Recommend me a road bike £800-£1000

[Orang Utan]

Another thing I found difficult was using 'normal' pedals again - they felt well dangerous - I guess I've become too accustomed to my SPD pedals as my feet kept flying off and I had to wind back after stopping just to gain purchase on the pedal

 

[mattie]

Which bit is the 'hoods'? I found braking on the top bit of the handlebars a bit of a strain on my thumbs, but that was only on the Trek now I think about it.

That's probably them - the hoods are the shapes made by the top of the brake/shifter units, which you hold in a 'handshake' position. Your hands then naturally close over the brake levers. If they're uncomfortable you can try tipping the bars forward or back as the angle your hand is in may not be suitable.

 

[D]

Another thing I found difficult was using 'normal' pedals again - they felt well dangerous - I guess I've become too accustomed to my SPD pedals as my feet kept flying off and I had to wind back after stopping just to gain purchase on the pedal

Well, you can sort your SPDs out once you've got your bike, surely.

I used to ride upright (mountain bike/hybrid) and for years I've ridden drop primarily and I LOVE it.

I also have bar end shifters. You'll get used to it.

You can always put crossbrakes on too.

 

[D]

Which bit is the 'hoods'? I found braking on the top bit of the handlebars a bit of a strain on my thumbs, but that was only on the Trek now I think about it.

oh, also, in addition to adjusting the angle, you can put a bit of foam/etc in the brakes if the distance is too big between the thumb and the end of the forefinger

 

[Orang Utan]

Well, you can sort your SPDs out once you've got your bike, surely.

Of course, I was just commenting on the test ride and on how quickly you get used to certain kinds of bikes. In Berlin I rode one of those old fashioned bikes with the massive seats and funny bendy handlebars

 

[stavros]

I rode a few today and boy are racers hard to get used to if you only have experience on a hybrid - didn't feel safe that I couldn't keep my hands on the brakes all the time and the responsiveness was a little alarming too, but I soon got used to it.
I tried a Scott Speedster which was lovely, but a little out of my price range, and a Trek, but I think I'm gonna get a Specialized Allez Elite, which looks the right price and suits my needs - need to try it first as soon as they get one in.

That's the one I've been looking at too. The Allez seems to be one of the first recommendations from anyone as to a entry road bike. The one I'm looking at is all black though, and I think I might go for a triple chainset on the front.

 

[stavros]

I went to another shop today and had a ride on a Trek 1.5 and a Giant SCR2. They're both £500-600 and felt quite good, although that was the first time I'd ever ridden drop handlebars before. Another place had the Allez but not in my size so I'm going back next week when they've got a new order in.

 

[Orang Utan]

That's the one I've been looking at too. The Allez seems to be one of the first recommendations from anyone as to a entry road bike. The one I'm looking at is all black though, and I think I might go for a triple chainset on the front.

I want the black one! I don't want a red bike!
I'm a bit green when it comes to doubles and triples. I want a chain set that is low geared rather than high, so I can get up hills with ease - some racers seem to be geared to a higher range, so it's an arse to get up slopes unless you have a momentum.

 

[stavros]

I want the black one! I don't want a red bike!
I'm a bit green when it comes to doubles and triples. I want a chain set that is low geared rather than high, so I can get up hills with ease - some racers seem to be geared to a higher range, so it's an arse to get up slopes unless you have a momentum.

I guess to a certain extent it depends on your style of riding and body proportions. I'm quite short (the same height as Pantani was for example) so maybe big Ulrich-Indurain-style gears wouldn't suit me either. The great thing about bikes though is that you can adapt them bit by bit.

 

[dervish]

I got one of these http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Focus_Mares_Cross_2008/5360031288/ on the last cycle to work scheme on Sigmunds recommendation, I love it, it's a fantastic bike, and really suits me.

It's damn quick, but also has fairly chunky tires, which means I can go off road easily. It also has the crossbrakes, which have probably saved me from going into the back of a few things!

 

[Orang Utan]

That looks nice, but I can't envisage any time where I would go off road. Crossbrakes appeal though, as do thicker wheels (I feel the bumps enough on my hybrid), but I do fancy gliding fast at a ridiculous speed too.

 

[Orang Utan]

Anyway, Evans don't stock it

 

[dervish]

When I got it I had to get it from halfords, and they didn't stock it. Don't they give you a number to ring to ask them to get it in for you?

 

[Orang Utan]

I don't know! I just imagined they'd only sell bikes that are on their site and no Focus cyclocross bikes are on it

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

Evans do the Specialized tricroos, both single speed and Comp.

I got the single and totally agree about the crossbrakes being a life saver. Even though the tyres are nobbly, the thing fair races along and it's good for cutting across parks or going down towpaths, both places that are likely to damage a pure road bike.

http://www.bikemagic.com/news/article/mps/uan/4603

 

[stavros]

I got one of these http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Focus_Mares_Cross_2008/5360031288/ on the last cycle to work scheme on Sigmunds recommendation, I love it, it's a fantastic bike, and really suits me.

It's damn quick, but also has fairly chunky tires, which means I can go off road easily. It also has the crossbrakes, which have probably saved me from going into the back of a few things!

Those silver handlebars are tres sexy.

 

[brixtonvilla]

Evans do the Specialized tricroos, both single speed and Comp.

I got the single and totally agree about the crossbrakes being a life saver. Even though the tyres are nobbly, the thing fair races along and it's good for cutting across parks or going down towpaths, both places that are likely to damage a pure road bike.

http://www.bikemagic.com/news/article/mps/uan/4603

I love my Specialized Tricross more than large swathes of my immediate family. Knobbly tyres can be changed for slicks, although you'll need new wheels for proper skinny ones. Having said that, if all you want is a road bike (as opposed to doing bits of off-road or touring), you're better off with one of the above.

 

[Boycey]

it's not technically a road bike but i want this:

they don't make it the size i want and it's not available in the nearest size

 

[Orang Utan]

What is it, if it's not a road bike?

 

[mattie]

What is it, if it's not a road bike?

It would be illegal on the road in that form, although I know a lot of people who would ride them on the road anyway.

It's a track bike. A very nice looking track bike.

 

[tommers]

It would be illegal on the road in that form, although I know a lot of people who would ride them on the road anyway.

ha! yeah! it hasn't got any pedals!

 

[Orang Utan]

It would be illegal on the road in that form

Cos it has no brakes and pedals?

 

[tommers]

Cos it has no brakes and pedals?

bah!!!!!

*shakes fist*

 

[mattie]

It's because it's got no bell. Or reflectors.

 

[D]

It would be illegal on the road in that form, although I know a lot of people who would ride them on the road anyway.

It's a track bike. A very nice looking track bike.

There's a shitload of people cruising around NYC and SF on track bikes.

 

[Boycey]

it is a fucking lovely track bike, pound for pound one of the best deals out there. doesn't sell well because trek isn't cool enough for the oh-so-alternative messenger imitators and has now been discontinued. i can get one for silly money but not in my size

it is a rocket, and it's red! i want it i want it i want it i want it i want it i want it.

oh, it will take a front brake but it's not drilled for one at the back.

 

[mattie]

There's a shitload of people cruising around NYC and SF on track bikes.

Yep, same here. There's no way I'd be brave enough, although what with the hills round Bath I doubt I'd be strong enough.

 

[sim667]

There's a shitload of people cruising around NYC and SF on track bikes.

London too

Wannabe couriers innit

 

[mattie]

it is a fucking lovely track bike, pound for pound one of the best deals out there. doesn't sell well because trek isn't cool enough for the oh-so-alternative messenger imitators and has now been discontinued. i can get one for silly money but not in my size

it is a rocket, and it's red! i want it i want it i want it i want it i want it i want it.

oh, it will take a front brake but it's not drilled for one at the back.

Am I right in saying you only 'need' a front brake if it's a fixie?

 

[Boycey]

London too

Wannabe couriers innit

fakengers

plenty of people just ride 'em cos they like them, others do it cos they think it's cool. the latter are generally utterly contemptible.

mattie- a fixed wheel is one of the most effective brakes if you know how to use it. it is legal for it to be your back brake in the UK but some of our colonial cousins take a rather dim view of it.