Road Bike, Value for money

[PC-LAD]

Hi guys,

Just seeking a little help again, I've been biking to and from work for about a year now and am looking to invest in a half decent flat bar road bike with disk brakes, (recently started riding on the road compared to along the canal, using a zuped up MTB).

Now My budget can be streched to about 550GBP MAX, the two above criteria are a must and I can't seem to find a bike other than decathlon's Triban 500 that has the above and a sora group set (2*9).

I was wondering if anyone else could hint at where i should be looking. I think the sora group set should be my low bar as claris is good but not as smooth according to the enthusiasts, Plus I already have a 1*11 on my mtb so i would like a bit more range on the drive-train.

Thanks alot

[Tyrannosaur]

Evans seem to have a few options in the Hybrid bikes. For example a Specialized https://www.evanscycles.com/speciali...-bike-EV306275 or their Pinnacle https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle...-bike-EV339932

Or gooutdoors: https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/1590556...-bike-15905565

A trip to the local bike shop might be best. Tell them what you want and see what they can do.

Hope this gives you a few more options at least.

[jimbouk]

Not a huge budget so your selection will be limited for non-standard setup bikes. Might be able to pick up an older model in a sale or an ex display? Doesn't help that online bike shops don't seem to have great filters on components. My wish list (what I currently have to commute) is disc brakes and hub gears for minimum maintenance, only found my current bike (Charge Grater) and one other after trawling through pages of hybrids looking at the pictures - got mine relatively cheaply a few years ago as a shop was closing but difficult to find that combo for much less than a grand these days.

[PC-LAD]

Thanks Both, I've get to try going into my local stores as they have always been overpriced (Nothing at RRP). I hadn't seen that pinnacle till now, the only problem with the pinicle is that it looks to be using a oem crank and hubs. I have seen the calibre but the miss matching of shimnao parts is not great, then same for the crank as the pin but also the head (had a pain replacing the forks on my current MTB). I recon I'll just have to be in the right place at the right time.

[Tyrannosaur]

Slightly over budget and only in a Large https://www.cyclesurgery.com/p/speci...tml?colour=133

[kalniel]

If you don't mind a triple x9 rather than a double then Fuji do the following:
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/fuji-absolu...ity-bike-2020/

[Maitoz]

Have you seen the new brand from Decathlon ? (Van Rysel). It may be a little bit overpriced looking at your budget.

[scaryjim]

Couple of points:

There's literally no difference in smoothness between a well maintained Sora and a well maintained Claris. I've run them side by side for the last two years.

Mix and match drivetrains is basically a non-issue - the branding is almost literally for marketing and nothing else. My touring bike (which I've just sold after 4 years and > 2k miles) had Claris shifters and front mech and an Acera rear mech, and felt identical to the all-Sora affair on my road bike.

Is flat bar a non-negotiable? You might have more choice if you'd consider drop bars...

Although tbh that Calibre Stitch is ridiculously good value for the spec.

[PC-LAD]

A bit of a late follow up on this, @scaryjim I took your word on the claris as there is no real issue with me upgrading in the future. I ended up getting the Cube SL Road https://www.startfitness.co.uk/cube-...E&gclsrc=aw.ds. I've been using it as my commuter bike for the last month now and I am more than impressed, No other bike on the market could offer internal cabling and a road bike groupset for £450. I did spend some extra money on home better grips and pedals but that's it.

[scaryjim]

That's a nice looking bike Should do you proud for years to come.

Grips and pedals are such a personal thing I reckon it's always worth spending a little bit to get the ones you want - they can make as big difference to your comfort on the bike.

Enjoy!

[Teece]

Even on a budget, I'd be more concerned about the quality of the frame - everything else is easily changed. Does your company participate in the Bike To Work scheme? That would stretch your budget massively.