First Road Bike - ideas and advice please

[standingonlego]

I am seriously considering finally getting a road bike. My DH is out regularly with friends husband (MAMILs ) racking up the Sunday morning miles and loving it. Friend is confident road cyclist and back on wheels now DC a bit bigger, and says we ladies need to get going !

No idea where to start...

Also, thinking laterally as I am only 5ft 2.5 is a large kids Islabike Luath an option too? (DC have Islabikes Beinns they are ace ).

I have cycle to work scheme option in September so funding sorted.

[CMOTDibbler]

IMO, the best thing is to go to a few bike shops local to you talk to them about your bike needs (ie, are you doing purely road, is it comfort or speed you have as a priority, area more hilly or flat) and your budget (presumably sub £1k as its cycle to work) and see what they recommend.
In my local bike shop (if you are anywhere near Worcs I'd recommend them highly) they would prob go for a Giant Liv with some upgrades atm as that apparently works out very well price and performance wise - we chatted recently about options for ds when he grows out of his Luath 26 later this year.
I have a Cannondale Synapse Alloy on cycle to work and love it, but I'm tall so don't know how it would feel for someone shorter in terms of brake reach etc, but don't be afraid to try mens bikes as often there is no real difference, and it all depends on your relative length of body/arms/legs as to what works as a first approximation. Whatever you choose, you should budget for a bike fit to get everything exactly right.

A Luath 700 wouldn't be the best value option imo, unless you wanted something you could offroad on as well, which is the real strength of them.

[standingonlego]

Thank you for the advice, really appreciated. Going to visit the bike shop tomorrow and try a few things out :)

[CMOTDibbler]

Good luck! Remember that you are the one with the money so if they aren't helpful and interested then go to another shop who are!

[lljkk]

A lot of small women go for the Luath bikes.
Our local shop... they are nice, but they mostly deal in ladies shopping bikes & MTB style BSOs.

[BikeRunSki]

I did my first road "sportive" for about 9 years today. I love road riding. A Luath may fit you, but you may find the brake levers, reach etc too small for you. Ribble also make some decent, small bikes at OK prices. Beware too, that Islabikes are going up (15% ish I think) tomorrow.

At 5'2" there will be plenty of road bike options out there for you, but you need to go and try them out. Different models, different manufacturers all fit differently. I am 5'8" but am a big fan of Women Specific bikes (Specialized, Trek, Scott and most other mainstream manufacturers do a range) because women generally have different proportions than men.

This is a great time of year for buying a bike. The Las Vegas bike show is in September and this is like Paris fashion week for bikes. The next year's models come out in Sept, so you can often pick up a bargain "this year's" model, which may only differ in colours or decals.

Decathlon do some really good bikes for the money too.

[BikeRunSki]

If you can tell us vaguely where you are in the country, we might be able to suggest a local bike shop for you to visit (step away from Halfords; approach Evans only with caution!).

[standingonlego]

After lots of chat I am back to report that I am the proud owner in waiting of a super cool black Specialised Ruby.

In line with BikeRunSki good insight, I managed to get a good price as new season imminent. We are Midlands based, man in shop was ace.

It is lovely...but I have to wait until September to collect when my work scheme vouchers come through!!!

[CMOTDibbler]

Its going to feel a long wait till September! My hybrid is Specialized, and I've been very happy with it.

Now its time to get yourself some padded shorts or tights. The Wiggle ones are really excellent for the price

[BikeRunSki]

Excellent choice OP. My road bike is a custom build frame, but my MTB is a Specialized and I've ridden other Speches in the past.

[standingonlego]

My workmates are now trying to sign me up fur a charity sportive at the end of September!!! Will it be scary? How did you enjoy your first in 9 years *BikeRunSki". Glad you give the choice a thumbs up 😃

[BikeRunSki]

I loved it Lego!!!! Am planning to do more now the DC are older and DH is less rubbish at looking after them for a day. It was a 30 mile route which I found surprisingly easy, life in the old legs yet!!!

[BikeRunSki]

Sportives are so not scary!!!! Charity ones are often non-competitive, lots of camaradie and support, and food stops put on - what's not to like?


You might be interested in Breeze rides - free, women's only, led rides, organised by British Cycling.

[standingonlego]

Breeze a great plan, someone else has mentioned that...will investigate! Thank you for the encouragement, will give the sportive a whirl..need to choose between 25 and 50 miles

[CMOTDibbler]

If you are Midlands, you can come and ride the one I'm running on September 11th - not scary at all and lots of free cake

But all sportives are non competitive, someone else works out the route, lays on food and drink, will rescue you if you have a major mechanical, and will give you a lovely shiny medal at the end. What could be better?

[BikeRunSki]

Where's your Spirtive CMOT?

[RVPisnomore]

OP I have recently got a Boardman hybrid and have signed up for 50 mile ride in 4 weeks and have just managed to complete 22 miles this weekend so more to do! Hope you enjoy your new bike, good luck!

[CMOTDibbler]

Its Evesham - details are on the British Cycling entry system . I now have a very deep appreciation of what event organisers go through! Should be a fun weekend though as we have all sorts of events through from tinies

[BikeRunSki]

Oh, Evesham is a bit too far away really. Shame. I have driven to Somerset and back today, I don't need to spend anymore time on the m42/M5 just at the moment!

[CMOTDibbler]

Did you stop at Worcester Woods in the end?

[BikeRunSki]

No, Lickey Hills. But loads of ideas for stops for future trips!