Road bike recommendations?

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chic_mama_25
chic_mama_25 Posts: 90
in Fitness and Exercise
I am starting work in 6 weeks and need a bike to commute the 7 or so km into the City. However my man is really into cycling and wants me to get a proper road bike not just a commuter granny bike just in case we go for rides at the weekends for sport purposes.

I don't want to spend more than £800, don't care about it being female specific (I can just get a small) but I want it to be light and look pretty, good gears etc. I can get it tax free through the Cycle to Work scheme.

Who is all into cycling? Got any recommendations for me?

Replies

  • lalalalyndsey
    lalalalyndsey Posts: 565
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    My dad works for Bianchi Bicycles at the U.S. distributor... but you can order them online! They're an Italy based company... and have the best road bikes around (I may be a little biased :P). Not sure where you are located, but here is their UK site: http://www.bianchibikes.co.uk/ a little pricey, and in this case, you get what you pay for! :D
  • rjp3399
    rjp3399 Posts: 9
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    Look Up Evans they have quite a few places around the UK and you get to test ride the bikes, my son has just bought a Genesis Core which is part of Ridgeback, very light very sporty excellent gearing awesome brakes , decent suntour forks which can be locked out completely for road use or eased off for off road, Conti tyres etc etc £500, I'm a bigger guy and am looking at either a Ridgeback, Giant or Pinnacle bike all similar feaures but well built frames £369 - £519 it will come down to comfort in the end, take your time choosing it can be a costly mistake....
  • cloggsy71
    cloggsy71 Posts: 2,208 Member
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    Go and have a look at the Boardman Women's bike at Halfords. Brilliantly spec'd bikes for the money. Plus, if you buy it boxed, you don't have to get the halfwits to build it for you!

    http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_747507_langId_-1_categoryId_165710#dtab

    I've got a 2010 Boardman Team Carbon and its a beautiful bike - Quick too :happy:
  • cloggsy71
    cloggsy71 Posts: 2,208 Member
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    Have you got one?
  • cathcakey
    cathcakey Posts: 288 Member
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    I just bought the Battaglin Start road bike from wiggle.com. It's a stunning entry level road bike, fully equipped with Campagnolo gear (which you NEVER find at this level) and was on sale for £599. It's a serious steal for that money, even at its full price. I got it in small, it's unisex but I'm 5'3" and it's pretty much a perfect fit.

    Can't recommend it enough.

    Hope you find something
  • cathcakey
    cathcakey Posts: 288 Member
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    However, on a separate note, I don't actually commute on my road bike, I use a hybrid. They are generally cheaper, more robust and durable, and really designed for commuting. You should get less punctures, they can take poor road surfaces better, and they are easy to fit pannier racks etc to. They're also cheaper.

    I ride a Marin Muirwoods, and again, I really recommend.
  • rachmaree
    rachmaree Posts: 782 Member
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    When I lived in London I used a hybrid, also (Giant), and absolutely loved commuting. I was sad to sell it when I left. It was pretty light, looked good and was a great ride.
  • JennLifts
    JennLifts Posts: 1,913 Member
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    I got a Dawes lightening a couple weeks ago, it's mid range, not too pricey, and i LOVE it.
  • Lanfear
    Lanfear Posts: 524
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    I've got a Scott Contessa Speedster 35 and I love it!!!!!! She retails at £699. I'd been riding a Specialized Ariel Sport hybrid for 18 months and then upgraded at Easter and now go out of my way to cycle! Only thing is make sure you add some puncture resistance tyres.
  • cloggsy71
    cloggsy71 Posts: 2,208 Member
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    Only thing is make sure you add some puncture resistance tyres.

    Yuk :noway:

    Too heavy!

    You wouldn't buy a Ferrari and put Tractor tyres on it would you?
  • cartern1
    cartern1 Posts: 270 Member
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    I would reccomend a Specialized bike. They make great quality frames and they've always been reliable for me.

    I've had about four Specialized bikes and never had any problems - please note however that all of my bike have been Mountain Bikes.
  • georgiajuly
    georgiajuly Posts: 126
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    I use a Specialized Sequoia Elite for commuting, with Tiagra/105 components. It's an aluminum bike, suitable for light touring, and will take a rack (but not standard fenders; have to use race blades). Strip off the stuff, and it's appropriate for club rides (although I did upgrade to a Lynskey for that purpose). Alternatively, you could consider a steel touring bike, like a Trek (520, I think?) or Surly Long Haul Trucker.
    Or Jamis, of course!
  • cloggsy71
    cloggsy71 Posts: 2,208 Member
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    Have you got a bike yet; which one did you choose?
  • leilaphoenix
    leilaphoenix Posts: 839 Member
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    I absolutely adore my Ridgeback Speed (2010 model). http://www.ridgeback.co.uk/bike/speed-open-frame

    I got mine of the work scheme for about £300. I ride it to commute to work every day and also go on longer cycles where it has been great. It's a hybrid so has the tires/speed of a road bike but the gears of a mountain bike - something like that.
  • Barneystinson
    Barneystinson Posts: 1,357 Member
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    However, on a separate note, I don't actually commute on my road bike, I use a hybrid. They are generally cheaper, more robust and durable, and really designed for commuting. You should get less punctures, they can take poor road surfaces better, and they are easy to fit pannier racks etc to. They're also cheaper.

    I ride a Marin Muirwoods, and again, I really recommend.

    I sold my road bike and exclusively use a comfort hybrid for commuting. Nothing worse than being hunched over the handlebars with my work bag filled with an ancient (heavy) laptop computer, notebooks, and my lunch...

    And I haven't had a punctured tire yet! *knocks on wood*
  • Lanfear
    Lanfear Posts: 524
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    Only thing is make sure you add some puncture resistance tyres.

    Yuk :noway:

    Too heavy!

    You wouldn't buy a Ferrari and put Tractor tyres on it would you?

    LOL no I wouldn't but the tyres I put on the Scott are as skinny as the ones it came with, and weight-wise there is no difference that I can tell.

    When I picked the Scott up, I rode it home and cycled to work the following morning. When I went to cycle home, the back tyre was flat. So, with the tyres it came with, I had a puncture less than 24 hours after I rode it for the first time.

    With the Armadillo tyres from Specialised, I've been riding the bike now for over 3 months with no punctures - so to me it's more than worth a tiny bit of extra weight - and the tyres look no different to the ones originally supplied with the bike.

    :smile:

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