Need your help for choosing between bikes! :)
 

Hello all,

I've recently decided to start bicycling and wanted to get myself a first bike. I don't have much experience in the field other than riding my motorbike so i really need some OBJECTIVE advice on this please!

I asked a lot of "experienced" people here and each has his own subjective reply which is even more confusing.

Please tell me what you think between these and why:

1) Giant Defy 3 with Shimano 2200 3x8 gears - 790euro

2) Orbea Aqua TSR with Shimano Sora - 660euro
http://www.orbea.com/au-us/bicis/mod...pecificaciones

3) Haibike Tour with (i think) Shimano 3400 - 600euro
http://www.haibike.de/produkte_detai...51,detail.html

4)BH Zaphire 6.8 2011 with Shimano Tiagra - 800euro

5)Bianchi Nirone7 with Shimano Sora 850 euro

6) Used Trek 1200 2006 with Shimano 105 - 450euro

Out of these guys the BH Zaphire has included a bike fitting for me from bikefitting.com. He is the only registered member of the instruments here in Cyprus.

The Giant seller also said they will fit everything to my body as well.

Now I've ridden a trek 1.2 for 5km and its very comfortable, and i've tried a few of the above bikes and they all seems light and easy to ride. my question now is, how important is fitting? to the point where i should prefer the GIant or BH one because they will fit it egsactly on me?
Also from other reviews i've seen, everyone says go for the Shimano 105 they are well worth it rather than Sora or 2200 even if its a first bike.

Then There's also the fact that Giant seems to have very good reputation for how goof their frames are but that bike comes with shimano 2200. Plus the Bianchi seller told me that all the stuff on their bikes are shimano, even brakes and that most other sellers install Chinese ones to reduce costs and they are not that reliable.

What would you recommend? Is giant the best frame here with Bianchi second? Should I look for a Giant frame with Shimano 105 equiptment (which will double the price?)

Plus i think the Orbea Aqua has carbon fork, the rest are full aluminium.

Tell me what you think guys.

First off, you need to let us know what type of riding you'll be doing. Off roads, pavement roads, 50/50 etc. Second what type of riding position. Are you looking for comfort, speed etc. Different bikes has different brands and quality/ performance of components etc.

I've have checked your list and looks like you want a road bike.

For bikes, the lighter, better components and higher speed will mostly determine the value of the bike. I would go for the bike with the 105 components. Fitting is very important for comfort. Most brands bike frames comes from the same place (China, Taiwan). I wouldn't worry too much on it. As long as it's a brand that is well known.

The Trek also has a carbon fork. So does the Bianchi Norone 7..

Forgot to mention. For a first bike I wouldn't recommend a road bike. The reason is that it is a too aggressive bike riding position. Maybe you might be okay with it or it will make you hate cycling completely. I would rather recommend a flat bar road/hybrid bike like the Fuji Absolute series, Trek FX series, Specialized Sirrus series etc.

Get fitted to a 105 bike and have many many happy road miles.
I now have 3 of them.

Is this 'Seller', a Shop or a webpage?
Better to go thru a Proper Bike shop , and actually test ride stuff..

Your #6 is all dependent on wear and tear.. condition.. damage...
sight unseen , no clues..

Yhank you everyone for your help, yes i am interesyed in a race buke. I prefer it to a hybrid cause i want a light bike, my legs are not well trained and will definetly get worn out in case i buy a heavy bike. I've test drove the 1.2 trek 2010 and the trek 1200 2006 and they seem light enough. For some reason though i kind of remember the 1.2 to be slightly lighter does anyone know how much the 1200 weighs? Can't find anything on it in the internet. The gears were spot on accurate though, alot more "clean" than the shimano sora ones
So out of the list what would you have to say about the different bikes? Which one is the best on which paramiters??

Ok then which one is the best frame?

,
best for what? state the main purpose you will using the bike.

are all these available to test ride where you Live?

Ok im intending on using it on roads only, but since Cyprus has a lot of roads which are not in good state you can imajine there will be a few bumps.

Which one has the highest quality? Light/durable/shock absorbing...

If I have to go for the bikes that is on your list. I'll go with the Trek 105 components. They do have flat bar road bikes that are about 18-24 lbs. My Fuji Absolute 2.0 is 23 lbs. I might lose like a pound or two on the bike, if I swap the tires for some 23mm road tires.

Why the obsession with it being light weight? Do you intend on carrying it?

If I had my choice between a sub 23 pound bike or a sub 30 pounder that allowed for racks/fenders and wider tires to help soak up the bumps, I'd go for the 30 pounder. Just make sure you have the proper gearing and you should be fine...

Forget about the bike for now, shop for a bike shop first.

Interview as many local bike shops as you can. When you find the one that has people with whom you can identify and who ask you the "right" questions like how you plan to use the bike and where you plan to ride - that's it.

Let them help you determine what your needs are, buy a brand that they carry and you'll never go wrong.

This is nonsense. Road bikes make a fine first bike if you plan on doing road biking. The OP has ridden a motorbike and is aware of aggressive geometry. Road bikes can be set up with less aggressive geometries. The problem with buying a flat bar bike is that it is not cost effective to convert it to a drop bar bike.

I agree with going for better components. 105 or Tiagra will be OK. Tiagra/Sora is probably OK for rear/front derailleur combination. Stay away from anything less than Sora.

If the roads are really terrible, then a bike that can be fitted with wider tires will help smooth out the bumps. 28mm or 32mm tires can be run at lower pressures and you won't feel the bumps. Of course it's difficult to know what "terrible condition" means. Find an LBS and as what bikes will give a smoother ride on the roads you plan on riding.

Please also compare the chocies above to the Trek 1.2 2011 (new) for 700euro with Shimano Sora front derailer and Tiagra back derailer.

Someone please give me his choice between these choices! :)

Flip a coin.. they will both shove the chain sideways ..

Sora and Tiagra are both price point components ,
they work, but are not as fancy as 105 and pricier components.

They are part of meeting the target price point of the Bike.

Don't Obsess , Just get on the bike .. and go for a ride somewhere..

ok then one last question, how much difference do the 6 years have on bikes?
has technology changed to the point where I should be looing for the new bike or is a 2006 trek the same as a 2012 trek if the specs are the same?

Are SHimano sora 2006 the same as shimano sora 2012?

Hey there Costa,

I would never buy used carbon or aluminum framed bicycle, unless I had prior knowledge of its history.

That said, IMHO I think you should go with the Bianchi Nirone 7 with either Tiagra or 105.

Have to agree Say no to used carbon fiber forks and frames .

Used bikes [metal] will need new chains and cassettes , invariably.

Many people have there own thoughts and opinions on having a road bike for a first bike. Road bikes are not for everyone. Especially for a first bike purchase. Not everyone is in the same shape. Some people can not handle the aggressive style position. Some people has a bad back etc. IMO road bikes are for the more experience bike rider.

Sorry, as I do not know what is a motorbike or it's riding position.

A comfortable bike that you'll ride a lot is better than one that is uncomfortable to you and sits in the garage. Before purchasing anything. Know what you REALLY want and need first. Don't just get a bike just because it's light and or fast, because it might be so uncomfortable to you. Which won't make you want to ride it much. If you ARE used to the riding position, then go ahead and purchase it.

Bike purchases is not cheap.

I would go with the Trek 1200 to start out , if it is a good fit for you . That being said, the price for that bike is too high ( 588 USD?) , even if it is in excellent shape. See if you can get it for less.

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