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Road bike beginner

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  • 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

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  • March 24, 2017 at 7:44 am #889633
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    Bouncetastic

    ClubSmed wrote:

    ClubSmed wrote:
    [quote=Bouncetastic]I’m sure if I tip my head to one side my brain is going to run out my ears…….

    What about fuji? I’ve struggled to find many reviews

    https://www.evanscycles.com/fuji-sportif-1-3-disc-2017-road-bike-EV283962%5B/quote%5D

    That looks like an amazingly specced bike for the money and older models have excellent reviews around the 8/9 out of 10 mark.
    It has the possibility of larger tyres, mud guards and pannier rack and the relaxed geometry that looks like it will suit your needs.
    The only compromises that I can see that have stopped this getting the full ten out of ten on my eyes) is the press fit bottom bracket and the slightly heavy (but incredibly dependable) wheels.

    The overall weight of that bike according to fuji is 10.6kg which is about 1 kilo heavier than most of the others we’ve looked at so I’m guessing that’s the wheels? I know nothing about these press fit brackets, just found some horror stories about bearings rusting and failing but that was on the sram versions. It seems there’s no consistency on reliability with the one on this bike so there’s as much chance of it causing me issues as not……. :-/

    Buying my MTB was so much simpler…… Lol

    March 24, 2017 at 7:42 am #889631
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    CXR94Di2

    I would go with a bike with a
    I would go with a bike with a threaded bottom bracket. Press fit bottom brackets suffer from creaks and clicking, which although a minor annoyance, it will drive you mad creaking with every pedal turn

    This is what a threaded bottom bracket looks like, if you didn’t know already

    March 24, 2017 at 7:24 am #889629
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    Bouncetastic

    CXR94Di2 wrote:

    CXR94Di2 wrote:

    Its a real shame your budget is stuck at £1000  Because you can get some real nice bikes for ~£1500  

    http://fairlightcycles.com/faran/?v=79cba1185463

     

    lightweight steel frame, big tyre capacity, discbrakes decent groupsets(gears, shifters) threaded bottom bracket.  You could look at last years models with a higher spec that might be discounted, but I dont know if the ‘cycle to work’ scheme allows this

    The scheme does allow me to buy last year’s model, add money to my certificate, trade in etc. In fact there are no limits on what I buy just where I buy and it has to come from Evans. I can go up to £1100 before I have to pay anything myself although obviously I would rather not put anything in the pot. I think whatever I look at there will always be another bike for slightly more money that would be better but I do appreciate all the help you guys are giving me. 😀

    March 24, 2017 at 7:12 am #889627
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    CXR94Di2

    Its a real shame your budget

    Its a real shame your budget is stuck at £1000  Because you can get some real nice bikes for ~£1500  

    http://fairlightcycles.com/faran/?v=79cba1185463

     

    lightweight steel frame, big tyre capacity, discbrakes decent groupsets(gears, shifters) threaded bottom bracket.  You could look at last years models with a higher spec that might be discounted, but I dont know if the ‘cycle to work’ scheme allows this

    March 24, 2017 at 6:51 am #889625
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    ClubSmed

    Bouncetastic wrote:
    [quote=Bouncetastic]I’m sure if I tip my head to one side my brain is going to run out my ears…….

    What about fuji? I’ve struggled to find many reviews

    https://www.evanscycles.com/fuji-sportif-1-3-disc-2017-road-bike-EV283962%5B/quote%5D

    That looks like an amazingly specced bike for the money and older models have excellent reviews around the 8/9 out of 10 mark.
    It has the possibility of larger tyres, mud guards and pannier rack and the relaxed geometry that looks like it will suit your needs.
    The only compromises that I can see that have stopped this getting the full ten out of ten on my eyes) is the press fit bottom bracket and the slightly heavy (but incredibly dependable) wheels.

    March 24, 2017 at 5:31 am #889623
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    davel

    OK just to throw a bit of a
    OK just to throw a bit of a curveball in at this point, then: I’d say this seems like you ‘need’ a road bike and already have a mountain bike, so I’d stick to road bikes and avoid CX/adventure/gravel.

    This is on the basis of the following sweeping generalisations: road bikes at that price will tend to be lighter and quicker on the road than their equivalent ‘do anything’ rivals, and while the one bike to rule them all is useful, to be quick on the road and steady off it, you’ll be swapping tyres at a minimum between those different pursuits. I’d get a road bike for your road use; fall back on your MTB for anything else. CXetc bikes are awesome for their versatility – I’ve got one as my current winter roadie/commuter/occasional CX racer, but I also have a MTB and 2 ‘summer’ roadies and a TT bike, so it still fills a niche.

    Agree with going for the relaxed geometry of an endurance bike – this basically means avoid aggressive/aero racers, which you’re probably doing by default, because at a grand there won’t be much choice and they’ll be poor value in comparison.

    March 23, 2017 at 10:37 pm #889621
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    Bouncetastic

    I’m sure if I tip my head to
    I’m sure if I tip my head to one side my brain is going to run out my ears…….

    What about fuji? I’ve struggled to find many reviews

    https://www.evanscycles.com/fuji-sportif-1-3-disc-2017-road-bike-EV283962

    March 23, 2017 at 8:49 pm #889619
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    ClubSmed

    Bouncetastic wrote:

    Bouncetastic wrote:
    I know its supposed to be used for commuting but I live 30 miles from my job…..

    Evans sportives and hopefully local club rides and riding out alone just for fun, primarily distance on roads with a variety of climbd. I’m never going to be a speed merchan.


    Sound like the more relaxed geometry of an Adventure/Gravel/Cyclocross/Tourer would suit you best rather than a pure road bike

    March 23, 2017 at 8:30 pm #889617
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    joeegg

    The crank and especially the

    The crank and especially the brakeset are a downgrade from 105. I’ve had Syncros wheels new on a Scott and was not impressed.Normally the Formula hubs are pretty basic and a rear on my wife’s bike didn’t survive one winter.

    March 23, 2017 at 7:49 pm #889615
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    Bouncetastic

    Can anyone tell me if this is
    Can anyone tell me if this is any good? Rim brakes but are they good or bad in this case? I would get another £75 with trade in……..

    https://www.evanscycles.com/scott-speedster-10-2017-road-bike-EV286209

    March 23, 2017 at 5:54 pm #889613
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    Bouncetastic

    I know its supposed to be
    I know its supposed to be used for commuting but I live 30 miles from my job…..

    Evans sportives and hopefully local club rides and riding out alone just for fun, primarily distance on roads with a variety of climbd. I’m never going to be a speed merchan.

    March 23, 2017 at 5:28 pm #889611
    0
    ClubSmed

    I suppose the following

    I suppose the following questions that should be asked to better assist:

    What sort of route are you likely to be taking on your commute (Road/Park/Tow Path etc.)?

    How much do you need to carry on your commute and how far(also what sort of hills)?

    Do you want to only use this for weekend rides and/or touring too (even if it’s only a few times a year)?

    March 23, 2017 at 4:46 pm #889609
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    joeegg

        I have the Cube Attain

        I have the Cube Attain disc,but the 2016 model. This is my second Cube.

            I think this would make a great first road bike as you have the benefits of discs,but for me more importantly the through axle. This gives the front end a confident feel on braking and turning which i think would help someone new to the road.Coupled with a wide rim and decent 25mm Conti tyres it does feel very secure. The geometry is pretty relaxed so it doesn’t feel like a bike you should be trying to push hard on all the time.

       The 105 groupset works as it should and the finishing kit is ok and not miles overweight. Over time people usually change such things as handlebars,stems and seats to suit their sizing.

    The wheels are a little heavy,but this is where savings on spec are always made. The 32 cassette compensates for this on the steep stuff. Also the bar tape is a bit thin,but thats easily and cheaply sorted.

    The sizings on Cubes seem a little odd,but this is where the shop should sort it for you.

    My first Cube was great and is still going strong so if this one is the same i’ll be very happy.

     

    March 23, 2017 at 4:12 pm #889607
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    Bouncetastic

    I already cried over the
    I already cried over the genesis as sadly I’m 5′ 7″

    March 23, 2017 at 4:04 pm #889605
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    ClubSmed

    I agree that you might want

    I agree that you might want to consider Cyclocross rather than a pure road bike, especially if your commute takes you along canal paths or through parks.

    You could go for the Cube Cross Race 2017 Cyclocross Bike with 105 gearing and disc brakes which comes just under your £1k and gives you a bit extra to buy some more kit with your trade in discount.
    £999.00
    https://www.evanscycles.com/cube-cross-race-2017-cyclocross-bike-EV287846

    If you are lucky enough to be a small lady (5’0-5’3″) who could fit an XSmall bike then this could be for you! It’s reduced from £1699 to £1099 which with the £100 trade in brings it just under your £1k maximum. An absolute bargain but only if it’s the right size.
    Genesis Croix de Fer 30 2016 Cyclocross
    https://www.evanscycles.com/genesis-croix-de-fer-30-2016-cyclocross-bike-EV258262

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