[yitzchokhaffner]

Hi I’m looking to buy my first road bike. I mainly need it for a commute to and from university, about 4 miles each way, the way home is mostly uphill. I want something that takes mudguards and possibly a rack. I also need something to cope with Manchester weather ie rain and cold! My budget is aroun 500. I know pretty much nothing about bikes but from reading reveiws online I have narrowed it down to 3 prospective bikes Boardman road sport, Marin argenta a6 and specialized allez e5. The specialized probably won’t be good for me but I threw it in there because it looks so exciting. Can anyone advise me. Thanks

Yitz

Topic

[Canyon48]

yitzchokhaffner wrote:

Hi, Still  deliberating over which bike to buy. Contemplating a flat bar road bike, I’ve seen btwin triban 500 or calibre filter. Any comments?

The Triban 500 has microshift shifters/brakes which aren’t great…

Have you considered the Mango Point AR flat bar? https://www.mangobikes.com/shop/bikes/point-ar/point-ar-flat-bar-claris/

Mango bikes started up specifically to build bikes aimed at students. I have the Point AR frameset built up with Shimano 105 as my commute bike (10-20 miles each way) – and it’s pretty sound!

It’s a little over your budget, but it also comes with disc brakes (much better in the rainy months) and has mudguard/rack mounts too.

[The Gavalier]

simonmb wrote:

Go singlespeed / fixed. You can probably pick a used one up for £200 where you are, so no need to feel precious about it. It’s a short journey, you’ll hardly be in your stride after 4 miles and you’ll be happy you kept it simple when winter comes and you’re not having to worry about a gritty chain grinding your rings away. Just need to get the gearing right for that climb home! Check out BikeBlogger and his ss / fixed commutes. 

 

He said it’s uphill all the way back so not the best idea for a beginner. 

[kieren_lon]

How about Decalthlons Btwin

How about Decalthlons Btwin 100 for £250 brand new?

https://www.btwin.com/en/road-bikes/sport-road-bikes/20146-triban-100-road-bike.html

Tales tyres wide enough to take in trails
Takes mudguards
Decathlon is reported to have excellent customer service
Might be less less likely to be stolen

[yitzchokhaffner]

Hi, Still  deliberating over

Hi, Still  deliberating over which bike to buy. Contemplating a flat bar road bike, I’ve seen btwin triban 500 or calibre filter. Any comments?

[Swiss]

Boardman road sport can fit
Boardman road sport can fit mudguards and rack has the eyelets and bosses. Get one in the sales on bank holiday weekend s etc and use the savings to get some good tyres on as the standard tyres ride like wood.
If you have a problem with bikes at halfords have a moan at the store manager and you should be put right. I had a problem with front wheel ended with better wheelset and vouchers for inconvenience which got me some spd pedals &shoes when i used them on another weekend sale there. Click collect online to get better prices.
If you join cycling uk you’ll get another 10% discount there too.

[Canyon48]

yitzchokhaffner wrote:

ktache wrote:

Probably not mate, summer is their biggest selling opportunity, they start to sell off their old stock once the next years bikes come in in the autumn.

What about early september?

Usually, the next years range of bikes comes out in September and that’s often when shops discount. Might be able to get a bargain before you go back to uni.

I’d probably say your best bet is buying from a shop that sells used bikes (small independent shops rather than the chains), this way, you get the reduction (it won’t be AS cheap as truly second hand though), but you also have a bike that’s been looked over by a mechanic.

When I commuted from my student house to uni last year (about 3 miles but with a big FO hill at the end), it was FREEZING in the morning, I found that a merino base layer (£15 bargain from wiggle) worn beneath my cycle jacket was more than enough. You don’t need a cycle specific jacket though, a hoodie/light rain jacket combo would be fine.

Rucksacks are easier than pannier racks, unless you are planning on carrying a lot of stuff – I leave most the stuff I need in my locker at uni when I commute. Saves you having to buy a pannier rack and pannier… If you definitely want a pannier rack & bag, then your local freecycle is worth a shot.

You’ll almost certainly want mudguards for when it rains too, again freecycle might be good.

It’s probably worth asking the university’s cycle club to give you advice on buying a bike. I know the chaps in the cycle club where I study often have bikes going.

[yitzchokhaffner]

ktache wrote:

Probably not mate, summer is their biggest selling opportunity, they start to sell off their old stock once the next years bikes come in in the autumn.

What about early september?

[ktache]

Probably not mate, summer is

Probably not mate, summer is their biggest selling opportunity, they start to sell off their old stock once the next years bikes come in in the autumn.

[yitzchokhaffner]

do any bike shops do big bike

do any bike shops do big bike sales in the summer where I can pick up a bargain?

[matthewn5]

I’d advise getting a second

I’d advise getting a second hand bike if there’s any risk of theft. Ask your local cycle club, they’ll sell you a decent bike that doesn’t break

 

[yitzchokhaffner]

Simon E wrote:

yitzchokhaffner wrote:

thanks for all your help so far? just seen cube attempt second hand. barely used. what do you reckon?

Cube are excellent bikes. Check the condition thoroughly but if it is the right size and works well then see if you can haggle.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=advice+buying+secondhand+road+bike

do you know if it takes mudguards and a rack?

[Simon E]

yitzchokhaffner wrote:

thanks for all your help so far? just seen cube attempt second hand. barely used. what do you reckon?

Cube are excellent bikes. Check the condition thoroughly but if it is the right size and works well then see if you can haggle.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=advice+buying+secondhand+road+bike

[yitzchokhaffner]

thanks for all your help so

thanks for all your help so far? just seen cube attempt second hand. barely used. what do you reckon?

[alansmurphy]

Or Boardman Sport Road bike

Or Boardman Sport Road bike at £160 in Stoke…

[alansmurphy]

I’m not far from you and

I’m not far from you and spotted something on Gumtree Search ‘Trek Alpha 1.2 Road Bike’ – it’s in Salford fully stripped refurbished and guaranteed at £250 – definitely worth a look.

[Author]

Replies