log in
register

My First Bike – tough decision…

  • Creator
    Topic
  • October 13, 2016 at 9:48 am #26384
    Jimjiber

    Okay, so sorry if you are all sick to death of new people coming on here to ask the same old question. If that’s the case please feel free to ignore. On the off-chance that you are not bored, perhaps you can help.

    I am looking to buy my first road bike. I am nearly 44 years old and the last bike I bought was a nice Marin mountain bike about 15 years ago. I managed to ride it four times and then stuck it in the garage. I gave it to my dad earlier this year. So why on earth would I want to spend money on a new road bike? Well, I used to play football a couple of times a week, then someone tried to kick my knee off and I am going in for cartilege surgery next week. I live opposite a cycling track (tarmac) and figured I could use a bike as part of my recuperation, hopefully to strengthen my knee for skiing in the new year, and also to get back to football.

    I never really got on with the mountain bike and the only time I did a lot of riding was in my teens, when I had a lovely little 12-speed Peugeot. How things have changed with bikes since then!

    I have done a lot of research into the best value bikes for beginners and have narrowed my choice down to three. Initially I was besotted with the Mango Point R. They get good reviews and I love the minimalist design (I am a graphic designer but not a hipster – I want gears!). So I was all set to get the Point R Claris for £449. Quite the bargain. Then I started reading about wheels and noticed that when bought with the bike I could get the Vision Team 30 wheelset for an additional £69.99. That’s a big saving on their RRP so seems a sensible upgrade. The I started reading about groupsets and soon Claris became Sora became Tiagra… I even started looking at 105 because apparently that’s when the “proper” stuff starts.

    I am acutely self-conscious and don’t want to be the plum pushing a £1000 bike up a moderately steep hill in full lycra. That can’t happen. In fact, my budget is really about £500 but I am willing to stretch that a bit for the right bike.

    So my heart says the Mango Point R Sora/Tiagra with the wheel upgrade.

    My head says the Verenti Technique Tiagra – ugly as sin but a steal at under £500.

    My inner muppet has now spotted the Merlin FF1 105 Mix at £650. 

    I know that 105 stuff is too good for me at this stage but what if I get really into cycling? Would I then need to upgrade a lesser groupset at huge cost early doors? Will I notice any difference between Claris/Sora/Tiagra/105? How about wheels? 

    Sorry for the long email but I have been researching too long and my brain hurts – I am going around in circles!

  • Creator
    Topic
Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 42 total)
1 2 3
  • Author
    Replies
  • October 20, 2016 at 7:06 am #880101
    0
    Simontuck

    I bought a Specialized Allez

    I bought a Specialized Allez (alloy) with claris as my first, then a Giant TCR (carbon) with 105 as my ‘race’ bike.

    I still get just as much fun out of the Allez, although I did spend £15 upgrading the derailleur and mech to Sora (runs a little smoother and still works with the claris shifters once properly tuned).

    The main problem you will have is whether to go for a racier or sportive(r) oriented bike. The former will give you more responsive handling and put the power down more satisfyingly. The latter will iron out the bumps and allow for a more upright position (although thats not upright like a city bike, just in comparison with a race bike). A test ride with both types normally sets people clear on what they want.

    October 17, 2016 at 11:36 am #880099
    0
    StraelGuy

    Basically, race bikes are

    Basically, race bikes are longer and have a lower front end for that proper ‘Pro’ head and hands down, bum in the air positioning that you mentioned with the huge seatpost stickout. A bike with ‘endurance’ geometry tend to have a higher front end and shorter top tube for a slightly more sit-up-and-beg position.

     

    If you’re starting road cycling, I’d definitely start with an ‘endurance’ bike until you get fitter and more into it. I’ve been back into cycling for about 3 years (8,000 miles) and love riding my Giant Defy which is very much an ‘endurance’ bike but hired a proper race bike abroad recently and loved it. My next n+1 will probably be more race orientated than endurance.

    October 17, 2016 at 11:08 am #880097
    0
    Jimjiber

    I noticed people talking

    I noticed people talking about road bikes mention the geometry and whether it is a “race” or “aggressive” geometry and whatnot. What does this mean to a n00b like me?

    In general, is a race geometry found on a bike that forces you into a more hunched over posture? Is it basically like the seat is much higher than the bars, so you are more aerodynamic?

    Looks to me like the Felt F75 is a bit more like that than the Merlin FF1. That’s probably perfect for when you are cheesing it but does it mean it’s much less comfortable when you are taking it  abit easier?

    October 17, 2016 at 10:18 am #880095
    0
    Jimjiber
    BobbyG wrote:
    So Jim, now you’ve got everyone’s opinion, where do you stand??!!

     

    Thanks for asking!

    I am still torn between the Merlin FF1 and the Felt F75. I have a friend who works for a bike mag, so I will wait and see if he can help me make a choice between the two.

    My surgery is tomorrow, so I don’t think I am allowed to ride a bike for a few weeks anyway. I won’t leave it much longer though in case those two bikes sell out in my size.

    October 17, 2016 at 10:04 am #880093
    0
    BobbyG

    So Jim, now you’ve got

    So Jim, now you’ve got everyone’s opinion, where do you stand??!!

    October 17, 2016 at 9:01 am #880091
    0
    Jimjiber
    Morat wrote:
    If I were you, I’d get the lowest gears possible. Prioritise your recovery from surgery over looks!

    Also, people who say “XX/XX gears are fine for any hill” probably don’t live near any hills.

    I live at the top of a hill in hilly, hilly Bath!

    I can cycle in just one direction for about 3 miles before descending into the crater. I am happy with that side of the equation but there will be an inevitable monster of a hill on the way home!

    October 16, 2016 at 11:14 pm #880089
    0
    Morat

    If I were you, I’d get the

    If I were you, I’d get the lowest gears possible. Prioritise your recovery from surgery over looks!

    Also, people who say “XX/XX gears are fine for any hill” probably don’t live near any hills.

    October 16, 2016 at 10:56 pm #880087
    0
    longassballs

    To be the fly in the ointment

    To be the fly in the ointment… forget 105, forget future proofing, maybe even forget a road bike. After a long time not riding and recuperating from injury the most important thing is comfort. That means big tyres, wide range of gears, the right size bike and trying before you buy. You’ll get bored of the track and winter is coming… The roads are gonna be shit. Go to Halfords and try a Voodoo Bizango mountain bike. £600 or regularly on sale for £480.

    If you must have a road bike or hybrid go cheaper; £300 or so.

    Why?

    Even if you buy all your clothes from Aldi (pretty much cheapest) you’re looking at minimum £200 for clothes. Jacket or Jackets. Midlayer Jersey. Baselayer. Bib tights or shorts and legwarmers. If you wanna be comfortable you need a chamois pad. Socks and shoes. If you buy a new bike they often don’t have pedals. Helmet and gloves. As it gets warmer you’ll need clothes for better weather.

    Are you gonna take care of the bike? Chain lube, multi-tool, inner tubes, puncture kit.. this is minimum. Bikes are like a shitty car – money traps.

    October 16, 2016 at 9:26 am #880085
    0
    Jimnm

    Just buy a bike that fits,

    Just buy a bike that fits, you like and what you can afford. If you get a chance test ride a few before making a commitment. Good luck. 

    October 16, 2016 at 9:24 am #880083
    0
    matthewn5
    guyrwood wrote:
    I wouldn’t buy that 56cm. I’m 5′ 11″ and ride a 57cm. It would be a real compromise that would always niggle you. If you keep searching ebay you’ll find something  suitable eventually.

    Depends your flexibility. I’m 5’11” and ride a 55 with a long stem and setback seatpost. Feels just right.

    October 16, 2016 at 9:16 am #880081
    0
    matthewn5
    Jimjiber wrote:
    I will take the plunge in the next few days. I know I will regret my choice – I always do with anything I buy!

    So follow your heart and get the one you REALLY want. Don’t worry about groups etc if you are new to it they will all feel amazing compared to your Peugeot. The thing to worry about is the frame. If you get on with it, and get into cycling, you can have the fun of incremental upgrades.

    October 16, 2016 at 9:13 am #880079
    0
    matthewn5
    drosco wrote:
    You aren’t going to get much cred from the Rapha crowd, but £650 gets you 105 and Aksiums at Decathlon:

    http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-540-road-bike-105-red-blue-id_8364452.html

    Don’t worry, there’s a strong and loyal Triban crowd!

    October 14, 2016 at 9:03 pm #880077
    0
    Jimjiber

    My indecision has cost me –
    My indecision has cost me – all the Mango bikes have gone up by £50!

    Now I am tempted by this Felt one…

    https://www.merlincycles.com/felt-f75-road-bike-2016-93834.html?utm_campaign=googlebase-GB&utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=shopping&utm_term=Road+Bikes&ucpo=34294&gclid=CjwKEAjwhILABRDwo8mlqt6ug38SJACNSq_kCY86qXgurbtLoGBZNP9TpOTE7FejH_fDxtvDmXSvXhoC14Pw_wcB

    October 14, 2016 at 5:23 pm #880075
    0
    Jimjiber

    guyrwood wrote:

    guyrwood wrote:

    I wouldn’t buy that 56cm. I’m 5′ 11″ and ride a 57cm. It would be a real compromise that would always niggle you. If you keep searching ebay you’ll find something  suitable eventually.

    You are way too sensible! Thanks.

    If this was a 58 I would definitely bid on it. Hopefully one will come up soon…

    October 14, 2016 at 12:39 pm #880073
    0
    Jimjiber

    Mungecrundle wrote:

    Mungecrundle wrote:
    No chance of borrowing the MTB back from your Dad is there?

     

    I could do that but I never really got on with it. Probably why I hardly used it. I prefer the feel of a road bike, in terms of riding position.

  • Author
    Replies
Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 42 total)
1 2 3
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.