and Wear it out.

A bigger concern here to watch out for is 10sp vs 11speed.

11sp Road stuff has a different hub not just freewheel, so essentially the wheelset isn't compatible.

Probably not an issue low down the prices, but watch out if you're being tempted by a speedier 10sp.

Ribble have some awesome deals that are worth a look.

If the blonde is the reason you're doing this, how fast is she on a bike? If you put slicks on a mountain bike will you keep with her or do you need something light and fast to be in with a chance?

I'd buy a secondhand Dale or Gianr. In Summer itll re sell easy.

Slicks on a mtb for 50miles? Wow.

I've got a Carrera that would do you for not much more than the price of some new tyres and tubes LOL.

weeksy - Member
I've got a Carrera that would do you for not much more than the price of some new tyres and tubes LOL.

Providing it will fit a 6'2" rider then feel free to send over some info....

vincienup - Member
105 is nice, but since 2013's 3500 Sora is fine. I just dropped the 3500 kit off my bike for 10sp 105. The 105 *is* nicer, the levers feel better and work more smoothly, but if the price was right I'd have Sora again and Wear it out.

A bigger concern here to watch out for is 10sp vs 11speed.

11sp Road stuff has a different hub not just freewheel, so essentially the wheelset isn't compatible.

Probably not an issue low down the prices, but watch out if you're being tempted by a speedier 10sp.

Ribble have some awesome deals that are worth a look.

I've had a look at Ribble and even when specc'ing modest gear don't seem to get much change out of £700, which is more than the Defy 1.

If I understand the above correctly what you are saying is that with the 11 speed cassette if I wanted to upgrade parts later and move to a 10 speed 105 set up, for example, the rear wheel would also need replacing?

http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/carrera-tdf-ltd-edition-excellent-condition-size-54-60-or-so

It was arguably slightly too long for me at 6'0 weird sizing on these. Seatpost wasn't ridiculous.

All in all for the money it was a great bike. Sold to a mate who's not used it at all as he's 5'10 and is too big for him.

Or as an alternative, maybe buy a cross bike and stick some slicks on it. That way you sort of get two bikes in one. It'll hang with road bikes on the tarmac with road tyres on, but stick some cross tyres on and it'll be a laugh on off road trails, mixed-up back lanes and bridleways etc.

It's a flaming charity ride. You're going to end up spending more on a bike than you'll raise. Just put some slicks on the bike you have and ride the thing. It's only.50 miles, not some trans-european epic.

scotroutes - Member
It's a flaming charity ride. You're going to end up spending more on a bike than you'll raise. Just put some slicks on the bike you have and ride the thing. It's only.50 miles, not some trans-european epic.

That's a fair comment but it's being used as a reason to finally bite the bullet and get a road bike. However, as it's my first foray into being a roadie I wanted a bit of advice.

It's a flaming charity ride. You're going to end up spending more on a bike than you'll raise. Just put some slicks on the bike you have and ride the thing. It's only.50 miles, not some trans-european epic

Whats the worst thing than can happen?

I liked that but I wish I'd done it on a road bike now.

Surely slicks on your MTB either gives you bragging rights or a damn good excuse?

Two lads did a 70 mile reliability ride with us at the weekend on their mountain bikes,they got on fine.
Before getting a road bike I used to TT my mtb with tri-bars and slicks,I got decent enough times.
Again,before getting a road bike I toured all over the place with slicks on ,it was fine and the people I went with never had to wait for me.
If your hardtail is already a good fit,then there is no reason you can't use it with a few tweaks .

I did lejog on a mountain bike with slicks. Unless you're against a clock, it will be perfectly comfortable and capable.

[quote=ecksee ]

scotroutes - Member
It's a flaming charity ride. You're going to end up spending more on a bike than you'll raise. Just put some slicks on the bike you have and ride the thing. It's only.50 miles, not some trans-european epic.