Please check this out for me...

[The Oracle]

http://www.falconcycles.co.uk/product.php?c.id=3&s.id=1&p.id=240

Hello, A friend says this bike would be ideal for me for a first time racer. I have found it for
£400. I don't really care about being the fastest kid on the block, just a bike to get some road
speed experience on so I can perhaps join a club as well. If I get on well with it I can buy a more
expensive one later on. Sure I have seen all this Shimano 105 stuff but I probably would not benefit
from it at my level.

I have never heard of this make before. I was looking at a Giant OCR or a Specialised but have been
told that something like this would be better to start with since it is a lot cheaper and still a
decent spec. I am very new to all things speed cycling.

Much appreciate some opinions guys... Thanks

Steve

 

[Peter Simons]

X-No-Archive: yes

The Oracle wrote:
> http://www.falconcycles.co.uk/product.php?c.id=3&s.id=1&p.id=240
>
> Hello, A friend says this bike would be ideal for me for a first time racer. I have found it for
> £400. I don't really care about being the fastest kid on the block, just a bike to get some road
> speed experience on so I can perhaps join a club as well. If I get on well with it I can buy a
> more expensive one later on. Sure I have seen all this Shimano 105 stuff but I probably would not
> benefit from it at my level.

I would find a good LBS and take this bike for a test wide and a more expensive one and see how
you get on.

If you have a dawes dealer locally you could try http://www.dawescycles.com/bikes/giro500.html
http://www.dawescycles.com/bikes/giro400.html

Thank they are the same frame as you are looking at but the 500 has better compoments.

With a road bike it is IMO important to het a good pump ??

Peter

 

[Pete Biggs]

The Oracle wrote:
> http://www.falconcycles.co.uk/product.php?c.id=3&s.id=1&p.id=240

No bad. Interesting and unusual mix of Campag and Shimano which offers better value for money than
the usual all-Sora/Tiagra you'd usually get at this price level. small points: The Xenon cranks are
virtually as good as Centaur (ie. very good!) and the steel chainrings can easily be changed for
better ones if you like. (plug: I'll soon be putting a suitable alloy Campag 52T on ebay). Xenon
Ergo gear shifters are different to other Campags: not quite the "proper" thing but do have a
lighter action.

I don't know much about the frame & wheels so can't comment on them except to say that those spokes
might not be cheap or easy to deal with if the wheels ever need attention. As always, make sure
frame will fit before buying, or at least make plans for if it doesn't.

~PB