Entry Level Roadie - Decision to Make

Dades

I've done a bit of cycling on my hybrid over the last year and have signed up for a few more big rides recently - including the Ring of Beara. Purely social stuff with a group of mates.

I think I want to throw a few quid into getting a road bike, but am not really interested in spending big (yet!) or having a brand name.

Two interesting options I've been looking at are the Ribble Prime, and the Merlin Performance PR7. Both seem to cost less than the sum of their parts. I'm struggling to see what else I'd get for under €450. I'm open to second-hand, but I've been watching adverts and nothing is jumping out.

Any thoughts on the above, or other suggestions in that price range?

smacl

Both look like great value for the money and both are reputable. If €450 is your limit the Merlin seems like a good choice. For social rides around the hills, the 8 speed claris with 50/34 front and 11/32 rear will provide all you need in a bike. Just leave a couple of bob aside for some padded shorts.

joey100

I'd guess that for that money you would be better off going second hand. The merlin bike is 10.4kg which is pretty heavy for a road bike really. You might have to wait to get a second hand one but you could probably get a bike to work bike that was bought and then not used for not far off that money. Is the bike to work an option for you to buy new? Depending on what tax bracket your in you could be looking at around a 900 euro bike to cost you around your 450 budget.

10 Carrolls

www.ggrippy.com/bikes-for-sale.html

Have a look at this site. I'd say there's something there to suit and the prices are good. Bought a bike there myself last year. Easy guy to deal with and the bikes are top class.

Dades

Thanks, folks.

Bike to work not an option, got my hybrid on that, and am now self employed anyway! I could potentially get Mrs Dades to do one, but am really hoping to get sorted before the Beara cycle and that's not gonna happen on the bike-to-work.

Same with second hand - I've been watching Adverts for a while and haven't seen anything I'd want at a price I'd pay. And now I need to make a move sooner rather than later.

Re the weight of the Merlin, maybe I'm naive, but I'm not too obsessed with bike weight. The heaviest part is the rider! 15 stone cyclists with carbon water bottle holders always make me laugh. Also, I've been riding the hybrid up Cruagh Hill recently, so anything lighter is a bonus.

10 Carrolls, I'll check out your link.

Dades

Update: All the Ribble 56cm frames (or close) are gone now as of last night. Had one in cart and didn't pull the trigger. Hope I don't regret it!

Dades

Sorry, one more comparison.

If one was to take a punt on the Merlin PR-7, would the PR-7 R be worth the extra 60 quid?

Bear in mind this is for comfortable weekend jaunts and the odd sportif rather than racing.

Still open to other suggestions.

crosstownk

The main differences that I can see are the weight - the PR 7 R is 500g lighter. Also the Sora is 9 speed vs. the 8 speed Claris on the PR 7. One thing to watch out for is that the Sora cassette on the PR 7 R is an 11-25T which doesn't offer gearing as low as the 11-30T on the Claris and may have you struggling on some hill climbs.

Brian?

Dades wrote: »

Sorry, one more comparison.

If one was to take a punt on the Merlin PR-7, would the PR-7 R be worth the extra 60 quid?

Bear in mind this is for comfortable weekend jaunts and the odd sportif rather than racing.

Still open to other suggestions.

Going up a groupset from Claris to Sora for 60 quid is a no brained to me. If you want a different cassette you could swap it out for an 11-30 Sora cassette, costs about 20 quid.

Spend the extra.

martyc5674

Go with the Sora 9 speed...it will feel way less gappy than the 8 speed.(what i mean by gappy is that the difference between each gear will be less significant so your more likely to be able to find a gear that you can spin comfortably)

I run Sora 9 speed on my bike and it is really good.
Cheap and readily available parts when required.
Mine is 11-26 so basically the same as yours and i have zero problem with hills in this country.(im light enough though)...but as brian said a replacement cassette is only 20 quid if you really feel the need.

Marty.

smacl

Dades wrote: »

Still open to other suggestions.

For your budget, I'd probably go the Boardman Team road bike @ €525 10 Carrolls linked if you thought it would fit you. Looks to be in great nick and vendor appears reliable. Being built up with a new 10sp tiagra would place it ahead of a new Merlin in my eyes, also gets good long term review in BikeRadar.

T-Maxx

Don't know if this will fit but for around €450 it's a great deal.

Dades

Thanks all.

I'd looked at both the Boardman and the Cube (would have been a great price), but both are too big for me (58 and 60). I'm circa 5.11 and am really looking for a 56 frame. My hybrid is 56 and fits great. I should have said that first!

T-Maxx

Keep in mind that the Cube sizing is slightly different though.

10 Carrolls

I looked at that Boardman myself last weekend. I have a 58 audacio 400 which fits me perfectly but that boardman is actually a small 58. It's a lovely bike, and also has black bar tape, not the yellow in the picture. Id say if you're anywhere near it's well worth a look. Keep an eye on the website, he has new stock in regularly.

CramCycle

The Cube 58cm in many cases could be considered a 56 or even 54, better go to a shop and try it.

The Ribbles were not coming down as cheap as 450 for me, started north of 600, would go for the Ribble sportive over the prime.

If 450 is your budget and you are OK with the Claris, I would go for Boardman road bike

Dades

From what I've gleaned, a 58 Cube would be perfect for me. That 60cm one on Adverts, while a lovely beast, is just too much of a stretch (literally).

10 Carrolls wrote: »

I looked at that Boardman myself last weekend. I have a 58 audacio 400 which fits me perfectly but that boardman is actually a small 58.

What does a small 58 mean? That it fits more like a 56? I'm actually cycling to Wexford tomorrow... won't make it to Bunclody though!

Either of these any use?

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p6402/CANNONDALE-CAAD8-SORA-COMPACT-2014

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p5459/CANNONDALE-SYNAPSE-ALLOY-SORA-2014

smacl

Dades wrote: »

From what I've gleaned, a 58 Cube would be perfect for me. That 60cm one on Adverts, while a lovely beast, is just too much of a stretch (literally).

What does a small 58 mean? That it fits more like a 56? I'm actually cycling to Wexford tomorrow... won't make it to Bunclody though!

Either of these any use?

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p6402/CANNONDALE-CAAD8-SORA-COMPACT-2014

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p5459/CANNONDALE-SYNAPSE-ALLOY-SORA-2014

Both lovely looking bikes at a good price. The CAAD8 has a compact gearset with 34/26 as a lowest gear where the Synapse has a triple with 30/28 as lowest gear which would make it the easier option for longer hillier cycles. Also wider tyres with long reach brakes suggest it is more about comfort than speed. Most people here would probably opt for the CAAD8 with compact 50/34 crankset as triples aren't as popular, personally I'd go for the Synapse.

CramCycle

Flip of a coin, which do you like the look of more. Both solid bikes with good reputations.

I would pick the CAAD8 for the look of the top tube (I don't like slanty ones).

Wishbone Ash

Brian? wrote: »

...If you want a different cassette you could swap it out for an 11-30 Sora cassette, costs about 20 quid.....

Would also require a new chain.

Brian?

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Would also require a new chain.

Probably not.

Wishbone Ash

Brian? wrote: »

Probably not.

From a 25 to a 30 on the same chain?

Brian?

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

From a 25 to a 30 on the same chain?

Should be grand. I have 11-23/25/28 cassettes, all flawless on the same chain.

Dades

Pulled the trigger on the Cannondale Synapse. Budget smashed.

#donttellthewife

Thanks for all the advice. Cycled 90k on Saturday on a hybrid, I'm anticipating my next spin to be a different experience.