Road Cycling - Newbie in search or buying 1st Road bike

Hi everyone

Sorry I expect you get alot of these kind of questions, and I imagine for some it may be a little tedious.

I'm from the UK and have been cycling for around a year, but up until yet I haven't had my own bike. I decided it was time to get one and since I just turned 21 it's going to be my birthday present.

Now I don't have a massive budget, and as I am not a harcore cyclist I cannot justify spending much more than around £350. So I am looking at an entry level spec. I am not really sure what I should be looking for, however, as far as equipment is concerned. Also how do I know what frame size I need ?

I found (what I think is) a great bike from Decathlon which is £399. Its the Decathlon R7.2 (http://www.decathlon.fr/Magasin/produit.asp?int%5FPfId=282087&int%5FDeptId=21259&int%5FDeptPereId=4169&mscssid=E64T21GLLTRG9HS78PUPUR68JN4D311D) - sadly the link is in french. Supposedly this bike should be available in the UK, but at the moment it is not on their site. I have E-mailed them to ask if this will change.

I also found this bike claud butler - Roubaix:

B.B Axle / Set: ,Brake Levers: Shimano Sora ,Brakes: Dual pivot alloy Tektro
Chain: Z9000 ,Chainset: Shimano Sora
Fork / Colour: Straight Blade Aero
Frame / Colour: Aero Profile Alloy Tubing,Freewheel: Shimano 8 speed
Gear Levers: Shimano STI ,Gears Front: Shimano Sora ,Gears Rear: Shimano Sora
Handlebars: Racing ,Headset: Semi Integrated ,Hub Front / Rear: Shimano QR
Pedals: Rims: Ridiga DPX ,Saddle: Selle Bassano Excaliber
Seat Clamp: Alloy, Seat Pillar / Bolt: Alloy Micro adjust ,Stem: Alloy
Tyres: Racing Black
Wheels / Spokes: Stainless Spokes

Its pefect for my budget at £350. I guess all I want is some basic advice, are these bikes any good ? what should I expect from the price range ? what about last years models ? And anyone in the UK have you got any shop/website recomendations?

Thanks in advance

Tim

Your best bet is probably looking at Cycling+ for UK reviews - think the forthcoming issue is going to be looking at starter road bikes. Decathlon generally seem good value for money but are limited to their sports stores as far as I know. I think the entry level Giant OCR just falls in your budget as well.

Richard

Hi there, thanks for the reply.

I have recieved a reply from Decathlon and I now know where I can pick one up from. Hopefully its a good enough bike... If anyone still has any comments on this bike I would be greatful.

Can anyone tell me how I work out what size frame I need ? Is it to do with my height/inside leg ?

Yours faithfully

Tim

Try:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16576&highlight=buying+AND+new+AND+bike

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=25624&highlight=buying+AND+new+AND+bike

There is nothing wrong with the Decathalon brand, but this one seems to have a frame made of Hi tensile steel. It is the cheapest grade and is usually quite heavy.
The Claude Butler is made of Aluminium. At this price that doesnt mean ultra-light, but it should be alot lighter than the Decathalon. But it has an integrated headset, which is a bummer as far as long term maintainance goes.

You have loads of great bike shops in Sheffield to chose from. Ask at local clubs and cycle campains for recomendations.
Your local bike maker, Orbit is known for good value mid-market road bikes, and they do end of line bargains.

http://www.orbit-cycles.co.uk/bargains.shtml


One useful site for comparing major brands and prices is the Evans Bike shop. Its not a bad place, but not local to you, so just use it for info.
http://www2.evanscycles.com/frameset.html
For £399 they do a Felt F85 which is a leap several rungs up the quality ladder.

For picking the correct size, use your current bike as a guide. You should have 1-3" of standover clearance on a standard design road bike, and a few inches more if the top tube is a sloping (compact) design. More important is the reach from saddle to bars, which should be comfortable, not too near or far, keeping your shoulder and elbows relaxed. Good shops will help you pick the right size.

Thanks for the reply

Well from a review in Cycling Plus of the Decathlon R7.2 it states the bike is made from 6061 (aliminium alloyed with magnesium and silicon) if this is the case would this make the Decathlon more acceptable ? It also doesn't have an intergrated headset, unlike the Claude Butler - which I hadn't actually noticed, so thankyou


Tim