Best value Road Bike ?????

faith finger

Hello,

I know this has probably popped up a few times in the forum but i am lookin for a best value introductry road bike. Limited to the 1,000 allowance on the bike to work scheme. I've covered quite a few shops over the last while and i have been recommended the following:

1. Trek 1.5 €999 http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/road/1_series/15/

2. Stevens San Remo €970 http://www.stevensbikes.de/2010/index.php?bik_id=191&lang=en_US&sect=equipment#inhalt

3. Forme Vitesse €1000 http://www.formebikes.co.uk/bikes/road/vitesse.php

4. Giant Defy €675 http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-GB/bikes/model/defy.4.compact/7842/45449/

5. Cube Ariel €900 http://www.cube.eu/road/comp-series/aerial/

Can anyone tell me if theres a clear winner here, apart from the bike store


P.S i dont have my heart set on any particular bike and any other suggestions welcome

thebouldwhacker

What do you want the bike for? If its commuting, spinning and doing a few events for a laugh they will all tick the box, if you think you will get into club rides and maybe racing why not up the budget, you can go as high as you wish but the scheme will cover the first K.

On a quick look the Forme has the better components, followed by Stephens, Trek cube and giant but others will have to talk about the Forme frame I'm afraid.

Lemag

Of the bikes which you've listed the Forme definitely has the best components.

You'll find better value again from the following sites www.rosebikes.co.uk, www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk and my favourite canyon.com.

Dubba

I only have experience with the Giant Defy which is a fine bike to begin with.

But as it looks like your budget is flexible as your mentioning €1k bikes
you could skip the "beginners bike" and go straight for a full carbon, quality road bike that should see you well for a long time:

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPSP/sl-pro-carbon-sram-rival

At €1.234,77 its a bit above budget but definitely worth it imho.

I think they do the bike to work scheme, hopefully someone on here might have more info on that.

shamrock55

i can only comment on the defy cos i got one last week and it suits my needs down to a tee i think its a great entry level bike;)

Lemag

Dubba wrote: »

I think they do the bike to work scheme, hopefully someone on here might have more info on that.

Only the employer can impose a restriction regarding where one can get a bike through the BTW scheme. However, buying a bike from outside the EU through the BTW scheme wouldn't make much sense due to the taxes and duties which would have to be paid.

petethedrummer

Of those bikes the Forme looks the best equipped. Shimano 105 5700 groupset (10 speed with hidden gear cables) and a carbon front fork.

They're only a new company so its hard to find reviews of them. But they're probably grand bikes. Someone else on the forum just bought a Forme, so hopefully he'll give us a bit of a review.

macnab

Have a look at the 2010 Boardman bikes in Halfords, I recently bought a 2010 team carbon for e1067, the equivalent 2011 bike would cost e1629. My price is based on a 23% sale price further reduced by a 15% AXA discount. That's a sub 8kg bike with a carbon fibre frame!!

goldencleric

+1 for canyon ... only because I really want one

dancecatz2000

For definite i would stay away from a cheaper Carbon road frame as they tend to be Flexi. You would be better off with a good Alloy frame,
The rrp for a Trek 1.5 is €1049, You will ony be able to get a Stevens in a 2011 model
www.stevensbikes.de/2011/index.php?bik_id=245&lang=en_US&cou=IE,
the form is also a nice looking bike as far as i can remember they are made by the same designer as Canondale i`m not 100% sure about that...

secondspring

I've just bought one of these and am expecting delivery next week

http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=2105


I haven't ridden it yet, but going off the spec it should be excellent value for money comparing it to bikes in the same price bracket.


I'll report back when I've actually ridden it though!

stas

I bought Giant Defy 3 for around 700 and had the shop throw in some useful extras to top the 1000 - stuff like helmet, gloves, jersey, bibs, bottles, etc (it's not allowed but nobody needs to know). I think it's a decent entry-level (top of the entry-level range imo) bike and it suits well all my cycling needs: i both commute to work and do long weekend spins.

stas

secondspring wrote: »

http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=2105

very nice components for the €999 bike!

Lemag

stas wrote: »

I bought Giant Defy 3 for around 700 and had the shop throw in some useful extras to top the 1000 - stuff like helmet, gloves, jersey, bibs, bottles, etc (it's not allowed but nobody needs to know).

If you're referring to the parameters of the BTW scheme you are wrong. Complete new bike with accompanying bike stuff if allowed.

stas

Lemag wrote: »

If you're referring to the parameters of the BTW scheme you are wrong. Complete new bike with accompanying bike stuff if allowed.

Not what I've been told by the shop master - but perhaps he was referring to the child sit I was getting as well, even though it would still be the "safety equipment" as per the BTW site. Nevertheless I'll stand corrected.

dancecatz2000

wow that canyon is nice.

norma2000

what did u buy looking at Forme Vitesse myself