Newbie Help £600 max to spend/and what are those brake things?

[wayner]

hi guys totally new to cycling so have loads of questions

i`m 6ft 5" 18 stone and looking for a road bike for some exercise so first up

what size should i be looking for?

i have a max budget of £600 for a bike so what should i be looking for so far i like these

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/37069/Bianchi_C2C_Via_Nirone_7_Alu_Shimano_2300_Compact_Bike_2011

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/44796/Felt_Z95_Bike_2012

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/44778/Felt_F95_Bike_2012

any of these worth buying or anymore you recommend?

and lastly i have noticed some bikes have like brake levers on the flat part of the handle bars are these brakes or gears or what ?As i thought most bikes had the gear levers built into the brake levers?

thanks

wayner

 

[AndieAnderson]

I'm new to the road bikes as well and can't offer sound advice on which cycle to buy, but this is what I've found out so far...

Go to your LBS and get fitted for a bike. There are several different factors that they look for: stand-over height, length, handle bar height and width, as well seat height that make the difference in the comfort of the ride.

I asked the same question about the brake levers just yesterday, and it was explained to me that they are for beginners so that if they are riding with their hands in that position it affords them easier/faster braking until they get accustomed to the levers on the drop downs...

Hope this helps some!!!!

Andie