Any roadbike recommendations?

[FlatSpinMan]

Don't know if anyone here cycles much, but it's worth a try.

 

I've been looking at getting an entry/mid-level roadbike. I commute by bike and if I ever get a chance, like to do 50-60km in weekends etc. I only started a couple of years ago and have been riding a Giant hybrid bike. It has been great and helped suck me into this new hobby. Now I'm looking to get a roadbike though.

 

I'm thinking to spend around US$1,200 - 1,500 so while it's not top of the market, but it should get me a solidly 'Good' bike.

 

 

I've googled a lot and spent an awful lot of time looking at Wiggle. Honestly, I'd probably be perfectly happy with anything I get, but there's so many little differences between bikes that I wondered if you guys have anything helpful to say on the topic.

 

I'm interested in:

Giant Defy series

Bianchi Impulso 

 

but also some lesser known ones with similar specs like:

Verenti (Wiggle's own brand)

Mekk

Boardman

 

These latter two are both quite new it seems but sound pretty good.

 

 

Giant is tempting as they seem so solid all round, plus there's a shop quite nearby for sizing, support, etc. Most of the others I'd probably end up ordering online.

[JtD]

Not a roadbike expert, but one thing that's important for all bikes - go to the shop and try it out. Make sure it fits. My all time favourite bikes are the ones that fit best, not the most expensive ones I bought, nor the best deals I got. In that price range you can expect all bikes to be at least reasonably good, so go for what suits you best, not what magazines or other people recommend.

 

And post a pic once you've got the new one.

[naiboo]

I´ve an cube roadbike with zipp 303 wheels, though i´m not sure if they sell outside europe.

I like the design of the giants. Just avoid manufacturers like cannondale, specialized and the itialians. You pay a lot for the name and usually have pretty bad shifiting and stuff for beginner bikes. 

 

Go to a local dealer, do a measurement of your body for perfect bike fitting.

As u stated, bikefitting and testing the bikes at the local dealer and buying it online is a "no-go" for me. In the near future no local dealers will available if everybody does this. Usually the local dealers can make good deals aswell.

Edited September 25, 2014 by naiboo

[VR-DriftaholiC]

Whats the goal for riding? If it's for commute or exercise don't worry about getting the fancyest lightest bike ever. More weight = more exercise, I always found it funny seeing the chubby guys on some of the most expensive bikes on sunday rides. A friend of mine just built a carbon road bike with china ebay knockoff parts and loves it. 

[kestrel79]

I have a Trek 1000, it's a base model road bike I use for mainly triathlons now. I'm more of a runner than biker I think it was around 500-600 bucks brand new. For your price you should be able to get something nice.

[FlatSpinMan]

But I like shiny and new  .  Too much sensible advice!

   

 

And raaaiiidd, I actually thought it might be unclear as I was posting, so no surprises about the confusion. Sorry.

 

Yes, for that money they'll all be good.

Interesting to hear about "Specialized". I just went to one of their dealers this afternoon actually. They have all the bells and whistles but they don't seem to appear so much in magazine lists, etc. Still, the shop is really nearby. Strangely there aren't many shops around me that sell multiple lines - there's a Trek store, a Giant one, and that Specialized one. What I'd really like to see is one with several different makes. I may actually have to go all the way to another one and have a proper look. That'll take

 

The point about going and 'fitting' the bike is one I often see mentioned online. I can't really imagine what the difference between bikes would be though.  Can you elaborate a little? What am I supposed to notice? When I read bike reviews they talk about the feel and the responsiveness, how the bike rides more or less smoothly, etc, but I've been perfectly happy plowing around on my Giant cross-bike these past few years. I must admit to not being particularly fussy, nor even particularly observant about such things so any pointers are good.

 

Whatever I get I'll keep for ages. I'm not generally a big "gear head" but I spend at least an hour on a bike every day so I want to get something good.

And shiny. Does anyone know if they have "My Little Pony" bikes for adults?

 

Trek Domane? I'll have to check it out. Comfortable is good.

 

I've not heard of Cube bikes, but then I'm not particularly clued up on the subject anyway. I'll investigate. Thanks.

[FlatSpinMan]

Well, time to update. After a long, long, painfully long search for a bike, being torn by choices between Bianchi (looks), Specialized (good sales staff recommendation), Giant (looks, cost performance),  plus dalliances with Cannondale, Ridley and Felt, I ended up  going with a Giant TCR SLR 2. 

 

 

OH MY GOD it is good! Maybe all roadbikes are like this - I have no idea as this is my first one. What I do know is that going from a 32 - 27 minute, full-on effort on my old hybrid bike(heart pounding, spittle flying on the last goddamned hill) bike ride to work in the morning to a quite leisurely 27-28 minute ride (but still heart pounding and spittle flying on the last goddamned hill - it's a real bastard) to work on my new bike means that this bike is just quick. And I'm still not even fully used to it. I only had my first chance to get out on a bit of a ride yesterday, and what strikes me is just how amazingly efficient a roadbike can be at transferring the power of the rder to the output of the frame and wheels. I'd never noticed any undue lag before, but with this bike it just sings. Amazing. The engineering behind my bike is so utterly underutilized by the worthless bag of meat that propels it.  Plus it just looks so wicked!

I'm really pleased with my choice, but now I have suddenly got the full cycling bug so badly, despite resisting it easily these past few years. I'm watching cycling vids on YouTube (GCN is really interesting, informative, and fun), and already thinking of adding the unpurchased Bianchi to my roster for a more relaxed ride (DON'T TELL MY WIFE!!!!!). After all, the appropriate number of bikes to own is N+1, where N>=3, and I only have a cross bike and a measly one roadbike.

 

Pics? Yes, I must take a good one and upload it, though it'll never capture the stunningly light, evilly beautiful nature of my beloved bike.

 

It is normal to talk to your bike, isn't it? And calling it "My precious" is pretty standard, yeah?

[GP*]

You alluded to it yourself...

 

PICS OR IT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

 

[SOLIDKREATE]

I started out with a YZF-R6 and then I owned a Harley Davidson. If you're and older gent like me, I say Harley.

 

Here they are and my little babies:

 

 

Edited January 10, 2015 by SPEKTRE76

[Feathered_IV]

One might say you're bike-curious...  

[von_Greiff]

@spectre

 

...we could "trade" for a while, will ship it over...

 

yours

v.Greiff

 

[JtD]

It is normal to talk to your bike, isn't it? And calling it "My precious" is pretty standard, yeah?

Yes to the first, no to the second. I tend to shout at them when the uphill struggle is getting slow. Can't be my fault. Edited January 10, 2015 by JtD

[SOLIDKREATE]

@spectre

 

...we could "trade" for a while, will ship it over...

 

yours

v.Greiff

 

2012-06-08 18.38.03.jpg

 

Oh I don't own it anymore. Besides I doubt your country would enjoy the extremely loud pipes and heavy emissions from my HOG (Harley-Davidson). 

 

 

This is one next on my list:

 

2015 BMW R-NINET

 

Edited January 10, 2015 by SPEKTRE76

[Guest deleted@30725]

Nothing like that new toy feeling. I still love cycling, even if I mostly ride offroad.

 

Make sure you get the best bicycle lock you can afford. Take it into your work place if you can or take the front wheel with you. Insure it. You may laugh but bicycle insurance (if available) may be a money saver speaking as someone who had expensive bike stolen in the past. Now I have a Giant Trance and refuse to leave it parked in a non-safe location. Ideally don't leave it in a shed as I've known people had robbers follow them home and come back when they were out.

 

Good luck with it though. It can be a bit frightening riding on the roads these days.

[FlatSpinMan]

Yes to the first, no to the second. I tend to shout at them when the uphill struggle is getting slow. Can't be my fault.

Absolutely not, JTD. My bike is disobedient on climbs as well sometimes.

 

It's amazing how perception of altitude varies according to means of transport, isn't it? I did a straight out 9km climb along a river near my house this afternoon. Gained just over 300m in about half an hour of riding (and a few minutes sitting on the roadside gasping) but felt like I was just about in orbit when I looked down at the cityscape. But jump in a plane and 300m is nothing.

I must say that I haven't played a flight sim yet that gives me a good sense of this . RoF/BoS are great up high - the ground looks really far away through the haze, but down low I don't get that same feeling of looking down on a toy world where you can still see everything in great detail, but it's tiny.

Great ride today though. Now having a couple of "recovery drinks" before I start to make dinner.

 

BFBunny - that must suck to lose a beloved member of your  um...bike like that. Luckily my workplace is very secure. It's a school which is completely walled in with security guards at the entrances which are locked anyway. At home I have to keep it on the balcony under cover. Someone might take it but I figure if they manage to climb the perimeter fence, climb 4 floors up to my apartment, carry the bike down as they descend then they are sort of entitled to have it.

[FlatSpinMan]

Finally got around to taking a pic of my bike. I didn't make much effort as you can see, just a snap on the balcony in front of a recycling bin. Pictures don't do this bike justice, but this will give you the general idea.