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 - 16 through 30 (of 42 total)
1 2 3
  • Author
    Replies
  • October 14, 2016 at 10:52 am #880071
    0
    StraelGuy

    I wouldn’t buy that 56cm. I’m

    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.

    October 14, 2016 at 10:20 am #880069
    0
    Jimjiber

    If the 56cm frame is too
    If the 56cm frame is too small, could this be sorted by getting one of those setback seat post thingies? Despite my height my legs aren’t mega long – I take a 32″ length in jeans. If the frame size isn’t stupidly small for me then I will definitely go for the SL4

    October 14, 2016 at 1:28 am #880067
    0
    dottigirl

    Mungecrundle wrote:

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

    I was going to suggest that he buy or borrow a hybrid-type bike before plumping for a road bike.

    I don’t agree with the sore arse comment above – sometimes a change of saddle can work miracles, and turn an instrument of torture into pleasure. Your sit bones are the only thing that should ache, and they adapt. However, padded shorts are recommended.

    Your hands are also another part which may get surprisingly sore. My elbows copped a lot in the first few months – I was locking them out a lot. Some aches in your back/neck are OK, others are a sign that your bike setup isn’t right.

    Can’t really recommend a bike, but remember changing a couple of things can make an uncomfortable bike comfortable, or not at all (saddle, stem, brake pads, tyres). Size and geometry can have a massive impact. (I’ve just collected my Racelight bike from my sister’s house, and just one ride confirmed to me how much more comfortable it was over the Ruby number I’ve been riding recently.

    October 13, 2016 at 9:42 pm #880065
    0
    Mungecrundle

    Like what SP says
    Like what SP says

    A good frame is a solid basis for upgrades.

    Newish second hand will get you a lot more bicycle for your money, but there are risks.

    Don’t discount looks. If you get that little frisson of happiness whenever you look at your bike then you are more likely to want to ride it and look after it.

    Don’t loose sight of the reason you are buying the bike. To help you recover from an injury. Which to my mind makes comfort and lower gearing somewhat a higher priority.

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

    October 13, 2016 at 8:06 pm #880063
    0
    mikebelluk

    Well worth a look at

    Well worth a look at Decathlon’s Triban 540. And if you feel like you got the wrong size they’ll change it for you too. 

    October 13, 2016 at 7:13 pm #880061
    0
    wycombewheeler

    Yorkshire wallet wrote:

    Yorkshire wallet wrote:
    Don’t be ashamed to buy a triple if you don’t want to be huffing and puffing. 30t small ring and a 32t on the back would be great for beginners. If you’re stronger than you thought then you’ve still got plenty of gears to take it at a greater pace. Also think about your knees. Better to spin with less torque if you’re coming off surgery.

    No need to buy a triple. A lit of people seem to be of the opinion that the granny gear makes it much easier. Not so as usually the casette has less range. 34 small chainring with 28 large sprocket will get most people up most hills, and will match the 30 x 25 ration on a triple.

    October 13, 2016 at 7:12 pm #880059
    0
    Jimjiber

    Wouldn’t mind a look at a
    Wouldn’t mind a look at a Btwin. I think the nearest shop is Southampton, so not exactly local but a possibility…

    October 13, 2016 at 6:59 pm #880057
    0
    700c

    Definitely consider
    Definitely consider Decathlon’s Btwin range. Great value and appear to be good quality. A friend has one and likes it. Plus a local shop means it should be easier to try/ look at in the flesh/ take back in the event of issues.

    Also remember that although they’re known as budget bikes in the UK (you are on a budget after all!), they’ve got a good reputation on the continent – in France they sell some pretty high end stuff under the Btwin range.

    October 13, 2016 at 6:33 pm #880055
    0
    drosco

    Jimjiber wrote:

    Jimjiber wrote:

    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

     

    Is that better than the Merlin at the same price?

    They’re very similar. I guess the advantage is you can sit on one before you buy.

    October 13, 2016 at 4:51 pm #880053
    0
    Jimjiber
    kil0ran wrote:
     

    Have you checked whether your employer does Cycle To Work? At least 25% off a new bike…

    I am self-employed. Well, director of a limited company. I mentioned this to my accountant and she said it wouldn’t be of benefit as we are not yet VAT registered. Shame as 25% off would be nice!

    October 13, 2016 at 4:44 pm #880051
    0
    kil0ran
    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

    Or if you’d like a slightly more understated version of the same bike:

     

    http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-540-road-bike-105-id_8350480.html

     

    As to groupsets, yes you will notice the difference between 105 & Claris, but only if you ride a 105 bike 🙂

     Its utterly reliable, very fast to shift and unbeatable for the money. The latest iteration of Tiagra is also good (but 10-speed only). Both will be mindblowingly good (as will Claris) compared to an old Peugeot with downtube non-indexed shifters.

    As to 10/11 speed you are still paying a premium for 11-speed bits which you may not need – unless you live somewhere really hilly. For this reason a bike with Tiagra can be better value and cheaper to maintain (11-speed chains, cassettes, and wheels are 10-20% more expensive than 10-speed)

    The only remedy for a sore arse is decent shorts – and if you don’t want to be out there in lycra get some undershorts with a good pad and wear baggies over the top.

    Have you checked whether your employer does Cycle To Work? At least 25% off a new bike…

     

    October 13, 2016 at 4:36 pm #880049
    0
    Jimjiber
    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

     

    Is that better than the Merlin at the same price?

    October 13, 2016 at 4:26 pm #880047
    0
    drosco

    You aren’t going to get much

    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

    October 13, 2016 at 4:23 pm #880045
    0
    Anonymous

    Don’t be ashamed to buy a
    Don’t be ashamed to buy a triple if you don’t want to be huffing and puffing. 30t small ring and a 32t on the back would be great for beginners. If you’re stronger than you thought then you’ve still got plenty of gears to take it at a greater pace. Also think about your knees. Better to spin with less torque if you’re coming off surgery.

    October 13, 2016 at 3:13 pm #880043
    0
    Danger Dicko
    MarkiMark wrote:
    I bought my first road bike 4 years ago, but was already a keen mountain biker, and chose well. I’m now the proud owner of an Enigma Esprit titanium bike worth about £4,000 and don’t regret a single penny.

    Same with me. I’d been riding a road bike 2 years. I’d paid £350 from eBay for an old Ridley. Back in June this year I spent £3K on a Genesis Zero i and I love it. I don’t think I could ever go back to mechanical shifting.

  • Author
    Replies
Viewing 15 replies - 16 through 30 (of 42 total)
1 2 3
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.