New Bike (on BTW) Looking for best suit/reccomendations

BKWDR

Hi there all,

Been lurking a lot for the past month or so and have read all similar threads

Borrowed a bike ( http://www.halfords.ie/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/carrera-tdf-mens-ltd-road-bike Carrera TDF Mens Ltd Road Bike<- the older version (2yrs) of this bike) off a mate of mine the past couple months having never cycled before. Really enjoyed it, take it for the spin at weekend 20km and cycle to training and looking to maybe cycle the 20k into work the odd day in the new year.

He told me to ride that bike, then for my bike to work scheme purchase in the new year i would have a better idea of what a few extra bob would get me regards the weight and performance of a bike.

I've no problem spending up towards the 1k mark but would like a few extra bob for things like lock / more lights etc.

Hopefully be looking at increasing distance and throwing it into the car to do the Greenway in Westport / Ring of Kerry etc.

Would you have any recommendations or what i should be looking out for compared to that bike i have a the moment?

Are there sales in January where bikes are concerned?

Thanks in advance

nialljf

I also bought a new bike and upped my milage recently. Whatever about the model you go for, factor in an extra few hundred Euros for clothing and accessories; they really add up if you want to take care of yourself and the bike.

jon1981

Spend all of it on the bike if you plan to do a decent amount of cycling. The one you linked isn't far off a BSO (or maybe i'm being a snob). Either way you would get far better value using all the B2W scheme on a decent bike and then shop around online/sales/second hand for accessories/clothing, more choice too.


The Cube Peleton range do some nice entry level bikes that will not force you to upgrade straight away though they might be hard to get this late in the year so aim for 2016 model if you're willing to wait till Jan. Seriously, don't waste the scheme on that piece of Sh*t you linked, it only comes around every 5 yrs, so make it worth your while.

This would be the Cube entry level (http://road.cc/content/review/151824-cube-peloton-claris-2015)
http://www.giant-dublin.ie/en-ie/bikes/model/defy.1/20115/79367/#features
or
http://www.giant-dublin.ie/en-ie/bikes/model/defy.2/20115/79368/


A good groupset (Tiagra/105) is what I'd be aiming for, sub 10kg, carbon fork.

BKWDR

nialljf wrote: »

I also bought a new bike and upped my milage recently. Whatever about the model you go for, factor in an extra few hundred Euros for clothing and accessories; they really add up if you want to take care of yourself and the bike.

No i know, and i am a nervous enough (night time) cyclist. But either way if it came down to it and i was cycling to and from work i would have no qualms about dropping a couple hundred euro on reflective or weather gear.

jon1981 wrote: »

Spend all of it on the bike if you plan to do a decent amount of cycling. The one you linked isn't far off a BSO (or maybe i'm being a snob). Either way you would get far better value using all the B2W scheme on a decent bike and then shop around online/sales/second hand for accessories/clothing, more choice too.


The Cube Peleton range do some nice entry level bikes that will not force you to upgrade straight away though they might be hard to get this late in the year so aim for 2016 model if you're willing to wait till Jan. Seriously, don't waste the scheme on that piece of Sh*t you linked, it only comes around every 5 yrs, so make it worth your while.

This would be the Cube entry level (http://road.cc/content/review/151824-cube-peloton-claris-2015)
http://www.giant-dublin.ie/en-ie/bikes/model/defy.1/20115/79367/#features
or
http://www.giant-dublin.ie/en-ie/bikes/model/defy.2/20115/79368/


A good groupset (Tiagra/105) is what I'd be aiming for, sub 10kg, carbon fork.

Yeah, i've no problem spending the money and putting it towards the bike itself as i will be using it and the clothes i can buy and replace over the years.

Those 2 Defy buys looks nice, not a lot in the difference for a fraction difference in the price.

Ah the bike I'm currently riding is doing the job nicely. It's gotten my interested enough to want to get one better and thats what my mate suggested (he has since bough a bike for the ironman comp) but his advice was 'cycle this so when it comes to buying your BTW one, you will know you want a better one, lighter etc'

BKWDR

OK in my investigations, i've found this bike http://www.wheelworx.ie/trek/trek-1-2-road-bike

Any thoughts?

ted1

its got Sora gear set while the bike is 849 your better off spending closer to 100 and getting 105 or a minimum Tiagra.

The difference is only 150 but really it is only an extra 75 euro as your getting it on the BTW

Cycle Superstore: Philip

Here is our two cents. We get two types of customers here in CSS when it comes to bike to work.

1. The customer who wants to spend the full €1000 on their bike. They are always of the opinion that the scheme only allows you to do it once every 5 years (good point) so why not put the money into a good bike and then add-on your accessories as you go. Most of them have a friend who has spare bits etc.
2. TThe person who only wants the bike to commute and will go 50/50 on bike and accessories. They want to be safe and comfortable on their new bike so they pick up a well valued bike and the essentials, lock, helmet, lights, rain gear etc.

Both options have their arguments and ultimately it comes down to the customer and their own opinion.
It is worth mentioning that we are relocating in the new year and as such, have a great relocation sale taking place. For example, someone above mentioned forking out a few €€ extra and going with a Tiagra/ 105 groupset, how about this Cannondale CAAD8 Tiagra for €899, just an example of some of the deals we have going in our relocation sale that may suit what you're looking for.
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=81420

I hope this helps.

BKWDR

Cycle Superstore: Philip wrote: »

Here is our two cents. We get two types of customers here in CSS when it comes to bike to work.

1. The customer who wants to spend the full €1000 on their bike. They are always of the opinion that the scheme only allows you to do it once every 5 years (good point) so why not put the money into a good bike and then add-on your accessories as you go. Most of them have a friend who has spare bits etc.
2. TThe person who only wants the bike to commute and will go 50/50 on bike and accessories. They want to be safe and comfortable on their new bike so they pick up a well valued bike and the essentials, lock, helmet, lights, rain gear etc.

Both options have their arguments and ultimately it comes down to the customer and their own opinion.
It is worth mentioning that we are relocating in the new year and as such, have a great relocation sale taking place. For example, someone above mentioned forking out a few €€ extra and going with a Tiagra/ 105 groupset, how about this Cannondale CAAD8 Tiagra for €899, just an example of some of the deals we have going in our relocation sale that may suit what you're looking for.
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=81420

I hope this helps.

Hi and thanks lads for the replies, I'm more of a Option 1 person. Over the past couple months i've picked up the lock / helmet / clothing and lights as i borrowed a mates bike.
Where are you moving to ?

Bike looks nice, i dont know the setup in work here or if i will have to wait until the new tax year to buy the bike or not but that looks like a good bike at the price. White makes you go faster, thats the general rule , yeah?

ford2600

BKWDR wrote: »

Hi and thanks lads for the replies, I'm more of a Option 1 person. Over the past couple months i've picked up the lock / helmet / clothing and lights as i borrowed a mates bike.
Where are you moving to ?

Bike looks nice, i dont know the setup in work here or if i will have to wait until the new tax year to buy the bike or not but that looks like a good bike at the price. White makes you go faster, thats the general rule , yeah?

Never dealt with cyclesuperstore (I don't live in Dublin) but very few people regret buying Cannondale. Tiagra is perfectly fine for most leisure riders, and I've found it very durable, circa 30k km no problem.

Take a bit of time on sizing and that bike or similar would be a great buy

Cycle Superstore: Philip

BKWDR wrote: »

Hi and thanks lads for the replies, I'm more of a Option 1 person. Over the past couple months i've picked up the lock / helmet / clothing and lights as i borrowed a mates bike.
Where are you moving to ?

Bike looks nice, i dont know the setup in work here or if i will have to wait until the new tax year to buy the bike or not but that looks like a good bike at the price. White makes you go faster, thats the general rule , yeah?

Makes you go faster if you can keep it clean
Bit of umpf about the new location here, it'll be worth the visit
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewcontent.asp?idpage=374

BKWDR

Cycle Superstore: Philip wrote: »

Makes you go faster if you can keep it clean
Bit of umpf about the new location here, it'll be worth the visit
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewcontent.asp?idpage=374

Looks great ! Defo worth a look! I must get on to the job to find out if i have to wait until January or not. Thanks for the reply

Cycle Superstore: Philip

BKWDR wrote: »

Looks great ! Defo worth a look! I must get on to the job to find out if i have to wait until January or not. Thanks for the reply

No problem.

irishrover99

Cycle Superstore: Philip wrote: »

Here is our two cents. We get two types of customers here in CSS when it comes to bike to work.

1. The customer who wants to spend the full €1000 on their bike. They are always of the opinion that the scheme only allows you to do it once every 5 years (good point) so why not put the money into a good bike and then add-on your accessories as you go. Most of them have a friend who has spare bits etc.
2. TThe person who only wants the bike to commute and will go 50/50 on bike and accessories. They want to be safe and comfortable on their new bike so they pick up a well valued bike and the essentials, lock, helmet, lights, rain gear etc.

Both options have their arguments and ultimately it comes down to the customer and their own opinion.
It is worth mentioning that we are relocating in the new year and as such, have a great relocation sale taking place. For example, someone above mentioned forking out a few €€ extra and going with a Tiagra/ 105 groupset, how about this Cannondale CAAD8 Tiagra for €899, just an example of some of the deals we have going in our relocation sale that may suit what you're looking for.
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=81420

I hope this helps.

That would be a very nice beginner bike

Fian

That cannondale is a good suggestion, wish I had bought one like that when i got my first Bike to work bike. However if you are going to use the bike only to commute, and the commute is less than 10km, you might consider whether you would prefer a more upright riding position - i.e. a hybrid.

I did buy a hybrid on BTW and like I say if i could go back i would have gone for one like this cannondale.

Beware, it might be a gateway drug.

BKWDR

Fian wrote: »

That cannondale is a good suggestion, wish I had bought one like that when i got my first Bike to work bike. However if you are going to use the bike only to commute, and the commute is less than 10km, you might consider whether you would prefer a more upright riding position - i.e. a hybrid.

I did buy a hybrid on BTW and like I say if i could go back i would have gone for one like this cannondale.

Beware, it might be a gateway drug.

I plan to commute, it will be a 40km round trip to work. But that wont be every day and will be a lot of factors (weather , if im arsed etc)

But i just have been cycling the past couple months and have enjoyed it so figure i'd love to go on a spin every now and then , from 20+ km.... this weekend im thinking of doing a 40km one way cycle and see how far i get back before jumping on the dart...that kinda thing, not too serious but if i have the BTW scheme i might as well buy something decent

BKWDR

Decided to go with http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/road/performance-race/1-series/1-2/p/1401010-2016

Looking forward to getting out and about on it.

If you had 200+e to spend on initial 'accessories' and you already had your lock and helmet and set of lights, what would you get.

Am thinking of going straight to cleets and clip ins too