What Road Bike?

LordSplodge · 11 Jul 2007 at 20:23

Dragging my GT Mountain Bike to work each day as a commuter is getting to be a right royal drag. So, I was thinking of getting a roadie to get to work as well as to go on longer road runs for enjoyment.

I will put aside some cash, probably about the same as I put aside for the GT. So around £500-£600

The only problem I have is I am clueless when it comes to road groupsets etc. I know my XT from my LX, my Trutativ from my Suntour.

Any roadies care to help a confused MTB'er out?

LordSplodge · 11 Jul 2007 at 22:49

Raymond Lin said:
Rather than getting a roadbike, have you tried slicks on your MTB already with a lock out forks ?

I tried slicks and locked out the fork. Although that did help to some extent I'd still rather have two dedicated bikes doing the best job rather than one that has to do both jobs.

It also becomes a pain in the backside to swap the tyres at the weekend when I want to hit the rough stuff.

Also, I fancy having a go at the open time trials here in Derby. The club may look at me a bit odd if I turn up on a MTB with slicks and the fork locked out.

Besides if I don't spend the cash the wife may try to get her hands on it!

LordSplodge · 12 Jul 2007 at 15:05

I was looking at this. Specialized Allez

Spec said:
Frame: Specialized A1 Premium Aluminium fully manipulated tubing compact road design frame with integrated headset and hourglass speedstays
Fork: Specialized carbon fork with carbon fibre legs and Aluminium steerer
Gears: Shimano Sora front and Shimano Tiagra long cage rear derailleurs
Shifters: Shimano Sora
Chainset: Shimano Sora triple crankset
Brakes: Dual pivot forged alloy brakes with cartridge multi-condition pads
Wheels: Jalco GX460 alloy triple wall rims with machined sidewalls and indicator grooves built on Specialized alloy hubs
Tyres: Specialized Mondo 700x23C wire bead tyres
Handlebars: Specialized Comp 6061 alloy short-reach drop bars
Stem: Specialized Sport 3D forged alloy stem
Saddle: Specialized Comp Road saddle
Seatpost: Specialized carbon fibre post
Pedals/Extras: Composite body alloy cage pedals with toe clips and straps

LordSplodge · 12 Jul 2007 at 15:44

radikal_dj said:
Looks decent to me. Cycle Surgery have it for £499 - i'd still go for the Schwinn.

My LBS has the Allez for £499 as well. I want to make sure I get the right fit as I have quite long legs for my height. So, unless I find a real bargain on-line, I will be buying from an LBS or Almost LBS!

I don't think the Schwinn looks as goos as the Specialized though...

LordSplodge · 12 Jul 2007 at 18:39

monkeypants said:
If you're just using it for commuting and stuff, go to Halfords and get a Carrera. That's what I've done, they've got some really good deals on at the moment too.

There's no point spending £500 when you can get something that performs the same for half that.

Well if it was just a commuter then that would make sense.

However, I am planning on giving some Time Trials a go. Cycling has improved my asthma to the point where it is no longer a problem, and I fancy taking my favourite hobby to the next level!

Also, I get everywhere via bike and at the moment have to cycle from work to the hospital for UV therapy twice a week. The weight and gearing on the GT leaves me maxing out at around 18-20mph.

Road bike for the road and MTB for the trails.

LordSplodge · 12 Jul 2007 at 21:25

Edinho said:
I have a road bike, and I really hate commuting on it. On a road forget kerbs, sharp cornering, snickets... etc. Ive stopped using it for work atm just to dangerous, until I can get a HT MTB. Road bikes are generally for racing not commuting. Dont get me wrong love my road bike but just not commuting.

Cycling to work on a Hardtail MTB isn't a lot of fun, even if you change the tyres and lockout the forks. I know I have done it for 3 years on two different Hardtails.

I could opt for a Tourer or Comfort but to be honest the route to work is on road, and I don't need to carry anything. Even if I did I have a seatpost quick release pannier rack that would fit, Don't need to fit mudguards neither...

As I have stated I cycle to 90% of the places I go and the MTB is just too slow and heavy. Plus as stated I want to give Time Trials/Racing a go.

LordSplodge · 13 Jul 2007 at 09:09

squiffy said:
If you're riding to work I would seriously recommend you buy full length guards (my roadie hasn't got them, tourer has) Unless you like to arrive at work filthy with road much on your face, chest, hair, back and arse. Even if you wear waterproofs you'll be filthy, and not fun.

I've rode in the wet during torrential rain on the tourer and it's not problem. The only water that goes on you is clean rainwater. Do the same on the roadie and different story.

Can the Specialized Allez take full length mud guards then?

LordSplodge · 13 Jul 2007 at 10:18

squiffy said:
I don't know. The Giant SCR has clearence for guards. I would also consider panniers down the line (don't realize how great they are till you have them) Instead of carrying weight on your back it's on the bike. Lower CoQ, comfier, and safer. Although if you're just carrying waterproofs, not things like shopping a backpack will do.

I have a pannier rack that mounts via quick release, and it is designed for both mountain bike seat posts and road bikes. Although I will probably keep that for the MTB as the wider tyres make carrying more weight easier...if somewhat slower.

LordSplodge · 13 Jul 2007 at 13:19

squiffy said:
False economy. Buy a decent set of robust wheels instead. £100/set at the very least.

One of the first things manafacturers cut corners on to save money on entry level bikes is the wheels/hubs.

So, as Squiffy says - get a good wheelset!

LordSplodge · 13 Jul 2007 at 20:41

Jonny ///M said:
What sort of money do you need to spend to get a decent bike,like personally it hink £500 is the minimum i would spend on an Xc bike that things wont just fall apart on would it be the same for roadies or do you need a bigger budget?

I also think £500 is the minimum spend to avoid components that will self destruct after 100 miles (read Sora)

False economy if you ask me spending less. Better to spend more, if you can...

Already looking at a Specialized Allez Sport or Elite rather than the entry level model...

LordSplodge · 13 Jul 2007 at 22:41

What about this?

http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70440

* Frame: TC07-VIA NIRONE 7 Alu - sloping geometry
* Forks: Bianchi FL5 Carbon/Al
* Gears: Campagnolo MIRAGE QS front\ Campagnolo MIRAGE rear derailleurs
* Shifters: Campagnolo MIRAGE QS / ESCAPE 10s
* Chainset: FSA GOSSAMER MegaExo Double 53/39
* Brakes: Bianchi RC-461 E
* Wheels: Michelin hubs on Ambrosio rims
* Tyres: Continental ULTRA SPORT 23x622 rigid
* Handlebars: ITM 300 SuperOver
* Stem: DA-32 3D forged alloy
* Saddle: San Marco PONZA steel
* Pedals/Extras: Look 206 pedals

I can't bring myself to spend less than i did on my GT!

LordSplodge · 16 Jul 2007 at 17:30

What's the road bike equivalent of LX kit? I don't want to go lower than this...

LordSplodge · 16 Jul 2007 at 20:29

squiffy said:
Looking at the price, Sora (Around £75 for Sora shifter/brake, same for LX flatbar shifter/brake)

But isn't Sora the bottom Shimano drivetrain?

I have decided to not go lower than Tiagra. However, i have read that Campo drivetrain is better but as an MTB'er i have no experience...

LordSplodge · 18 Jul 2007 at 12:59

6thElement said:
Oops, typo'd, I was thinking one thing and typed the other

The Shimano 105 is supposedly very good, that's probably about LX in MTB terms.
As below in ascending order (there might be even lower on Shimano...).

Isn't LX only a couple up from the bottom Shimano MTB groupset? Av..something,Deore, LX, XT, XTR?

LordSplodge · 22 Jul 2007 at 10:49

6thElement said:
XTR >XT> LX > Deore > Alivio > Acera > Altus > Tourney
Not including Saint or Hone

www.shimano.com
www.sram.com
www.campagnolo.com

Corrected!