Road Cyclists - upgrade help! (Not slagging them off)

L

lux

Lifer
I've been bitten by the cycling bug and need some advice....
At the moment I have a £600 Jamis bike with Claris groupset and after owning it for a couple of months I'm already thinking of upgrading to a better bike. If I do, I can hook the jamis up to my mag trainer in the garage for the winter months and keep the new one for nice days and next spring.

The one I'm looking to get is the Fuji Gran Fondo with 105 groupset for £1300
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fuji/gran-fondo-25-2014-road-bike-ec053293

Or Fuji Roubaix with Tiagra/105 groupset for £800
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fuji/roubaix-13-2014-road-bike-ec055438

Question is will these be a decent upgrade and last me, do I need to spend more (I'm no professional, just a beginner) and should I get now in the sales or wait until next spring? Or are there any other bikes that I should be looking at for this kinda cash?

Ta :wink:
 
Have you checked out the Planet X range, they look to be great value for money although I am not that clued up on groupset differences (I ride a basic Defy 4)

http://www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/bikes/road-bikes
 
dr_john said:
Didn't have you down as he lycra type Steve....
Click to expand...

Yeh, love it John.....as you can see from the other 'cyclist' thread there's not a lot of love for cyclists on a car forum! :lol:
 
Got no experience riding with "glass backs" :oops: i'm strictly casual offroader but a good friend is very much into his roading & i do know his top bike ( he has 3 ) was over £3k :o He's a "Ribble" man from 20 years using them & i'm sure they would have something more than suitable for your needs :wink: http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/reviews/bike-reviews-bikes/ribble-evo-pro-carbon-999-99

or this perhaps ? http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/?type=RIBMO

At least if the fad wears off they sell well :D
.
Im a Cannondale fan & they also have some nice kit around your target price :thumbsup:
 
Agree with wilbo. Have a look at Planet X or Ribble racing. You will get a lot more for your cash. And for a little more I'm sure you could be in full carbon territory!
 
lux said:
I've been bitten by the cycling bug and need some advice....
Click to expand...

Here's some advice..........
Don't cycle for mile after mile two abreast and make it dangerous for motor vehicle drivers to pass.
Don't cycle out towards the centre of the road believing that when you have a head on with my pick up truck you are going to survive
Don't ride along shouting to the people you are cycling with, everyone else is not interested in your conversation.
Wear a helmet, one day you are really going to need it.
Don't come cycling in Somerset, we've got enough irritating people here already.

Enjoy your new bug :wink:
 
It's going to be a buyers market in the next few months with plenty of sales, new 2015 stock now coming out so you will get a great 2014 bargain.
The 105 group set is a good upgrade. As already mentioned Planet X, also wiggle, Rutland cycles, chain reactions, wheelies.
I have a 2013 giant tcr composite 1 and I can't fault it, my third giant.
Good forum with some good advice is road cycling uk, RCUK
Part of the fun is the research, good luck
 
Oakleyextreme said:
It's going to be a buyers market in the next few months with plenty of sales, new 2015 stock now coming out so you will get a great 2014 bargain.
The 105 group set is a good upgrade. As already mentioned Planet X, also wiggle, Rutland cycles, chain reactions, wheelies.
I have a 2013 giant tcr composite 1 and I can't fault it, my third giant.
Good forum with some good advice is road cycling uk, RCUK
Part of the fun is the research, good luck
Click to expand...

Thank you for the good advice (unlike the idiots post above yours :roll: )
 
Have had a few Fuji's, currently ride a Ribble Gran Fondo, with 105's (commuting, most days). Probably done almost 5000 miles on it - love it to bits :)

Planet-X are highly regarded too.

To be honest i started my commuting on a cyclocross bike - and it worked out really nicely. Slightly hardened frame, top mount brakes and stronger rims, but having ridden a full carbon framed bike for 2-3 years now, id not go back. :)
 
Haha, you're more than welcome to a private showing Rubes :wink: but if you think I'm putting a pic up on here you can think again!!! Who do you think I am, marmite Brad?? :o
 
Great - i loved my Fuji, i only changed up because it was stolen >:(

Looks like the Fuji Gran Fondo is the same carbon shell as mine, which was a clone (oh the beauty of buying from the chinese factory directly that makes the parts for italian brands..) pinarello bike of 5x the price :)
 
I have a Scott Foil absolute beast with carbon fibre wheels!

scott-foil10-14s-1000r.jpg


It is more than double the price tho, have you looked at the ribble bikes they are great value for money.
 
That's a beaut Tom, I'll take a good look at the Ribbles when I get back from my jollies (internet connection is really bad! :headbang: )
It's the groupset more than anything, I've got Claris at the mo and have been told to get at least 105 which will be much smoother!? Both the Fuji's in posted seem to be a really good bike for not a lot of money. I don't think I need full carbon as a novice, but still want something that will last me a bit before I want upgrade again!!
 
TBH the foil is completely overkill and a completely indulgent purchase. The carbon fibre wheels are expensive and although strong are fragile and can crack unless your very careful with them.

My first bike which I now use for training is Scott CR1 Team Comp, think it was about £1600-1800, but again specced it to how I wanted. 105 really is the minimum.

151056_528753798843_3747828_n.jpg


Your right in buy the best set you can. I would suggest buying a fully carbon fibre frame as they are getting cheaper, if you don't buy a part carbon fibre and really get into it I guarantee in 6-8 months you will wish you had and end up being another. You can also buy into bike systems, the ribble bikes are great like that you can sort of choose you best bits and have the bike made. Then upgrade it over time if thats something your interested in. My friend just bought a full carbon fibre ribble with CAMPAGNOLO which is more expensive to buy and look after but they are amazing. He bought it on the bike to work scheme was less than £1500 I think. But it starts at £899 fantastic bike.

1554523_10100917957839168_1667689953706156588_n.jpg


http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/bbd/road-track-bike/ribble-gran-fondo?part=BB14RIBGRANFONDO&sub=conf_BBRC&bike=1
 
That link has baffled me Tom, don't know where to start specing my own up :dizzy:
I think as a novice buying a standard bike with decent groupset and a nice colour is the way to go.
I love the colour/look and graphite frame of the Fuji Gran Fondo but is the Roubaix at £800 enough of a step up from my Jamis as aluminium not carbon, it looks like a decent bike for £800?
 
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