Best budget road bike?

[boywithathorn]

Hi all,

I'm not a serious cyclist but I'm looking at cycling to and from work. I have an option of using the bike2work scheme but figured I would purchase an entry level road bike and see how I get on. I was looking at a hybrid but tried my friend's high-end Boardman road bike and enjoyed the speed that the drop down bars provided so I'm now opting for a road bike.

After a bit of research, I've found the B'Twin RC100 and the Carrera Zelos/Virtuoso. My starting budget is around 200-300.

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bi...arrera&pageNo=1&pageSize=21&sort=we_recommend

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/rc100-road-bike-grey-id_8377732.html

Late competitor, the Brand-X

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/brand-x-road-bike/

Any advice welcome!

 

[XE11]

i test rode the RC100 and Carrerra. as much as i like decathlon stuff, i think the Zelos is better (RC100 uses a flat bar mount shifter, not intergrated like Shimano Tourney. i.e. not entirely true road bike experience in my opinion). the Brand-X is very similar to Zelos but you are getting it through post/delivery i.e. handle bar, saddle/seat post (may be even wheels) will need to put together. You probably only need a set of allen keys, but if you get it from halford, it's alll done there and you can just ride home. Mind you, Zelos was discounted to £198 no that long ago, perhaps wait for sale if you can?