UKC

I have always owned a bike since being knee high to a grass hopper and always cycled to work but since moving to Sheffield 4 years ago I stopped biking. Mainly because it's too hilly and I work in bakewell and it's just too much of a commute. However I have been thinking with bikes being on sale this time of year, I should get one even if it's just to cycle to the shops or the pub. I also thought if I bought a half decent one I could cycle to work on the odd day or try and use it for some aerobic fitness. I have my eye on two bikes:

http://www.discovercycling.com/bikes/Racing-Road-Bikes/Dawes-Giro-300-Mens-...

Cheap at £236 and would probably be good to cycle to the pub/shops etc and less likely to get pinched, but would it be any good to commute to Bakewell?

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/allez-c2-2014-road-bike-ec0...

I have hear good things about this bike, but I am forking out an extra £200 and if I don't use it for anything other than knocking around town is it really worth it? and more likely to get pinched?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Cheers

In reply to sparkass2:

i'd pay the extra but would probably get this: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fuji/touring-2015-touring-bike-ec072794

In reply to sparkass2:

My advice would be to go and test ride a few - Evans in Sheffield were very good with this, even let me put my own pedals on.
Unfortunately for me they only had standard sizes and not the really large ones that I quickly realised I needed. The more you pay, the better spec you get - lighter frame, better components (wheels can make a big difference). Try a more expensive bike and see if you can tell the difference.

Sheffield to Bakewell isn't too far to commute, maybe not everyday, but nice in the summer

In reply to sparkass2:

I've had an Allez for years now, great bike. They used to do one with a triple chain ring, great for hills and ideal for the peak district if the thought of hills worries you. I got it for that very reason but don't know if they still make it.

In reply to robapplegate:

would it be the sort of bike you would just nip to town or the pub as well?

In reply to sparkass2:

no pannier/mudguard lugs on allez for your shopping? get an allrounder or go carbon..

In reply to sparkass2:

For the same price as the Allez you could get the Ribble Prime http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sed/road-track-bike/ribble-prime-shimano-equi... that has a similar spec but with a carbon fork for a less harsh ride. It's also marginally less likely to be nicked compared to the Spesh. Specialized are apparently one of the top 3 brands targeted by bike thieves.

In reply to Lord of Starkness:

The other two?

In reply to felt:


Pinarello and Trek - though Cannondale, Giant, and anything sounding vaguely Italian come pretty high up the list. Other makes don't seem to command as high a value on the criminal market as they seem less easy to sell on.

This was based on a talk given to our club by the local police crime prevention officer.

In reply to Lord of Starkness:


I'd assumed that Cervélo was Italian until the other day when I discovered it was a Canadian outfit. And then there's that other very Italian-sounding setup -- Wilier.

In reply to felt:

Cervelo is or was Vroomen, is that right? Hasn't it been bought and sold on a fair bit since it was founded?

In reply to sparkass2:

Specialised Allez is the fourth most stolen bike in the UK if that's one of your main concerns. Apparently although it's sale numbers are high, the theft numbers are slightly out of proportion to the number of those knocking around on the streets. The popularity is apparently one of the qualities which make it easier to sell on. Article on road.cc in May 2014 - which I'm trying to avoid plagiarising!

In reply to sparkass2:

If you're Sheffield-based, go visit Planet X - good bikes at sensible prices.
http://www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/bikes

N

In reply to AlisonSmiles:


Great. Just when i'm trying to sell mine!!!!

No chance now :/

Considered a cyclo cross bike? I picked up a hardly used Giant for £300 December 2013. Fine for road use, even with CX tyres, unless you are tying to keep pace with your local road club.

Got full guards fitted for winter so have a dry, warm arse for a change (predominantly Mountain Bike).

Very versatile, fine for none too steep (or steep if you are skilled enough) off road shenanigans too. Given your location there is probably plenty of off road riding to keep you happy for a few years if you are keen. Had a good few days around Ladybower area and no-one is trying to hit you with a two ton lump of steel.

In reply to sparkass2:

For along time on low cost road bikes Decathlon was the place to beat - with loads of people agreeing that their 200 or 300 quid models were as good or better than many brand name bikes twice the price. But then Merlin brought one out last autumn that got lots of praise. I think they've sold out of their cheapest model currently but this one is on sale http://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-s2200-road-bike-55807.html and looks great value.

In reply to sparkass2:

That's exactly what I use mine for these days. I've got a shiny new Roubaix for longer rides.

In reply to sparkass2:

My only comment would be make sure you get a bike to which mudguards can easily be fitted. I believe it can rain in Bakewell and even Sheffield on occasions. So many road bikes these days don't have clearance for mudguards. From your description of what riding you want to do, mudguards will figure in your mind for at least part of the year. And if you decide to put heavier tyres on for winter use you could have even more of a clearance problem. Recently I bought a cyclo-cross bike, and it's a really good all rounder. Even got disc brakes which are excellent. It's a bit heavier than my more sporty road bike, but it has its uses (though I don't do cyclo-cross).

In reply to cousin nick:

+1 for planet x. Just brought a pro carbon from them and is great fun and great value for money.

However for commuting I would suggest a cyclo-cross bike. That way you can take it on tow paths and abuse it with mudguards and big tyres.

In reply to Womble:

I bought a Pro Carbon too (SRAM Rival 10spd deal). Great bike, but the wheels were terribly set up - true and spoke tension were all over the place (beyond my abilities to correct). Fortunately LBS sorted them out while I used my 'best' Mavics instead. Great bike for £799 !
N

Another PlanetX Pro Carbon (SRAM Rival 20) here, just had it over a month and so far its good. Only complaint is the FSA Bottom Bracket (started grinding after about 300 miles, but solved temporarily by making sure I oil it after every wash). Still a good bike and highly recommended (even for commuting, which I use it for BTW) despite the fact the FSA chain-set is getting swapped for a 105 as soon as the BB dies (the chainset itself is fine, its just the janky BB386 MegaEVO BB that will cost £40 to replace (Shimano BB costs £13).

Prior to this I was using a Revolution Cross Disc (Edinburgh Cycles) and still do when the weather is bad. This has seen 3,000 miles of commuting since early this year, however the wheels were awful and needed truing almost weekly until the spokes started pinging. I've now got Mavic CrossRides on and it has been excellent ever since. People complain about the Tektro Lyra disc brakes, but I find them just as easy to live with as my Avid BB7's on my MTB.. I would have been happy to use this forever, but after getting off my P-X it feels as heavy as a tank (I think its something like 8kg vs 11kg)