Where to start with road bikes?

Hiya Clanger! I bought a pair
Hiya Clanger! I bought a pair of gloves but like you said the pins and needles haven’t entirely gone away just yet. I’m looking forward to that moment! I have since tried the same circuit twice on my MTB, once before, and the other after your advice. I’ve still not got a cycle-puter so [url=http://binged.it/12VTOr8]here again[/url] is the route. I lowered and pushed back the seat-post and had a more comfortable ride second time around. Despite needing to get out the saddle a little earlier, my knees felt a lot better and my lower back was coping much better after only a few miles. I didn’t notice my hips rocking from side to side, though did notice my left foot was quite stiff on the pedal, whereas my right foot was able to roll forward and back on the pedal, which was more comfortable. I also had a slight stiffness in my knee near the end of the ride but nothing serious. I’ve yet to find a second-hand frame for £50 but any other advice in the meanwhile would be greatly appreciated.

Just got back after my trial
Just got back after my trial run today, and have plotted the [url=http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=50.963461~-2.836854&lvl=10&dir=0&sty=s&rtp=pos.50.884521_-2.795980_Crewkerne%2C%20Somerset___e_~v.50.894332_-2.827357_road~v.50.967609_-2.827725_road~pos.51.042049_-2.824260_Langport%2C%20Somerset___e_~v.51.017632_-2.865822_Back%20Lane~v.50.898622_-2.793429_Merriott%20Road~pos.50.884521_-2.795980_Crewkerne%2C%20Somerset___e_&mode=D&rtop=0~0~0~&form=LMLTCC/]route on a map[/url] for everyone to see (haven’t become accustomed to strava just yet). I had cramp or pins and needles in my hands, and my lower back was aching, possibly from not riding for long distances. I was a little knackered once getting to Langport, so took a break for 15 minutes and headed back home, but the actual route should continue until Bridgwater. I reached Langport after passing through Kingsbury Episcopi and came back through Hambridge, then Merriott, but either direction took 1 and 1/2 hours and was pretty flat, except the start and finish. I was hoping to spend 50 quid on a second-hand reynolds 531 steel frame, nothing fancy. I have no idea about costs as this would be my first attempt at putting a frame and all the parts together. Any advice about frame material, geometry, and anything else would be much appreciated.

ben_a wrote:I also want a

ben_a wrote:

I also want a road frame. I have to travel 25 miles, on 3 buses, for 3 hours, twice a day, which is impossible on a mountain bike. I feel every bump, despite riding with suspension, so being comfortable is not a huge concern. I normally carry wellies and lunch in a backpack so would prefer to get somewhere quickly. I would like to have the correct size but can only afford second-hand, though would a re-spray and general look-over cost the same as buying a new frame?

Hard to say about the price without knowing the bikes you are looking at but the 25 miles should be entirely possible although it will probably leave you fairly knackered on the first few Fridays. Now’s the time to give it a try.

PJ McNally wrote:Touring

PJ McNally wrote:

Touring bike? or a Hybrid?

IMHO – touring bikes are such a niche product these days, you can get better value buying one of the higher end hybrids (e.g. Trek 7. FX series, which has a proper threadless headset).

These tend to come without rack or guards, but with plenty of clearance for them. And you’ll still save £100s compared to a similar specc’ed touring bike. Then you just budget £50 for nice guards and a rack.

How about a road bike that will take guards and a pannier rack? Hybrids can be useful in busy traffic but the upright position gets uncomfortable on longer journeys and really slows you down in a headwind. When it comes to riding for the fun of it, a road bike beats a hybrid hands down.

I also want a road frame. I
I also want a road frame. I have to travel 25 miles, on 3 buses, for 3 hours, twice a day, which is impossible on a mountain bike. I feel every bump, despite riding with suspension, so being comfortable is not a huge concern. I normally carry wellies and lunch in a backpack so would prefer to get somewhere quickly. I would like to have the correct size but can only afford second-hand, though would a re-spray and general look-over cost the same as buying a new frame?

I commute 12 miles a day in
I commute 12 miles a day in all weathers 5 days a week. I use a Hybrid with Nexus Gears, with full mudguards, multiple sets of lights etc. I don’t commute on my Bianchi Road bike although I would love to as the Hybrid feels like a tractor ploughing a field – especially in winter when the Nexus gears freeze. However the road bike just isn’t built for 5 day commuting. I would spend a lot of time and money mending it and replacing costly parts. I’m thinking of getting a new commuting bike and I really think I’ll be getting another Hub geared thing – the lack of maintenance is a pure joy!

As you can see from the
As you can see from the responses, you’ve asked quite a rather open-ended question.

Road bikes are of course lighter but also have a different riding position while the lighter wheels and skinny slick tyres help too. Having said that, my old Kona rigid MTB with full-length mudguards runs well on 26×1.5″ road tyres and shrugs off rain, road salt and so on.

For road bikes I’d look at £500 upwards, starting with the Boardman Road Sport:
http://road.cc/content/news/70957-boardman-launch-three-sub-£500-bikes
Giant Defy 5, Specialized Allez and similarly specced bikes from most brands are worth considering. Hybrids, as the name suggests, sit somewhere in between road and MTB.

If you prefer flat bars then consider these too (though very few people who switch to drops want to revert to flats). Visit a couple of dealers and see what you think.