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New to road cycling! Any recommendations for first bike? 6ft 4″ budget up to £1000 ideally £600-£750

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  • February 4, 2013 at 7:33 am #17851
    Mattegriffin

    New to cycling live in London have a budget of £1000 6ft 4″ tall. Be good to see a broad range of preferences

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Viewing 13 replies - 1 through 13 (of 13 total)
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  • February 5, 2013 at 3:49 pm #714667
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    Mattegriffin

    That sounds like sound
    That sounds like sound advice. I will pop to Condor this week and have a look, as well as check out the bike you mentioned.

    thanks

    February 5, 2013 at 1:46 pm #714665
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    Bedfordshire Clanger

    All the bikes you have listed
    All the bikes you have listed look good for the money. The Canyon Roadlite AL 6.0 has a better groupset (Shimano 105 gears and brakes) and better wheels and tyres than any of them. It would be well worth a look for £869. A friend of mine has one and he says that it’s great.

    If you want a bike fitting, expert advice and a choice of every component then go to Condor Cycles on Grays Inn Road.
    It will cost you a bit more than your budget but you’ll be getting something that’s just right for you.

    February 5, 2013 at 1:22 pm #714663
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    andylul

    Mattegriffin wrote:
    Any good

    Mattegriffin wrote:

    Any good beginner clubs or group rides near london ?

    London’s a big place B-)

    What part of London are you closest to?

    February 5, 2013 at 11:00 am #714661
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    Simon E

    Mattegriffin wrote:Any good

    Mattegriffin wrote:
    Any good beginner clubs or group rides near london ?

    I’d have thought there would be plenty to choose from.

    British Cycling clubfinder:
    http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/clubfinder

    Clubs affiliated to Cycling Time Trials:
    http://www.ctt.org.uk/Clubs/tabid/118/Default.aspx
    (some clubs will be listed by both organisations).

    February 4, 2013 at 9:46 pm #714659
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    Liam Barr

    Just bought the Merckx. I
    Just bought the Merckx. I know there might not be many reviews about the around so i thought i would post something. Since it literally came today i’ve only got the test ride to talk about it but i thought it was a great bike with a very nice ride and the 30 minute test ride i had felt more like 3 minutes. TBH, like advice above one of the best things you could do is to go to a bike shop, talk to them (or knowledgeable friends you might know) and test ride as many bikes as you can. Remember with Merckx, the sizing is a tad funny so just because you are a certain size on specailized, doesnt mean you are the same on Eddy. Finally, Tiagra at £700 is a steal. Hope i’ve helped. 🙂

    February 4, 2013 at 8:30 pm #714657
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    Mattegriffin

    Really useful comments: VIP
    Really useful comments: VIP trip sounds nice! I’m going to continue my research. The mekk and allez elite seem both sound choices I guess the next step is test riding?! Any suggestions on set up etc. better to get a pro set up or just a standing one. There is a specialized concept near me, worth the money for the most accurate riding position?

    Any good beginner clubs or group rides near london ?

    Thanks

    Great site this..

    February 4, 2013 at 7:17 pm #714655
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    colhum1

    Just come back from a VIP
    Just come back from a VIP night at Leisure Lake Bikes in Daventry..
    They had a rep from Mekk and 5 bikes.
    Look exceptional in the flesh and well equipped for the price 🙂

    February 4, 2013 at 1:43 pm #714653
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    andylul

    Have a play with the Ribble
    Have a play with the Ribble Cycles bike builder

    http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/pu/road-track-bike/bike-builder/bikebuilder/1

    or check out their Special editions

    http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/pu/road-track-bike/special-edition-bikes/specialedition/1

    I was dubious about parting with my wedge for an R782 unridden, but had chance to ride a De Rosa R838 and that’s fairly similar.

    Sportive Bianco is a good value bike, too.

    Don’t discount Canyon also – some great sub £1K bikes on their online shop

    February 4, 2013 at 1:40 pm #714651
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    Anonymous

    I’ve ridden an Allez for the
    I’ve ridden an Allez for the past 3 years, its been great. I’ve upgraded the groupset from Sora to 105 as things have worn out and fitted a new set of wheels which made a big difference but the stock bike was fine to begin with.
    I use this bike in the wet weather only so its had to put up with a lot of crud and has performed really well.

    February 4, 2013 at 1:11 pm #714649
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    Mattegriffin

    Some really useful comments
    Some really useful comments on here! Many thanks.

    I got a little over excited and failed to mention what I intend to do on my new hobbie!

    I am simply looking to ride outside of london ( where there is green stuff) on roads, aiming for endurance.

    Short list :

    Specialized allez elite £900

    Eddy merckz amx1 2012 £699

    Mekk 2g poggio2012 £893 carbon

    Thoughts anyone?

    I’m leaning towards the specialized as I have a long upper body, supposidly this bike has a long reach ??

    So many bikes…

    February 4, 2013 at 10:54 am #714647
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    big shug

    I’m a knuckle-dragger as
    I’m a knuckle-dragger as well, but don’t dispair there are off-the-shelf bikes that fit. A bike to commute on will have different preferences compared to training/sportives/racing. Getting the correct seat position, maybe a seatpost with some ‘layback’ and a handlebar post slightly longer than standard will add to your comfort. Also check the crank lengths in the bike you are being offered if your legs make up a lot of your 6’4″.
    You have lots of great bike shops in London, and some of the larger chains have good reputations and opportunity to test-ride as well – so no excuse for buying online and the local shop will help with servicing etc.
    A 1k budget is a great price point to be shopping at!

    February 4, 2013 at 9:37 am #714645
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    Simon E

    I would suggest you visit
    I would suggest you visit more than one shop. That way you get a good wider of bikes to choose from and to see the range of recommendations and also the attitude of the staff in each.

    Some still have a condescending attitude to customers who don’t know their tubs from their clinchers whereas others are smarter and value their customers, regardless of whether they are spending £5,000 or just £5.

    If you have a shortlist and want some input then we may have some suggestions but TBH you can probably find a bike that fits you and feels and looks ‘right’ to you. After all, it’s you that will be riding it.

    February 4, 2013 at 8:54 am #714643
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    mjforrest

    It all depends on what you
    It all depends on what you want your bike for and what you plan to do on it in the future. A bit cryptic I know but it has a huge bearing on which type of bike to get. Going to a local bike shop and having a chat with them about what you’d like from the bike would be a good first step

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