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Beginner advice

  • 27-02-2015 9:45am
    #1
    mcgovern
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,267 ✭✭✭


    Hi everyone,
    I'm planning on buying a road bike through the cycle to work scheme, mainly to get fit but potentially aiming for some sportives in the future.
    I've had a look in a few of the local bike shops, but have been getting conflicting advice and was hoping to get some information here.
    Mainly I would like to know what features I should be looking for in a bike and if there are specific makes/models to avoid or are particularly good for beginners.
    Thinks like cassettes etc mean nothing to me, so I would like to have an idea for when I next go to the shop. I plan to spend close to the €1000 but don't mind going slightly over if that gets me into the range of much better bikes.
    Thanks in advance,


Comments

  • #2
    quozl
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,308 ✭✭✭quozl


    I'd recommend one of the Giant Defys. http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-IE/showcase/defy/#bikemodels

    There's versions from 625euro up, including a very nice 2x11 speed for 1100 euro. The 2x10 speed one is also a good bang/buck IMO at 925euro.

    They're got fairly relaxed geometry (easier for a beginner) and a wide range of gearing, including some very low lowest gears to help on hills. Good brand.

    You will get slightly better value bikes ordering online but there's some value as a beginner in getting a bike locally where you can make sure it's the correct size and get easy access to post-sales support.


  • #3
    mcgovern
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,267 ✭✭✭mcgovern


    quozl wrote: »
    I'd recommend one of the Giant Defys. http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-IE/showcase/defy/#bikemodels

    There's versions from 625euro up, including a very nice 2x11 speed for 1100 euro. The 2x10 speed one is also a good bang/buck IMO at 925euro.

    They're got fairly relaxed geometry (easier for a beginner) and a wide range of gearing, including some very low lowest gears to help on hills. Good brand.

    You will get slightly better value bikes ordering online but there's some value as a beginner in getting a bike locally where you can make sure it's the correct size and get easy access to post-sales support.

    Thanks, one of the stores near me gives free lifetime servicing which I think would be quite valuable to a beginner like me, but they don't seem to have any Giant bikes. Mainly Trek which one of the other store warned against? Is there a group set I should look for, eg tiagra?


  • #4
    quozl
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,308 ✭✭✭quozl


    Nothing wrong with Trek, IMO. I have a Trek hybrid, very happy with it. If you can get a Trek at a decent price then great. I think they tend to be slightly more expensive than Giants for the same features but I've not compared recently.

    Groupset-wise it depends on how much you want to spend. They add more gears until you get to 11 gears at 105. After that they get get lighter and that's about all.

    I'd try to get Tiagra (10 speed) or 105 (11 speed). They're a good balance of price to features IMO. Even 8 speed Claris on a 600 euro bike is going to be pretty good. It all depends on your budget and how much extra you want to pay for the diminishing returns of extra gears and lighter components.


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