Moving to a Road bike Advice needed

dark_jedi_ire

Hi folks,,

I know there has been a few of these already, but here goes,, have 1K euro
to Spend on a new Road bike, have been using a Hybrid for the Last while
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=54986

And Have really liked the bike,, But want now to move to a road bike,,,,
these are what I am looking at.. going to see them over the Weekend..
Have found Cycle Super Store great
Have all my shoes/Jackets/tops/padded Shorts/Leggings I need

Cant get a bike from the UK or anything, as trying to put it all together would be heart break,

Looking for something thats fast and easier on the Hills.. as want to progress now into 50+ Km

Here`s my List , Am aiming more towards the bottom 4-5 anyways..

Really appreciate this folks,,, Putting me out of My confusion on where to go :-)


http://www.wheelworx.ie/bikes/road-bikes/road-bikes-men?product_id=3621

http://www.wheelworx.ie/bikes/road-bikes/road-bikes-men/Speedster-S40

http://www.wheelworx.ie/bikes/road-bikes/road-bikes-men/Trek-1.2-2013

http://www.mycycle.ie/GIANT-DEFY-4-2013-p/gd413.htm

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=60019

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=55070

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_produ

ctId_777859_langId_-1_categoryId_212536

Wishbone Ash

Bear in mind that some of those are triples (i.e. 3 rings at the front) and the others doubles. Which would you prefer?

dark_jedi_ire

That comes down to my My all over condition I suppose and where I am cycling,, (currently doing circuits of about 35-40km 2-3 Days a week) (usually Clondalkin - Newcastle - Tallaght - Clondalkin, being my current route but I want to start changing that, which is one of the reasons Im looking to go for a road bike)

I have to admit, Im not an skinny Wippet and Im not that overweight, I use the bike purely for exercise during the Week
and on rare weekends longer routes (which is what Im looking to improve on) ( have dropped 5 stone since Last August)

So fitness wise it my be better to have a triple, but Judging by my current exercise Im usually on the second Ring (unless Im riping it down a hill like the belgard road when Im high into the top ring doing about 35-40km speed :-) ) so the triple may not work for me and may be a step backwards,, however being new to Cycling (1 year) and just realising the level of knowledge of everything and cranks and Cassettes sizes is a bit beyond me at the Minute, which is why Im not sure where to go next

Hills I do find I gas out a bit on and am happy to admit, but this is all about improving and getting better at hills, And I push myself pretty hard

So for me,
Racing=no
Uphill= Want to improve
Long distance=Want to improve
Good Fast road bike that helps somewhat with hills and I can get stuck onto and get going is what Im looking for, I think

Thanks

dark_jedi_ire

Spend some time Researching and I will be going with a 2 ring...

Will keep off the Granny ring

Cee-Jay-Cee

Stick to a double and just make sure its a compact 50/34 chain ring with 11/28 rear cassette set up and you'll be fine on the hills.

I personally wouldn't go for any of the bikes you have shown, they're all either triples or low spec sora or 2300 groupsets. For €1000 you should be able to get a bike equipped with 10spd Tiagra groupset.

If you can stretch to €1100 then I'd recommend this bike >

http://www.cyclingpursuits.com/contents/en-uk/p2569.html

Quality bike and 105 group set. If your a cash buyer then you should be able to get a few quid off that price too.

dark_jedi_ire

Thanks CJC a lot to think about there, will keep Looking,, Thats a nice Bike, unless I can find a Shop with it local in Dublin, to have a look
and a sit on/quick run on, its going to be difficult ,,,

However thanks for the info on the Chain and Cassette,,, Great info,, thanks

mcgratheoin

Canyon with 105 groupset is a much better spec than the ones you've listed.

http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3073

dark_jedi_ire

Now thats a nice Bike,,, Now to find a stockist...

Thanks

mcgratheoin

Canyon only do direct sales (part of the reason they can keep prices so low) - but there are plenty of people riding them and I'm sure you could get a spin on one if you ask around.

dark_jedi_ire

Yeh Just seen that.. :-(

My Frame size on my Hybrid is 56 so,, that be a Large? Also Putting it together (as per my OP :-( ) or does it come preassembled? wishfull thinking maybe

Think I need to do some Bike Maintenance classes

com1

If you could stretch to 1200 - this may not be the worst option...

http://www.wheelworx.ie/bikes/road-bikes/road-bikes-men/Z85-2012

'Relaxed' geometry, mostly 105 with a generous cassette - (the 30 cog in the back should get you up any hill)

I think they still do lifetime servicing too.

If you are tall enough they also had a 56cm Dolan Mythos advertised on sale for 1199 (full Carbon with 105)

(Jays I should be looking for commission from Wheelworx...:o)

dark_jedi_ire

haha Thanks Com1

Will have a look again in Wheelworx Was there the other night but the shop was closing and just managed to get in for quick Look before the Maintenance Class started (then got kicked out :-( )

dark_jedi_ire

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPWHT/planet_x_pro_carbon_sram_rival_franko_bianco_road_bike
(from another Thread)

thoughts? Compared to the Canyon?

johnnytech

hi wheelworx sometimes have specials going on in bikes.ask in store do they have any coming up soon.i picked up a trek domane 4.3 carbon for 1550 down from 2200e there a a few weeks back.my advice is dont be inpatient if dealing with lbs.try and get a good deal on something.good luck

happytramp

dark_jedi_ire wrote: »

Also Putting it together (as per my OP :-( ) or does it come preassembled? wishfull thinking maybe

Think I need to do some Bike Maintenance classes

No, it's very straight forward and requires little assembly. Bike maintenance classes would be cool but you can find everything you need online and great video's of how to do everything on youtube. A basic bike tool set will be invaluable to yo in the future though.

dark_jedi_ire

Thanks Guys..

Will Drop by Wheelworx again over the weekend, I now know What Im looking for and I remember Seeing a Carbon on Sale there a few Days ago,,,

Have all the tools needed, Basic Bike tools to puncture repair etc,,

Will look up some youtube vids later ..

Any Benefits with the Plant-x bike over the canyon ( I know plant-x build it for you and ship..)

Thanks

mossym

your budget suggests you are using bike to work, is that the case? if it is, then i'm pretty sure you can't go with canyon

mcgratheoin

mossym wrote: »

your budget suggests you are using bike to work, is that the case? if it is, then i'm pretty sure you can't go with canyon

Yes you can - as long as your work will buy it for you off the internet, then you're ok.

mossym

mcgratheoin wrote: »

Yes you can - as long as your work will buy it for you off the internet, then you're ok.

ah okay. i know it's not an option where i work as my company will only issue checks and canyon won't accept that, someone here just tried it in the last two weeks and couldnn't get it to work

mcgratheoin

mossym wrote: »

ah okay. i know it's not an option where i work as my company will only issue checks and canyon won't accept that, someone here just tried it in the last two weeks and couldnn't get it to work

That's a bummer - my company is pretty decent - they'll just buy whatever you want using the company credit card.

mossym

mcgratheoin wrote: »

That's a bummer - my company is pretty decent - they'll just buy whatever you want using the company credit card.

it's a real bummer the bike he's getting now isn't a patch on the canyon

dark_jedi_ire

Nope BTW isnt essential...

I am willing to Spend 1k (at a Push 1200)on a new road bike... I have my Hybrid for cycling to work,, This is purely for getting out into the hills and longer cycles and as Im getting more and more into this cycling lark :-) as Im progressing more and More,,, (plus dont want to be cycling in and out of work in road Shoes, I know many Do, but Im to clumsy)

With A limited budget, couple that with Cycling Mostly Spring Summer Autumn Im not looking to go into the Bigboy Levels,, Just a really good bike for a really good price that I can train on :-)

dark_jedi_ire

So the Canyon Way outstripes the Plant x??????????????

Still havnt made any decisions,, and looking for Advice,,

PLantx has everything I need
Chainrings: 50-34T
Cassette: SRAM PG 1050 Cassette / 10 Speed / 11-28T

where as the Canyon is a 3 Ring
Chainrings 50/39/30
Cassette Shimano 105 11-28

Im looking for a Two ring 11-28

Confused now :-(

mossym

once you add the canyon to your shopping cart you have the option to choose between a triple ( 3 ring) and a compact (2 ring), so you have the same as the planet x there.

if it were my money, i'd buy the canyon

dark_jedi_ire

All Sizes Are now out of Stock :-(
Size \ Colour team - yellow light white - black
XS Sold out**
Sold out**
S Sold out**
Sold out**
M Sold out**
Sold out**
L Sold out**
Sold out**
XL Sold out**
Sold out**
2XL Sold out**
Sold out**
3XL FROM STOCK***
FROM STOCK***

iamdave

I would go with this. Even with postage it's still great value

http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/kS1/a78688/r1.html

Or if you want carbon
http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/kS1/a80126/spire-carbon-6-0.html

dark_jedi_ire

Prefer the carbon,, but not liking the colour to be honest,,

and its only an 11-25,, would prefer a 11-28

iamdave

dark_jedi_ire wrote: »

Prefer the carbon,, but not liking the colour to be honest,,

and its only an 11-25,, would prefer a 11-28

It's a love or hate colour, I could be wrong but I'm sure that rear derailleur will take a 11-28

dark_jedi_ire

You would Stand out anyway :-)

Anyway back to Bike porn and finding the right bike

Ron_Noco

Hi, correct sizing is probably more important than gearing, be sure to get what will suit your plans , Most pre-assembled bikes come with the steerer tube already cut to length which doesn't allow much height adjustment as I found out, I had a felt 95 and found the low handlebars very hard going on long rides, traded it for a Scott speedster 40- last month as I knew the felt would break my back on the ring of Kerry cycle
Huge difference even though they both have the same sizing... Enjoying cycling now, whereas before it was tough

Good luck

dark_jedi_ire

Thanks Ron Noco, Very good point,

Kinda why I would prefer going somewhere to and always "try" a bike or bike style before I would order,, I think anyway I will spend some More time looking around in the Shops and get a better feel of the sizing that suits etc,,,

Thanks

RunMD

One piece of advice I could give is , get something with a 105 groupset if possible .. you will find them , on special , last years model ect ..

Ali frames are all the same really .. different stickers , paint ect ..

Find a bike with 105 and nab it !!

RunMD

Oh yea ... get a proper bike fit !!! THE MOST IMPORTANT THING

dark_jedi_ire

Yup exactly what Im After( thanks to all the advise here )

105 11-38

mossym

Ron_Noco wrote: »

Hi, correct sizing is probably more important than gearing, be sure to get what will suit your plans , Most pre-assembled bikes come with the steerer tube already cut to length which doesn't allow much height adjustment as I found out, I had a felt 95 and found the low handlebars very hard going on long rides, traded it for a Scott speedster 40- last month as I knew the felt would break my back on the ring of Kerry cycle
Huge difference even though they both have the same sizing... Enjoying cycling now, whereas before it was tough

Good luck

was the felt a z series or f series? i imagine you're seeing the difference between a more relaxed geometry versus an aggressive one, the felt z series is their more relaxed fit with longer headtube, so both bikes might fight you perfectly but the z series will have you in a more relaxed position to the f series. the speedster you mentioned would appear to be the more relaxed geometry, same as the z series felt

dark_jedi_ire

Checklist so Far
105
11-38
Relaxed Geometry
Size frame 56cm
Wheels 25Cm
Colour= White (dont know why I like White bikes but I do, maybe is cause the only colour cloths I wear would be black haha)

Ron_Noco

Ya it was an F95, lovely bike with a nice spec, bought with the heart instead of the head... Not designed for old fellas, you need a young bendy back to cycle one

pdstck

Hi All
I am in the same boat as dark-jedi-ire, i am looking for my first road bike (2yrs cycling a mountain bike) i will be buying on he btws and they have said i can buy the bike anywhere. My budget is around €800 but i'm thinking of buying local as it is my first road bike as it easier to get size correct and maybe a free service and the bike will also be assembled, what do people think of giant bikes apart from be common. I have seen this bike on bikediscount and am very tempted or the bottom one on crc but apparently ridley bikes are suite to people with long torsos.
I'm 6ft 5 so will need a 4850cms frame

http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/k1847/a85733/z95-matte-black.html

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=104897

The Mulk

I was looking at the ridley tempo seems to have all the above specs 105 group set 12-28 etc, can get it for 899 on the bike to work. Should I go with it or shop around some more. Should get a good deal on accessories too