first road bike.

tritriagain

i already looked for advice on buying a road bike but have narrowed it down to three bikes. i am not going to be a racer as such but am interested in competing in a sprint triathlon next summer. the three bikes are
1) jupiter spider : seems to be a well stocked bike for price of 650
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Jupiter-Spider-Road-Bike-Red-/261097776177

2) ktm 800 2012 lovely bike but doesnt have carbon fork. 799
http://www.bikestore.ie/ktm-strada-800.html

3) a thomipson bike which is all shimano sora and also has a carbon fork and is priced at 939 but i cant find a link on internet.

at the moment im leaning towards ktm because of brand name and lbs reccommends, but really would value any input as the more i shop and review the more i confused i get and i really want to get out on a bike. is the jupiter a no go even though it seems very good value.
thanks in advance.

tritriagain

anyone there

Buzwaldo

As you sugggest, KTM seems best of these 3 on brand name alone. If you are not in a hurry, and not depending on BTW scheme, there is some good value in second hand around this price range - should easily get a good brand, lightly used, alu frame, carbon forks and better (eg 105 ) components.
Either way, best of luck with search.

lizzylad84

i recently got myself a trek1.2, find it a very good bike. carbon front fork, tiagra gears, only thing some people might not like is the sora gears....but i love it....in saying that check your lbs, dont rule out buying second-hand.

tritriagain

thanks for replies. will not having carbon fork make much of a difference. sorry for being so ignorant in these matters but really am a complete novice

shayr

Think I'd def stay away from the Jupiter - know a guy that has one and is having a lot of hassle with it

Icyseanfitz

the ktm strada 800 is a good bike, thats what id pick out of the bikes you've listed

Bigus

Triban 3 from decathlon in Belfast for 300 sterling is unbeatable my son got one its great and has a carbon fork



www.cyclingscotland.org/news/cycling-active-btwin-triban-3-review/
3 Aug 2012 – Check out this months review of this fabulous bicycle from Decathlon. This fantastic bike sneaks in at an amazing price of £299 to scoop top ...

tritriagain

Even if it is the only one without a carbon fork

Felloffmebike

Mate of mine got that Triban 3 and swears by it. Looks like a real good spec for the price. And from where we are (Navan) Belfast is not a big deal. I had a go on it and while it wasn't set up for me it still felt pretty decent to ride.

tritriagain

im 6 ft 3 and 17.5 stone do i need a carbon fork or am i better sticking to alu. also found these 2 bikes to throw in the mix. http://www.spokes.ie/specialized-allez-sport-18-spd.html and http://www.kennysforbikes.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&product_id=84&category_id=162&flypage=flypage.pbv.v1.tpl&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=2.
but please do i need carbon. if i had a mind id be losing it at stage. i just want to get a bike. thank again for all the help.

Paul Kiernan

If I was paying the best part of a grand I'd want at least Tiagra (if not 105) shifting, a carbon fork and hopefully a decent set of wheels.

A carbon fork absorbs road vibrations and is extremely light so is well worth going for. With your weight you'll want a strongish set of wheels and I'd recommend good quality 25mm tyres. It might be best to keep back €100-150 from the bike purchase, buy good wheels and tyres (and maybe brakes) for €150-250, selling your stock ones for maybe €100 or so.

Of the bikes you mention, I'd like the Giant the best but it's also the most expensive. Do you want to buy locally, you'll get a better deal on the internet but then you lose out on the local support so you need to know exactly what you're after. Wiggle and ChainReaction do have some good deals on 2012 bikes but sizes are limited.

tritriagain

now thinking of paying extra fot ktm 1000 . it seems to have everything i need.except the wifes permission of course. http://www.kennysforbikes.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.pbv.v1.tpl&product_id=169&category_id=122&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=2

tritriagain

just found out ktm 1000 2012 is no longer available and 2013 has gone up 200 euro. aaaaaggggghhhhhhh!!!!!!

Bandito909

Have you checked out the sale that's going on with wiggle?

Some great bargains to be had there!

Bigus

There's one 60 cm triban 3 in Belfast , buy it for the winter @ 300 sterling to get you going, it's more than up to the job for the money. Then when your spending bigger money next summer you'll know what you like and don't like.