Entry level road bike advice please

duffer247

Hey All
I'm doing Malin to Mizen this summer and am looking to buy a bike taking advantage of the bike to work scheme. Whilst we'll be taking a leisurely pace I would like the bike to be one I could use in the future not just for the event. At entry level I'm thinking around €650 before tax break. Could anybody recommend a bike? Thanks in advance

Cee-Jay-Cee

The first thing I and many others will recommend is to spend the whole €1000 on the bike as you will possibly regret it at a later stage if you really get it into it.

As for bike recommendations, go along to a few bike shops and take a test spin on a few different bikes and see which you like best. Look for something that has at least Tiagra group set after that it comes down to comfort and looks.

not yet

CJC999 wrote: »

The first thing I and many others will recommend is to spend the whole €1000 on the bike as you will possibly regret it at a later stage if you really get it into it.

As for bike recommendations, go along to a few bike shops and take a test spin on a few different bikes and see which you like best. Look for something that has at least Tiagra group set after that it comes down to comfort and looks.

+ on above.

If you look at the difference between spending the full 1000 as against 600-650 the difference is 350approx, allowing for tax relief on that if you pay 41% it could work out as little as 180-200, that figure divided by 52 weeks is very,very little...

In effect, spent the full amount, Giant defy 2 comes in at 995ish, have a look at it.

Andalucia

as above posters have said, get the better bike as your initial purpose

comfort is key on such a long spin and associated training spins, so make sure you try out plenty of bikes

duffer247

Andalucia wrote: »

as above posters have said, get the better bike as your initial purpose

comfort is key on such a long spin and associated training spins, so make sure you try out plenty of bikes

Thanks to all, was initially thinking of spending full 1000 including gear but thought I was going over the top. Test spins I'll definitely avail of. Any particular questions I should ask or things I should avoid/watch out for. I feel a bit at the mercy of the shop owner!

Bigus

Where are you based ?

couerdelion

I did Malin to Mizen unsupported on a Specialized Allez (~€700) and it was fine. Bought it on bike to work and it's now my winter bike.

Did M2M again last year on a more expensive bike with a van carrying everything and it probably wasn't as much fun.

Darkglasses

I threw this list together on another thread, might be some to you

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=88527455&postcount=5

moonshadow

What about someone who can't get the CTW scheme surely the carrera halfords special would be a good starter bike?

maynooth_rules

How much of a step up is the Giant defy 4 on the Giant defy 5. 5 is €625, 4 is €750. just wondering if its worth the extra 125

duffer247

Bigus wrote: »

Where are you based ?

vi
Crumlin, Sth Dublin

royoftherover

Have a look at www.justcycles.ie

Got my bike there Fugi Sportif 1.7 and they did the cycle to work and free delivery.

559 was the price on it.

not yet

Head up to Cycle superstore, it's just up the road and they'll let you test ride any bike there.

duffer247

Thanks Guys
Doing my best to educate myself before another visit to a bike shop (first place offered me Claude Butler San Remo 2013 @€;580). Do I need to be concerned about which groupset? Claris would appear to be entry level? and sufficient for my needs?

maynooth_rules

duffer247 wrote: »

Thanks Guys
Doing my best to educate myself before another visit to a bike shop (first place offered me Claude Butler San Remo 2013 @€;580). Do I need to be concerned about which groupset? Claris would appear to be entry level? and sufficient for my needs?

I got offered Claud Butler too the first time I went in, a Milano though. Thought it was a good bike but have since been told to avoid as its not a good frame. Everyone is saying Giant to me

quozl

duffer247 wrote: »

Do I need to be concerned about which groupset? Claris would appear to be entry level? and sufficient for my needs?

No reason why Claris wouldn't be sufficient. It's proper integrated STI levers since last year so much the same as higher end sets except heavier and only 8 speed.

Personally I'd spend the full grand and get 10 speed - at least Tiagra -but there's no need. More gears just means slightly smaller gaps between gears or the same gaps and an added lowest gear.

elnino23

I bought A cheaper bike a year ago on the bike to work and really regret it now as I got addicted and now want a better bike but can't afford it. spend the whole thing on the bike and buy gear on wiggle, chain reaction etc

maynooth_rules

Thinking of getting this bike now. 800. Anyone know much about Thompson?


http://www.thompson.be/th-web2014/engels/race-r5200.asp

not yet

maynooth_rules wrote: »

Thinking of getting this bike now. 800. Anyone know much about Thompson?


http://www.thompson.be/th-web2014/engels/race-r5200.asp

Better value out there..

If that's being booked on-line you wont get to ride it. Your LBS will let you take a bike on a spin etc and will fit you to a bike.

Cee-Jay-Cee

maynooth_rules wrote: »

Thinking of getting this bike now. 800. Anyone know much about Thompson?


http://www.thompson.be/th-web2014/engels/race-r5200.asp

It's a triple and to be honest, quite expensive. You could get the Felt F85 on wiggle for €700 delivered. It's got a 10spd Tiagra group set and Felt are a well known and reputable brand. You will then have €300 to spend on clothing/gear or if you wanted to spend the full 1000 on a bike, wiggle have the Ridley Fenix with 105 group set and fulcrum 7 wheels for €950.

As far as I know you can use the BTW scheme to buy from Wiggle.

elnino23

CJC999 wrote: »

As far as I know you can use the BTW scheme to buy from Wiggle.

Evans Cycles do it too.

maynooth_rules

CJC999 wrote: »

It's a triple and to be honest, quite expensive. You could get the Felt F85 on wiggle for €700 delivered. It's got a 10spd Tiagra group set and Felt are a well known and reputable brand. You will then have €300 to spend on clothing/gear or if you wanted to spend the full 1000 on a bike, wiggle have the Ridley Fenix with 105 group set and fulcrum 7 wheels for €950.

As far as I know you can use the BTW scheme to buy from Wiggle.

Thank you gents. The bike shop is trying to push me towards a Claud Butler Milano but I have had one or two friends say to avoid Claud Milano
http://claudbutler.co.uk/cycle-range/range/claud-butler-road-touring/cb3055

Seems to have good spec and I would have bought it only my friends talked me out of it. 700 quid.

Cee-Jay-Cee

maynooth_rules wrote: »

Thank you gents. The bike shop is trying to push me towards a Claud Butler Milano but I have had one or two friends say to avoid Claud Milano
http://claudbutler.co.uk/cycle-range/range/claud-butler-road-touring/cb3055

Seems to have good spec and I would have bought it only my friends talked me out of it. 700 quid.

It's got a sora group set and in-house wheels by the looks of it so a rather basic spec and when you consider what else can be got for the same money then it's not good value or a desirable bike.

maynooth_rules

CJC999 wrote: »

It's got a sora group set and in-house wheels by the looks of it so a rather basic spec and when you consider what else can be got for the same money then it's not good value or a desirable bike.

Thanks for the help. Oh I thought sora group set was good . They did admit in the shop that the wheels were not great. they have to get back to me about the price of a Fuji bike. The Defy 3 seems the safe option. Which I had someone more knowledgable to guide me through this purchase. Want to deal with my LBS and have 800 to play with, 850 at a real stretch

not yet

maynooth_rules wrote: »

Thanks for the help. Oh I thought sora group set was good . They did admit in the shop that the wheels were not great. they have to get back to me about the price of a Fuji bike. The Defy 3 seems the safe option. Which I had someone more knowledgable to guide me through this purchase. Want to deal with my LBS and have 800 to play with, 850 at a real stretch

Google reviews of defy 3 and you wont buy anything else with the budget. And you'll get 5-10% off price if you haggle.

crosstownk

maynooth_rules wrote: »

How much of a step up is the Giant defy 4 on the Giant defy 5. 5 is €625, 4 is €750. just wondering if its worth the extra 125

The main difference is the composite forks on the 4 vs. the aluminum on the 5. Marginally lighter and more forgiving.

My LBS did me a deal on the Defy 4 for €650. So be sure to haggle.

maynooth_rules

not yet wrote: »

Google reviews of defy 3 and you wont buy anything else with the budget. And you'll get 5-10% off price if you haggle.

Came across these three on wiggle.co.uk How do they stack up against the Defy 3. They are all 200-300 cheaper

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/compare/shared?product=5360081974&product=5360080515&product=5360079897

not yet

maynooth_rules wrote: »

Came across these three on wiggle.co.uk How do they stack up against the Defy 3. They are all 200-300 cheaper

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/compare/shared?product=5360081974&product=5360080515&product=5360079897

The felt all day long, every bit as good as defy 3. Find a stockist here, drop in get a feel for the bike sizing etc and but on line.

lescol

The latest Planet X is well worth a look @ €710

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXRT58ALUTIA/planet-x-rt-58-alloy-shimano-tiagra-road-bike

duffer247

elnino23 wrote: »

I bought A cheaper bike a year ago on the bike to work and really regret it now as I got addicted and now want a better bike but can't afford it. spend the whole thing on the bike and buy gear on wiggle, chain reaction etc

Thanks elnino, yes it's a great opportunity to get a quality bike normally beyond my means

duffer247

Thinking of a Felt F85 2013 based on advice herehttp://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-f85-tiagra-wiggle-exclusive/

Doc07

Felt looks good. Sorry to hijack but i'm planning on upgrading to decent aluminium bike. Lapierre adacio with 10sp tiagra looks nice. Might be a bit more than the felt but you could check it out.

Doc07

Felt looks good. Sorry to hijack but i'm planning on upgrading to decent aluminium bike. Lapierre adacio with 10sp tiagra looks nice. Might be a bit more than the felt but you could check it out.

maynooth_rules

duffer247 wrote: »

Thinking of a Felt F85 2013 based on advice herehttp://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-f85-tiagra-wiggle-exclusive/

I was looking at that and a couple of cheaper Felts. I think it will be hard to get my employer to use the BTW scheme with an online company based in the UK. Looks like im going to end up with the Defy 3, but thats €850 and I dont think its much better than the Felts on wiggle

duffer247

Doc07 wrote: »

Felt looks good. Sorry to hijack but i'm planning on upgrading to decent aluminium bike. Lapierre adacio with 10sp tiagra looks nice. Might be a bit more than the felt but you could check it out.

Employer has a list of lbs's we can purchase from, bit frustrating, but so be it. Good some good advice regarding my needs from a bike and also the amount of time I'll be able to commit to servicing etc. Looking at a La Pierre

j timber

duffer247 wrote: »

Employer has a list of lbs's we can purchase from, bit frustrating, but so be it. Good some good advice regarding my needs from a bike and also the amount of time I'll be able to commit to servicing etc. Looking at a La Pierre

Was just wondering what bike did u end up getting in the end??i am in the same situation as you were and the felt f85 is looking tempting along with the the defy 3..
Decisions decisions....

fabvinny

im in the same boat,have opted for the defy 2,€995 and the shop are throwing in pump,bottle and cage and repair kit with spare tube.hoping to have it sorted tomorrow.new giant shop in cork.will be a big change from my hybrid!!

duffer247

I ended up with a La Pierre Adacio 200, was eager to spend a bit more especially when my friend went and got the 400! But getting the cheaper model meant I could spend rest of btw money on pedals shoes bib shorts etc. sensible, which I'm usually the opposite.
Loving the bike and riding, going for 50k spins on weekend quite comfortably.
G'luck, let me know how you get on