Help choosing my first road bike

tommyh1977

Hi all, need to buy a road bike for use between marathon training runs. I am more into running than cycling so can't really see myself doing any massive runs on it, maybe an hour once or twice a week. However I currently have a cheap MTB which is like cycling an armoured vehicle so need to get a good entry level lightweight. I have looked around cycle shops and have limited to the following but can't decide.

Boardman Road Comp
Giant Defy 3
10 Month Old Felt Z85

I am torn to decide between the 3. Boardman is coming in at €779.00 but has SRAM instead of Shimano and no facility to ever fit mudguards if I decided to.
Giant I know from cycling friends is a much respected bike, Defy 3 is coming in at €799.00, but I could get a defy 5 Triple for € 675. Is the Defy 3 worth the extra for different Gearset and Carbon Fork.
The Felt will be bought for € 800.00 (€1200 New)but at 5'7" is probably too big for me at a 56cm frame.

Any advice you could give would be appreciated as my knowledge of bikes is limited but as I say i'm not going to buy a 2nd cheapie and regret it.

kuro_man

One option is to get this
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-id_8167038.html

Probably the cheapest "decent" new bike on the market. If you feel you will cycle more, then you could upgrade...start with wheels, then groupset.

Decathlon will delivery to republic, use EIRE as postcode.

Westernman

I take it you already have a competitive bike and this is for general use and training. As an older cyclist who used to clock up big milage commuting, training and taking part in Audax I never felt the bike weight was an issue and if anything by normally riding and training on a heavy bike gave me an advantage when competiting on a lighter model . For me the bike needed to be comfortable for hours in the saddle so I ended up with a modified touring bike which usually have a longer frame complete with mud guards and even lights for night time training and riding.

Thats my 2 cents on it.

tommyh1977

No I don't have a competitive bike as I'm a runner not a cyclist, just looking for an entry level quality bike.

That one from Decathlon has a very tempting price tag!!

Dipsomaniac

tommyh1977 wrote: »

Boardman is coming in at €779.00 but has SRAM instead of Shimano and no facility to ever fit mudguards if I decided to.

These should do the job if you want mudguards on the boardman.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=54934

tommyh1977

Dipsomaniac wrote: »

tommyh1977 wrote: »

Boardman is coming in at €779.00 but has SRAM instead of Shimano and no facility to ever fit mudguards if I decided to.

These should do the job if you want mudguards on the boardman.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=54934

Looks like they would, thanks for that. Now to decide on which machine!!

kuro_man

worst part of the decathlon b'twin is the wheelset & tyres, but planet-x AL30 are a cheap upgrade + €30 - €50 for tyres. At a combined price of c. €525, you probably couldn't do much better.

Seve OB

but for an hour on the bike only once a week I would really be thinking, just get the cheapest option available.

tommyh1977

Have a cheapie which i'm lucky enough to move on.

tommyh1977

Of the 3 bike above, which of them would ye recommend the most. I've decided its going to be one of the 3, but can't decide which.

Thanks for the knowledgeable advice!!!

Seve OB

Don't buy the felt if it is to small for you.

Don't rule out the Decathalon bike, they do some really good stuff, and I think if I were you, that is the one I would be going for based on your prospective use

Simba79

If I were you and was only intending on using for an hour a week, i'd just get something cheap like http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Claud-Butler-Criterium-2012-Road-Bike_52023.htm or http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_810601_langId_-1_categoryId_165710
Both would be fine for what you describe. If you can justify the expense go for one of the Defy ranges, great bikes.

tommyh1977

As I know i'll regret buying anything else at a later stage, i've decided to spring for a Defy 3. Called to local bike shop today and the minute i saw the Defy, knew it was the one I wanted. Thanks for all you advice & help!!:D

Simba79

Good choice.