Yet another bike to work recommendation thread

kd2113

Hi all,

I've already searched through this forum, and while there are some few related threads, none really answer my questions.

Currently I'm commuting 3 miles to and from work on an Iron Horse Sunday. As my this commute is increasing to 12 miles each way next Monday I urgently need to get a more suitable bike (I'd also plan on putting more distance on it in the evenings over the summer and some weekends so I don't really want a hybrid). So I'm going to be buying a road bike next by next weekend. While I'm well versed in mountain bikes (both cross country and downhill) and I know what I do and don't like, I have no experience with road bikes.

So I'm looking for advice.

My budget can't go any higher than €800 for the bike itself (before the BTW scheme kicks in). I've already visited a few shops in south dublin, and the current prime candidates within my budget are the following.

Felt 95;
Felt Z100;
Giant Defy 3;
Scott Speedster 50;
Specialized Allez;

However, I don't know enough to be able to compare them objectively (or even subjectively for that matter). So if you were in my position, what would you go for, and why? Or any other recommendations that I can get within my budget and within my fairly short time frame?

I'll be buying through the bike-to-work scheme and as a result I'm limited to certain shops, preferably in the Dublin area (although every LBS I've come across seems to be on the list, but not CRC or Halfords: http://www.biketowork.ie/bike-shops/).

Lumen

I would get the Defy 3 because I don't like Felts, the Scott only has 2300/"Claris" components, and Specialized are dicks.

The Scott Speedster 40 is nice.

http://www.wheelworx.ie/scott/scott-speedster-40-2014

jgreene83

I'd second the Defy 3, I have one myself, nice comfortable bike, handles well, responsive and light enough for a mid range bike. Have it almost a year now and don't have any complaints, I would recommend swapping out the saddle for something more to your own preference as I found the standard one too spongy. For the use you're planning it's more than enough.

flying11

Here is something i put together a while back for someone who was looking for a new bike on the bike to work scheme.
It compares some of the most popular bikes that can be purchased using the €1000 limit on the bike to work scheme.
I cant seem to get boards to format the tables correctly but if anyone wants a copy of the original excel table (with working links) then send me a pm.

@Mods - You can use this image in a sticky if you want as there seems to be a lot of "which bike" topics on here recently.

Lumen

flying11 wrote: »

I cant seem to get boards to format the tables correctly

:pac:

detones

The rose bike is seriously light for a bike under 1k and with 105 that and the Canyon are the pick of the bunch. Might be a bit messy to getting those through the btw though.

crosstownk

Just had a quick glance at the table posted above....... I'm sure the 2014 Defy 3 (and 2) has a composite fork (with an alloy steerer).

not yet

crosstownk wrote: »

Just had a quick glance at the table posted above....... I'm sure the 2014 Defy 3 (and 2) has a composite fork (with an alloy steerer).

+1

retalivity

recently returned to the country, looking to get a decent road bike for cheap through the bike to work scheme. It seems that 7-800 would be the minimum required to get a new road bike of a decent standard, which is pushing my budget as I also need to get a car, so I would rather buy a good second hand bike for cheaper if possible.
Second hand bikes are not covered under the scheme though are they?

kd2113

Thanks for the replies and recommendations.

Over the last 2 evenings I managed to test ride 6 of the bikes on flying11's list and I've come to the conclusion that the Defy3 is the way to go for me (although it was a 2012 defy2 that I took for a spin, but I presume they all have much the same geometry, right?).

So now the next question is anybody know of any shops around dublin with a good deal on this bike?

Every place I've checked seems to have it listed at €849. Last time I purchased a new bike (approx. 3 years ago) it had a list price of €1200 in most shops but I got it down to €1000 with very minimal haggling. What are my chances of getting even a 10% reduction on the defy3 (and any particular shops, again around Dublin, that are open to a bit of bargaining)?

not yet

kd2113 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies and recommendations.

Over the last 2 evenings I managed to test ride 6 of the bikes on flying11's list and I've come to the conclusion that the Defy3 is the way to go for me (although it was a 2012 defy2 that I took for a spin, but I presume they all have much the same geometry, right?).

So now the next question is anybody know of any shops around dublin with a good deal on this bike?

Every place I've checked seems to have it listed at €849. Last time I purchased a new bike (approx. 3 years ago) it had a list price of €1200 in most shops but I got it down to €1000 with very minimal haggling. What are my chances of getting even a 10% reduction on the defy3 (and any particular shops, again around Dublin, that are open to a bit of bargaining)?

As the man says, you'll never know if you don't go.

Drop into the shops you have in mind and tell them you've got a 5% discount in shop A: and take it from there. I'd be surprised if you didn't get 5-10% discount.