For all the main manufactureres at that price there will not be a lot of difference between them component quality wise, I'd go for in this order 1) whats most comfortable 2) what one you think looks the best.
Haggis I am currently riding one of these. I bought it as a compromise racing/commuting bike as it is one of the few that can take mudguards and a rack if necessary.
I haven't been able to fault it. For the price it is a good bike and I reckon it will see me through my first attempts at tri. Only thing I have changed is the saddle.
I would agree with Ava - try it out - most bike shops will let you ride it for half an hour to see if you like it.
If it can take full mudguards then it's a winner i reckon. Full mudguards make winter riding soooo much nicer and cleaning the bike and yourself a lot quicker.
Sort of an audax type geometry hasn't it - nothing wrong with it but if you did want to do tri it's probably not ideal - very long head tube and relaxed seat tube angle.
Sort of an audax type geometry hasn't it - nothing wrong with it but if you did want to do tri it's probably not ideal - very long head tube and relaxed seat tube angle.
Not conducive to getting a good aero position with tri bars. Higher front end the seat tube angle means the angle of the thighs/torso wouldn't be as open as other bikes - you'd be bent in half more so more difficult to get the power down.
Wouldn't matter to some people - others would find it limiting. Not knocking it - I've just bought a bike with similar geometry - wouldn't be able to get a good time trialling position on it though - horses for courses.
I think sometimes it depends on what tyres you have and what brake calipers you use. I have a frame with mudguard eyes that wont take Conti 4 seasons 23mm and the narrowest SKS guards - crap really considering it was sold as a winter frame. It just about takes mudguards with some tyres though any sort of muck collects under the front guard it rubs.
Popsider - thank you. I have one of them and given a choice would sit massively more upright than I do.
Would this explain why I find it comfortable to hold it a couple of inches back from the horns? Mine is a gents small. I'm not convinced I'm not over reaching but the bike shop says it fits well. I wonder if my feelings about it are perceived rather than actual. I don't find it uncomfortable to ride espcially but not really ridden many road miles on it or raced yet.
Have you tried flipping your stem over so it points upwards rather than downwards ? Apologies if that sounds really obvious - if you haven't it's only a 10 minute job and would raise the bars a fair bit.
Comments
1) whats most comfortable
2) what one you think looks the best.
I am currently riding one of these. I bought it as a compromise racing/commuting bike as it is one of the few that can take mudguards and a rack if necessary.
I haven't been able to fault it. For the price it is a good bike and I reckon it will see me through my first attempts at tri. Only thing I have changed is the saddle.
I would agree with Ava - try it out - most bike shops will let you ride it for half an hour to see if you like it.
What does that mean?
Wouldn't matter to some people - others would find it limiting. Not knocking it - I've just bought a bike with similar geometry - wouldn't be able to get a good time trialling position on it though - horses for courses.
Would this explain why I find it comfortable to hold it a couple of inches back from the horns? Mine is a gents small. I'm not convinced I'm not over reaching but the bike shop says it fits well. I wonder if my feelings about it are perceived rather than actual. I don't find it uncomfortable to ride espcially but not really ridden many road miles on it or raced yet.