Choosing and buying a new road bike

99 Votes here (click stars to vote)

When you first decide to buy a road bike the choice can be very daunting. From bikes in the local supermarket costing £150 to those in specialist shops costing up to £5000 or more, what is the difference and what should you look for?

If you haven't ridden a road bike before, or not for many years, it is not easy to 'test drive' bikes, because they will all feel 'wrong' at first. The saddle will seem uncomfortable and too high, your back might hurt, and you won't know how to change gears. Don't be deterred!

For your first bike you are looking for a bike that will be a pleasure to ride, and will get you back on the road. There is no reason to pay dearly for a carbon-fibre frame and super light fittings quite yet. There are many road bikes in the £400 - £1,000 range that will do very well, from almost all the major manufacturers - Trek, Giant, Bianchi, Specialized etc.

The more expensive bikes will have lighter, more solid (rigid) frames and components. All should be satisfactory. There are plenty of £300-400 bikes available, and those in the £600 - £1100 range are really very good bikes, with many models falling between these two ranges.)

In truth a bike from any of the reputable manufacturers will be fine. None are going to have serious flaws, and the slight difference in weight is not crucial at this stage. I would not recommend buying an 'unbranded' bike since these will often have components - gears, brakes etc - that are not made to last, might well weigh a lot more, and could put you off cycling for ever.

Colour and appearance is important - psychologically at least. If you think the bike looks great you'll think you look great as well!

The most important thing of all is the size of the road bike. Riding the most expensive bike in the world will not be fun if it is the wrong size for you. See road bike sizing for more information.

Don't buy a bike in the sales because it is a bargain unless it is the right size!

Pedals are discussed elsewhere, but you might like to use 'old-fashioned' pedals at first, rather than clipless pedals, while you get used to the bike, and change them in due course.

One other choice that you will be confronted by - how many gears do you want. Many new and more expensive bikes have two rings at the front, and purists would ride nothing else. Many people are happier with three. Ironically it will often be the cheaper bikes that have three front rings. When you have been cycling a while you might find that you never use the smallest front ring, but if you plan to cycle many hills you might prefer the option. Going up a hill at the end of a long ride you might prefer to use the so-called granny-gear (the easiest gear on the bike).

If the shop sneer at you for wanting three rings, sneer back and go elsewhere. The choice is yours. The number of gears / rings at the back - usually 9 or 10 - is unlikely to be an issue.

Try and visit at least a couple of shops and get different opinions. Finding a good shop with helpful knowledgeable staff is an enormous help in the months and years to come.

102 Comments

Carley makes this comment

Wednesday, 21 April 2010

Ive recently taken up cycling. Normally riding along the promenade (flat)and adjacent cycling path (which is hilly). I am just using a cheap mountain bike but would like to upgrade my bike. I think I might feel a bit self conscious buying a road bike and then being no good on it. I want to improve (speed and distance) and my current bike is pants. I also still want pleasure from my rides. Do you think its a good idea to get a road bike at this stage or maybe get another mountain bike?
Admin makes this comment

Wednesday, 21 April 2010

Hi, and welcome. Definitely I would get a road bike - but of course, I would say that. There are also bikes that are like 'road-bikes but slightly more rugged' - bigger tyres, more upright position etc.
The point about what people think is interesting and exactly why I started off with a cheap bike (apart from lack of money) - I wouldn't want to be a rubbish rider on a great bike either. But a cheapish road bike, clothes and gear that aren't top of the range, and nobody will notice a thing, or care if they overtake you or not.
Erick V. makes this comment

Tuesday, 27 April 2010

Hi guys, I love your web site. I'm 33 and I haven't rode a bike since I was 14. I want to start training for a triathlon so I would consider buying a bike. What kind of bike should I buy, I don't want something to expensive since I've been out of practice for so long, but I don't want to be last in the competition either. Your advice is highly appreciated.
Admin makes this comment

Wednesday, 28 April 2010

Your local bike shop should have some good recommendations and hopefully some bikes you could try but personally I'd go for one of the bikes around £600-700 from one of the major manufacturers like Trek or Specialized - the Trek 1.2 especialy is always highly spoken of. These will certainl be good enough to use for a couple of years without holding you back too much.
Admin makes this comment

Wednesday, 28 April 2010

ps a bike I'm not familiar with but someone recommended if you want to spend much less is the bTwin Sport range of road-bikes - cost £200 from your local Decathlon, they said 'for that price you get a decent-quality road-bike with 24-speed Sora groupset and some other decent components, just let down by it's heavy weight (alloy frame), but at that price you can't complain!'. Perhaps worth a look.
David makes this comment

Monday, 10 May 2010

I want to take up cycling as a form of fitness and for the enjoyment of it. I have an old mountain bike which I've had for ages and I use for getting up and down from uni but I'd like something better and faster to actually take out and ride. I've looked through bikes on ebay but don't know whether it's worth saving £300 odd for a bike which possibly won't be such a perfect fit as if I bought it in a shop
Admin makes this comment

Monday, 10 May 2010

Tricky one. I'd not buy a bike from ebay personally because I know I wouldn't notice if the frame was cracked, the wheels off-true, or the gears worn out and needing replacing - but that's just me and if you would spot that kind of thing it might be worth looking at.
Fit wise, I'll be a heretic and suggest that there are various guides and tools on the internet that tell you how to measure what size frame you want and as long as that's right the other adjustments eg saddle height and back-forwards adjustment can be done at home. However I know plenty of people who would disagree with me!
Main thing is not to buy a bike knowing it's a slightly wrong size just because it's a great bargain. Also remember there are significant advantages in buying from a shop when it comes to after sales service and ongoing maintenance.
Abtin makes this comment

Wednesday, 12 May 2010

Hi, I'm thinking of getting my first Road Bike. I've looked around and I'm considering to go for the Trek Madone 5 series Project One (chose Trek since I've got one). I currently have a Trek Fuel Ex9 mtb and I have no idea if it's a good idea to spend £3400. I have an obsession with riding bikes and love to go as fast as possible. I ride between 15 to 50 miles usually. Since I've never ridden a Road Bike I have a lot of fears such as: carbon frame breaking if I fall(Highest concern), pot holes, wheels losing grip round turns, wet condition grip, clipless pedals getting stuck, falling over, losing control. Please help! Thanks
Admin makes this comment

Thursday, 13 May 2010

Hi Abtin, it would certainly be unusual to spend so much on a first road bike, but the question is more whether you would be happiest on a bike like that. The Trek Madone (and most similar 'semi-pro' bikes) have their own characteristics that come from being very light and rigid, and not all are ideal for a new road bike rider - they go fast, but take a lot of effort to make them go fast because of the rigidity. I suspect you might find the experience a bit disappointing - I can only suggest you try and borrow a few bikes from your local bike shop and try them out first. (PS I ride a Trek Madone Series 5 and love it, but I rode for a few years on cheaper bikes first.)
I wouldn't worry too much about the other concerns you raise but would try and avoid falling if possible!
Richard makes this comment

Saturday, 22 May 2010

Hi, I've been riding a road bike (Bianchi c2c xenon) for the last couple of years (bought it second hand from my LBS) I am now considering buying a new bike over the summer, and you like some recommendations on what to look for, I doubt I'll want to spend much more than about £700 (unless, for example, I get a huge difference by paying £750 etc)
My current bike is still running fine, however I just fancy a change.
I'm not the fittest, or most enthusiastic cyclist, but I get out when I can, and try and get out atleast once a week (more if I can) depending on how busy I am.
Thanks for the help
Admin makes this comment

Sunday, 23 May 2010

Hi Richard, Unfortunately I can't recommend a specific bike because there are so many I have never tried that I would be ignoring too many great bikes. If I were you I would (1) visit at least 2 local bike shops and get their opinions, and if at all possible borrow a couple for a decent length ride (bearing in mind that shops are often also biased) and (2) look at as many bike magazines as you can get your hands on for reviews of bikes in your price range. Also ask other riders you know, but they like me will usually have limited knowledge of lots of models.
Robin makes this comment

Saturday, 29 May 2010

Hi I haven't ridden for years (since I was about 16, I am now 41) and up to a few months ago was very fat. I have since lost about 3 stone and have now decided to get fit again by riding. I have a budget of around £2000.00 and have no idea what to get. I was thinking of a pure road/racing bike but I have recently been reading about sportive bikes which apparently are slightly more comfortable and durable. Can anyone suggest if this is a good way to go and if it is any particular model?

Thanks
sarah makes this comment

Monday, 07 June 2010

hi! i'm looking around at girls road bikes and keep seeing the option of 'comp' or not comp! i know it has something to do with the gears but what exactly does this mean?!
thank you!
Dominic makes this comment

Thursday, 10 June 2010

Hi, I've gone road biking out with my friends a couple of times using their bikes, which are decent brands, but old condition hand-me-downs. My main interest in cycling would be that it's a great work out without actually feeling like I'm doing work. Instead it feels liberating and fun. However, as a college student who pays for college entirely through loans and grants, and who is currently unemployed (job searching every day), my income is literally in the negatives. So, I want to spend under $300.00 (US). Also, given my current lazy nature, being realistic, I don't know how often I will ride, or stick with it at all. So, I bring into question the 700C GMC Denali Men's 26" Road Bike. I have seen both fantastic and horrible reviews from long time cyclists. Given it's extremely low price (under $200) it seems like the perfect start road bike for me. However, many people have warned that it's better to simply go on ebay or craigslist and buy a used more trustworthy brand. Others have told me they simply tuned it up, fit it properly, and replaced some of the least expensive parts (break pads and inner-tubes) and gotten 2000+ plus out of it. (Youtube it for proof) So, what do you personally recommend? I'd love to hear what you have to say about the bike I brought up as well.

Finally, as a note, I am 5'11 - 6 foot, around 220 pounds, if that offers any kind of insight.

Thanks in advance!
sandra makes this comment

Monday, 21 June 2010

Hi there

I'm getting back on a bike after 15 years (I'm 42) and plan on cycling mostly on roads for 3-4 hour rides. However, my bike is a 15 year old Marin Bolinas Ridge MTB with knobbly tyres. Should I bin it and buy a new one, or are there some things I could change to make it more useful? I'm thinking saddle and tyres but not sure what to do! If I should buy a new one, what would be an OK bike to get for about £200 if such a bike exists. Thanks for your advice.
Admin makes this comment

Tuesday, 22 June 2010

Tough choice Sandra, £200 doesn't buy a great deal but keep an eye out for a second hand bargain perhaps. I probably would keep the money towards buying the next bike rather than changing the saddle and tyres, you might well still end up wanting a road bike anyway if you are on a heavier MTB.
Connor makes this comment

Thursday, 24 June 2010

I'm 18 and I've really got in to road biking recently, although I'm only using a hybrid bike with a road bike gearing set up right now. I'm saving £300-ish per month to get myself a proper road bike with the dropped handles and the kit for it (I'm looking to get a Boardman Bike Pro Carbon) but I'm slightly worried that I'm £1599 is too much to spend on a first time proper road bike.
I ride, roughly, 85-90 miles a week at the moment and I've been riding on the roads ever since I was 14, so I'm not new to cycling at all.
Do you feel that this is slightly too much to be spendng or is this a good starting point for someone that knows what they're doing and just wants to progress to the next level?
Thanks,
Connor
Admin makes this comment

Friday, 25 June 2010

Connor, I'm a terrible person to answer this question because I spend far too much on things I love (like cycling).
It is certainly more than most people spend first time, but if you have been cycling for years your needs and expectations are different. Best thing, try and take a test ride on the Boardman then on a couple of decent £800-£1000 bikes, see if you think the difference is worth the money - differences can be quite subtle, and when I changed from a £1000 bike to a £3000 bike it made less difference than I had expected. Still glad I did though!
And riding a bike you aspired to, love to ride and love the look of definitely has a positive effect on your mental attitude when you are cycling!
Steve makes this comment

Friday, 25 June 2010

Try the Planet X Nanolight fitted with SRAM red, you will not be disappointed. 1500 quid at present . . .
mark makes this comment

Thursday, 08 July 2010

im thinking of buying a road bike to get back into cycling and get myself fit, go cycling on my days off and probably to work when i get upto speed. I havent ridden for a about 10 years but I used to cycle to and from work which was about 18mles a day on a rather heavy mountain bike. i have been looking at bikes and have about £300 to spend i have seen the following in halfords The limited edition Carrera TDF road bike, i can pop down to my local store and have a look at it to see whats its like, the reviews on halfords arent to bad 4 out of 5 stars. i was just woundering if you think this would be a good bike to get back into cycling agian
Admin makes this comment

Saturday, 10 July 2010

Hi Mark, like I said above I can't comment on individual bikes because there are so many i haven't tried - but like you say, th reviews look pretty good, both on the halfords site and on a couple of forums (search for carrera tdf road bike in google) so it looks like it should be pretty good value for money.
If you buy it come back and let us know how it goes - it would be useful for other people looking for a low-price bike!
Stuart makes this comment

Tuesday, 13 July 2010

Hi,

Like others on here I'm looking to buy my first road bike and have found some great advice on here, so thanks for that. However one thing you have mentioned a few times is test riding a few bikes before buying. Are bike shops happy to let you do this? Went round a few shops recently and was asking about size / fit etc and whilst they let me sit on bikes in the shop I didn't properly try them and am concerned after making an investment I will soon find whatever bike I end up chosing isn't right for me. Should I just be more upfront and ask to have a test ride?

Thanks in advance.

Stuart.
Admin makes this comment

Tuesday, 13 July 2010

Good point. Most bike shops don't stock all bikes in all sizes anyway, it's more a suggestion to ask rather than a realistic hope that you'll be able to - if you are a 'standard' type size you might have more chance.
But yes, certainly worth asking - what's the worst that can happen?!
Jonny makes this comment

Wednesday, 21 July 2010

Hi,
Again I'm someone else looking to buy my first road bike. Me and two friends have agreed to do a challenge in the summer of 2012, consisting of riding 4000 miles around europe, mostly france but also including spain, italy, switzerland, germany and belgium. It is a 7 week trip, and not massively ambitious as it only averages about 120km a day with plenty of rest days. Anyway, would it be advisable to buy a slightly cheaper road bike to train on, and buy the actual bike for the trip nearer the time, or should I get used to the trip bike straight away, but risk it breaking. Also, if I was going to get a slightly cheaper bike, what would you recommend, considering I'm willing to spend up to £600.
Thanks
Jonny
Admin makes this comment

Thursday, 22 July 2010

If you know what you want and you've got the money I'd get he bike now that you're going to use on the actual trip.
A reasonable bike won't usually 'break' although you'll need to get it checked over before you go (chain, gears, wheel alignment etc) if you've covered a long distance in between.
I certainly wouldn't want to do a trip like that unless I'd ridden the same bike for a few months first at home anyway.
James makes this comment

Thursday, 22 July 2010

Hi, im currently watching the tour de france and ive enjoyed it so much i want to start cycling properly. Im 25 years old and have played sport all my life. Ive been on a few websites and whilst I wasnt surprised by the prices of the bikes i was still a bit put off. I was wandering if there is any advice you could give other than go to the shop and ask around which i am planning to do in the next couple of days??
many thanks
Admin makes this comment

Thursday, 22 July 2010

Hi James, asking in shops is a good start - but be aware that some shops are genuinely interested in making sure you get the best bike for your needs while others are more interested in making a sale regardless of suitability. It's not always easy to separate the two!
Cycling magazines are often the best source of independent reviews so have a look in the newsagents, and there are also plenty of forums and websites where people post bike reviews, so make a shortlist of 3-4 bikes then do a bit of online research to check other owners are happy before you hand over your cash.
Steve makes this comment

Saturday, 24 July 2010

I am looking to take up road cycling. I pretty fit through various sports and have done some mountain biking.I know it is difficult but what bike would you recommend at say £1000 to £2000 and also what would you recommend if money was no object (but still bearing in mind we are not talking professional cycling here !).Reason I ask was that when I took up mountain biking I went for a mid range type bike but soon outgrew it so I can see an argument for spending the extra to start with to get kit that I will not outgrow. What are the features that a more expensive road bike has that are likely to benefit a keen amateur ?Many thanks
Admin makes this comment

Sunday, 25 July 2010

I can't recommend particular models of bike, but I can certainly say there are plenty of bikes in the £1000-2000 range that should keep you happy for many years - a £2000 bike is usually pretty good!
Above that you get slightly lighter frames and components etc and various other subtle improvements but the difference in performance will seem very small for a very long time.
Asa makes this comment

Tuesday, 27 July 2010

Hi, I'm almost 18 and have been riding a mountain bike on roads(sometimes off road too) for endurance and fitness purposes for around 2 years now. Having watched this years tour de france with great interest, I am thinking about buying a road/hybrid bike to enhance my cycling experience. I like the look of Specialized Sirrus baseline model although I am not sure if this is a good bike to start off with. What do you think and do you have any suggestions of comparable models? Many thanks
Connor H makes this comment

Wednesday, 28 July 2010

Hi i'm 17 and arounf 5'5 i've always love3d riding and rode to school (Quite fast) for almost 3 years i have always have love riding bikes, but havent really done any riding for about a year and a half, now looking to get into road cycling, i've got my eye on the carrera L.E tdf (£299.99) as people have said its hard to offer advice on certain bikes but if any one could help is this an ideal first road bike?
Cameron makes this comment

Saturday, 07 August 2010

Hello , well i'm 16 and ive been using moutain bikes for most of my life. currently i have a trek 3 seroius 3700 and i want something faster, but i dont know what would be a good bike for me, which isnt too pricey, i would like something good looking if possible and do you have any tips and advice to someone whos completey new to road bikes, thanks
Woody makes this comment

Sunday, 08 August 2010

Ok so i bought GIANT SCR 3 2008 model and i was wondering anything i should know about it and its my first road bike would you say this was a good buy ?
Admin makes this comment

Monday, 09 August 2010

Hi Woody, I don't know it personally Giant are a reputable quality brand and all the reviews I have seen look good. If you've just bought it is there something you're not happy with? If yes I'd get back to the shop and get it sorted, if not then just have fun riding it!
James Sheen makes this comment

Monday, 09 August 2010

Hey there,

Me and some friends really got into cycling over the holidays. We are planning a long trip, possibly from London to Rome. fitness is not a problem, but we think the cost will be a problem.

We deffinatly need new bikes as we have been trying to train on mountain bikes...

We need good bikes for the long trip from London to Rome, but we really cant afford bikes around the £2000 mark.

What would you suggest? Get a £800-£1200 bike, or do you think we really should try save up for a good bike for a big challenge. Thanks James.
Admin makes this comment

Monday, 09 August 2010

Hi, there is nothing wrong at all with using the £800-£1200 bikes.
The advantages of a more expensive bike (slightly lighter, possibly smoother gear changes, quicker accelerating in a sprint etc) aren't things you care about on a long distance ride.
There should be no problem at all with comfort or reliability with the less expensive bikes - bikes around £1000 are pretty good!
Good luck with your journey...
Luis makes this comment

Monday, 09 August 2010

I just finish a triathlon and I cycle the 40k in 1h 17min on a commuter bike. It was disappointing. I want a road bike next time. What do you estimate my time would have been had I ridden a decent road bike?
Admin makes this comment

Tuesday, 10 August 2010

Hi Luis, without knowing anything about you it's not possible to say, but as a very rough guess I'd say the weight and aero advantage should make you 5- 10% faster by changing from a commuter bike to a road bike. But to be honest I've never ridden 40km on a commuter bike...
John makes this comment

Tuesday, 10 August 2010

Luis interesting comment regarding triathlons. I have undertaken a few of the sprint triathlons over the past few years, but got into them more seriously this year (I'm hoping to complete 6 by end of September). As far as times go using a road bike, I am currently doing 20K in approx 35mins, with the full course being completed around 1hr 10mins (400M swim 20K bike 5Km run) The top guys are finishing in around 50 - 55 mins. If you are doing longer swims you have to add in extra tiredness for a 40KM cycle.

My first attempts at triathlons were on a mountain bike with slick tyres. However the gearing may have been good up the hills but I was left standing on the flat and down hill. A couple of years ago I was looking at bikes and came a cross a good quality second hand road bike (£250) for a Giant OCR - the bike has been renamed as the Giant Defy 3 and currently retails at over £600. The reason for the info is that you can keep your eyes out and get a good quality bike second hand from a reputable local dealer, its a good way to go and learn what you can expect from your races and style before going more upmarket. Cheers
Ross makes this comment

Thursday, 12 August 2010

I am looking to buy my first road bike for around £750-£800. I am 5ft 11inch, what size frame do you think would be most suited to my height??

Thank you
Dan makes this comment

Tuesday, 17 August 2010

Hi,

I have just entered my works London to Paris cycle ride, I am very much a beginner cycling with some experienced guys. Apparently I have youth as my advantage. The ride is essentially all on roads but I will be going via the south downs and big hills. would you recommend a hybrid bike over a road bike or do you recommend any for a budget of £500. Is there any bikes that will help me with the difficult aspects of cycling that will help me keep up with the more experienced guys
Admin makes this comment

Wednesday, 18 August 2010

Hi Dan, youth is good, wish I had more of it myself.
If I was cycling London-Paris all on roads I would certainly prefer to do it on a road bike, the lighter weight and aerodynamics will make a significant difference over a long distance, especially when there are quite a few hills along the way.
Richard makes this comment

Saturday, 21 August 2010

Hi

I'm in the market for a new road bike. I'm looking to spend in the region of £800 to £1000. The purpose for the bike will be commute (all year round) with some longer rides at the weekend during the summer.

I'm interested in carbon given that the ride comfort is meant to be so much better, however I'm a bit worried about the quality of carbon in this price range (although I read about a Focus Cayo last night which sounded pretty good).

My other concern is using a carbon bike to commute through the winter. Will this do it any harm? If you fall off is the bike a write off??

Thanks for your help.
John makes this comment

Saturday, 21 August 2010

Hi I'm looking to buy my first road bike in the 1000 - 1500 region. I have 2 specialized bikes I am looking at one has carbon frame and the other aluminimum. I'm not sure which one one would be the preferable option as there is a £300 difference

Any suggestions would be welcome
John makes this comment

Monday, 23 August 2010

Hello , well i'm 16 and ive been using moutain bikes for most of my life. currently i have a trek 3 seroius 3700 and i want something faster, but i dont know what would be a good bike for me, which isnt too pricey, i would like something good looking if possible and do you have any tips and advice to someone whos completey new to road bikes, thanks
Admin makes this comment

Tuesday, 24 August 2010

Ross, sorry, I missed your comment: most likely you will need a 56cm frame BUT you need to either get measured in a shop or use an online sizing chart for the bike you are interested in because (a) leg length is more important than height and (b) some bikes have a different geometry ie 56cm in one bike may not be the same size as 56cm in a different model.
Admin makes this comment

Tuesday, 24 August 2010

Richard, John, carbon frames can of course be excellent but so can frames made of other materials. It's not true to say that carbon always has better ride comfort.
I'd be especially nervous about very cheap carbon bikes which are sometimes sold just because they are carbon - not a good enough reason in itself! I'm sure there is a reason why, for example, the lower priced Trek bikes are aluminium.
Carbon bikes can also be very rigid, lack comfort and be pretty tough to ride well.
They use carbon bikes on the Paris-Roubaix so I reckon they can be pretty tough but yes, in case of an accident there is a possibility of serious frame damage - pretty rare as far as I know, but possible.
Are cheaper carbon bikes more susceptible to damage? Good question, wish I knew the answer!
Anita Evans makes this comment

Thursday, 09 September 2010

Hi. I have signed up to do the London to Paris bike ride in July 2011. I am female and I have only ever ridden a bike as a child. I am on quite a tight budget and I don't know where to start as I am new to road cycling. What material is the best frame? How many gears do I need? Is £500 a realistic budget? Any advice would help! Thanks
travism56 makes this comment

Sunday, 12 September 2010

I just got back into cycling this year, with almost 18 years out of the saddle, I decided to purchase what i would consider a mid line bike, unfortunately problems with the bike came out and i ended up having to return it, sense i purchased the nicest thing i could afford, and i have to say I could not be happier, I realize that it is probably much much more than I need but what i consider the most important thing is that I truly love riding it and each day I look forward to whatever workout I get to do that day, maybe something short or just go until my legs say STOP! I ended up going from a fitness style bike to a full on carbon road bike, I was amazed how much easier the road bike rolled and felt, I ended up getting a Fuji sst 2.0 and could not be happier. I guess the moral is spend what you feel comfortable in spending and get something you will be happy with for a while, I imagine that I will get many many rides out of this bike.
Brom makes this comment

Tuesday, 14 September 2010

I am 42 now and have been doing some pretty serious mountain biking for the last five years with a group of friends who are all roadies too. Having recently cycled mont ventoux and a few other tour de france climbs (and descents of course)on a hired giant full carbon £2500 bike i now feel bitten by the bug.
Am I going to be disappointed with something more around the £1000 mark. Also, having a knee problem I feel that correct bike sizing is crucial in my decision.
Rachel Bell makes this comment

Wednesday, 15 September 2010

Hi There, I'm currently looking to buy my first road bike and I'm in a pickle as whats best to buy. I've previously ridden one of my friends road bikes and loved it but I'm unsure as to what's the most important thing to consider. I only have a budget of max £500 and I've seen a few things on ebay (Giant, Trek etc) - my only issue with this is that I wont be able to try it on before I buy it and may not fit me so well.

The other option I have is that my local bike shop have an old steel frame (I think the steel is Reynolds 531) which the chap has said would fit me perfectly and he can build it up for me and put on new parts. This would fit me well and cost approx £450 but I'm not sure how good steel frames are in comparison to modern aluminium ones.

I'll be using it for commuting and longer (50 miles ish) on the weekend so I'm not sure what's best - any advise would be much appreciated!!
Admin makes this comment

Saturday, 18 September 2010

Anita, a £500 bike from a respectable brand will usually be made from aluminium, 27 speed and plenty good enough for your needs.
Brom, that's a good question - usually people start on a cheaper bike then appreciate the difference when they upgrade after a few years but the other way round? ..at first I suspect you will think it's not what you hoped for, but I think you will forget that after a few rides and be perfectly happy with a £1000 bike. As you say, bike size (and fitting as well) is essential.
Admin makes this comment

Saturday, 18 September 2010

Hi Rachel, if you're not confident about buying on ebay it is still possible to buy a good bike new for £500 from Specialized, Trek etc that will meet your commuting and weekend needs perfectly. No problem with steel, lots of people swear by it still, but I would only buy a bike second hand if you are very confident you are getting a great deal on the price - Trek etc find a good balance between frame, wheels, componenents etc and even an expensive frame with cheap parts is not necessarily going to be better.
Jevon makes this comment

Saturday, 25 September 2010

Hi there, just getting back into the sport after 20 years away and i have been riding a friend's Giant TCR 2 which has been great. Now i am looking into purchasing my own bike. I would quite like to buy the same model (TCR 2) but i understand that this is no longer manufactured by Giant - is this correct? I live in Dubai and the latest Giant models (SCR, etc) do not seem to be available, only the TCR range. Do you foresee any problem with buying a discontinued TCR model, albeit new?

Thanks
Jevon
Admin makes this comment

Saturday, 25 September 2010

Hi jevon, as long as the price is right I see no problem at all in buying a discontinued version - very often there are great bargains to be had by buying last year's model of a bike, or a discontinued model of bike. And if you have tried and tested it and know you like the TCR, sounds like the best thing all round.
Admin makes this comment

Saturday, 25 September 2010

ps Giant are still listing the Giant TCR 2 on their UK website: See here
james makes this comment

Monday, 27 September 2010

Hi
Great site. Do all road bikes come with the gear shifter where you flick the brake lever across? I found this weird! And if I get a flat bar road bike instead will I be missing out on 'the experience'? Thanks
Admin makes this comment

Tuesday, 28 September 2010

Hi James, Yes, some gear systems use a 'lever' for your thumb along with a side push on the brake lever, others just use the brake lever and a little lever next to it. Weird at first, pretty cool when you get used to it!
I would be inclined to go with 'proper' drop handlebars even if you never hold the drops - it's more comfortable holding handlebars at the top of the brake hoods with your hands facing sideways than using a conventional straight handlebars. Although others might disagree! Also 'road' gear and brake levers are designed of course for normal road bike handlebars.
If you really aren't keen there are plenty of hybrid bikes to choose from (combination of mountain bike and road bike) that should meet your needs, but if you are only cycling on roads I think you would be missing out...
stuart makes this comment

Friday, 12 November 2010

Hi

Great site. I currently use a Specilaized Sequoia which I've been really happy with but I fancy something a bit quicker. I've used your sizing chart and my inside leg is 90cm and I'm 6 ft 2. I've found a great deal on a Pinarello FP1 2010 and I love the look of it. It's only a 58cm frame. Is this likely to be big enough do you think or am I falling into the "it's such a bargain" trap ?!
Admin makes this comment

Sunday, 14 November 2010

Hi Stuart, is it possible to try it? I don't like to comment on individual bikes because they vary in geometry - it might be OK but with a 90cm inseam it sounds just slightly on the small side...probably OK if you like the saddle quite raised relative to the bike but worth checking first.
leigh makes this comment

Sunday, 21 November 2010

hi,i know alot of rodies arnt fans of flat bars but which is the better buy raleigh airlite sf1.0 £220 or the chinook cludebutler £249 i want to ride road but hate drop bars and i only do up to 40-50mile rides with friends usally,im just getting sick of mtb on the road so want a change but my budget is only around 200 cheers
laurence makes this comment

Sunday, 21 November 2010

Hi, me and my friend are students planning to do a large tour in easter for charity. We need some decent bikes and are at a bit of a loss as to what to buy. We went to a couple of local bike shops and got some advice but we're trying to keep costs as low as possible! (obv, being students)

One of the bikes recommended was a specialized secteur for 440 which seemed like a good deal but would be a push to afford! We're really looking for decent road bikes that would be good for long distances over about 3 weeks, hopefully sub 350 mark. Is there any you can recommend? There's been alot of talk about decathlon btwin bikes one here. are they any good?

Many Thanks

Laurence
Mary makes this comment

Monday, 22 November 2010

Hi. I started riding a bike around 9 months ago after many years. I'm a 39 year old mother of three, and I cycle for fitness and freedom.
I cycle on the roads most of the time, some of them being country lanes.
At the moment I have a 'specialized hybrid/mountain bike'. However, I find this bike quite heavy, especially when I'm going uphill, and I always seem to be struggling. I'm thinking of buying a different bike, but I don't know if I should buy a 'road' bike or a 'hybrid'. What do you suggest?
Many thanks
Mary
Admin makes this comment

Monday, 22 November 2010

Hi Mary, are your 'country lanes' tarmac roads? I would certainly go for a road bike if all your cycling is on tarmac roads and not usually in a town, but if even a small percentage is off road I would get some kind of hybrid bike - road bikes don't like mud and being thrown about too much, and will puncture more easily on loose gravel tracks etc, as well as being uncomortable to ride on rougher tracks.
Of course, hills might still be a struggle regardless of the bike...
Sean makes this comment

Thursday, 02 December 2010

A guy has offered to sell Claud Butler Roubaix 2010(1 month old) for 350 GBP, should I go for it?
Admin makes this comment

Thursday, 02 December 2010

Hi Sean, if that's the same version as this one, in good nick and the right size for you it sounds like a pretty good price. Have you taken it for a ride and looked it over to check it's not been in a crash?
Jack makes this comment

Saturday, 18 December 2010

so i need to cycle about 40-50 miles a day to and from college and have the worst bike ever i dont even know if it can manage that but i used to cycle around 50ish miles a day a few months ago i have a budget of around £200-£400 and any help would be appreciated, cheers
Admin makes this comment

Sunday, 19 December 2010

Hi Jack, With limited funds have you thought about 2nd hand? If you search around local bike shops I reckon you should find something pretty decent for your money
Elaine makes this comment

Sunday, 02 January 2011

Hi. I'm looking for my first road bike after struggling to keep up with friends on my mtb. I think I'll go for aluminium frame rather than carbon fibre (driven by finances and wish to avoid the 'all the gear but no idea' syndrome).

I wondered if you could give me any pointers on the component parts. I dont know what gears, brakes, pedals etc to go for, and so far, shops haven't been particularly helpful. I seem to get the response 'this is what is comes with and we can put something else on if you want'. The problem is I dont know what I want. Can you help?
Admin makes this comment

Sunday, 02 January 2011

Hi Elaine, I know it sounds like they're not being helpful but usually the bike manufacturer will have chosen parts they think are suitable - and these will usually be pretty appropriate i.e. suitable for the frame and in the appropriate category (you dont want £1000 of gears on a £250 frame...)
Pedals and saddle are the exceptions - saddle especially as you are female, and the 'standard' saddle might be 'male-focussed' and pedals because you need to decide whether to have standard pedals (usually free with the bike) or clipless pedals (allow £200 because you'll need shoes as well!)
Having said all that, on principle I wouldn't deal with a shop that isn't helpful because down the line you might have a problem to sort out or part you want to change, so a helpful shop is very important.
Can you make your question sound more focussed in the shop? eg 'I'm looking for a road bike around £700, from an established manufacturer, suitable for a female planning to cycle in all weather but only on tarmac roads'
ps whatever they recommend check a few reviews on the internet before handing your cash across!
Sam makes this comment

Monday, 03 January 2011

Am looking to buy my first road bike but don't know wether I should go for a top bike from a cheaper brand of a cheaper bike from a top brand. For example I have been considering either the claud butler Milano, the claud butler roubaix, or the specialised allez (2010 models). Would love any feedback you could give me. I would particularly like to know if claud butler is a good brand. Thanks in advance.
Admin makes this comment

Monday, 03 January 2011

Hi Sam, i'm not at all familiar with claud butler bikes myself but I'm sure you will be able to find reviews of these on the internet. I have ridden and am a big enthusiast of specialized allez bikes.
Myself, in general I would choose a cheaper model from a top brand, because in principle at least some of what they learn and apply on the expensive bikes 'trickles down' to the cheaper bikes in the same range. I'm sure there will be exceptions to this rule though!
james y makes this comment

Tuesday, 04 January 2011

hi ive been after a road bike for the last 3 month i have now found the claud butler san remo for £300. is there any other bikes i would be able to aford for less then £350 or should i go for the san remo as it would be my first road bike.
Admin makes this comment

Wednesday, 05 January 2011

Hi, I'm not familiar with it myself but the reviews HERE make it look like a pretty good first bike.
JASON makes this comment

Wednesday, 02 March 2011

I am just getting into road biking for the winter and am looking to spend £5-600. I tried a couple of bikes today - Specialized Secteur and Allez plus a Trek ... liked the secteur for the easier riding position/ supposed 'bumpy-road-absorbing' frame! Would you recommend the secteur? And are there any other similar bikes to this/
thanks
Admin makes this comment

Friday, 04 March 2011

While there are lots of bikes in the price range I am not familiar with most of them so hesitate to suggest alternatives. I have ridden Specialized and Trek bikes extensively however and would happily recommend either brand, according to which you think is most suitable for you.
Fraser makes this comment

Monday, 14 March 2011

Hi there i was looking for a new road bike and found this one rated quite highly for only £450 on bike radar was wondering if anyone new if it was a good make Merida 880-24
DW makes this comment

Tuesday, 15 March 2011

Hi all,
I know you don't recommend bikes but I'm 6ft tall...inside leg of about 31", & found a really 'good' deal on a Muddy Fox Blade road bike
http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.210-8498.aspx
Has anyone tried one out & will I be ok on a 20" frame??
MTIA
Caz makes this comment

Friday, 18 March 2011

Hi
I'm looking to buy a road bike, it'll be my first one ... I'm going to be doing a couple of triathlons on it this year... I have no idea how much to spend on it because I want to get a half decent one but don't want to be a complete tool that has a great bike but can't cycle it. There is soooo much choice out there and infact its really confusing not sure what I'm supposed to be looking for $:\$ So was really just wondering if you had any recomendations on what to get? I'm about 6ft.
Admin makes this comment

Saturday, 19 March 2011

Hi Caz, bikes around £750-1250 are usually very good bikes without looking like you have 'a great bike but can't cycle it'! Look at the ones from the big names, also the Boardman bikes get good reviews. Remember to budget for pedals, shoes, clothes, helmet etc which adds up to quite a bit of money when you are starting out.
David makes this comment

Sunday, 20 March 2011

Last year I hurt my lower back which, after hours of treatment, I can now get back in the saddle. Unfortunately, riding my beloved Dolan now leaves me in agony as the bike is an out and out, chin on the bar, racer. I have looked into changing the geometry of the the bike to get me into a more upright position, all to no avail. As a last resort I went out on the wife's Specialized Secteur last week and to be fair, it was comfortable if a little slow. It now seems I am going to have to bite the bullet and buy new. Basically I am looking for something that is comfotable without sacrificing performance. I am told that a carbon frame is more forgiving and my budget is up to about £2,500. I quite like the specs. for the Specialised Roubaix, Scott CR1 Pro and Villier Athena, although in the case of the latter it is probably beyond my reach financially. I am 57 years young, like to do hill work as well as the flat and can still manage 50-60 miles without collapsing. Any ideas and advice would be most appreciated.
Mark Colmer makes this comment

Wednesday, 23 March 2011

I want an upgrade on my entery level Specailized Secteur as I'm now riding over 5,000 miles a year. I have £1,000 to spend, what would you recommend?
Dan makes this comment

Thursday, 31 March 2011

Hi

As with most other queries on here, I'm looking to buy my first road bike. I have a mountain bike too, and can't really justify spending any more than about £400 on my new purchase. Mostly it will be used for commuting to work and back, 10 miles each way, but something I do want to do at some point in the next year or so is take a few weeks off work and do a leisurely ride from Land's End to John O'Groats. Do you think something in the £400 range would cater for both needs? Any recommendations? Would something like a Carrera from Halfords do? Can I even put panniers on such a road bike or should I be looking at a tourer? As you can tell I'm totally new to all this, but would really appreciate some advice.

Many thanks
Admin makes this comment

Saturday, 02 April 2011

I don't know the Carrera but £400 would be enough for an entry bike from well known brands like Trek, Specialized, Giant etc which would be my personal starting point. Also check websites and local shops for bikes on sale, see if there are any bargains to be had at the moment.
A decent £400 bike should get you from Lands End to John O'Groats without particular problems, but I don't know about paniers...
Patrick makes this comment

Monday, 18 April 2011

Hi guys,
Just had my Specialized Allez comp robbed from my garden. Real loss as had tweaked it over time with carbon forks, XTR group set (strange but I've always wanted it!) and nice wheels.
So she is no longer. I now want to console myself with a road bike around the 1500 mark. Is 2nd hand a viable option here or is peace of mind worth the premium? I know there's a wealth of choice but what would you opt for if put on the spot? Thanks and death to bike thieves!
Admin makes this comment

Saturday, 23 April 2011

Patrick, whether to buy second-hand depends whether you are confident you will spot any signifcant problems, and whether you are sure about what size bike you need. If yes to both, go for it - you should get a great bargain if you look around.
ps second hand or last year stock from a shop is a 'safer bet' than second hand from someone you've never met.
WallSt makes this comment

Friday, 29 April 2011

We have a lot of beautiful mountains here in Switzerland, I would like to be able to tackle some of them.

However, as a starter moving from MTB, to road-bikes I am unsure on which to select. I know I want:

1. Shimano Ultegra deraillers front to rear
2. Ultegra brakes

However, I am seriously unsure on how to select from the Crank Shimano Ultegra 53/39 or 52/42/30
Cassette Shimano Ultegra 12-25, 9 speed or 10 speed.

I dont quite understand that part. ;(

Which will be best for me to combat the hills that roll to the less mountainous roads. So an all-rounder. I plan to ride 4-5hrs a week.

Thank you.
admin makes this comment

Sunday, 01 May 2011

Hi WallSt, Not trying to dodge the question but a lot depends on your own strengths and abilities. I'm guessing that most 'amateurs' surrounded by Swiss mountains go for the triple, but ask at your local bike shop which is best for someone with your own experience and strengths
Ciaran makes this comment

Monday, 16 May 2011

Hi, last year I bought a specialized sirrus hybrid bike, really good bike, I just have done my first long cycle for cancer, using this bike,and I am getting hooked on cycling but I struggle with hills, well I can get up them but not as fast as my mates who have road bikes and also I panick with hills.lol I am going to sign up for a another and longer and hillier charity cycle which is a few weeks away, would I be best upgrading hybrid to a road bike? If so any sugestions price range up to £600 or 700
Admin makes this comment

Tuesday, 17 May 2011

Hi Ciaran, a lighter bike will be faster up hills, especially if you are not overweight yourself, but it is likely that practice and technique will make a bigger difference if you are quite new to cycling - take a look at cycling up hills first, see if you think you could improve your technique
alex makes this comment

Tuesday, 24 May 2011

Hi...I have been roped into the London - Brighton on June 19th. I have a rather old hybrid and (frankly) despite my best efforts, I am not that fast. I have been doing 20km training sessions 2/3 times a week in an attempt to get fit for the ride, but it is taking me 90 minutes to do. Keen cyclist friends of mine think that my bike is an issue. I am happy to purchase a new bike, but I do not think that I want a racing road bike (as I think that 6 hours in that position, not being used to it, would kill me). Do you have any suggestions ? Happy to spend around 500 for a good bike with lots of gears to help me up Ditchling Beacon ! Alexia PS forgot to mention that I am 5.4" tall and 30" inner leg.
Admin makes this comment

Thursday, 26 May 2011

Hi Alex, If you are confident the bike is the problem (20km in 90 minutes is rather slow - is the bike the right size for you?) you would perhaps prefer a cyclocross bike than a road bike (thicker tyres, sturdier construction etc) make it a bit more stable than a road bike.
A lot of riders prefer a road bike but almost never cycle with their hands 'in the drops' - would that suit you do you think, at least until you get used to it?
There are plenty of bikes in your price range with 'triple' gears that should be suitable - I don't generally recommend particular bikes though because there are so many I've never ridden and personal preference plays a large part.
Good luck with Ditchling Beacon...
Alan makes this comment

Tuesday, 31 May 2011

Hi, I am thinking about getting a bike for my commute to work however one of my friends has recently got into road bikes and wants me to come cycling with him on weekends.I was thinking about spending between £600 and £1000 on a clyclocross bike but wondered if this would cause me a problem keeping up with my friend if we went out on the roads?
Admin makes this comment

Tuesday, 31 May 2011

Hi Alan, most cyclocross bikes are pretty good so I doubt it will make much difference - if you are sure you will only be riding on roads I'd get a road bike, otherwise of course a cyclocross gives more options to ride on rougher terrain
Tom makes this comment

Wednesday, 08 June 2011

Hi, i am looking at buying a road bike this summer as i am taking part in a charity ride from blackpool tower to the eiffel tower and am wondering what road bike i need to get, im currently training on a Raleigh MTX hybrid thats a little too small for me, any suggestions as to what i should move on to?
Admin makes this comment

Thursday, 09 June 2011

Hi Tom, that's too general a question, especially without even an idea of budget...if I were you I would first look at bike magazines (some have loads of reviews in the back), read about lots of possibilities, get familiar with the big brand names, talk to two or three local bike shops, decide a budget...
Good luck with Blackpool - Paris, sounds like a fun challenge
Marty makes this comment

Saturday, 06 August 2011

So confused, please help! I've never been on a road bike but I do love getting out on my mountain bike. I'm 26 and getting married in a year so my money is taken up on that but really want a road bike, there is a Viking bike as an old hand me down in the family but I'm not sure about the wear and tear if it. I've looked online and seen bikes around the £200 region, I've friends who cycle but spend £1000+ on their bikes so don't want to ask them about cheap bikes. Your opinion would be great on these price ranged bikes and the family one. Thank you
Marty makes this comment

Saturday, 06 August 2011

Forgot to mention on my earlier message, road bike tyres scare me alittle being so thin in difficult cycling conditions. The cyclocross bikes, I'm very interested in but will the tyre thickness have an effect when I'm out cycling with others?

Hope you get back to me, thanks.
Admin makes this comment

Monday, 08 August 2011

Hi Marty, I think its pretty hard to find a respectable new road bike for less than about £400, ideally a bit more.
For £200 you perhaps can find a second hand bike in a local bike shop - or even more likely by asking your cyclist friends since cyclists sometimes have their previous bikes gathering dust in a shed .
I don't know the Viking bikes (quick search suggests they are a low priced range) but if it's the right size and works OK why not give it a go to see what you think.
Admin makes this comment

Monday, 08 August 2011

Yes, a heavier bike with thicker tyres will count against you a bit, but how much depends on other things like your general fitness, weight etc. If you cycle a lot, are generally pretty fit and cycling with regular road bike enthusiasts it will be more important to have a lighter bike than if you are cycling a few kilometres chatting with friends on a sunday afternoon...(not being rude, just different people have different goals fom cycling, and high speed for long distances isn't always one of them)
Lewis makes this comment

Sunday, 18 September 2011

Just got myself a road bike, only have ever used mountain bikes. im really finding it hard to get used to the pedals with the straps on, are they essential for road bikes or can i get other pedals and put them on it? have you got any tips on how to use the strap type pedals? Thank you...
Admin makes this comment

Monday, 19 September 2011

Hi Lewis, if you are using straps you are missing out on an important part of the cycling experience! Most road bike cyclists use so-called 'clipless' shoes and pedals - something of a misnomer since the shoes clip onto the pedals...take a look at cycling shoes for a bit of information.