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First road bike – help please

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  • January 20, 2014 at 2:49 pm #768783
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    z_matt

    Thanks, looking forward to
    Thanks, looking forward to riding it more, thanks for suggesting it in the first place 🙂

    The current pedals have a metal clip AND toe clips/straps and are to be honest a bit awkward.

    I would like some complete flat pedals initially just while I get to grips with the bike (I won’t be fully pushing it yet). Going to take it easy for a while, get used to a new riding position, the new gear shifters, handle position etc so won’t be going too fast or massive distances. Eventually I think I’ll be aiming for some of the Shimano SPD’s (I think?) combined with some proper clip in cycling shoes.

    Do you know of any well priced all flat pedals? Or should I just go for some cheap MTB ones from Sports Direct for now as they aren’t needed for a long time?

    January 20, 2014 at 1:58 pm #768781
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    Super Domestique

    Congrats Matt!
    Enjoy the new
    Congrats Matt!

    Enjoy the new bike.

    When you say non-clip pedals, do you mean with toe clips and straps like this:

    http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/budget-r-road-pedal-and-toeclip

    Or complete flat pedals? (Not that I’d recommend that on a road bike tbh)

    January 20, 2014 at 1:04 pm #768779
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    z_matt

    Thanks everyone for your
    Thanks everyone for your suggestions and opinions. I visited Halfords yesterday and ended up going for the Carrera Zelos Limited Edition Blue, here: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_991927_langId_-1_categoryId_165710 which with the voucher code came to £242.

    With it being my first road bike and quite a large expense for me personally the whole visit to the store to actually sit on the bike and see it in the flesh swung the decision. I originally thought the 54 frame would be the one for me, however after trying both I went for the 51 frame as this was comfortable, where as on the 54 I felt stretched and uncomfortable.

    I’m not usually a fan of Halfords but the guy that helped me was very helpful, answered quite a few questions I had and only gave opinions when I asked for them. I ordered there and then and saw that he was taking great care building the bike and double checking everything.

    I have only had a chance to ride it once so far and that was the short ride home. Initial impressions are that it rides well and isn’t as bumpy as I thought it might be without the carbon forks. Only thing I want to change soon are the pedals (like a lot of the reviews said) as they are clip ins.

    That leads me to ask if anyone can recommend some good non-clip in pedals?

    January 19, 2014 at 10:44 pm #768777
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    lisa76uk

    You can pick up a real
    You can pick up a real bargain on eBay. It’s where I got my current bike, a GT GTR Series 3 (2010 model) in pristine condition for £255. I can’t afford a more expensive bike at the moment, but it does what I want it to and I can upgrade components (new wheelset this year! =P~ )

    January 17, 2014 at 7:48 pm #768775
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    Simon E

    I don’t know about harsh, all
    I don’t know about harsh, all the comments appear to be constructive and supportive. The fact is that £200 doesn’t buy you a decent bicycle, it’s not 1990 any more.

    Smartphone tariffs are £20-40 per month and petrol is £1.30 per litre so money doesn’t go very far. Spending a bit more for a ‘proper’ bike will pay off in the long term, of that I am convinced.

    The Forme looks good but I like Genesis so the Volant 00 would get a look, Rutland still have the 54cm in stock at the moment. But it has no mudguard mounts so you’ll need Raceblades if you want to keep dry. A Carrera Virtuoso or TdF from Halfords is a safe option, see if you can get that BC 10% deal.

    Bikeradar’s classifieds might yield something, alternatively if you list the ebay category ‘bikes’ then filter <£400 and sort by distance you see the bikes nearest your location.

    January 17, 2014 at 7:36 pm #768773
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    Kapelmuur

    My first road bike was a TdF
    My first road bike was a TdF which is now only used as a winter ride and has been bomb proof despite being ridden almost exclusively on wet muddy country lanes.

    I’ve done about 4k miles without it needing any attention – apart from regular cleaning and lubing – so the ‘cheap components’ have not been a problem.

    January 17, 2014 at 5:41 pm #768771
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    dafyddp

    I know I’ve mentioned this
    I know I’ve mentioned this before (apologies), but the Forme Longcliffe 5.0 I bought from Rutland Cycling for £300 is also excellent value (they recently also had a basic Genesis for around that price). To be honest, when I bought the Forme, I also looked at Halford’s Carerra TdF which is often discounted to around £250 (and if you loin British Cycling you can get another 10% off), so that might be worth looking at, too.
    here’s the review of the Forme I wrote for by blog in case you’re interested:
    http://fortywheels.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/review-forme-longcliffe-50.html

    January 17, 2014 at 5:27 pm #768769
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    Shanefutcher

    I have a 2012 specialized
    I have a 2012 specialized allez with new wheels,new shimano claris groupset.its just been totally serviced and cost £400 to be done.i’d accept £300 for it

    January 17, 2014 at 4:14 pm #768767
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    PJ McNally

    I ride a carrera during the
    I ride a carrera during the winter, the virtuoso rather than the zelos, and am very happy with it. Wouldn’t have bought a Halfords bike, but my work’s cycle2work scheme steered me that way, and i’m glad i did.

    Note that I would avoid paying full RRP for Halfords bikes – they regularly put them on sale, which coupled with cycle2work made it a good deal.

    Or, just get the Triban 🙂

    January 17, 2014 at 2:53 pm #768765
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    Anonymous

    The Zelos would do a job.
    The Zelos would do a job. It’s “ok”, nothing more, and unfortunately you should expect that it will require some TLC now and again due to cheap components.

    I’d go with a Triban 3 as suggested. Or beg/borrow £100 off my mum and get a 2013 CAAD8 with 2300 or Trek 1.1…

    January 17, 2014 at 2:28 pm #768763
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    z_matt

    Quick update: I can get the
    Quick update: I can get the Carrera Zelos for £242 with an additional voucher code, very tempted.

    January 17, 2014 at 2:21 pm #768761
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    Super Domestique

    3 things I’d spot at a quick
    3 things I’d spot at a quick glance.

    1) tektro brakes rather than no named brand. Especially if they are the same ones as on the TdF as they have cartridge blocks for improved braking. If you go in store have a look.

    2) the sti shifters (as in that they are integrated with brake levers) rather than the horrible looking thumbshifters near the stem on all 3 other bikes.

    3) branded tyres rather than nameless rubber that more than likely won’t be up to much.

    I’d still say the red Triban is better but its another £30 (nothing for getting carbon forks) but its red!

    Anyone know why the white triban 3 doesn’t have a carbon fork? Or its not listed with one anyway!

    January 17, 2014 at 2:19 pm #768759
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    z_matt

    Thanks for all of the
    Thanks for all of the replies! I appreciate the honesty and had a feeling my links may provoke some ‘harsh’ comments, but this is a good thing.

    I WAS contemplating one of those 3 bikes, now I am NOT, so thank you.

    I’m liking the look of the bike ‘Super Domestique’ posted: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_888023_langId_-1_categoryId_165710#tab3

    What do the rest of you think of this one? It’s not that far above budget, it’s in stock in my local store (according to the website). However I’d feel better if it had some more approvals (even with all the good reviews). Maybe if someone could pinpoint what it has over the 3 bikes I posted? I really have very limited knowledge on these bikes, and if I am going to stretch £70 over budget I want to make sure 110% it’s the right one.

    As for the cycle to work scheme, I work at a school, however unfortunately there is no cycle to work scheme supported at the moment 🙁

    On the 2nd hand front, I think new is what I’d prefer if I can do it financially as I don’t want to have to worry about the bike history (how its been treated, usage etc).

    Thanks for all your comments so far, they are very much appreciated!

    Matt

    January 17, 2014 at 1:07 pm #768757
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    jason.timothy.jones

    As much as the triban is a
    As much as the triban is a starter bike, I put a full 105 groupo on mine last year and came in 19th in my category at the Manchester Great Cycle last year, and even though I have other “better” bikes its still my favorite….probably because its red 🙂

    January 17, 2014 at 12:57 pm #768755
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    VeloPeo

    Yeah – harsh but fair I’m
    Yeah – harsh but fair I’m afraid. If you can save up a bit longer and buy something a little more expensive

    Your other alternative is to keep an eye out for decent 2nd hand bikes.

    Also, I know you’re currently bikeless but September to November is a really good time to buy bikes as shops are flogging off that year’s models in Sales. Often lots of bargains to be had around then

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