So its just been my 21st and my parents have offered to buy me a decent bike.

Im looking for a road bike. I live in portsmouth which is mostly flat so is excellent cycling territory. Looking for something to help me get around and for some good exercise as well (need to drop a bit of weight).

Lots of people have made some suggestions already in terms of brands. Carrera, Giant and Trek were some of them mentioned (with Hybrid frames also being mentioned, mix of racing / road frame apparantly). I have no idea myself about what to look for so I thought I would check with all of you wonderfully knowledgable people

As I said, im looking for a good lightweight road bike. Something nice for nipping around or taking out for a long ride for some exercise. Price range is about Ã,£200 - Ã,£300. Would also prefer minimun of fuss e.g. I dont want to buy a frameset and pieces, a whole bike would be prefered

happy birthday BTW  

I know nothing about bikes but may i suggest one with round wheels on  

Giant and Trek yes, Carerra, noooo.


What about this Dawes?

http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=60913

Quote# rame: Lightweight Dawes 6061 alloy semi compact frame
# Forks: Hi Tensile steel unicrown for integrated headset
# Gears: Shimano RD-2200 front and rear mechs
# Shifters: Integrated Shimano ST3300 Sora road race STI 7 speed
# Chainset: Shimano FC-A050 with 52 and 39 tooth chainrings
# Brakes: Polished silver road race caliper
# Wheels: Dawes alloy hubs with quick release and 700c Black alloy double wall rims
# Tyres: Kenda Concept 700c dual compound
# Bars: Alloy oversize
# Stem: Alloy Oversize
# Saddle: Dawes weatherproof racing saddle
# Seatpost: Micro Adjustable
# Pedals: Resin comfort pedals

Or even this Claud Butler?

http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=60993

Quote* Frame: Alloy 7005 Series tubing aero profile down tube semi integrated head tube
    * Forks: Hi-tensile aero profile blades with mudguard eyes
    * Gears: Shimano Sora 14 speed
    * Shifters: STI Control levers
    * Chainset: Sugino SLA200 chainset with 42 and 52 tooth chainrings
    * Brakes: Alloy dual pivot design
    * Wheels: Rigida Nova 700c narrow section alloy double wall rims with 32 hole quick release hubs
    * Tyres: 700c x 25 road tyres
    * Handlebars: Kalloy oversize alloy handlebars
    * Stem: Oversize alloy stem
    * Saddle: Selle San Marco Blaze
    * Seatpost: Alloy seatpost

Normally I wouldnt Reccomend a CB, but their bikes of late have been getting quite good.

Quote from: PhoenixFlameSo its just been my 21st and my parents have offered to buy me a decent bike.

Im looking for a road bike. I live in portsmouth which is mostly flat so is excellent cycling territory. Looking for something to help me get around and for some good exercise as well (need to drop a bit of weight).

Lots of people have made some suggestions already in terms of brands. Carrera, Giant and Trek were some of them mentioned (with Hybrid frames also being mentioned, mix of racing / road frame apparantly). I have no idea myself about what to look for so I thought I would check with all of you wonderfully knowledgable people

As I said, im looking for a good lightweight road bike. Something nice for nipping around or taking out for a long ride for some exercise. Price range is about Ã,£200 - Ã,£300. Would also prefer minimun of fuss e.g. I dont want to buy a frameset and pieces, a whole bike would be prefered

Hybrids are good, because they are more versatile, you can do "some" off road with it, then.

Buy Singletrack magazine this month (avaliable from WHSmiths), they have a review of Ã,£300ish hybrid which looks brilliant for the money, i would definately buy one at the price.

Hybrids all tend to be flat barred bikes

If you want the drop bars and sti shifters, consider getting an audax bike. They can take a bit more of a beating than a normal road bike (wider tyres if needed, and mudguard braze ons).

Ribble have some really really nice custom made bikes for around Ã,£495 on their website.

Then again Ive seen that claud butler advertised for Ã,£249 so depends on your budget too.

Edit: just saw your budget so fair enough dont go for the ribble

If your only riding on tarmac, get a road bike Hybrids are for bike trails and stuffs.

If its flat where you live, then a Redline 9-2-5* is in order. Simple, comfy drop bars, and mudguards for your Atlantic weather:



Mount some big ass bear trap pedals, and enjoy a bike that can be ridden on a whim, instead of needing a penguin suit.

List price is $500 stateside.

Reasons for recommendation: simple so it wont break, fast-ish, but not fragile, doesnt need special clothing, h-bars combine the comfort of drops with the security of mtb flats, has provisions for rack mounting if you decide to make it a grocery hauler, can be fitted with super skinnies and spd pedals if you want to make it a go-really-fast bike.

If you expect to pay 2-300 squid for a road bike, at least a new one, youre out of luck. Double those figures and youll be spot on. Used can be a pita, but its almost always possible to find something for 50% off retail with low miles, that some schmuck bought and never rode.


*sounds stereotypical from me, but check my history, I rarely suggest a SS for a new bike purchaser.

Quote from: M3ta7h3adHybrids all tend to be flat barred bikes

If you want the drop bars and sti shifters, consider getting an audax bike. They can take a bit more of a beating than a normal road bike (wider tyres if needed, and mudguard braze ons).

Ribble have some really really nice custom made bikes for around Ã,£495 on their website.

Then again Ive seen that claud butler advertised for Ã,£249 so depends on your budget too.

Edit: just saw your budget so fair enough dont go for the ribble

If your only riding on tarmac, get a road bike Hybrids are for bike trails and stuffs.

alot of generalisations there, hybrids are NOT for bike trails and stuff...

They are a more relaxed geometry for cruising about on - both on and off road (in the loosest sense of the word), they are the best bike for someone who wants a bike to do a number of tasks.

The focus ariba or the focus cariboo peak (for 400 quid) look class and are avaliable from Wiggle.

A 500 quid rode bike is silly to be honest, unless you will only ever go on road - and that is never usually the case... I know my ribble (636 quid) is a road only machine - the wheels i got at that price aint up to even uneven roads. A road bike (even an audax) limits your options.

go for something like the focus - you wont regret it.

EDIT: i KNOW  you said road bike, but as youll only have one bike, a compromise is the best way to go.

Quote from: maximusotterIf its flat where you live, then a Redline 9-2-5* is in order. Simple, comfy drop bars, and mudguards for your Atlantic weather:



Mount some big ass bear trap pedals, and enjoy a bike that can be ridden on a whim, instead of needing a penguin suit.

List price is $500 stateside.

Reasons for recommendation: simple so it wont break, fast-ish, but not fragile, doesnt need special clothing, h-bars combine the comfort of drops with the security of mtb flats, has provisions for rack mounting if you decide to make it a grocery hauler, can be fitted with super skinnies and spd pedals if you want to make it a go-really-fast bike.

If you expect to pay 2-300 squid for a road bike, at least a new one, youre out of luck. Double those figures and youll be spot on. Used can be a pita, but its almost always possible to find something for 50% off retail with low miles, that some schmuck bought and never rode.


*sounds stereotypical from me, but check my history, I rarely suggest a SS for a new bike purchaser.

Max - that looks cosmic, id go for that if i could/needed such a machine...

Quote from: BadabingMax - that looks cosmic, id go for that if i could/needed such a machine...

No no no! Heres the bike you need:

QuoteRollo?

Who the hell is Rollo, where did he come from, and who let him in?

If Rollo was a genius walking amongst mere mortals, he would be Moab?s Bill G. moving 2-ton boulders by sheer force of brainpower. If Rollo was a musician he would be Tom Waits singing ?Get Behind The Mule.? If Rollo was an animal he would be a 3-toed sloth hanging from a tree in South America. If Rollo was a bartender he would be the deceased owner of the Persian Zam Zam Room or the very alive Bill at the Silver Peso. If Rollo was Italian, he would resemble the existential philosopher known as Fulvio. If you wanted to meet Rollo right now, he?s in the cheapest bleacher seats at a Milwaukee Brewers game.

Rollo is all of these and none of them. Rollo is also an angry young clown and he?ll be damned if he?s gonna wear Lycra or care about what the metallurgical content of frame tubing is, or what kind of stinkin? rear derailleur is missing from his bike. Rollo is all about the bigger, scarier picture. If you think Rollo could be your buddy, then he might just be your next bike.

:mrgreen:

Quote from: maximusotter

Quote from: BadabingMax - that looks cosmic, id go for that if i could/needed such a machine...

No no no! Heres the bike you need:

QuoteRollo?

Who the hell is Rollo, where did he come from, and who let him in?

If Rollo was a genius walking amongst mere mortals, he would be Moab?s Bill G. moving 2-ton boulders by sheer force of brainpower. If Rollo was a musician he would be Tom Waits singing ?Get Behind The Mule.? If Rollo was an animal he would be a 3-toed sloth hanging from a tree in South America. If Rollo was a bartender he would be the deceased owner of the Persian Zam Zam Room or the very alive Bill at the Silver Peso. If Rollo was Italian, he would resemble the existential philosopher known as Fulvio. If you wanted to meet Rollo right now, he?s in the cheapest bleacher seats at a Milwaukee Brewers game.

Rollo is all of these and none of them. Rollo is also an angry young clown and he?ll be damned if he?s gonna wear Lycra or care about what the metallurgical content of frame tubing is, or what kind of stinkin? rear derailleur is missing from his bike. Rollo is all about the bigger, scarier picture. If you think Rollo could be your buddy, then he might just be your next bike.

:mrgreen:

youve lost me...  :hunf:

You have too many serious bikes, you need a silly one. I used to ride around Olympia Washington on an ancient French mixte ;with flowers painted on it. It was unstealable, as if somebody took it, another person would steal it back and leave at the Eastside Club Tavern for me to claim.

Quote from: maximusotterYou have too many serious bikes, you need a silly one. I used to ride around Olympia Washington on an ancient French mixte ;with flowers painted on it. It was unstealable, as if somebody took it, another person would steal it back and leave at the Eastside Club Tavern for me to claim.

id ride one of them, with my 3/4 length pants on, hawaiian shirt and sandals... just get rid of the head thing on the handlebars.