My first road bike?

gaffmaster

Dear All,

I have decided I would like to get myself my first road bike. I need an interesting way of getting fit, and this seems like the answer.

Trouble is, I don't have lots of money.

I understand that it is a very good idea to get one's first road bike in a local shop, and getting it sized up correctly for you. So I've been to a couple of shops in Dublin.

Cycleways offered me their last GIANT SCR 3.0 for €650 - Spec here

Cyclogical have the TREK 1.2 for €699 - Spec here

Of these two bikes, which is the superior? My fear with the Giant is that it felt a little long for me, and since it's their last one, it might not be the ideal size for me. Am i missing any other good starter bikes? Can anyone recommend any other good shops in Dublin city centre? It's hard to ignore the cheapness of the internet however!

Both shops are offering discounts on extras. What extras would i need just starting out?

Helmet?
Spare tube?
Pump?
Saddle Bag?
Mud Gards?
Shorts?
Jersey?
Gloves?
Better kevlar tyres?

If anyone could give me some advice on what to get and where to get it I would really appreciate it.

Thanks alot for reading.

Stark

The Giant has better gears on it. (Tiagra > Sora > 2200). Aside from that, I'm not sure which one would be better. I had a Giant FCR 2.5 hybrid and a Trek 7.3 FX hybrid and I much preferred the Trek as it felt much faster and more comfortable to me. Not sure if the same applies to their road bikes or not.

gaffmaster wrote:

Am i missing any other good starter bikes?

The Specialised Allez in Cycleways looks like a lovely piece of kit. (http://www.cycleways.com/store/product/41060/09-Allez-58D/)

gaffmaster wrote:

What extras would i need just starting out?

Whatever you feel is most important from what you've listed as well as :

Lights
Lock
Pump with pressure guage (the floor pumps are best and not too expensive).
Tyre levers (for if you get a puncture).
Hi-vis vest for the city streets (should be able to pick up a cheap worker's vest somewhere).

TinyExplosions

Either of those bikes would do you fine, and they are pretty much identical, so I'd go for the one that feels better to you (the Trek).

On top of that, the essentials are a decent helmet, jersey and shorts (if you're going to be doing any distance). You may also want to look at clipless pedals and shoes, but that may be stretching your budget. You can get by on flats/toeclips, but I would suggest upgrading when you can.

A lock is always good to have, I recommend the Kryptonite Evolution Mini to everyone, but any of their range should do you ok.

Gloves you can do without to start off, but do make life a bit more comfortable. I don't bother with mudguards, but ymmv.

A pump, tyre levers and a spare tube or two are also quite handy

CheGuedara

Hi Gaffmaster,

I started out on a Giant OCR (the old name for the SCR range) and found it a great bike to get going on. They're plenty fast, light and responsive for anyone starting out and on an asthetic plus the compact frames look great. And in 4 years of having it, shy of the occasional puncture or small buckle I never had even one mechanical problem.

The spec of the SCR3 is very respectable - a mix of Sora and Tiagra should get you well started as a cyclist. (Trek fans will kill me for saying it but you'll just pay more for the headtube badge going for the 1.2.) And if you're not sure about the frame size don't be bullied into a fast but bad decision in that shop. If it's just a matter of getting a better length they should sort that out for free if they've any fairness about them.

If not there's other bike shops that stock Giant (the cycle superstore are pretty good having dealt with them and they've the the new version (called a Defy 3) for sale. It's a wee bit more but they should be ale to offer it in the size that will fit you.

Other things to pick up would be a firstly a good helmet (Giro, MET or similar) a saddle bag (and have a spare tube, tyre levers and a small set of tools and a tenner for emergencies) a pump that clips on to the frame and MOST IMPORTANTLY a good lock - Kryptonite brand ones are excellent here. You may find good prices online at chainreactioncycles.com for these but any good bike shop should do you a deal on them if bought at the sme time as the bike.

If doing any distances 8km+ consider proper shorts, jersey and gloves - your body will thank you for it.

Don't worry about kevlar tyres just yet or clipless pedals - get happy with the bike and your confidence on the road and after that maybe invest in them.

Best of luck

BaBiT

Do they still make pumps that fit on a bike ...I'd maybe get one of the small pumps that you can fit in a pocket or even one of the smaller CO2 cannisters..

I started on a Trek 1000 so my personal choice would be the Trek but like everyone is saying buy which one suits you and you feel more comfortable on..

I'd agree, it might be best to hold off for a short while on the clipless pedals and just stick with a set of clips while you get used to being attached to the bike...There's nothing more embarrassing than pulling up to a set of lights and forgetting you're clipped in...Not that I've ever done that in the past:D

I would maybe think about a pair of mitts though...If you fall off your hands will thank you for them..

Thomas_S_Hunterson

BaBiT wrote: »

Do they still make pumps that fit on a bike ...I'd maybe get one of the small pumps that you can fit in a pocket or even one of the smaller CO2 cannisters..

If you've got thin tyres, you'd be hard pushed to get the road tyres (especially teh narrower ones) up to pressure. Ideally they're usually kept at 100psi+ which you wont do with a mini pump.

A mini pump is more useful for taking round with you in case of a puncture to get you home.

Fredo

I bought the trek 1.2 in March, it's my first road bike. I'm rerally happy with it. It's quite light, the saddle is very comfortable -the padded bib or sort is a must The only thing I don't really like about it is the way the gears are shifting at the back it is not smooth enough, it's kind of harsch, that's the only component I will upgrade.
i think it's a great 1st bike but I have nothing to compare with.

jimmycrackcorm

Currently the most essential accessory is rain gear.

Chips Lovell

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

Currently the most essential accessory is rain gear.

I don't own a single item of raingear.

DirkVoodoo

Is that not because you spend your time cycling in fairer climates than we do?? :rolleyes:

I would only go raingear if you intend to use this bike for commuting. A well earned shower at the end of a hard cycle is all you need.

Expect to get punctures, they happen. Spare tubes, tyre levers, mini pump are essential. Lights would be a good addition as you are starting now, the days they are gettin' shorter. Lycra shorts are pretty important, they make longer rides more comfortable and enhance your manliness!

+1 on the clipless pedals too, you can get a shoe-pedal combo for cheap enough off wiggle and they do make a big difference on the climbs.

Chips Lovell

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Is that not because you spend your time cycling in fairer climates than we do?? :rolleyes:

Aside from two week spells, no. I find staying warm rather than dry is the main thing.

TinyExplosions

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

Currently the most essential accessory is rain gear.

Like El Tonto, I don't wear rain gear (I have a jacket that I got cheap from Blorg, but never wear it). Warm is far more important

gaffmaster

Thanks everyone who replied!

I'll head back to the shops tomorrow and see what the best offers are and hopefully i'll have a bike tomorrow afternoon. Saw that specialised in there too, it does look nice. I'll ask about that too. It's a shame the shops can't match online prices.

Thanks again.

Signal_ rabbit

Oooooooooooo the Trek I just love'em!

gaffmaster

Hi Again,

Well i went into Penny Farthing where I ordered a GIANT DEFY 4 - Spec here

It was much closer to my price range, and as my interest grows, i can upgrade parts on what seems to be a nice frame.

Thank you all for your input... Just a few more extras to collect now. What website is the cheapest and best for shorts helmets etc?

SetOverSet

Fredo wrote: »

I bought the trek 1.2 in March, it's my first road bike. I'm rerally happy with it. It's quite light, the saddle is very comfortable -the padded bib or sort is a must The only thing I don't really like about it is the way the gears are shifting at the back it is not smooth enough, it's kind of harsch, that's the only component I will upgrade.
i think it's a great 1st bike but I have nothing to compare with.

Fredo, have you tried adjusting the indexes using the adjusting barrel on the rear mech?

DirkVoodoo

Hadn't heard of the Defy before now, apparently its replacing the OCR which I thought had been gone for a year or two now. Seems like a pretty solid bike, its definitely entry level but from what you have described it should fit your needs.

Stark

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Hadn't heard of the Defy before now, apparently its replacing the OCR which I thought had been gone for a year or two now. Seems like a pretty solid bike, its definitely entry level but from what you have described it should fit your needs.

There was the SCR series between the OCR and the Defy.

DirkVoodoo

Stark wrote: »

There was the SCR series between the OCR and the Defy.

My bad, i think it was an american article i read. If i remember correctly the OCR name continued over there whereas here we got the SCR.

CheGuedara

I've done quite a bit of business with chainreactioncycles.com as they've nearly continuous reductions on stuff but from time to time slanecycles.com can be good and both have free mailing (i think) - chance looing at wiggle.co.uk too, there's postage charges but they're worth eyeing up