1st Road Bike Advice

[Cyclingscoops]

I got into cycling about 18 months ago and have been riding a Scott Sportster P5 hybrid on increasingly difficult routes for lesiure/fitness. I ride roughly twice a week with each ride varying from 10 miles to 50 miles depending on time and inclination. I especially enjoy a few challenging hills along the way and, while the south east of England isn't the most mountainous, I can find climbs up to 2 miles long while the shorter sharper ones have sections up to 15% or in one case even 20%. I like to test myself but given family life I don't see myself doing anything more organised any time soon.

Unfortunately the chain on my P5 recently snapped and it now requires a new cassette and chain (won't go into the details but lesson learnt on my part). I've been considering making the move to a road bike as I've found I spend all my time on the road and given the cost of the current repair (roughly £50-60) I'm thinking now may be a good time to make the move.

I'm considering 2 main options:

An entry level Boardman Road Race - plus point being I can get this through Cyclescheme (work only allows purchases from Halfords for some reason) pay it off monthly and save about 30% with the tax break.

A Specialized Allez - probably just the double will do (?) but would be good to find it on an interest free deal with monthly repaymants if possible?

Any thoughts on this or alternatives greatly appreciated, thanks.

 

[JayKosta]

I think a big consideration is 'if' and by 'how much' your riding position could be different on a 'road bike' compared to the hybrid.

A road bike would probably have a more 'forward leaning' position - good for aerodynamics & speed.

For fast riding, the road bike is best, for leasure and fun riding the hybrid is fine.

Either one will be good for fitness & exercise.

Also consider the durability of the tires & wheels on a road bike, a hybrid might be more dependable when you are a long ways from home.

Jay Kosta
Endwell NY USA

 

[Hawkwood]

The Specialized Allez has quite a good frame, hence you can upgrade it and lose a significant amount of weight should you so wish.

 

[rgmerk]

An entry level Boardman Road Race - plus point being I can get this through Cyclescheme (work only allows purchases from Halfords for some reason) pay it off monthly and save about 30% with the tax break.

A Specialized Allez - probably just the double will do (?) but would be good to find it on an interest free deal with monthly repaymants if possible?

Any thoughts on this or alternatives greatly appreciated, thanks.

If you're doing 50 mile rides, the extra speed of a road bike will be kinda nice.

Both of the bikes you mention have reasonably good reputations. Be warned, however, that Halfords staff have the reputation of not knowing what they're talking about, nor setting the bikes up properly, so be prepared to visit a more knowledgeable shop for maintenance.

But then, there are dozens of other manufacturers who make good bikes (or, more to the point, have them made for them in Chinese factories, who do churn out good quality product).

If you can possibly stretch to the next Boardman model up, the Road Comp, you'll get a 10-speed rather than a 9-speed drivetrain. There's nothing wrong with a 9-speed drivetrain per se, but with a 10-speed if you want to upgrade bits and pieces later, you can, whereas you're kinda stuck if go with the 9-speed. The Road Comp also comes with some really low gearing, which can be handy for really steep hills.

Much more important than the specific bike is that it is adjusted properly for you. Good quality clothing also makes far more difference to your comfort and enjoyment than the bike.

Beyond that, the cheapest, easiest upgrades you could do to any of the bikes you are considering are brake pads and tyres. Kool-Stop Salmon brake pads and Continental Gatorskin tyres are my personal favourites.

Hope this helps.

 

[Cyclingscoops]

Thanks very much for the feedback so far, it's much appreciated.

One concern I do have is on the component front. As I understand it the Allez packs the entry level 2300 Shimano groupset while the Boardman seems to be the next step up with the Sora groupset. Not sure how much difference this makes in reality - my main concern being long term durability rather than marginal performance gains. I would guess that regular maintenance is the most important factor and that there is little difference between the 2 on the durability front???

 

[rgmerk]

thumb switches

Thanks very much for the feedback so far, it's much appreciated.

One concern I do have is on the component front. As I understand it the Allez packs the entry level 2300 Shimano groupset while the Boardman seems to be the next step up with the Sora groupset. Not sure how much difference this makes in reality - my main concern being long term durability rather than marginal performance gains. I would guess that regular maintenance is the most important factor and that there is little difference between the 2 on the durability front???

Maintenance makes far more difference than anything else. However, I suspect that Sora will be a big improvement on 2300 in both performance and durability. 2300 is really, really cheap stuff.

One thing that you should try is whether you can tolerate the little thumb switches that both 2300 (IIRC) and Sora (though I believe they're getting rid of it in the new Sora) use for downshifts. I found them so offputting I ended up buying some superceded 105 shifters (without the thumb switch) from ebay and having them fitted. It would have been cheaper just to buy the next model up, with Tiagra, instead. It pays to give that aspect a try.

 

[Notso Swift]

I think you are on the right track over all and you have had some solid advice.
The tax break and the extra value from the Halfords bike makes it a no brainer to me, at this part of the market there are big steps for small investments... boy does that change once you get past the 1/2 way mark!!!!
Also look for runout/sale bikes.

I would also add to look at your pedals
Huge factor in your ability to get enjoyment out of your cycling
It may be that mountain bike/touring shoes are suitable for your needs
If the choice came down to it I would rather ride a Hybrid with good shoes than a sports/racer without a cycling specific shoes

 

[Cyclingscoops]

Thanks again for all the advice. Does anyone out there have long term experience with regard to the entry level Shimano 2300 groupset and whether the components have stood the test of time reasonably well or not?

 

[twothirds]

I have no experience with 2300 personally, but I did ask about it at my LBS because my girlfriend is looking at getting a road bike. 2300 is okay for someone who rides real easy 2-3 times a week and doesn't put on many miles. He suggested Tiagra or 105. If this describes how you will ride for the next 2 years, 2300 or Sora will be okay for you. If you plan on riding more than that almost right away, or getting more serious than that by the start of your second year with the bike, then upgrade to Tiagra or 105. With the exception of replacing my chainrings (once), cassette (once), and chains (every six months of riding), my 9 speed 105 equipped bike has been going strong for eight years now. Those replacement parts mentioned are just due to wear and tear, and are going to need to be replaced at some point no matter what group you get. And I have no desire to upgrade my components either, although I suspect that I will have to in a couple of years, just because mine is nine speed and eventually there may be compatibility issues that I'll run into.

 

[Kiara is a rational girl]

Get this because it looks fast.

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=61560&scid=1101&scname=Road

 

[Cyclingscoops]

Yes, the consensus seems to be that the 105 groupset is the sweet spot of performance versus durability.

Reassuringly I have now heard from a few people who have used the entry level Shimano components with no significant problems over a couple of years. So probably the biggest factor is having to come off the drops sometimes to shift but at this moment in time that doesn't bother me.

Thanks again for the input.

 

[Caruut]

If you feel like it, the Veloce from Campagnolo is similar to the 105. Campy use thumb shifters though. I can reach them from the drops, though.

 

[Notso Swift]

Agree on both counts 105/Veloce is probably the best Price/performance ratio
Doesn't stop me having DA and Chorus on my bikes though!