First road bike – options and advice?!

tomplim · 2013-04-28T16:54:09+01:00

I have not done an awful lot of cycling, largely restricted to short journeys and have always owned a cross-over bike. However, for commuting I do fancy a road bike. The chance has come to do that through the Cycle2Work initiative that my employer currently endorses. However, because this is a step into the unknown, I don't want to break the bank - this is a first road bike (and employers support a bike up to £1000). If I choose to use Halfords (which is the most convenient), I am essentially restricted to brands such as Apollo, Boardman, and Carrera. With that in mind, are any of the bikes below any good in terms of specification? http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_810675_langId_-1_categoryId_165710 http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_810691_langId_-1_categoryId_165710 http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_875985_langId_-1_categoryId_165710#tab2 If anybody could offer any advice for buying a first road bike or suggest some reasonably-priced starter models from elsewhere, I'd be really appreciative. Many thanks!

This topic has 3 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 3 months ago by tomplim.

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April 28, 2013 at 4:54 pm #18616

tomplim

I have not done an awful lot of cycling, largely restricted to short journeys and have always owned a cross-over bike. However, for commuting I do fancy a road bike.

The chance has come to do that through the Cycle2Work initiative that my employer currently endorses. However, because this is a step into the unknown, I don’t want to break the bank – this is a first road bike (and employers support a bike up to £1000).

If I choose to use Halfords (which is the most convenient), I am essentially restricted to brands such as Apollo, Boardman, and Carrera. With that in mind, are any of the bikes below any good in terms of specification?

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_810675_langId_-1_categoryId_165710

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_810691_langId_-1_categoryId_165710

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_875985_langId_-1_categoryId_165710#tab2

If anybody could offer any advice for buying a first road bike or suggest some reasonably-priced starter models from elsewhere, I’d be really appreciative.

Many thanks!
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April 28, 2013 at 9:28 pm #730683
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tomplim

Thank you for the quick
Thank you for the quick response 🙂

April 28, 2013 at 7:17 pm #730681
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TheHatter

Just cos your restricted to
Just cos your restricted to Halfords shouldn’t mean youre restricted to their own brands. I’m sure they can get other bikes in – they even have pinarellos these days.

ps If you plan to ride up any hills then I’d strongly suggest a bike with a compact chainset as it will give you gearing much closer to what youre used to.

April 28, 2013 at 6:44 pm #730679
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Bagpuss

Hi,
Mate just went through
Hi,

Mate just went through the same process and bought a Giant Defy 5, similar kit to those three. But predominately black which he wanted.

Most important thing is the fit, if there’s someone in Halfords or your more traditional local bike shop that will take the time to talk you through the one that best fits you as supplied then that’s who’d get my cash.

The ‘TDF” model has a standard chainset, the others compacts, the Boardman has a slightly lower bottom gear than the Virtuoso. That might matter if you live anywhere with hills.

Of the three that Virtuoso looks like the best value. Don’t forget Quidco 😉
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