Having never really been into cycling started commuting by bike about 9 months ago on my trusty hybrid and loved it. Last week however disaster struck and someone stole my bike! I am currently looking at replacing it but was after some advice...
I have always wanted to do triathlon (I've always been a runner) and I was thinking that this could be an opportunity to get myself a decent road bike that I could use for the odd tri.
The only hesitation I have is that I want to continue bring able to cycle to work and wasn't sure whether the skinny tyres of a road bike might make things a little shaky if I was cycling on them through the winter. I may be completely wrong here but thought that someone may be able to chip in some knowledge!
Any advice is much appreciated! Cheers!
Comments
Nah, it'd be fine.
I use a road bike all year round.
Decent tyres, a set of mudguards, and a willingness to clean occasionally, and all is fine.
magic cheers! I'll start shopping around then! Any recommendations for something entry level?
lots of others will know better than I, but don't think you'll go far wrong with the road bike entry(ish) level offerings from Specialized, Giant, etc lots of insight on Google.
Don't buy a £99 special.... get a decent frame... the add on bits can be upgraded over time, but a rubbish frame will always be a rubbish frame.
Does your employer have a 'cycle to work' scheme... worth looking at.
What sort of budget do you have in mind?
I'm due £500 back in insurance from the hybrid so somewhere in that region would be ideal...
Wiggle have some good bargains if you don`t mind the 2013 models. I got a Felt F85 for about £550 (from 799). Has some pretty robust wheels (Mavic CXP22`s) which would be good as a commuter wheel and it will take 25mm tyres. Planet X`s RT58 in alloy at £599 looks ok as well. Shop about and you can find some pretty decent bikes for £500 ish.
Planet X do a decent aluminium frame, carbon forks and full tiagra groupset for £600. Ribble have a choice of 2 aluminum frames and tiagra for a similar price.
Nothing from the big retailers will come close in value to those
Cheers guys. I will check them out and see what I am able to get hold of!
Check out the Giant Defy 4 as well. Uses same frame up to the 800 quid models so you get a chance to upgrade as finances allow. I think its around 499. Apparently a cracking frame.
For that price the BTWIN triban 5 is a cracking starter bike at £429
I'm absolutely in love with my half price Carrera from Halfords. Doing my first Tri on 1st June, and looking at a second in July if that goes well.
A basic Boardman has good spec for the money. Just don't get it serviced at Halfords!