Mr Bat

First downhill would lead to a disaster of epic proportions !

Crippo

Treks are not made in China. Some Alloy ones are made in Taiwan, all Carbon is made in the USA. Ribbles are not well made most are not straight - fact. Most bike shops wouldnt touch a Ribble with a barge pole. A Chas Roberts is a very expensive way of getting a nice steel frame (not something I would reccommend a beginer)

PG

A Trek / Armstrong fan and a badge snob. Fair enough.
We are talking first road bike stuff here.

Jonathan Davies

I assume from your tone that you've worked in most bike shops then, and examined most Ribble frames. Obviously you're a poster to be reckoned with.

My Roberts cost me £400 - fact.

dpb

fixed wheel on the track mybe - good exercise and no lorries..!!

But really your best advised to go get fitted up possibly full biometric and anyway somebody decently near to you with a 753 license who will make it fit you - course it all depends on how serious you are - but fit is crucial and then your budget/aims.

Mr Bat

As far as I know "ribble" buy their frames in from Italy and they are very keenly priced. If they are so bad why do they always receive good write ups? I have ridden one of their Dedacciai SC61.10A with Campag Chorus and it was light, stiff and a nice ride (oo-er).

Gav

Sorry for the late reply guy's i only got back from Mallorca last night (how bloody cold is it here by the way)

Right, i've read all your posts/links and taken your info on board. Thank you all very much The Trek bike i posted up wasnt one i was going to buy, as said £1800 on a first bike is just plain daft! I just thought it looked I will be looking at spending £800 ish but want to get something good. I dont want to get a crap bike, not enjoy it and give up I've already learnt alot from you guy's (there's a hell of a lot more involved than i first thought!) and will be going to a local bike shop to get measured out etc etc. So am i right in reading to steer clear of big names for the time being and go for something like a Ribble bike??

Thanks for your concerns about motorists too, i'll mainly be riding in the Derbyshire hills ( up the Vale of Edale Chris ) so traffic shouldnt be too heavy. I'll have a good look into routes and find quieter roads to ride on!!

thanks again for your advice,

Gav..

King RA

What about a Specialized Allez or a Giant OCR.

monty baber

I've got a Claud butler Milano (dont laugh)

I like it and its under your budget

Dave T-S

Ok, this is from a roadie, and my g/f is a serious roadie (she did Lands End to John o'Groats in 2001, numerous Coast to Coast rides, averages around 2000 miles a year).

I do around 1000 miles a year between road bike and MTB.

Road bike is a Bianchi Gold Race 600, £450 from Evans Cycles reduced from £600 as it was previous year's model. It will take me anywhere I want - have also seen 44mph downhill on it

I wanted to get a Trek Madone 5.9 (c/f, retail £3500) - Lance's bike. G/f said you can't have one, it's too good for you, you'd look a tosser on it (she's from Bolton and doesn't mince her words ). Don't fall into this trap! And as said in an earlier post, whatever you do don't get full Discovery team gear - bigger tosser

Spend the money saved on safety and comfort gear - a decent helmet, lights, padded shorts and above all a decent saddle (now this is the Holy Grail!).

And BTW if you are 5' 9" a 56cm or even 55cm as you mentioned is way too big for you.

All road bikes are different and ride differently. Go to a DECENT bike shop (NOT Halfrauds), road test some, and above all else get them to properly size you and fit you to a bike that works for you. It can be the difference between comfortable and painful.

Above all, get out there and enjoy it!

daz748

I got one of these nice bike, great to learn the art of road riding on, not to expensive if you don't take to it and great to use as a second bike if you get hooked and go on to spend a few £k on a top notch race bike

Darren

King RA

2nd this bike, you really cannot beat a Specialized for price and affordability. I find Evans expensive though, so shop around.

Mr Bat

I would try and join a club as well, good bit of social on the ride and will improve your bike handling and fitness, there are downsides however.

Some roadies are a bit grumpy and will expect that you know all road race etiquette and have a reasonable level of stamina. I have seen new members never turn up again after being hollered at for swerving a bit or being dropped off the back of the group at the first hill. Try and find a club which caters for all abilities and isn’t full of ex pros who all think they have points to prove.

Jonathan Davies

Personal preference has a lot to do with it, or you might just find a good deal on an 05 bike or something. Your local bike shop will probably be helpful, although advice can be variable (I'd say Evans were a bit dodgy on the front, for example, but small independents have generally been good to me).

I like the Bianchis, not so keen on US megacorp bikes... purely personal preference though.

bigsinky

what about a nice Kona