Trek 1.2 For Entry Level Cyclist?

Antamojo

Hi folks,

I'm a novice when it comes to road racing/cycling so any help would be much appreciated!

I'm going to avail of the Cycle to Work scheme and was thinking of opting for a 2014 1.2 Trek and a few accessories. I have a budget of a bit over €1000 to include the bike and whatever else I need (helmet, lights, mudguard, etc.) It will be mainly used to travel to work so I don't need anything super expensive or flashy, just something that's decent and reliable to get me back and forth (and up a few hills!). Having read plenty of reviews and tips I think my heart is set on the 1.2. As time goes on I will probably upgrade if I want to get a bit more serious about cycling, but would this be suitable to begin with?

I'm working down in Cork and I can purchase from The Edge sports shop
(http://www.theedge-sports.com/).

With regards to accessories, I'll probably need a mudguard. I'm not sure but would the Paligap Rainrunner Road Mudguard be suitable for this bike?
(http://www.theedge-sports.com/product/76325/Paligap-Rainrunner-Road-Mudguard/)

Finally, would I need to get cycling shoes for this bike or what sort of pedals would come with it?

Thanks for any input!

keppler

I think that the shop you've linked to is asking a hell of a lot of money for a bike with shimano sora and basic wheels. I think you should check out some of the online retailers such as planet x, chainreaction etc, im fairly sure you should at least be looking for a tiagra groupset at that kind of money. For some reason i feel like ive seen better value walking around a halfords shop than that website.

Antamojo

Thanks for the reply keppler. I'm not sure on what are good/bad groupsets so cheers for pointing that out!

I think my employer is restricting the deal to local shops so it's either The Edge, Victoria Cross Cycles, or West End Cycles in Cork but I'll have to double check to see if I can get a bike online instead and if they'll accommodate this for the scheme.

You mentioned Tiagra, I seen a 1.5 Trek for a bit extra with one of these groupsets.
(http://www.theedge-sports.com/product/80921/Trek-1.5C-Black-2014/)

Would it be worth the extra few quid to go for one of these?

Antamojo

They also have an Lapierre Audacio 400 CP on sale, would this be better value for money with the specs?
(http://www.theedge-sports.com/product/79671/Lapierre-Audacio-400-CP-2014/

Thanks again for any input!

531

While on holidays last week in Clonakilty I noticed a felt in a bike shop window, with 105, for e1,000. I have no connection to the shop (I didn't even go in!). That struck me as a good deal. Shop was the main street, can't remember the name.

Antamojo

After doing a lot more research into the bikes (and cycling in general) I think I'm going to opt for the 2015 Cube Peloton.
(http://www.theedge-sports.com/product/92631/Cube-Peloton-Race-2015/

Seems like a better option with the specs and it has a full 105 groupset so it's probably the best value for money!

keppler

Antamojo wrote: »

After doing a lot more research into the bikes (and cycling in general) I think I'm going to opt for the 2015 Cube Peloton.
(http://www.theedge-sports.com/product/92631/Cube-Peloton-Race-2015/)

Seems like a better option with the specs and it has a full 105 groupset so it's probably the best value for money!

Yes. Definitely good value there in my opinion. The 105 group set is worth the extra 100 quid over the audacio with tiagra. And I've rarely heard of anyone unhappy with a cube peloton. Although the audacio is not bad at 900 either. But if you have the cash and access to the bike to work scheme then defo go for the cube

Buzwaldo

Yes. Cube are offering the best value for the last year or so in the shops (as opposed to online, but good to have the backup of a shop as a beginner for tuning etc.)
The trek 1,5, lapierre, and cube are all good bikes, but in the shop you linked the trek is only available in 54cm ( medium) the lapierre is small and there are two cubes in stock, but both for over 6 footers.
If ordering in a bike there seems tobe low availability long waiting for cubes.
One of the most important things about a bike is that it fits properly. Some shops can steer an unwitting newbie towards an ill-fitting bike just because its in stock.
You have done some research online about groupsets etc. I suggest you do some more on sizing.
Then do some legwork and get down to the local shops, see what they have in stock and what advice they give, who you get a good feel for etc. probably get better value taking model from stock and less waiting. Don't be rushed, visit a few and take your time.
If your employer will pay them directly you should get a bit of discount / some gear thrown in, but if using a BTW third party (who take a cut) then less room for discount. Then my tuppence worth is to spend up to the limit of the BTW and get a bike with 10 speed (tiagra) or better.
Hopefully you get going while we still have a bit of weather / daylight left, and don't have to wait until Halloween for a bike.

minterno

Antamojo wrote: »

Thanks for the reply keppler. I'm not sure on what are good/bad groupsets so cheers for pointing that out!

I think my employer is restricting the deal to local shops so it's either The Edge, Victoria Cross Cycles, or West End Cycles in Cork but I'll have to double check to see if I can get a bike online instead and if they'll accommodate this for the scheme.

You mentioned Tiagra, I seen a 1.5 Trek for a bit extra with one of these groupsets.
(http://www.theedge-sports.com/product/80921/Trek-1.5C-Black-2014/)

Would it be worth the extra few quid to go for one of these?

hi, Your man in west end cycles ballincollig will point you in the right direction regardless of where you buy,theres no hard sell off him and if your looking for something he cant supply he will send you on to someone who can. hes well worth a shot and has sorted me out a few times in the past and has some nice bikes in stock as well

LiamaDelta

Antamojo wrote: »

After doing a lot more research into the bikes (and cycling in general) I think I'm going to opt for the 2015 Cube Peloton.
(http://www.theedge-sports.com/product/92631/Cube-Peloton-Race-2015/

Seems like a better option with the specs and it has a full 105 groupset so it's probably the best value for money!

Did you have any luck in getting one of these? I actually went to buy one today (saw it a few months ago but didn't get round to buying it) and the shop is sold out of them. Fella reckons I won't find one anywhere in the country.

Antamojo

LiamaDelta wrote: »

Did you have any luck in getting one of these? I actually went to buy one today (saw it a few months ago but didn't get round to buying it) and the shop is sold out of them. Fella reckons I won't find one anywhere in the country.

I went into the Edge on the Kinsale road yesterday evening and got sorted with one, should be picking it up on Fri. The guy in there was very helpful and he said that he had a few of the Peloton Race bikes in stock. I got a 58cm frame, not sure what size you need but it might be worth a shot if you're looking for one!

Cheers for the input guys. Anyone know what would be the best online sites for picking up some gear and accessories at decent prices?

Buzwaldo

Antamojo wrote: »

I went into the Edge on the Kinsale road yesterday evening and got sorted with one, should be picking it up on Fri. The guy in there was very helpful and he said that he had a few of the Peloton Race bikes in stock. I got a 58cm frame, not sure what size you need but it might be worth a shot if you're looking for one!

Cheers for the input guys. Anyone know what would be the best online sites for picking up some gear and accessories at decent prices?

Plenty of online shops, Chainreaction and cyclesuperstore on this Island are good. The DHB stuff (own brand) from Wiggle (.co.uk) is generally considered good value (reasonable quality, reasonable price) - have some myself and stands up as well as any I've had. Also any Altura stuff I've had, I got good wear out of.

shansey

LiamaDelta wrote: »

Did you have any luck in getting one of these? I actually went to buy one today (saw it a few months ago but didn't get round to buying it) and the shop is sold out of them. Fella reckons I won't find one anywhere in the country.

I just bought one from Cycle Surgery in Dundrum.. they're getting it from the warehouse but seemed to have a few in stock