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Some advice please - on purchasing a new road bike

by kenjyot
Tue, Jan 14, 2014 11:11
8

Hi,
I started cycling a little over a year ago and I absolutely love it. I inherited a decent road bike and I use it to travel everywhere. I live in London and it has become my means of transport. However, the bike I use has had its time and I’m ready to purchase a new one. I’m not entirely sure where to start - I would greatly appreciate some advice. It’s a little daunting when researching and I want to make sure I pick the right bike, I don’t earn a lot of money and so it has taken me a while to save up £500 (my budget).

I have an idea of the kind of bike I want but is there anything I should make sure I have in a road bike? Can anyone recommend some good stores in London? Are there particular models I should go for/stay clear of? Also I am doing my first triathlon in the summer and I start my training soon – hence the need for a new bike – and one that will be sufficient for such an event.

Thanking you in advance for your help.
KOT

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8 comments

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Flying Scot | 10 years ago
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triban 3, a nice saddle, Cinelli gel cork tape, keo pedals, dhb shoes and a good pair of shorts would be my recommended 500 spend.

Just make sure you get one with a carbon fork, the 2012 does, the 2014 does.....the 2013 doesn't!

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parksey | 10 years ago
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The obvious answer, certainly given the recent Bike of the Year article would be the Boardman Road Sport, although not everyone is keen on using a retailer like Halfords for this sort of purchase.

£500 is still a decent budget and will generally get you on one of the entry level bikes from the likes of Giant, Scott, Trek, Cannondale, Specialized, etc. In those cases, the frames will likely be the same as those used on bikes costing a grand or more, and so will be a decent upgradeable platform.

Best bet is usually to get down to your LBS and see what they can offer. At this time of year there should still be some 2013 model year bargains around too.

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welsh wizard | 10 years ago
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I ride a cannondale CAAD 8 2300 is v good in my opinion, good frame that can be used as basis of an upgrade in years to come or not. Saw them in sales a fe weeks ago for £450 think is excellent value....good luckŷ

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Charles_Hunter | 10 years ago
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What's your current bike? Could you keep that with a few upgrades?

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numbercruncher | 10 years ago
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If you're not averse to buying online, you could have a look at this one for your budget:-
http://road.cc/content/review/100352-battaglin-s11-road-bike
Saying that, the Triban is always well rated by people who have one and the Boardman was top budget bike in the 2013 road.cc list, and you can check those out 'in the flesh' before deciding.

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Shanefutcher | 10 years ago
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If your after new bike there's plenty on offer online.merlin cycles are offering BeOne storm bike for £449 with shimano sora triple.also leaves you money to get pedals

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jason.timothy.jones | 10 years ago
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have a look at Decathlon for the Red Triban 3 its £300 and in my opinion much better than anything else under £500, compare what you get on the £500 Boardman, the Triban still comes out on top, and £200 cheeper

I use mine to train on, and have done a 100 miler on it with out any problems at all

Avatar
davecochrane | 10 years ago
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I'd bet you could do really well second hand for that kind of money, unless a brand new warranty is really important (which would be nice to have). Don't get too hung up on carbon.

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