New entry-level road bike

AstraMonti

Hi guys.

I am out on the look of finding a cheap road bike. I 've done my search and i 've concluded to these two bikes:

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-GB/bikes/road/2428/32463/

http://www.raleigh.co.uk/b_details.aspx?id=168

I am not very sure of what to choose and since i am quite new at this i would like another opinion. If you have any other proposals than these two above please feel free to post it!

Thanks in advance

Chips Lovell

I wouldn't buy the Raleigh. Downtube shifters belong on museum pieces at this stage.

AstraMonti

Oh god i haven't noticed it had such gears.. Yes that's out of the question then!

Harpz

Be One Briza from chain reactions. under 10 kg.
better componants than the giant.
2007 ones are cheap cheap

TinyExplosions

Right, I'm assuming you're happy to buy online from the UK, and your budget is around 300 euro (though the giant is 585 in CycleSuperStore)

The BeOne Briza seems to be a popular choice for entry level around here, and is well spec'ced for 350ish that it costs.

If you're willing to go a little higher, I'd definately reccommend the Focus Summit at 543... Focus have a great following on here (have one myself in fact) and they are a great spec for the cash.

If you could firm up your budget, we may be able to help a bit more....

AstraMonti

Thanks for all the replies. Well my original budget was something over 450€ but i saw that giant yesterday at Cyclesuperstore and i really liked it so i might get up to 600 in the worst case scenario but if the Briza is good enough i would enjoy giving *only* 400euros for it . I have no problem buying from UK but how would i test the frame?

TinyExplosions

AstraMonti wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies. Well my original budget was something over 450€ but i saw that giant yesterday at Cyclesuperstore and i really liked it so i might get up to 600 in the worst case scenario but if the Briza is good enough i would enjoy giving *only* 400euros for it . I have no problem buying from UK but how would i test the frame?

If you're willing to go to 600, get the Focus -the Shimano Sora components are worth the extra. Wiggle are pretty much spot on in their sizing charts (what height/ inside leg are you?)

You definitely get what you pay for

AstraMonti

I am 190cms (i think thats 6.2ft ) .. and i think the inside leg is 90cm

TinyExplosions

AstraMonti wrote: »

I am 190cms (i think thats 6.2ft ) .. and i think the inside leg is 90cm

In that case you're really looking at a 58 or 60cm frame, which could be hard to find... I have a 32" inside leg, and ride a 56 which would be considered a size to small for me, but I like it that way... the Focus is out as the 58 is discontinued...

AstraMonti

Thanks TinyExplosions! It would be hard to get a bike shipped without actually trying it..

Does the giant deserves the 580euros or i would get the same things with the Briza one?

TinyExplosions

AstraMonti wrote: »

Thanks TinyExplosions! It would be hard to get a bike shipped without actually trying it..

Does the giant deserves the 580euros or i would get the same things with the Briza one?

No problem at all mate, happy to help out!

Given your budget, I'd say for for the BeOne Storm 2.0 -they have the 59cm and 61cm in stock, so size is grand, it's a little more than the price of the Giant in CSS, but worth it as you've got the Tiagra components (basically Shimano's groups sets go 2200, Sora, Tiagra, 105, Ultegra, Dura-Ace), so you're jumping up a couple of rungs for the same cash. Also, I like the gold/white look of the BeOne!

Drop Chain Reactions an email with your height and inseam, and they'll suggest the best size -you can always send it back if it's too small/big, and as they're up north it won't cost the earth to do so if the worst comes to the worst

AstraMonti

Thanks again TinyExplosions!

I really like that bike, but not the color Sorry for the newbies questions but what will the actual difference be on the shimano gear shifts? Smoother changes? Less noises? Better quality? (thats for sure i guess )

Chips Lovell

AstraMonti wrote: »

what will the actual difference be on the shimano gear shifts? Smoother changes? Less noises? Better quality? (thats for sure i guess )

2200 = 8 speed
Sora and Tiagra = 9 speed
105 and up = 10 speed

2200 and Sora have a brake lever and thumb lever combo for shifting.

All other Shimno have brake lever and paddle for shifting. Most people prefer this.

Generally speaking with groupsets, moving from lower to mid range will result in smoother and more accurate shifting. Moving from mid to high end is more about weight savings and marginal performance benefits.

TinyExplosions

AstraMonti wrote: »

Thanks again TinyExplosions!

I really like that bike, but not the color Sorry for the newbies questions but what will the actual difference be on the shimano gear shifts? Smoother changes? Less noises? Better quality? (thats for sure i guess )

hehe -you can always change that...

Basically the difference is better quality, smoother shifting, and less problems... worth getting the best you can afford imo

AstraMonti

Thanks guys again!

But i will need pedals for it as well.. or am i forgetting something else as well?!

Chips Lovell

Yes, you'll need pedals as most new bikes don't come with them. A floor pump, a mini-pump, a few spare tubes and a couple of tyre levers are also to be recommended.

mgadget

Also worth taking a look in Halfords, They seem to have a fairly decent discount on this years stock this time of year, which might bring the Boardman Road Comp into your budget range? Or it should do up the North where the exchange rate helps a bit.

Boardman Road Comp

72hundred

AstraMonti wrote: »

Thanks guys again!

But i will need pedals for it as well.. or am i forgetting something else as well?!

Buy this: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=14991
(See my sig for another pic, I've added a few bits to it)

And don't order pedals, it comes with a pair. They don't state this though - instead they get to sell you other pedals.

72hundred

mgadget wrote: »

Also worth taking a look in Halfords, They seem to have a fairly decent discount on this years stock this time of year, which might bring the Boardman Road Comp into your budget range? Or it should do up the North where the exchange rate helps a bit.

Boardman Road Comp

Halfords in my experience are poor bicycle shop indeed.

Chips Lovell

72hundred wrote: »

Buy this: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=14991
(See my sig for another pic, I've added a few bits to it)

And don't order pedals, it comes with a pair. They don't state this though - instead they get to sell you other pedals.

They seem to be fairly emphatic

**NOTE: Pedals are NOT included with this bike.

Bunnyhopper

I have Shimano gears on my mountain bike, but what's been said about the road gears is just as true of the MTB stuff, from what I can tell.

I've used a selection of low- to mid-range stuff (Altus, Alivio, Deore and LX, for those who know it) and even without going to the very expensive end of the range, the differences are clear. The Deore and LX stuff just works and doesn't need much maintenance; the cheaper stuff was a bit clunkier and needed to be adjusted regularly to keep it working accurately.

If I was buying a new bike I'd be willing to push the budget a bit to get better kit because I know from experience that it'd save me hassle in the longer term.

72hundred

el tonto wrote: »

They seem to be fairly emphatic

What can I say. I ordered it and there was a pair sitting in the box with it.

Worse case scenario you've to order some pedals after the bike arrives. TBH I'd say they all come with pedals.

blorg

My internet bikes have tended to come with crap pedals, the sort you would never actually want to use on a racer - simple plastic flat jobs. The Giant Bowery was an exception, came with halfway decent cage and strap type but I swapped for SPD.

AstraMonti

Thanks for all the comments, really appreciate it.

I decided to go with the BeOne Storm 2.0 since its seems to be a very good value for money road bike (equipment wise).

Just to make a small list of things i will need..

Pedals (cage ones or..? )
Helmet
High vis vest
Pump
Lights..

forgetting anything? :pac:

blorg

I would go for a clipless system myself for the pedals, SPDs if you will be walking off the bike at all or a road system if you will _only_ be going for spins and will not be walking _at all_ off the bike. Regarding the high vis stuff I would try to get some decent cycling clothing with the high vis integrated rather than something that is going to flap all over the place.

AstraMonti

Cheers mate!

Another newbie question

The clipless need specific shoes as well?

Chips Lovell

AstraMonti wrote: »

Cheers mate!

Another newbie question

The clipless need specific shoes as well?

Yes they do.

blorg

Yes, they do, and the MTB (of which SPD is the most popular) and road ones are completely different and not interchangeable; you need to get shoes for whatever system you chose.

The key difference is that MTB shoes have a tread with a recessed cleat so you can walk in them. With road shoes there is no tread and the cleat sticks out so walking is very difficult. You may however get better power transfer with a road system.

I use SPD on all my bikes excepting my hack (road bike, tourer, commuter, fixie.)

Don't confuse SPD (MTB) and SPD-SL (Road) - they are completely different and incompatible. Look is the biggest road system with SPD-SL second I reckon.

AstraMonti

I think i will go for the ones that are "walkable". I am hoping to use the bike as a transport to my work as well so i ll need to be able to walk a bit until i get to my office and put my shoes on!

So i am looking - if i understood well - for Mountain bike clipless pedals! Any suggestions there? It has like 50 different

blorg

Shimano M520s would be a good choice. You can spend more if you want lighter. Cleats always come with the pedals. As for shoes personally I like Specialized as these tend to fit well on wide feet. I also like Shimano sandals but they are off now until the spring.

Lumen

AstraMonti wrote: »

So i am looking - if i understood well - for Mountain bike clipless pedals! Any suggestions there? It has like 50 different

I have Shimano A530s. I think they're nicer than the M520s.

AstraMonti

Lumen wrote: »

I have Shimano A530s. I think they're nicer than the M520s.

These look nicer but are for the "walkable" shoes? I know i am sounding ridiculous but i am confused with all these pedals

TinyExplosions

For pedals, I've used M647's in the past, and currently use M324's on my fixie. Both are useful in that you can ride with normal shoes, or MTB shoes (personally, I have a pair of Specialized Taho that I just wear all day, in the office, on the bike -they're very comfy.

You could also get something cheaper, such as the DHB T1's that'd be more than adequate

TinyExplosions

As an aside, if you don't want to be able to cycle in normal shoes, these pedals would be fine, but you'd have to wear cycling shoes all the time

AstraMonti

No it is definitely more handy to be able to cycle on normal shoes as well. I am not going for professional racing anyway so if its a bit more heavy i wouldn't mind.

If i got it correctly:

MTB shoes -> walkable
Road shoes -> not!

Another question.. All cages for bottles fit at all bikes?

Lumen

AstraMonti wrote: »

These look nicer but are for the "walkable" shoes? I know i am sounding ridiculous but i am confused with all these pedals

I use them with these MTB shoes. I wear them in the office and out to lunch, but the stiff sole makes you walk a bit funny - you can get more practical shoes with the same cleats that will be a little less stiff.

TinyExplosions

AstraMonti wrote: »

No it is definitely more handy to be able to cycle on normal shoes as well. I am not going for professional racing anyway so if its a bit more heavy i wouldn't mind.

If i got it correctly:

MTB shoes -> walkable
Road shoes -> not!

Another question.. All cages for bottles fit at all bikes?

Yes to both questions.

In general, Road Shoes have stiff, carbon soles, and cleats that attach to them. Imagine these shoes, with this wedge of plastic bolted onto the sole. As you can tell, it make it pretty hard to walk, as you are essentially walking on the cleat alone.

With MTB shoes, like these, the cleat is much smaller, and recessed into the sole of the shoe, allowing you to walk around pretty much normally (the cleat does stick out a little, but not enough to stop you being comfortable wearing them in the office, like I do).

I think that makes a bit of sense? Also, Road Shoes -SPD-SL, MTB ones -SPD.

All bottle cages will fit, it's a standard mount

AstraMonti

I owe you a pint TinyExplosions! Thanks again!

TinyExplosions

Happy to help mate!

AstraMonti

Bike and staff ordered.. i ll have it in Monday so i ll update with pics!

Thanks everyone for the precious help! Really appreciate it.

TinyExplosions

AstraMonti wrote: »

Bike and staff ordered.. i ll have it in Monday so i ll update with pics!

Thanks everyone for the precious help! Really appreciate it.

Good stuff... glad to have another one on board!

Now we wait for the "How do I put it together" thread

AstraMonti

TinyExplosions wrote: »

Now we wait for the "How do I put it together" thread

Haha! I hope it won't be that difficult! Oh well.. i know you ll be around to help

DirkVoodoo

Sounds like an online romance is blossoming here :P

TinyExplosions

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Sounds like an online romance is blossoming here :P

Afraid no one can come between me and Unionman... well, except maybe yourself Dirk

AstraMonti

Geez.. and i am just 2 days in here :eek:

Problem.. the shimano pedals are not in stock, should i get these:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=19411 or i should get the shimano m324 from another store?

TinyExplosions

AstraMonti wrote: »

Geez.. and i am just 2 days in here :eek:

Problem.. the shimano pedals are not in stock, should i get these:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=19411 or i should get the shimano m324 from another store?

They look fine, go for it.... we like giving warm welcomes

AstraMonti

TinyExplosions wrote: »

They look fine, go for it.... we like giving warm welcomes

Thats great! Thanks

AstraMonti

Thats hilarious!

Look at the price! Flood sale at €477.60 the same bike! And they give 6months warranty as well.. i am thinking of calling them and changing the order!

TinyExplosions

AstraMonti wrote: »

Thats hilarious!

Look at the price! Flood sale at €477.60 the same bike! And they give 6months warranty as well.. i am thinking of calling them and changing the order!

I'd seen that and thought of you! I'd go for it if you can

AstraMonti

I emailed them The order hasn't been processed yet so i don't think there will be an issue.. more money for extras

AstraMonti

Just changed the order again to Storm 1.0!

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=25459

The offer was too good to refuse...!

(you guys and all your threads are a bad influence for my pocket :P)