Recommend me a road bike £800-£1000

[mattie]

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.

My girlfriend was interested in one until I pointed out it's not the same as the coaster brake she had on her bike as a kid. She struggles with the gears on the bike I got her, so perhaps single-speed would have been the way!

I have long been pencilled in to go and try track riding at the velodrome in Newport, I think that's about as far as I'll take track bikes - I think you vastly undo any coolness you might accrue if you stack it at every set of traffic lights.

 

[Boycey]

newport velodrome is 8) x twelvety!

a couple of years ago myself and some mates rode to bath then got the train to newport for a day on the track. tis wicked

 

[Orang Utan]

Anyway, I went for the Specialized Allez in the end, though I was tempted by a Specialized Tricross - but the road bike was so nippy, I couldn't resist. What I'll have to resist now is going flat out on it in places where I shouldn't. Can't wait to ride it to Richmond Park when I get it from the shop tomorrow.

 

[sim667]

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.

Lol..... I like them, I just dont dare ride one for fear of being called a fakenger (which i would be) and the area i live is just simply far too hilly


Im guessing if you did have a back brake on a fixie if you slammed it on it would probably throw you off and make your bleed lol? (i.e. it would just stop your legs instantly but your body would carry on)

 

[ringo]

Another vote for Cyclo-cross bikes. Much lighter than hybrids but really robust. I've been loving my Genesis Vapour

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

Or less.
I have a new bike to work scheme and will have a token for a grand to spend at Evans - a cheaper bike and some decent accessories are probably wise - might not be a good idea to spend the whole grand on a bike.
Any suggestions?

I think spending that much money on a bike just paints a sign on it saying 'steal me'.

 

[Orang Utan]

I think spending that much money on a bike just paints a sign on it saying 'steal me'.

It was one of the cheapest ones in the shop - you could easily spend 2 or 3 times that - and you'd be an idiot to leave it anywhere where it could get stolen anyway

 

[mattie]

I think spending that much money on a bike just paints a sign on it saying 'steal me'.

Which holds true for just about anything of worth.

Although a tealeaf would struggle to steal my house.

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

Which holds true for just about anything of worth.

Although a tealeaf would struggle to steal my house.

An 1800 pound car wouldn't say 'steal me', and an expensive stereo for instance, spends its life behind locked doors, not chained up to a post out on the street.

 

[Orang Utan]

A bike doesn't spend its life chained up to a post in the street either - my bike spends its life in the corridor or at the foot of my bed

 

[mauvais]

I dread to think what my bike would cost to build again. Over two grand I think. £800-1000 on a road bike is fairly normal.

 

[Boycey]

my bike would cost >£1000 to replace. i leave it locked up all over the place, it not being a shiny stock model and using a high quality lock is the key.

 

[Spark]

I think spending that much money on a bike just paints a sign on it saying 'steal me'.

Why does it? not all bike thieves know how much a bike costs, particularly opportunistic thieves. something may be more likely to be stolen if it appears expensive, eg shiny and new. More crucially a bike's more likely to be stolen if it doesn't have a good lock on it. My old bike was nicked a couple of weeks ago. It was a cheap bike, but (stupidly) badly locked up and not in bad condition, so an easy and possibly attractive option to steal.

Personally I would find spending that much on a bike better value than spending a similar amount on a second hand car, (and then making sure i have decent locks and insuring the bike this time). It may not be necessary to spend that amount on a bike, but I see it as an investment. By having a good bike that suits me and I love I'm more likely to ride it all the time, hence save myself money on transport (and get lots of exercise).

In London public transport for commuting quickly adds up - eg the cost of a 2 zone annual travel card is almost £1,000 anyway. A car would require insurance, tax, petrol and for that amount of money probably maintenance costs to make sure it passed its MOT each year.

 

[stavros]

I've arranged a test ride of the Allez for Saturday, and may well leave the shop with it. I've been told that my work discount stops applying after October's payment so I need to get in quick. Blow me, it's quite exciting.

 

[Mr Moose]

£1000 for a bike FFS.

Hope its a private company and nothing related to public or other funded services.

 

[stavros]

About £550 actually. And yes I do work in the public sector, but then I could claim a hell of a lot more back for petrol over the long term if you'd prefer.

 

[Orang Utan]

£1000 for a bike FFS.

Money well spent - eejit

 

[Monkeygrinder's Organ]

£1000 for a bike FFS.

Hope its a private company and nothing related to public or other funded services.

You still have to pay for the bike under the bike to work scheme.

 

[Boycey]

£1000 for a bike FFS.

Hope its a private company and nothing related to public or other funded services.

do you feel the same way about company cars?

 

[stavros]

Despite Mr Moose's protestations, I went today and bought/arranged to get it and all the kit. It felt very nice. Should be getting it in around 2 weeks (paperwork from my employers has to go through first).

 

[stavros]

I got it on Saturday, and had a great ride around the countryside round here on Sunday morning. God it was great, such a joy to ride, smooth and effortless.

 

[dervish]

I just spent another £300 on bits and pieces for mine, got another frame bag so I don't have to use my backpack and get a sweaty back. And shoes with cleats...

I haven't killed myself with them yet, it has been close at the traffic lights a few times, but the acceleration is amazing! From 20 to 25 mph with no effort!

 

[stavros]

I'm still getting used to the straps on mine, but I can definitely feel an improvement. Shoes and cleats may happen one day, but I'll still with my trainers for now.