£800 road bike suggestions?

[The Oracle]

Hi,
I have £800 to spend - at a push £1000. I don't know enough about biking to
build my own so I need to buy a complete bike - ready to go . I am getting
the feel from some of the discussions here that the Giant OCR is a good one
and the Specialised Allez too. I am a beginner at road racing and want to
buy something that'll both get me started and see me through to some races
when I get mor experienced. Am I thinking along the right lines with the
models I suggested?

Thanks guys!!

[Nigel Heels]

I would go for something with 21 or 24 speeds, verily light Aluminum frame,
I like Trek and Cannondale personally... But on Ebay I know you can buy some
new bikes with not too bad hardware for a good price..



"The Oracle" > wrote in message
...
> Hi,
> I have £800 to spend - at a push £1000. I don't know enough about biking
to
> build my own so I need to buy a complete bike - ready to go . I am getting
> the feel from some of the discussions here that the Giant OCR is a good
one
> and the Specialised Allez too. I am a beginner at road racing and want to
> buy something that'll both get me started and see me through to some races
> when I get mor experienced. Am I thinking along the right lines with the
> models I suggested?
>
> Thanks guys!!
>
>
>

[Just zis Guy, you know?]

On Sat, 26 Jul 2003 14:47:55 +0100, "The Oracle"
> wrote:

>Am I thinking along the right lines with the
>models I suggested?

The first thign to do is find a local bike shop that specialises in
road bikes (like A W Cycles in Caversham, but I bet you don't live
close to Reading) and get measured. Once you've got a comprehensive
bike fit analysis you will know which models will fit, then you can
set about test-riding them.

AW have many top bikes in stock. If your LBS has only a couple of
road bikes and not necessarily in your size, try going slightly
further afield. My analysis from here & the other cycling NGs is that
it's very easy to buy a bike which looks good on paper but when it
arrives the geometry is just not right. A grand is a lot of cash.
When I bought a bike for that kind of money I went to a shop over 60
miles away.

Personal opinion, YMMV, usual disclaimers, but I vote for going
somewhere they know road bikes and let you try them.

Guy
===
** WARNING ** This posting may contain traces of irony.
http://www.chapmancentral.com
[currently offline awaiting ADSL transfer to new ISP]

[A Lee]

Nigel Heels > wrote:
Snips
> "The Oracle" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Hi,
> > I have £800 to spend - at a push £1000. I don't know enough about biking

> I would go for something with 21 or 24 speeds, verily light Aluminum frame,
> I like Trek and Cannondale personally... But on Ebay I know you can buy some
> new bikes with not too bad hardware for a good price..

21 or 24 gears?
That means 7 or 8 speed at the back.
You'll be pushed to find a bike over £500 without 9 speed now.

To the original poster, any of the 'big' names give good quality
reliable bikes.The spec. on all of them is roughly the same.The main
difference is between Campag and Shimano equipment,after that, between a
'compact' or std. frame,and steel/ally, and then it comes down the
colour of the bike.
Whatever you buy at that price will be good.
Just go out and buy what you like the best.
Alan.

--
Change the 'minus' to 'plus' to reply by e-mail.
http://www.dvatc.co.uk - Off-road Cycling in the North Midlands.

[Micheal Ra]

"Just zis Guy, you know?" > wrote in message >...
>
> The first thign to do is find a local bike shop that specialises in
> road bikes (like A W Cycles in Caversham, but I bet you don't live
> close to Reading) and get measured. Once you've got a comprehensive
> bike fit analysis you will know which models will fit, then you can
> set about test-riding them.
>
What exactly is this "comprehensive bike fit analysis"? When I bought
the Chilliwack from AW about 11 months ago they just looked at me and
said that I'd need the biggest frame (56cm), which they didn't have
prepared at that time. They had the bike prepared when I returned a
couple of days later. I tried the bike out; it was comfortable and so
I bought it. Since then I've raised the saddle quite a lot and it's
become even more comfortable.

Mr. Chilliwack

[Erdefen]

The Oracle wrote:

> Hi,
> I have £800 to spend - at a push £1000. I don't know enough about biking to
> build my own so I need to buy a complete bike - ready to go . I am getting
> the feel from some of the discussions here that the Giant OCR is a good one
> and the Specialised Allez too. I am a beginner at road racing and want to
> buy something that'll both get me started and see me through to some races
> when I get mor experienced. Am I thinking along the right lines with the
> models I suggested?
>
> Thanks guys!!

Have a look in Halfords they have a racer a TDF2003 Apollo, yellow with
aluminium frame for approx £250. I was sorely tempted when looking for a tourer
but fortunately head ruled the heart and I bought a Raleigh P4000 for the same
price.
Good Luck
Erdefen


--
(Antispam, drop pants to EMail)
All outgoing Emails checked for Virus with Norton.

[W K]

"The Oracle" > wrote in message
...
> Hi,
> I have £800 to spend - at a push £1000. I don't know enough about biking
to
> build my own so I need to buy a complete bike - ready to go . I am getting
> the feel from some of the discussions here that the Giant OCR is a good
one
> and the Specialised Allez too.

Even though many people hate "ribble", thats where I'd go.
Many bad tales of poor mail order service, but if you live anywhere near
preston its probably worth going and you'll get more bike for your money.

OTOH I was there once, empty shop, a customer ordering a bike had just left.
The blokes working there were having an impromptu customer services review:
inc: "so, you think I sounded like a didn't give a ****"

[Just zis Guy, you know?]

On 27 Jul 2003 00:44:40 -0700, (Micheal Ra) wrote:

>What exactly is this "comprehensive bike fit analysis"?

It's a computerised bike fitting tool - not unlike the one at
http://www.wrenchscience.com but operated by trained staf so the
measurements should be accurate.

>When I bought
>the Chilliwack from AW about 11 months ago they just looked at me and
>said that I'd need the biggest frame (56cm),

For a bike of that kind that's perfectly adequate, but for a road bike
it may well not be.

Guy
===
** WARNING ** This posting may contain traces of irony.
http://www.chapmancentral.com
[currently offline awaiting ADSL transfer to new ISP]

[Pete Biggs]

Just zis Guy, you know? wrote:

>> What exactly is this "comprehensive bike fit analysis"?
>
> It's a computerised bike fitting tool - not unlike the one at
> http://www.wrenchscience.com but operated by trained staf so the
> measurements should be accurate.

But appropriate? How does the program know what suits the rider? There
is not one single ideal riding position for everyone.

~PB

[Just zis Guy, you know?]

On Sun, 27 Jul 2003 18:26:09 +0100, "Pete Biggs"
> wrote:

>> It's a computerised bike fitting tool - not unlike the one at
>> http://www.wrenchscience.com but operated by trained staf so the
>> measurements should be accurate.

>But appropriate? How does the program know what suits the rider? There
>is not one single ideal riding position for everyone.

That's where the Trained Operator comes in ;-)

I've used the wrenchscience tool to set up bikes; it's pretty good.
Certainly good enough that you are straight into millimetric
adjustments rather than "raise saddle by three inches."

Guy
===
** WARNING ** This posting may contain traces of irony.
http://www.chapmancentral.com
[currently offline awaiting ADSL transfer to new ISP]

[David E. Belcher]

"The Oracle" > wrote in message >...
> Hi,
> I have £800 to spend - at a push £1000. I don't know enough about biking to
> build my own so I need to buy a complete bike - ready to go . I am getting
> the feel from some of the discussions here that the Giant OCR is a good one
> and the Specialised Allez too.

Couple of sources not to be overlooked;

(a) Previous years' models in sales - can get you a little bit more
bike
(spec-wise, not literally - unless you happen upon some really good
offers on tandems!!) for your money, yet aren't old hat technically.
Big mail order specialists like, say, F. W. Evans, Geoffrey Butler and
J. E. James offer good deals from time to time on such bikes
(including ones from both of the makers you mention) - worth buying
Cycling Weekly to keep an eye out for offers.
(b) The S/H market in a couple of weeks time. Around that time of
year, CW and other mags seem to have lots of classified ads for
top-end road bikes being flogged off cheaply, bought by people
'inspired' by Le Tour on telly, but trying to get back some of their
money after the initial excitement wore off, they realised that
cycling was a bit like hard work, or a mix of both ;-)

David E. Belcher

[dannyfrankszzz]

Save yourself some trouble and buy your bike from:

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/

You get the best value for your £, no arguments.

Their service wasn't great but when the bike did eventually arrive, I
was very pleased. Go for one of the deals advertised in the back of
cycling weekly.



--
>--------------------------<
Posted via cyclingforums.com
http://www.cyclingforums.com

[NIGEL]

I have just bought a new road bike for around £900 pounds, and would
recommend if you live any where near London that you pay a visit to
Condor cycles(gray's inn road, www.condorcycles.com).

I bought an italian veloce with alu frame, carbon forks and Camp'
velcoe groupset

The bike is handbuilt in the shop for you, so you specify a change of
components if needed, rather than a mass produced bike from the far
east.

I have ridden nearly 500 miles in the last month or so and have to say
it is one of the best most comfortable bikes I have ridden...even on
the awful back roads of Kent.




"The Oracle" > wrote in message >...
> Hi,
> I have £800 to spend - at a push £1000. I don't know enough about biking to
> build my own so I need to buy a complete bike - ready to go . I am getting
> the feel from some of the discussions here that the Giant OCR is a good one
> and the Specialised Allez too. I am a beginner at road racing and want to
> buy something that'll both get me started and see me through to some races
> when I get mor experienced. Am I thinking along the right lines with the
> models I suggested?
>
> Thanks guys!!

[Arthur Clune]

dannyfrankszzz > wrote:
: Save yourself some trouble and buy your bike from:

: http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/

: You get the best value for your £, no arguments.


True, but I'd add the very big rider *ONLY IF YOU CAN GO IN PERSON*.

Do NOT deal with them mail order - they are awful beyond belief.

I'd say that a new rider is better going to a good shop though -
if the OP says where they live then we might be able to recommened
one between us.

Arthur

[Jim Price]

The Oracle wrote:

> Hi,
> I have £800 to spend - at a push £1000. I don't know enough about biking to
> build my own so I need to buy a complete bike - ready to go . I am getting
> the feel from some of the discussions here that the Giant OCR is a good one
> and the Specialised Allez too. I am a beginner at road racing and want to
> buy something that'll both get me started and see me through to some races
> when I get mor experienced. Am I thinking along the right lines with the
> models I suggested?

If you've ridden them, you like them, and they fit, that sounds fine. My
current choice would be a 2002 model Lemond Buenos Aires which currently
scrapes in just inside your limit with the £350 discount off the list
price (being last years model), but is only available in one size (mine
at that!). As its available from an online shop which also has a
physical shop, it should be possible to try it out before placing an
order. I can't afford it, sadly.

--
Jim Price

http://www.jimprice.dsl.pipex.com

Conscientious objection is hard work in an economic war.

[Michael MacClancy]

In message >, Micheal Ra
> writes
>"Just zis Guy, you know?" > wrote in message
>...
>
>> It's a computerised bike fitting tool - not unlike the one at
>> http://www.wrenchscience.com but operated by trained staf so the
>> measurements should be accurate.
>Thanks for the link. I'll try making some of those measurements and
>see what it comes up with.
>
>> For a bike of that kind that's perfectly adequate, but for a road bike
>> it may well not be.
>So what criteria are used to decide whether a bike fit analysis is
>appropriate?
>
>Mr. Chilliwack

It's worth it for road bikes where you typically spend many hours in the
same position, less valuable for mountain bike type frames where people
tend to spend time off and on the saddle and make more adjustments to
saddle position anyway.

For road bikes the fit is important both for comfort and because of the
increased importance of transferring power from the body to the machine.
--
Michael MacClancy

[prjones]

"The Oracle" > wrote in message >...

> I have £800 to spend - at a push £1000. I don't know enough about biking to
> build my own so I need to buy a complete bike - ready to go ....
> ... I am a beginner at road racing and want to buy something that'll
> both get me started and see me through to some races when I get more
> experienced. Am I thinking along the right lines ...?


Greetings Oracle,

Are you thinking along the right lines?
Dunno, but my thoughts plead a little patience and run along slightly
different lines.

With respect, I suggest you become a little less green. Keep your
powder dry until you (who have the money) know enough to discuss with
those who will sell you something what it is that you want, rather
than allowing those who want the money to tell you what it is you
want.

Let me illustrate how these insights might be cheaply gained. A visit
to my weekly auction last night yielded to me (for £2 each!) a pair of
tidy lightweight (13kg each) road bikes, 21" and 23" frames, one a
10-speed and the other a 12-speed, one with 170mm cranks the other
175mm.

Armed with some coins make a similar auction visit. By ringing the
changes on a small collection of such bikes (interchanging different
seats and seat posts, stems, and cranks etc), and by riding the
permutations extensively, one would soon gain, at virtually no cost, a
clearer idea of what one wanted and what one was comfortable with. Use
a tape measure and keep a notebook of sketches and dimensions.

You might even want to do some initial races on these "mules" --
there's no reason why they should be real clunkers.

A visit to the bike shop of your choice in due course armed with that
notebook and tape measure should ensure that when you do spend your
£800 you are not disappointed: what you buy will be governed by your
head and not by your heart.

Best wishes
prjones

[Arthur Clune]

prjones > wrote:

: Let me illustrate how these insights might be cheaply gained. A visit
: to my weekly auction last night yielded to me (for £2 each!) a pair of
: tidy lightweight (13kg each) road bikes, 21" and 23" frames, one a
: 10-speed and the other a 12-speed, one with 170mm cranks the other
: 175mm.

I disagree strongly.

For someone who hasn't cycled much before, they are far more likely to
keep it going if they get to ride a nice bike to start with.

You need a lot of knowledge before you can buy a second hand bike cheaply
and get anything other than a complete pile of ****e. When you have the
knowledge, yes, you can get some real bargins but it's not the way for
a begineer to go.

And I certainly wouldn't fancy doing a road race on a 13kg bike myself :)
Or indeed on a 5-speed block.

Arthur

[The Oracle]

Interesting points from both you gentlemen. Thankyou both for your time in
helping me.
Steve

"Arthur Clune" > wrote in message
...
> prjones > wrote:
>
> : Let me illustrate how these insights might be cheaply gained. A visit
> : to my weekly auction last night yielded to me (for £2 each!) a pair of
> : tidy lightweight (13kg each) road bikes, 21" and 23" frames, one a
> : 10-speed and the other a 12-speed, one with 170mm cranks the other
> : 175mm.
>
> I disagree strongly.
>
> For someone who hasn't cycled much before, they are far more likely to
> keep it going if they get to ride a nice bike to start with.
>
> You need a lot of knowledge before you can buy a second hand bike cheaply
> and get anything other than a complete pile of ****e. When you have the
> knowledge, yes, you can get some real bargins but it's not the way for
> a begineer to go.
>
> And I certainly wouldn't fancy doing a road race on a 13kg bike myself :)
> Or indeed on a 5-speed block.
>
> Arthur
>