New to cycling, and seeking some advice !!!

deiseblues

Hi all, Im new here and newish to cycling, last year I purchased a secondhand focus cyclocross bike, as i competed in 5 adventure races, now in fairness it is perfect for the job I bought it for, and will be holding onto it for those bumpy spins. Anyways what I'm seeking advice on is, Im thinking of buying a road bike for the longer training sessions (2 - 3 hrs ) as I seem to be working a little bit harder than a mate who has a road bike, and maybe I'm wrong but it's probably down to the tyres and gears and stuff . So I would appreciate if anyone out there, could recommend a bike that would suit me, frame type, what sort of gearing setup should I be looking for etc etc, and what sort of money I should be thinking about spending, thanks in advance, Deiseblue:)

mtbireland

Would you not just buy a second set of wheels with slicks on? If you're working harder its just because you've a little bit more resistance due to the knobbly tyres. Very little difference apart from that except for possibly the gearing but by the sounds of it you're not running out of gears so that's not an issue.

CheGuedara

I'd tend to agree with mtbireland - unless you really just want to buy another bike (don't we all?!) just invest in slick tyres.

If you feel you must look down the line of getting a road bike you could look into a few of the bikes on adverts - find one in your size, agree a price and go for it

Here's a selection of nice ones

http://www.adverts.ie/bikes/specialized-allez-2010/439984
http://www.adverts.ie/bikes/2009-ktm-strada-3000-road-bike-52cm/439488
http://www.adverts.ie/bikes/for-sale-felt-z90/437843
http://www.adverts.ie/bikes/cube-gtc-race/436801
http://www.adverts.ie/bikes/specialized-aliez-elite-54-2009-road-bike/436266

funkyjebus

no difference between cx and and road bike except for tyres and possibly a slightly heavier frame. gears and wheels are the same. just change the tubes and tyres to 23 or 25, you wont know yourself.

funkyjebus

CheGuedara wrote: »

I'd tend to agree with mtbireland - unless you really just want to buy another bike (don't we all?!) just invest in slick tyres.

If you feel you must look down the line of getting a road bike you could look into a few of the bikes on adverts - find one in your size, agree a price and go for it

Here's a selection of nice ones

http://www.adverts.ie/bikes/specialized-allez-2010/439984
http://www.adverts.ie/bikes/2009-ktm-strada-3000-road-bike-52cm/439488
http://www.adverts.ie/bikes/for-sale-felt-z90/437843
http://www.adverts.ie/bikes/cube-gtc-race/436801
http://www.adverts.ie/bikes/specialized-aliez-elite-54-2009-road-bike/436266

That allez is a little overpriced for a second hand sora equiped road bike. good luck to him!

Lumen

funkyjebus wrote: »

no difference between cx and and road bike except for tyres and possibly a slightly heavier frame.

Chainstays are significantly longer on a CX bike. This affects handling, particularly the feel of riding out of the saddle, which has felt quite pendulous on all three CX bikes I've owned.

Brakes also have less feel.

Won't make any difference to speed though. I have used my CX bike as a winter trainer with skinny tyres on and it's perfect for that.

funkyjebus

Lumen wrote: »

Chainstays are significantly longer on a CX bike. This affects handling, particularly the feel of riding out of the saddle, which has felt quite pendulous on all three CX bikes I've owned.

Brakes also have less feel.

Won't make any difference to speed though. I have used my CX bike as a winter trainer with skinny tyres on and it's perfect for that.

Forgot about brakes! Didnt know about the chainstays, although it makes perfect sense. I must say I didnt notice any movement when i tried the focus im thinking of buying, I must try it again and ride harder.

High Nellie

http://www.adverts.ie/bikes/specialized-aliez-elite-54-2009-road-bike/436266

This seems a good bargain but whatever you go for you should learn to judge whether the drive-train is thrashed or not.
It could cost you a lot to get new tyres, chain, block, etc. etc.
This type of bike woud be fine if in good nick. A lot of racers would probably look down on it but this would be grand for general road-work, sportives and Cat4 races etc. Make sure you know your size.