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Beginner bike
Hello everyone just asking for some advice on what would make a good beginner bike with a budget of £1500 to £2000. I have no idea what makes a good road groupset or brakes or any other components to look out for. Sorry if this has been asked but all advice and suggestions welcome. Thankyou
If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.
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13 comments
Thankyou all for the replies. At the moment I'm looking closely at the Trek Domane sl5.
Good choice! Will fit guards etc when you've got into road cycling and know exactly what you need so it becomes your nice Winter bike
Well that looks a nice bike. Hope you enjoy it if you do buy it.
it's one thing to read about a bike online, it's another thing to find it in stock for delivery and depending on where you are, to see and try it in person before buying.
I'd want to be very confident about site security before commuting on a brand new bike at this price range.
If you're in it for the long run, I suggest you look towards the touring side of the market. Hills, carrying stuff, running lights and not quite as "hot" (nickable), more room for chunkier tyres and for mudguards. You can't beat a dynohub system for winter.
The OP may not require it for commuting.
No... it's not "necessary" (assuming you mean dynamo?) but once I'd got (modern) dynamo lights I found that I always did with the next (non-race) bike. Same as with a rack - just makes it easier. Just one less thing to think about / which "just works" without regular consideration or fettling. That's always a good thing in a commuter!
FWIW I eventually went with a hub gear / belt drive for the commuter / shopper (bit like this, considered a Shand Levret but sold out). Those are also "not necessary" and others might be concerned about weight / efficiency if they have very long / hilly commutes. For me it was another thing reducing maintenance / cleaning requirements. Also reducing the amount of chain lube I got on me stowing and locking / unlocking the bike.
No, sorry I meant the OP may not want the bike for commuting.
My bad - I could have sworn I read that, but it's not there! Ignore me!
Seconded - also seems quite a bit of cash (unless they're considering an electric?) Nothing wrong with that but it's another thing to think about. My new commuter was clearly too shiny even after I'd camouflaged it a bit and despite locks worth a significant fraction of its cost went off by itself...
You don't say what you'd be using it for but these articles highlight good options for a range of purposes...
https://road.cc/content/buyers-guide/best-road-bikes-under-ps1500-211855
https://road.cc/buyers-guide/best-road-bikes-under-2000
https://www.bikeradar.com/advice/buyers-guides/best-road-bike-under-2000
https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/gear/g40989707/best-carbon-road-bikes-un...
And for something a little different... www.bikeradar.com/reviews/bikes/road-bikes/spa-cycles-audax-review/
Assuming you're looking at a road bike...
I think in terms of getting the most for that kind of budget, I'd look at something like this:
https://www.boardmanbikes.com/gb_en/products/2369-slr-8.9-carbon-disc-20...
Somebody I know has this exact model and it's a lot of bike for the money.
Spending slightly less, have a look at the Triban models from Decathlon, again, great value https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/road-bike-rc-520-disc-brake-shimano-105-pr... I have no personal experience of this but these are consistently well reviewed. It would also allow some spare budget for pedals, shoes, shorts, GPS, etc.
Once upon a time, the £1500-2000 range was the sweet spot for many of the larger brands such as Specialized, Trek, Cannondale, however unfortunately their midrange stuff has moved further up the budget range, for example, the entry level Roubaix from Specialized is now £3500. Giant could be worth a look, but I'll defer to someone else with knowledge of the range to jump in.
Do you have access to a workplace cycle to work scheme? If you do and you're able to use it, it can make acquiring a new bike a little lighter on the wallet.
Thankyou Mark I will have a look, I do have access to cycle to work but haven't looked into it. Yes I am meaning a road bike, I've been mountain biking for about five years now but road bikes I have a lot to learn.
If it is for commuting, I would advise you bear in mind getting a frame that will accept mudguards. If that is your total budget, you might need to factor those in (and possibly some new/better tyres to handle the glass-filled-roads)
You can, of course, get mudguards that don't need specific mounts on the frame!