Road bike beginner

Bouncetastic · 2017-03-22T10:41:40+00:00

Hi, hoping you guys can help me. I currently own a mountain bike and am now looking for my first road bike. I have £1000 to spend at evans cycles with the ride to work scheme and just acquired an old bike to trade in so my budget can go up to £1100 before it costs me anything. I also get £60 of accessories which I intend to use for pedals, mudguards etc as I already have clothing and helmet. I'm looking at the following 2 bikes. Both the same price both have hydraulic disc brakes. Beyond that I know nothing, the specification may as well be written in Chinese for all the sense it makes to me. The bike would be used for riding with a local club and some of the evans sportives plus obviously going out alone if only for the thrill of risking my life ;-) So my question is, how do these bikes compare on spec? Obviously I will be visiting my nearest store before making a final choice. Also I know the cube has its own specific mudguards from the manufacturer but these are currently unavailable due to a product recall. I can't find anywhere that someone has used alternatives, does anyone know if this is possible? Would I be able to fit clip ons for example? Any other possible options gratefully received but please bear in mind that I know nothing so anything technical will go over my head. https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-dolomite-4-2017-road-bike-EV275636 https://www.evanscycles.com/cube-attain-race-disc-2017-road-bike-EV287828

This topic has 82 replies, 24 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 2 months ago by Bouncetastic.

Creator

Topic
March 22, 2017 at 10:41 am #26921

Bouncetastic

Hi, hoping you guys can help me. I currently own a mountain bike and am now looking for my first road bike. I have £1000 to spend at evans cycles with the ride to work scheme and just acquired an old bike to trade in so my budget can go up to £1100 before it costs me anything. I also get £60 of accessories which I intend to use for pedals, mudguards etc as I already have clothing and helmet.

I’m looking at the following 2 bikes. Both the same price both have hydraulic disc brakes. Beyond that I know nothing, the specification may as well be written in Chinese for all the sense it makes to me. The bike would be used for riding with a local club and some of the evans sportives plus obviously going out alone if only for the thrill of risking my life 😉

So my question is, how do these bikes compare on spec? Obviously I will be visiting my nearest store before making a final choice.

Also I know the cube has its own specific mudguards from the manufacturer but these are currently unavailable due to a product recall. I can’t find anywhere that someone has used alternatives, does anyone know if this is possible? Would I be able to fit clip ons for example?

Any other possible options gratefully received but please bear in mind that I know nothing so anything technical will go over my head.

https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-dolomite-4-2017-road-bike-EV275636

https://www.evanscycles.com/cube-attain-race-disc-2017-road-bike-EV287828
Creator

Topic

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 82 total)

1 2 3 4 5 6 →

Sort:

Author

Replies
March 28, 2017 at 10:05 am #889723
0

Bouncetastic

ClubSmed wrote:
ClubSmed wrote:

Bouncetastic wrote:
£11.99 at planet X. Shame they don’t have inner tubes to go with them unless I’m looking in the wrong place? Just seen there’s a bikeathon locallying in July with different distances, 16/45/64 miles for a local hospice. I should be up for doing 45 by then :-D

They do have innertubes to fit that size, Vavert 700c Inner Tube 35c-43c 40mm (http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TUVAV700/vavert-700c-inner-tube) but as you already have innertubes on your wheels you do not need them unless you need spares.

Or did you mean that they do not have any Vittoria inner tubes in that size?

The Bikeathon in July looks like a great event to aim for and gives you a good amount of time

I need spares to carry in case I get a puncture on the side of the road. I was looking in the wrong place 😀

March 28, 2017 at 8:27 am #889721
0

ClubSmed

Bouncetastic wrote:

Bouncetastic wrote:
£11.99 at planet X. Shame they don’t have inner tubes to go with them unless I’m looking in the wrong place? Just seen there’s a bikeathon locallying in July with different distances, 16/45/64 miles for a local hospice. I should be up for doing 45 by then :-D

They do have innertubes to fit that size, Vavert 700c Inner Tube 35c-43c 40mm (http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TUVAV700/vavert-700c-inner-tube) but as you already have innertubes on your wheels you do not need them unless you need spares.

Or did you mean that they do not have any Vittoria inner tubes in that size?

The Bikeathon in July looks like a great event to aim for and gives you a good amount of time

March 28, 2017 at 7:12 am #889719
0

Bouncetastic

ClubSmed wrote:
ClubSmed wrote:

I have just completed my first Sportive of 62 miles/100km on my Pinnacle Arkose 3. Previously I had not done more than 40 miles in a day and that was almost a year ago during a weeklong bikepacking tour of Islay. Between then and the Sportive I have made a few changes and they made a huge difference to riding comfort. I thought you may appreciate the insight (if not feel free to ignore ).

I do love the Kenda Small Block 8 tyres that came with the Pinnacle (I’m assuming the Kenda flintridge are similar), they are absolutely perfect for my Autumn/Winter cycling along the canal and through the park where the tracks can have Ice/Leaf Mulch/ Mud etc. I decided to get some touring tyres for Spring/Summer though and after a lot of research decided on the Vittoria Voyager Hyper 700×35. This is really an oversized road tyre but as such has a very low rolling resistance and as a great bonus has great puncture resistance. I rode them yesterday on the Sportive and instantly noticed how much more supple they were compared to the Kenda, they just soaked up the pot holes to the point where I just wasn’t bothering to avoid them! I have also fitted a VCLS 2.0 seat post which also helps with soaking up the bumps but as I had this on, before the switch over, with the Kenda tyres I can definitely say that the Vittoria’s made a bigger difference and are substantially cheaper (~£15 each at PlanetX depending on current promotion).

£11.99 at planet X. Shame they don’t have inner tubes to go with them unless I’m looking in the wrong place? Just seen there’s a bikeathon locallying in July with different distances, 16/45/64 miles for a local hospice. I should be up for doing 45 by then 😀

March 27, 2017 at 9:10 am #889717
0

ClubSmed

I have just completed my

I have just completed my first Sportive of 62 miles/100km on my Pinnacle Arkose 3. Previously I had not done more than 40 miles in a day and that was almost a year ago during a weeklong bikepacking tour of Islay. Between then and the Sportive I have made a few changes and they made a huge difference to riding comfort. I thought you may appreciate the insight (if not feel free to ignore ).

I do love the Kenda Small Block 8 tyres that came with the Pinnacle (I’m assuming the Kenda flintridge are similar), they are absolutely perfect for my Autumn/Winter cycling along the canal and through the park where the tracks can have Ice/Leaf Mulch/ Mud etc. I decided to get some touring tyres for Spring/Summer though and after a lot of research decided on the Vittoria Voyager Hyper 700×35. This is really an oversized road tyre but as such has a very low rolling resistance and as a great bonus has great puncture resistance. I rode them yesterday on the Sportive and instantly noticed how much more supple they were compared to the Kenda, they just soaked up the pot holes to the point where I just wasn’t bothering to avoid them! I have also fitted a VCLS 2.0 seat post which also helps with soaking up the bumps but as I had this on, before the switch over, with the Kenda tyres I can definitely say that the Vittoria’s made a bigger difference and are substantially cheaper (~£15 each at PlanetX depending on current promotion).

March 26, 2017 at 4:31 pm #889715
0

matthewn5

Bouncetastic wrote:

I love the colour! Happy cycling!

March 26, 2017 at 5:42 am #889713
0

Bouncetastic

My options at the end of the
My options at the end of the scheme are; buy the bike for 25% of its original value (£262.50), hand it back and pay nothing OR continue to use it but with no further payments. I will be keeping it. The payments are taken from basic pay before tax so as well as interest free they’re tax free. It was definitely worth £50 of my own money after trade in. The only downside was being limited to evans and not able to look elsewhere. 😀

March 26, 2017 at 5:13 am #889711
0

ClubSmed

You are of course court that
You are of course court that the terms of the Cycle to Work scheme do state that the bicycle isn’t yours and that a final payment has to be made to your employer. That amount decreases to nothing I believe within 5 years. In reality though I do not personally know of anyone that has had this amount taken from them even when they leave the company within the extended period. To my mind so long as you don’t leave your employer within the initial 12 months there is nothing to worry about. Even if you do you still will have got an interest free loan and a £60 (if with Evans) accessories voucher.

March 25, 2017 at 10:54 pm #889709
0

Colin Peyresourde

If this is the cycle to work

If this is the cycle to work scheme you don’t own the bike, your company does. So throwing £100 in is only worth it if you are will to buy it at a later date. The value falls off pretty quick.

i think it falls from 25% after a year, to 7% after 4 years.

Road bikes are for road racing. Cyclo-cross bikes are for cyclo-cross. Most are designed with a goal in mind. For less than £1000 you are not get the design that gives that statement it’s full clarity.

March 25, 2017 at 8:35 pm #889707
0

ClubSmed

Simon E wrote:
Simon E wrote:

ClubSmed wrote:
I’m out on a little jaunt on it today in fact :-D
Very nice!

What mudguards are those? They look a good halfway solution

Thanks! They are the SKS Velo 42 Urban with the optional/additional stays

March 25, 2017 at 6:48 pm #889705
0

Bouncetastic

unconstituted wrote:
unconstituted wrote:

Orange is boss. It’s the colour of the moment right now. Everyone wants the Open UP, and mostly because it’s bright orange.

Good call. Enjoy it. My bike’s black, but thinking to stick some pink stickers on the top tube to liven it up. Seriously

Pink stickers eh…….Nice to know some men are in touch with their feminine side 😉

March 25, 2017 at 6:28 pm #889703
0

Bouncetastic

ClubSmed wrote:
ClubSmed wrote:
I’m out on a little jaunt on it today in fact
:-D

Love that lime green 😀

March 25, 2017 at 5:51 pm #889701
0

Simon E

ClubSmed wrote:

ClubSmed wrote:
I’m out on a little jaunt on it today in fact :-D
Very nice!

What mudguards are those? They look a good halfway solution

March 25, 2017 at 4:42 pm #889699
0

ClubSmed

I’m out on a little jaunt on
I’m out on a little jaunt on it today in fact
😀

March 25, 2017 at 3:33 pm #889697
0

ClubSmed

I have the 2015 model which
I have the 2015 model which is lime green so another marmite colour but I love it

March 25, 2017 at 3:32 pm #889695
0

tritecommentbot

Orange is boss. It’s the

Orange is boss. It’s the colour of the moment right now. Everyone wants the Open UP, and mostly because it’s bright orange.

Good call. Enjoy it. My bike’s black, but thinking to stick some pink stickers on the top tube to liven it up. Seriously
Author

Replies

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 82 total)

1 2 3 4 5 6 →

You must be logged in to reply to this topic.