Newby, £800ish Budget, Advice Appreciated!

[Rob3rt]

Hi

Im new to forum and road biking, I wish to purchase a new bike in the future, my budget is approx up to £800 by end of Jan to mid Feb. I am 6'2"-6'3" (not 100% sure, lol) so I see I should take a 58 - 59 - 60 (or an XLframe). So this is relatively simple.

I fully understand that fit is the main deciding factor and riding the bike is the best way to tell(so im not expecing a gospel answer to what size I need etc), however the use of the bike is a factor in size required. As I wish to cycle long distance 100+ mile on occasion and do time trials, whether set myself(for personal challenge) or through a club, I can hardly (as an untrained/newby long distance/TT cyclist) test ride the bike I am buying to this use exactly. So what may feel okay or perfect to me in a test ride round the city could potentially feel horrid after 50+ miles whereas some small difference could make all the difference. Therefore I'm hopeing anyone can give me some tips on what to look for for a bike for this purpose. I have read that a slightly smaller bike is better for longer distance as it allows a more upright riding position, anyone have an opinion on this?

I have a list of bikes I have looked at, all bikes can be sat on, measured to my anatomy and test rides are available (to my knowledge) and I have a local branch of this shop in my city (its where I bought my previous bike, which was a BMX that is now redunant as I used it as a compact commuting bike for a short commute, however I now live so close its useless to me)

Here are some bikes I have looked at. If anyone has any comments, or suggestions on alternatives to look at I am more than willing to check them out.

Evans Cycles | Claud Butler San Remo 2009 Road Bike | Online Bike Shop
Evans Cycles | Fuji Newest 2.0 2009 Road Bike | Online Bike Shop
Evans Cycles | Fuji Newest 1.0 2009 Road Bike | Online Bike Shop
Evans Cycles | Trek 1.5 Triple 2010 Road Bike | Online Bike Shop
Evans Cycles | Cannondale CAAD 8 Tiagra Triple 2010 Road Bike | Online Bike Shop
Evans Cycles | Scott Speedster S30 CD18 2010 Road Bike | Online Bike Shop
Evans Cycles | Bianchi Via Nirone 7 Tiagra 2010 Road Bike | Online Bike Shop

I wish to buy a bike that will be able to grow with my ability, hence I am avoiding the cheapest options(although 1 or 2 are included above just to see if anyone has any comments) in order to get at least a decent frame that I can upgrade when the time comes, rather than hit a platou where the frame will prevent progress to soon.

Evans cycles do tend to allow a bit of flex in prie or throw in some essentials to sweeten the deal so im looking to max between £750 and £850 including a helmet and a ride computer (simply for speed and distance covered, no need for fancy features just yet)

Thanks for any help.

 

[garage sale GT]

The Nirone is a great bike. I think its geometry borders on a "comfort road bike" though, not a time trial bike. They call it a part of their C2C line, which means you can ride it from coast to coast.

the blurb which came with the peter white cycles fit calculator seemed to imply a longer bike is better for distance. Try peterwhitecycles.com.

I heard Schwinn had an entry level TT bike which received high marks from the cycling press for having all the essential gear.

 

[Rob3rt]

Thanks for the reply

I have refined my options somewhat resulting from my saturday trawl round all the local bike shops. Now I know my basic bike size is a 58cm (could vary frame to frame a bit, but at least its a good starting point). Also you are right, longer frames are better for distance, wherever I read the contradictory from must have either been someone's opinion rather than general concensus, either that or it was completelly fabricated, nontheless, I will be buying a frame 58cm or equivalent (with small tweaks based on frame differences) rather than commiting to a smaller more aggressive frame or any other specialist geometry ideals.

I am now looking more at the Cannondales because they seem to have great reviews(at least the caad9 does), and on some options can get near full 105 for about £1k (and £100 worth of extra bits for free if bought from Evans Cycles, can probly get price down a little too).

Evans Cycles | Cannondale CAAD 8 105 Compact 2010 Road Bike | Online Bike Shop

Evans Cycles | Cannondale CAAD 9 Tiagra Compact 2010 Road Bike | Online Bike Shop


But im unsure which will be better in the long run. On one hand, caad8 comes with near full 105 (bar brakes), on the other hand the caad9 frame gets really good reviews however only comes with tiagra groupset.

My dilemma is, does the caad9 frame warrant choosing that and upgrade to 105 in the future over getting the caad8 with 105 from day one. This is something I dont know out of inexperience.

Both bikes will most likely need wheel and brake upgrades at some point.


The Specialized in the same price range also comes highly recommended, but personally I think its a bit odd looking with the curved top tube. This is purely cosmetic though. Cosmetically the caad9 is a bit drab looking too because of the paint job.

Of course its going to come down to test riding both bikes(and probably the Bianchi) but any opinions are more than welcome.

Oh also I was looking at mainly compacts on shop recommendation, however I read that a tripple may be better once you are stronger due to having the extra middle gear at the front. I am naturally quite leg strong while being relativelly weak aerobically so im wary of making the mistake of buying a compact and finding I quite soon need the extra middle gear because the easiest gears on a compact become redundant but the harder gears make it too hard to get up hills. Is it possible (financially and mechanically viable) to change out only the front crank to acheive the tripple if you wish or does it involve a lot more? Shifters etc.


Sorry for major long post!

 

[Rob3rt]

I was just about decided then this cropped up:

Boardman Bikes : Road Team

anyone have any opinions on broadman bikes, they get absolutely great magazine reviews etc, but im always wary of magazine ratings. Can get a full carbon version for £1k too, but im a bit wary of cheap carbon just not familiar with its properties and how likely it is to be damaged in an accident, like falling off. Plus only halford stock them, yak!!! Also is SRAM not shimano.