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help choosing first road bike

hi all sorry if this is a bit long but i'm a total novice when comes to cycling so would be very gratefull if all you good people could give me some advice, i'm looking at getting a road bike to commute to work. I have a budget of around £1000 could stretch to £1300. But ideal would like find something in sale so get more for my money.
I saw this deal on merlin cycles for a beone full carbon bike with Shimano 105 groupset for £879.94 with delivery the link is below

http://www.merlincycles.com/beone-diablo-race-road-bike-63023.html

Has any one got a beone bike or come across them before and if so what are they like as I have never heard of the make and Is this a good deal, it seems it to me with 47% off rrp or is the rrp too high in first place? I have been told in this price bracket I would be better of looking at a good high end alloy frame as all carbon ones will be low end carbon and a good alloy frame would be better quality is this true? I always thought carbon was better even if was at lower end but as said im complete novice so any advice on this be great.

Also what is best time to buy a bike to get best deal, i have been told it would be better to wait till September as all 2015 bikes will be out then so all 2014 models will be in sale so be better deals around then is this true? or are there just as good deals round now. lastly If anyone knows of any better deals around price range for good reliable bike love to hear all your recommendations. thank you all for listen and if you could help with advice that be great and much appreciated cheers

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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6 comments

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markstokeshughes80 | 9 years ago
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thanks for all replies there is a merlin cycles shop near me so will be going in there to get fitted for bike if decide on it just wanted know if beone was a good deal before I went as never heard of them. has anyone heard of make? also in my price bracket im coming to conclusion from peoples opinion that alloy would be better than carbon am I right? I intend on keeping bike for many many years as I have had my specialized 12 years before now deciding to replace so would people say good alloy would be longer lasting than low carbon,as I have look on beone site and alloy frame has 5 year warranty were carbon only has 2 why is this is carbon more likely to break??thanks

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realdeal | 9 years ago
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At this price point whatever carbon frame you choose will ride at a similar level. Most of them come from the same chinese factories, they just have a different name painted on the frame. Do your research, look at everything, try as much as you can and make sure it fits properly.
Aluminium doesn't make a great frame either so you're probably best off with something in carbon, titanium or steel.
The things to be careful of are the shifting and the wheels, if the gears don't shift well and the wheels don't spin nicely you'll soon get fed up with whatever bike you have.

Happy hunting.

p.s don't get too hung up on prices, most shops will discount.

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Dapper Giles | 9 years ago
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+1 for LBS and/or cycle to work schemes.
Carbon isn't always the best way to go either: I hear it fizzably melts in the rain like prawn cocktail Skips.

Don't forget you'll want to spend some money on shorts, jersey, base layer, clipless pedals, shoes and a razor for keeping them legs all smooth.

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parksey | 9 years ago
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Would have to second both of the above comments, I personally cannot overstate the importance of not buying "blind" online when it comes to a first road bike.

Go to your local store and talk to them about what you need, they'll be able to help you establish which bike(s) best suit those needs, plus you can test ride them too rather than discounting bikes based on online reviews only.

Most importantly, they'll help size the bike too, not just the outright frame size, but things like stem or crank length, and the position of the saddle or handlebar. That's something no amount of internet research will tell you.

As above, don't assume carbon is automatically "better". It's the fashionable choice, but cheap carbon isn't as light or stiff as you think, and I don't personally believe it's any smoother a ride than good aluminium or steel either.

The upper end of your budget will actually get you on carbon from the more-established brands, but that'll mean lower-end components. Don't get hung up on this, the majority won't need the benefit of having an Ultegra groupset over a Tiagra one, and who cares if you have a non-series chainring as part of the build?!

As for that BeOne bike, £850 for a carbon frame and fork, full 105 groupset, plus reasonable wheels and finishing kit is good value on paper, but I suspect what gives is the quality of the carbon frame and the build generally. Not for me, but then I'm the sort of person who would always buy a Sony TV over a Technika one... I'm sure Technika still sell a lot of TVs.

Sales generally take hold in the autumn, once the majority of manufacturers have released their bikes for the coming year, but you can generally find sale-price bikes year-round, particularly if you need a less-common frame size.

As an alternative in the affordability stakes, does your employer offer a cycle to work scheme? If so, you can get some decent savings buying a bike that way, although you are essentially limited to spending no more than £1000.

Otherwise, have a good search on here for advice. They often run their own round-up of road bikes at certain price points, and the old "what bike to buy?" topic is a frequent one on the forum too.

Above all, good luck with the search, and keep us posted with what you end up buying.

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giobox | 9 years ago
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Carbon for carbon's sake because it was cheap is a bad way to go about getting a first road bike. If you are new to cycling a good relationship with a local shop is far more important; You'll get to try before you buy, get advice and have someone to go to when something goes wrong or needs serviced. Most good shops will throw in a year or mores servicing, and becoming a regular usually results in other benefits too.

These things are far more valuable to me than getting a carbon frame I've never ridden from a brand I've never heard of. What's valuable to you may be different. At this price point carbon isn't necessarily going to be any better than a good alloy bike.

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Derny | 9 years ago
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Your first road bike should not be purchased online. You need to ride it before you buy it, and you need advice from a trusted and knowledgeable person who can see you on the bike. Focus on finding that person. Cycling clubs are a good source of referrals to local shops, bike fitters, and coaches who can provide that service.

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