 Hi, just found out my employer does a cycle to work scheme so I'm in the market for another bike. I'm sorted for an mtb and have just built up a singlespeed Cotic Roadrat with disks and 38c tyres for quick road/offroad blasts so I'm looking for a more pure road bike to do longer rides at the weekend. I'm thinking of spending around £600-700, so what should I be looking for spec-wise, and any full-bike recommendations? I've done a bit of research so far and have come up with the Trek 1.5, specialized allez and boardman comp as starting points. Any suggestions appreciated.
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I would personally look for a minimum spec of at least full 105 group-set, and hopefully with ultegra hubs. Decent set of tyres like the Michelin Pro 3. Difference it would make is noticeable. Try some of the smaller bike shops who have the frames made and then built to a nice bike to get better value, Ribble is one.
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Cheers XCman. I'll be limited to a list of local shops so I'll go and have a look at the brands they stock this week but i might also be able to get them to order stuff in. Btw - What's the mtb equivilent groupset to 105/ultegra? (deore, lx, xt?)
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oh, and what's the difference between a standard and 'compact' road bike? 
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 105 = LX Ultegra = XT Compact chainsets give you lousy chainlines around 35km/hr. A conventional double or triple is a better bet IMO. Edit: and by "Compact road" Giant mean "sloping". A sloping top tube like an MTB. I've got Giant TCR and it feels no different to a convetional design with a horizontal top tube when I'm sitting on it.
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| Edited: 07/04/08 09:14 |
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Cheers all. I stopped in at the lbs yesterday (one on my cyclescheme list) and had a look at a few options. I liked the look of the bianchi via nirone 7 (will obviously need to test a few first) so now i have to think what spec I need. They were doing the sora for £525, the xenon for £595 and Via nirone with 105 for £775, but i could get them to order others if needed. I'm now also in the whole campag vs shimano debate, so... Which of those look best value? Campag or Shimano? and what's the minimum I should get in order to prevent me from upgrading for a few years (XCman mentioned 105 as a good minimum - what would be the campag minimum?)
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 Sora and Tiagra would feel a bit basic I think but 105 is excellent Campag' I'd say Centuar minimum
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I've just ordered the Specialized Allez Sport double 2007 from paulscycles. reduced from £699 to £499. Seemed like a bargain to me.
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 I've got a 54cm 2007 Specialize Allez Double you can have for £250. Its the same as the 2008 model. Only done about 1000 miles. Excellent condition. Absolutely awesome bike. Carbon forks, carbon seatpost.
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Thanks but as I'm 6'3 that'd be a tad small for me! I think I'm pretty much settled on a Bianchi Via Nirone C2C 105 now - just have to sort out the cycle-to-work scheme stuff now and should be able to order next week.
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