Bike Question

BeepBeep67

Considering investing in a bike to supplement my training and who knows might enter in a dualthalon at some stage.
I've chugged around the roads on my heavy Raleigh Aero MTB, which isn't fun once you get over the hour.
So to make use of the Cycle to Work scheme, I'm looking for advice on a bike that would be suitable for hitting 60k / 2 - 2.5hrs on the road (primary reason), but light enough to compete in the odd duathalon.
Budget - can probably go 5-600 with my own contribution - so in the 1k to 1100 range through the CTW scheme.

Thanks in advance as always.

Dom

pc11

I personally went for this one in the Cycle To Work scheme

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=35&idproduct=31019

This shop was excellent to deal with, gave a 10% discount for being on the scheme, and it's about as much bike as you can get for a grand I imagine. I've used it for duathlons and training.

I have no affiliation with cycle superstore, just reporting a good experience. They even let me pay for the bike and take it away on the spot, then refunded my credit card when the work voucher came through 2 weeks later. Spread out over 6 months salary it was a bargain.

kennyb3

Hi BB67,

I myself have a giant defy 4 but if i was doing it again id spend a few more quid to get a lighter better spec bike and avoid false economy. Id buy a boardman (model for 800e and 1200e have a look at halfords). Light bikes with good frames. wheel upgrade and you a top class racing bike but that wouldnt be necessary for you.

You ll spend less money upgrading a boardman than most other bikes.

do a search on the cycling forum too the same question has been asked hundreds of times.

Slogger Jogger

Hi BB,

I went for a Giant TCX2 for the bike2work scheme last year, from cycle superstore. Looks like a racer but its sturdier so it can take the potholed backroads and trails better. Very happy with it.

Regards,

Mick

knipper

I'd second a boardman.
Great value and if you ask nicely Halfords staff can do a price match for the sterling value of the bike bringing the team carbon from 1249 down to 999.
Bang on your budget.
Waiting on delivery of mine but got a great deal on the boardman.

littleredspot

knipper wrote: »

I'd second a boardman.
Great value and if you ask nicely Halfords staff can do a price match for the sterling value of the bike bringing the team carbon from 1249 down to 999.
Bang on your budget.
Waiting on delivery of mine but got a great deal on the boardman.

Please tell, how/who did you ask? I've been toying with getting that bike, and if I got it at that price I think It'd be a done deal. Also how long are you waiting on it?

daymobrew

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

Considering investing in a bike to supplement my training and who knows might enter in a dualthalon at some stage.
I've chugged around the roads on my heavy Raleigh Aero MTB, which isn't fun once you get over the hour.

An aside: If you don't have slick tyres on your mtb and you don't do off-road stuff, I recommend getting slicks. You will travel faster and with less effort e.g. MTB road types on wiggle.
And I did my first few duathlons on a mtb.

spurscormac

Got the following on the B2W scheme...

Corratec Tiagra

Worth spending the few € more on Tiagra shifters & make sure you have a carbon fork. Cycling forum has similar "which bike" threads on a daily basis.

brownian

pc11 wrote: »

I personally went for this one in the Cycle To Work scheme

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=35&idproduct=31019

This shop was excellent to deal with, gave a 10% discount for being on the scheme, and it's about as much bike as you can get for a grand I imagine. I've used it for duathlons and training.

I have no affiliation with cycle superstore, just reporting a good experience. They even let me pay for the bike and take it away on the spot, then refunded my credit card when the work voucher came through 2 weeks later. Spread out over 6 months salary it was a bargain.

Incidentally, I got the chance to ride this bike last week, over a section of the Sally Gap road... one of the lads I was with had just bought it on the BtoW scheme. I must confess I found it very harsh and chattery on all but the very smoothest tarmac. I'd certainly try to get a test-ride just to make sure you're happy.

The guy who owns the one I tried is happy with it, so this is rather a personal thing. Also, my own bike is old and feels very familiar, so maybe any other bike would feel "off".

Just my 2 cents.

BeepBeep67

Getting sucked into researching this - it's a complex world out there when it comes to buying a bike and €'s can keep climbing.

kennyb3

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

Getting sucked into researching this - it's a complex world out there when it comes to buying a bike and €'s can keep climbing.

ha ha as someone once said to me, welcome to your new most expensive hobby

brownian

daymobrew wrote: »

An aside: If you don't have slick tyres on your mtb and you don't do off-road stuff, I recommend getting slicks. You will travel faster and with less effort e.g. MTB road types on wiggle.
And I did my first few duathlons on a mtb.

+1 to that. My ex girlfriend (my wife now) and I cycled from Rome to Dublin on MTBs with knobbly tires because we didn't know better. Slicks make a massive difference.

BeepBeep67

kennyb3 wrote: »

ha ha as someone once said to me, welcome to your new most expensive hobby

The carbon Boardman is looking tempting, but is it worth €200 more the Alu to save .3kg, the rest of the spec seems the same?

kennyb3

full carbon frame = smoother ride. sram is also good kit too.

unfortunately everything is worth it, you ll only kick yourself later for not spending it in first place.

for example i ve upgraded my tyres and tubes, bar tape, computer, helmet, various pumps, brakes so far.

next is my wheels

i should have just spent more on the original stuff and got quality. false economy.

the only advantage i had is i was sure i liked it first and would put plenty of miles in. not spending a fortune and using the bike only a handful of times a year

brownian

kennyb3 wrote: »

full carbon frame = smoother ride. sram is also good kit too.

unfortunately everything is worth it, you ll only kick yourself later for not spending it in first place.

for example i ve upgraded my tyres and tubes, bar tape, computer, helmet, various pumps, brakes so far.

next is my wheels

i should have just spent more on the original stuff and got quality. false economy.

the only advantage i had is i was sure i liked it first and would put plenty of miles in. not spending a fortune and using the bike only a handful of times a year

+1 on the smoother ride. Of course, I've heard that a carbon frame is more likely to break catastrophically in an crash situation; I've never actually seen this, nor met anyone that it happened to. I'm not aware of there being any way to fix snapped carbon fibre, but I'm open to correction.

+1 again on the "pay now" rather than "pay more later" approach, SO LONG AS you actually ride it. Carbon fibre makes expensive wall ornaments.

MrCreosote

I don't know if you'd notice much difference on a full-carbon bike at that price. Good aluminium frame vs low-end carbon frame? Personally I'd go for the alu.

BeepBeep67

So the plan is to hit Wheelworx and Cycle Super Store on Sat - anywhere else I should consider (Halfords is just up the road so have had a gander in there - were reluctant to discount)?

Woddle

I was in eurocycles yesterday on the longmile road not bad and you have hollingsworth in Templogue which looked to have some nice bikes but I don't have a clue when it comes to spec or anything, I just know if sth looks pretty

kennyb3

Woddle wrote: »

I was in eurocycles yesterday on the longmile road not bad and you have hollingsworth in Templogue which looked to have some nice bikes but I don't have a clue when it comes to spec or anything, I just know if sth looks pretty

do a what bike search on the cycling forum and you ll learn loads. i knew nothing until i started properly reading threads over there now im addicted to picking out nice wheels at different price point etc

stmochtas

http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/road/1_series/15/

Just throwing my one into the mix. Purchased in http://www.cyclelogical-bikes.com/. Ordered on Wednesday and cycled home on the Friday. I believe there can be a wait time on certain models so worth asking if you want to get out on the roads asap. I have mine 6 weeks and have no issues. I like the Tiagra groupset. Caron seat post and forks make it a comfy ride on the country roads.

€899 was the cost plus around €60 on pedals.

Daithi BC

pc11 wrote: »

I personally went for this one in the Cycle To Work scheme

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=35&idproduct=31019

I have what looks like the equivalent bike from two years ago (aluminium frame, carbon fork, tiagra groupset) and am very happy with it, though I do find it a bit hard on the dodgy roads around here. I've never ridden another road bike so can't say it they would be any more comfortable.

Husavik

From what I've heard, the most important thing when buying a bicycle is that it is the right size for you. I'm sure the guys in the Cycle superstore will fit you out properly, but just in case.

BeepBeep67

Spent a good bit of time in Wheelworx - anyone any feedback on the Felt F85?