Bike Buying advice

[Paul H]

A friend of mine wants to buy a Road Racing bike and has a budget of £1000.00.

He has asked me for advice as to what to get but am not too sure so I if anybody has any suggestions, please let me know.

Ta

[Marek]

Planet X road bike is pretty good.

Cheers

Marek....

[Andrew G]

Aluminium frame, get a far superior frame in the price range. Should get a mid range groupset and decent wheels too.

I'd check out the Pinnacle and Boardman ones as they are probably pretty good in that price range due to their buying power for the rest of the build kit. If the sizes are suitable then the Focus from Wiggle have all had good reviews.

Also local bike shops, not necessarily what's on their website (if they have one) but they may have (or be able to build up) something suitable. A LBS will allow your friend a bit more pick and choose for the groupset and finishing kit rather than the Pinnacle/CB/Focus options which will be more of a "that's what it is and comes with" bike.


Got my first road bike from Pearson's (the red Ambrosio) which was very nice and then became my winter/commuting bike, only just retired but not because it wasn't working fine. It had the base groupset on and cost £600 with good Ambrosio handbuilt wheels. I'd expect you can get similar deals and for £1000 upgrade the groupset to mid-range.

[Rob C]

I got this years Focus Cayo, really rate it. Great value but it is a bit "popular". Haven't spoken to anyone with any of the cayos who thinks it's anything other then great value.

[Dominic]

It he gets down to Evans Gatwick quick, believe me you will never hear me say that again He can pick up a 2008 Tarmac Elite, carbon frame 105 bits except brakes and FSA chainset reduced from £1300 to £999.99.

Two weeks ago they had 6 in stock. I only know this as I bought one through bike2work so will be paying even less than that

I have only been out on it once for two hours BUT as a man who was sceptical of carbon, which you will appreciate if you have ever seen my other bikes Absolutely fantastic felt good when I finished ie not beat up in anyway and I even managed to work those strange Shimano levers

[kieran]

secondhand, secondhand, secondhand, my only recommendation, if he has a bit of patience and has access to the Internet.

[Dombo]

I second the Evans advice. They may not be GBs but will be knocking out old stock at decent discounts. I am slightly biased, but if you can get hold of a Lemond (now apparently discontinued) with the lifetime Trek guarantee, they are pretty good bikes. Anything you see on their internet can be delivered to your local branch for you to try.

[Paul H]

Thanks

I will recommend the Tarmac Elite and Cayo.

[Grahame]

Grahame's general bike buying advice:

Forget about the brand.
Set a budget.
Go to a (better still, several) shops.
Get measured (seriously - a "good" bike that doesn't fit will never be fun for you to ride).
Test as many bikes as you can (in the right size, for as long as you can on each one).
Foget about the brand.
Try the 2 or 3 bikes that you felt most comfortable/confident on for a longer test ride.
FORGET ABOUT THE F...IN' BRAND - OK?
Forget about the budget.
Buy the bike that you are happiest with after the test rides.
FORGET ABOUT THE F...IN BRAND! You're buyning a bike for you to ride, not for others to look at the stickers on.

[Marky Mark]

[quote="kieran"]secondhand, secondhand, secondhand, my only recommendation, if he has a bit of patience and has access to the Internet.

[sonic909]

If he looks at the 09 Boardman Range which has just been released and wants one, drop me a pm

Boardmanbikes.com is due to be updated mid to end of november.

Heres the press launch; http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/news/article/mps/uan/3570

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

[quote="Dominic"] I even managed to work those strange Shimano levers

[Grahame]

Having advocated going to a shop, I'm now going to contradict myself and say "It might be worth looking at the [url=http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/acatalog/SL_Pro_Carbon_-_Dura_Ace_Build_Unbuilt.html]Planet X website for this outrageous bargain[/url] (if it fits you)"

[Paul H]

He bought a Tarmac Elite last week in the end.

Cheers