Upgrade for a beginner

wuffly

I have just started cycling again and feeling a bit more serious this time. My current bike is a fairly heavy road bike with a suspected slightly buckled front wheel. I've have promised myself once i get 1000k out of it i will upgrade (about a 3rd of the way there). I just have no idea what to upgrade too... Unfortunately where i live (the middle east) there are limited options, giant, scott and btwin (decathlon brand). When i go to any of these shops i feel like they are trying sell me the most expensive thing them can, not what would actually be good/right for me. Can anyone recommend a bike from one of these brands, even as a starting point? I will only ever be cycling on a track, the roads here are dangerous enough in car! TIA

Hunterbiker

Do you have a budget in mind?

wuffly

Between 500-1000e, thanks

denbatt

Plenty high end second hand bikes out there for that money these days.

Hunterbiker

That price band is hotly contested. Giant Defy's always get good comments on here as do Btwin (Triban) too. I am not familiar wirh the Scott range but maybe look on there website to guage prices.
Could you not look at an online retailer like Wiggle to expand the choice? Saying that it will be harder to gauge whag will be right for you unless and the best way to do that is to actually throw your leg over some bikes and see how they feel.
Sorry not to be more helpful but if you had so e models in mind people more knowledgable than me will comment.

wuffly

Hunterbiker wrote: »

That price band is hotly contested. Giant Defy's always get good comments on here as do Btwin (Triban) too. I am not familiar wirh the Scott range but maybe look on there website to guage prices.
Could you not look at an online retailer like Wiggle to expand the choice? Saying that it will be harder to gauge whag will be right for you unless and the best way to do that is to actually throw your leg over some bikes and see how they feel.
Sorry not to be more helpful but if you had so e models in mind people more knowledgable than me will comment.

Thanks, hadn't considered online as i thought delivery to Dubai would cost more than the bike, should be ok with the min spend for free delivery. After posting the question, I was thinking i could buy something at home next time i am back so that opens up my options from the three i mentioned. Very little available 2nd hand here. Will check out the btwin and giant models you mentioned.

wuffly

Is there any shop in particular than you could recommend in cork or kilkenny?

Hunterbiker

Yes there is always the home market and always deals on used bikes. Eirher stake outlinesites like Adverts prior to a trip or get a family member to dod the seaeching. Flying it back you need a transport box but they can be got used too and its something you can sell on.

Hunterbiker

West End Cycles Ballincollig and Victoria Cross Cycles in the City. There are a few good shops in Cork.

wuffly

Will do, thanks

Buzwaldo

Bikestore on Patrick st in Kilkenny. Also kilkenny cycles on Michael street.

ZiabR

You can get a nice Trek or Giant for that budget.

wuffly

Liking the look and price of the giant defy, (200e extra here if i buy it here!) Hopefully buy it at home and if I can get my tax back when i leave should help it. thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

Jk_Eire

The Giant Defy 2 is a cracking bike from my own experience.
Solid as a rock and comes with better spec than most bikes at the €1k budget.

I think it's at that point where it has a good enough spec to keep you from immediately wishing you went for something fancier, to thinking that you overspent.

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/2013.giant.defy.2/14977/66545/#specifications

wuffly

Jk_Eire wrote: »

The Giant Defy 2 is a cracking bike from my own experience.
Solid as a rock and comes with better spec than most bikes at the €1k budget.

I think it's at that point where it has a good enough spec to keep you from immediately wishing you went for something fancier, to thinking that you overspent.

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/2013.giant.defy.2/14977/66545/#specifications

Yep, she's a beauty and bang on my upper limit. happy to know what i am aiming for, only 725k to go before i can upgrade!

wuffly

Back again! My plans to upgrade on a trip home have taken a crappy turn as a plank rear ended me while my bike was on the rack at the back of my car, bike is in bits and my car has a bike rack shaped dent in its arse...... anyway looks like i am upgrading sooner than planned, no trip home til much later in the year and I'd like to get back on the road sooner rather than later. I've been looking at wiggle and doing some reading up trying to figure out what is best for me. (The giant shop here doesn't stock the defy 2, trying to see if they can order it for me but they aren't so helpful) I have found this on wiggle, just within my budget any thoughts comments?? i know its a little known brand but reviews i have found have been pretty good. TIA http://www.wiggle.co.uk/mekk-2g-poggio-p25-105-2013/

Hunterbiker

That seems like a lot of bike for the money. Is there a review on places like bikeradar etc? Scope for upgrade of parts over time.

wuffly

Hunterbiker wrote: »

That seems like a lot of bike for the money. Is there a review on places like bikeradar etc? Scope for upgrade of parts over time.

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-mekk-poggio-2-5-13-47466/

Hope the sale lasts, until i can afford it!