New Entry Level Road bike suggestions

[widowmaker]

Hi all

I am looking to get a new Roadbike, saving the retro Raleigh for special occasions, I think the old girl needs a rest

Budget is around £500 mark, so entry level. Just want something that's not too heavy, a decent frame with gears able to cope with the hills of Dorset and something that will last a good few years with the possibility of upgrading components when they wear out.

I did search second hand for something like a Giant OCR, but thought a new one would be a safer bet.



My shortlist so far from the big 3


Giant Defy 5
Specialized Allez
Trek 1.1

Would be interested in anyone who has ridden these.

Any others people would recommend, Dawes etc

 

[fjpshaw]

Re:

I bought my first road bike last summer. Same as you, wanted an entry level but with potential in case I got bitten by the bug!

Went for a Cannondale CAAD8 (alu frame/carbon fork). Think it cost me just under £500 as an end of season model. I did a bit of reading beforehand, and the CAAD frames seem to get great reviews and are very upgradeable. Stock groupset was 2300 which was ok, but I quickly changed to 105. Next will be the wheels, but I still don't know what I'll go for.

One thing I'll say about the CAAD frames is that they have quite an 'aggressive' geometry compared to some others. But since I've never known anything else, I get on well with it. It's a great ride - I'd happily buy another Cannondale.

 

[widowmaker]

Re:

Thanks, I never thought about a Cannondale.

Ill see what's in their range and add to the shortlist

Edit

The CAAD8 looks very nice

 

[Wold Ranger]

Re:

Putting a wanted ad' up on here, will yield you far more bang for your bucks. Trouble is at £500 ish, "new buy," weight will be an issue and spoil your enjoyment. Things like hubs and headsets will also be on the ropey side.
End of season is always the best time to pick up a bargain though, with dealers looking to clear last years models, at big discounts.
If you can scrape up around £8/900 you will get a much better machine and component, which will save you upgrading in the future.
Another good way is to buy a good modern frame, off Ebay, then collect components as and when funds/opportunity allow?
Hope this helps?

 

[widowmaker]

Re: Re:

Putting a wanted ad' up on here, will yield you far more bang for your bucks. Trouble is at £500 ish, "new buy," weight will be an issue and spoil your enjoyment. Things like hubs and headsets will also be on the ropey side.
End of season is always the best time to pick up a bargain though, with dealers looking to clear last years models, at big discounts.
If you can scrape up around £8/900 you will get a much better machine and component, which will save you upgrading in the future.
Another good way is to buy a good modern frame, off Ebay, then collect components as and when funds/opportunity allow?
Hope this helps?

Thanks !

I initially thought of spending £200 second hand, but have been a little 'scarred' by buying second hand before

 

[Wold Ranger]

Re:

Sorry to sound a bit negative on you buying new, but a £500 bike will weigh 9kg plus, if not 10 plus, which with a lot of this weight, being in the cheap wheels and tyres, will be hard work on the hills.
Most members on here are pretty honest and you would have some comeback, via bad feedback, so most bikes are exactly as described.
Cheap (AND HEAVY) bikes are the main reason why so many "would be" enthusiasts soon lose interest in riding, regardless of the genre. Mekk do some nice carbon framed complete bikes at under 1K new, these have a good reputation.

 

[widowmaker]

Re: Re:

Sorry to sound a bit negative on you buying new, but a £500 bike will weigh 9kg plus, if not 10 plus, which with a lot of this weight, being in the cheap wheels and tyres, will be hard work on the hills.
Most members on here are pretty honest and you would have some comeback, via bad feedback, so most bikes are exactly as described.
Cheap (AND HEAVY) bikes are the main reason why so many "would be" enthusiasts soon lose interest in riding, regardless of the genre. Mekk do some nice carbon framed complete bikes at under 1K new, these have a good reputation.

Not negative at all mate

I know there is a wealth of knowledge on here which is why I posted, rather than a few reviews online and the sales people trying to sell you their chosen brand.

 

[jimo746]

Re:

I had a go on a friends Spesh Allez last week, and it wasn't bad at all.
For around that price it looks like a pretty good buy tbh.

 

[widowmaker]

Re: Re:

I had a go on a friends Spesh Allez last week, and it wasn't bad at all.
For around that price it looks like a pretty good buy tbh.

I have heard good things about them, was it heavy/light ?

 

[jimo746]

Re:

I don't know the weight of it, it didn't feel like a brick though!
Think he had Sora parts on it (which are not bad, I use them on my Planet-X carbon frame), and it was in a matte black, which looked pretty cool