Road bike recommendations - what should I look for?

[Richard Jonas]

I've recently got my old mountain bike out of the shed in an effort to
keep fit, and I'm finding that I'm actually enjoying cycling again.

I'd like to upgrade this to a road bike. I was thinking of spending
about 500 UKP. This would be used mainly for weekend riding.

I'm not really strong on maintenance, so I'd prefer something that is
reasonably sturdily built and that I don't have to constantly fix.
However, I don't think I'm ever going to be carrying luggage or
commuting to work in my best suit, so I wouldn't want something that's
weighed down by luggage racks and heavy mudguards etc.

Are there any models that people would recommend or recommend me to
avoid? I was going to visit my local bike shops and see what's
available. Are there any questions I should be asking them?

Also, when I'm a bit fitter, I'd like to join a local club and take
part in group rides. What sort of standard would I need to aim for so
as not to hold everyone up too much (how far would these be, and how
long would they typically take)?

Thanks
Richard

 

[MSeries]

Richard Jonas wrote:
> I've recently got my old mountain bike out of the shed in an effort to
> keep fit, and I'm finding that I'm actually enjoying cycling again.
>
> I'd like to upgrade this to a road bike. I was thinking of spending
> about 500 UKP. This would be used mainly for weekend riding.

Interesting that you see a road bike as an upgrade.
>
> I'm not really strong on maintenance, so I'd prefer something that is
> reasonably sturdily built and that I don't have to constantly fix.
> However, I don't think I'm ever going to be carrying luggage or
> commuting to work in my best suit, so I wouldn't want something that's
> weighed down by luggage racks and heavy mudguards etc.

Mudguards these days are very light and jolly useful

>
> Are there any models that people would recommend or recommend me to
> avoid? I was going to visit my local bike shops and see what's
> available. Are there any questions I should be asking them?

My mate spent £500 on a Lemond which looked OK for the money, I can't
guarantee that it will be maintenance free though. I wouldn't call it
sturdy but it is unlikely to fall apart so long as its looked after,
that is maintained.

>
> Also, when I'm a bit fitter, I'd like to join a local club and take
> part in group rides. What sort of standard would I need to aim for so
> as not to hold everyone up too much (how far would these be, and how
> long would they typically take)?
>
That depends on the club, they might prefer if you have mudguards in the
winter too.

 

[Eatmorepies]

"Richard Jonas" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I've recently got my old mountain bike out of the shed in an effort to
> keep fit, and I'm finding that I'm actually enjoying cycling again.
>
> I'd like to upgrade this to a road bike. I was thinking of spending
> about 500 UKP. This would be used mainly for weekend riding.
>
> I'm not really strong on maintenance, so I'd prefer something that is
> reasonably sturdily built and that I don't have to constantly fix.
> However, I don't think I'm ever going to be carrying luggage or
> commuting to work in my best suit, so I wouldn't want something that's
> weighed down by luggage racks and heavy mudguards etc.
>

Road bikes are much more fun than MTBs on tarmac because you can go a lot
faster for the same effort. I bought a flat bar road bike to join friends on
local road rides - a Dawes Giro 200. It has a triple chainring - important
in Mid-Wales if you are not extra strong. I paid 270 ukp at Halesowen
cycles - but there is one on eBay, brand new, starting at 150 ukp.

You could get such a bike to use through the winter and by summer time you
would have a much better idea of what you would be looking for in a more
expensive road bike.

Mudguards are a good thing, mine cost 15 ukp and don't seem very heavy.

John

 

[JBB]

"Richard Jonas" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I've recently got my old mountain bike out of the shed in an effort to
> keep fit, and I'm finding that I'm actually enjoying cycling again.
>
> I'd like to upgrade this to a road bike. I was thinking of spending
> about 500 UKP. This would be used mainly for weekend riding.
>
> I'm not really strong on maintenance, so I'd prefer something that is
> reasonably sturdily built and that I don't have to constantly fix.
> However, I don't think I'm ever going to be carrying luggage or
> commuting to work in my best suit, so I wouldn't want something that's
> weighed down by luggage racks and heavy mudguards etc.
>
> Are there any models that people would recommend or recommend me to
> avoid? I was going to visit my local bike shops and see what's
> available. Are there any questions I should be asking them?
>
> Also, when I'm a bit fitter, I'd like to join a local club and take
> part in group rides. What sort of standard would I need to aim for so
> as not to hold everyone up too much (how far would these be, and how
> long would they typically take)?
>
> Thanks
> Richard

You could do a lot worse than a Specialised Allez, this years model is now
being marked down to around £450. My husband bought one about 6 months ago
for short (I.e up to 20 miles) day rides and trips to the pub. It has a lot
of own brand stuff on it but all seems to be running well - I was surprised
how smoothly the hubs run. It has concealed mounting points for a pannier
and if you needed mudguards you could always fit SKS racebldes. It comes
with a choice of double or triple chainset - Dudley chose the triple.
Generally it seems to me to be good value for money and good enough for a
club run/entry level racing. The only downside we have found is the paint
finish is a bit fragile.

HTH
Julia

 

[Simon Brooke]

in message <[email protected]>, Richard
Jonas ('[email protected]') wrote:

> I've recently got my old mountain bike out of the shed in an effort to
> keep fit, and I'm finding that I'm actually enjoying cycling again.
>
> I'd like to upgrade this to a road bike. I was thinking of spending
> about 500 UKP. This would be used mainly for weekend riding.
>
> I'm not really strong on maintenance, so I'd prefer something that is
> reasonably sturdily built and that I don't have to constantly fix.
> However, I don't think I'm ever going to be carrying luggage or
> commuting to work in my best suit, so I wouldn't want something that's
> weighed down by luggage racks and heavy mudguards etc.
>
> Are there any models that people would recommend or recommend me to
> avoid? I was going to visit my local bike shops and see what's
> available. Are there any questions I should be asking them?

I'm a bit snobby about Specialized as a brand, but I have seen some very
good value for money Specialized bikes recently, particularly Allez
models. Also there are some remarkably nice Claud Butlers, including
the Milano which even has (bottom of the range) Campag kit and carbon
forks for under £500

> Also, when I'm a bit fitter, I'd like to join a local club and take
> part in group rides. What sort of standard would I need to aim for so
> as not to hold everyone up too much (how far would these be, and how
> long would they typically take)?

Depends on the club. We do 'fast' runs on Saturdays which run to about
16-18mph average; on Sunday runs (when on the road) probably more like
14mph. Typically less than 20mph. More sporting clubs will go faster
and further.

--
[email protected] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

;; Madness takes its toll. Please have exact change.

 

[dirtylitterboxofferingstospammers]

>I'm not really strong on maintenance, so I'd prefer something that is
>reasonably sturdily built and that I don't have to constantly fix.

Shouldn't have to *constantly* fix a bike that's being used on road. Or what
are you planning to do to it that means it will need it?;-)



>However, I don't think I'm ever going to be carrying luggage or
>commuting to work in my best suit, so I wouldn't want something that's
>weighed down by luggage racks and heavy mudguards etc.

Mudguards are *extremely* useful for keeping road sh*te off you in winter. Once
you've ridden a few miles with road cak up your backside, you may change your
mind about mudguards.

snippity...

Shop around - visit bike shops, get a hold of copies of Cycling + & Cycling
Weekly, read and inwardly digest contents of adverts. Do not buy the first bike
you see - if it's the right one, you can always come back to it. Get a bike
that fits you. Comfort is essential. Get the highest spec you can afford on
your budget.

As for clubs - what is expected depends on the club really. Where are you
located?

Cheers, helen s


--This is an invalid email address to avoid spam--
to get correct one remove fame & fortune
h*$el*$$e*nd**$o$ts**i*$*$m*m$o*n*s@$*a$o*l.c**$om$

--Due to financial crisis the light at the end of the tunnel is switched off--

 

[Richard Jonas]

Thanks to everyone who replied to this.

I'll certainly get hold of copies of these magazines and see if I can find
anywhere locally where I can take a look at the Lemond, Specialized Allez,
Claud Butler Milano and Dawes Giro, and see which would be most comfortable,
and get some mudguards fitted.

I live in Hertfordshire (near Hertford).


Richard



"dirtylitterboxofferingstospammers" <[email protected]> wrote in
message news:[email protected]...
> >I'm not really strong on maintenance, so I'd prefer something that is
>>reasonably sturdily built and that I don't have to constantly fix.
>
> Shouldn't have to *constantly* fix a bike that's being used on road. Or
> what
> are you planning to do to it that means it will need it?;-)
>
>
>
>>However, I don't think I'm ever going to be carrying luggage or
>>commuting to work in my best suit, so I wouldn't want something that's
>>weighed down by luggage racks and heavy mudguards etc.
>
> Mudguards are *extremely* useful for keeping road sh*te off you in winter.
> Once
> you've ridden a few miles with road cak up your backside, you may change
> your
> mind about mudguards.
>
> snippity...
>
> Shop around - visit bike shops, get a hold of copies of Cycling + &
> Cycling
> Weekly, read and inwardly digest contents of adverts. Do not buy the first
> bike
> you see - if it's the right one, you can always come back to it. Get a
> bike
> that fits you. Comfort is essential. Get the highest spec you can afford
> on
> your budget.
>
> As for clubs - what is expected depends on the club really. Where are you
> located?
>
> Cheers, helen s
>
>
> --This is an invalid email address to avoid spam--
> to get correct one remove fame & fortune
> h*$el*$$e*nd**$o$ts**i*$*$m*m$o*n*s@$*a$o*l.c**$om$
>
> --Due to financial crisis the light at the end of the tunnel is switched
> off--
>
>
>