Who Knows about Road Bikes?

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  2Poor4Ozb on 04/08/2015 - 07:24

  +2

  http://www.stridersports.com.au/shopping-cart/12-strider-cla…

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  slow on 04/08/2015 - 08:27

  +1

  At that price range they are all pretty similar spec-wise …go to a few bike shops and check them out and test ride. Pick the one that you like the look and feel of.

  • 

    DavoW on 04/08/2015 - 09:21

    Agreed. It's always disappointing when you buy a bike and actually really don't LIKE riding it (as I know from personal experience). I was lucky enough to find something second hand for $450 that had rather good drivetrain components, which for me is where I spend my money. So if you can, go for a higher class of gearing if you can afford it. A few links below to try and help.

    Best of luck.

    http://blog.cellbikes.com.au/2010/03/when-is-the-best-time-t…

    https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/flat-bar-road-bikes

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  ItsMeAgro on 04/08/2015 - 09:26

  Like the gear used for skiing, diving, extreme sports and exercise, road bikes are something people will happily spend a bunch of money on and then end up using only once or twice. So the second hand market is pretty great.

  A commuting bike is something you don't need to be "shiny" and unused.

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  pegasusx on 04/08/2015 - 09:47

  2nd hand really. How tall are you? Have a few friends who have gone full road from hybrid/flat bars and they are looking to sell

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  Malarkey on 04/08/2015 - 10:21

  +1

  Go 2nd hand mate, way better specs for the price.

  Pretty much all of those bikes you listed are very similar.

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  FloppyGuts on 04/08/2015 - 10:31

  +1

  I agree with what Slow said - unless you find a super special, there will not be a lot of difference with the bikes. The ability to jump on and have a ride to ensure its comfortable is priceless.

  I bought a Reid (Falco Advanced - https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/130085 ) about 18 months ago and have flogged it, no major problems apart from a snapped chain because I didn't oil it.

  Also the biggest improvement I made with my bike is getting rid of the stock tyres and replacing them with Continental Gatorskins (http://www.wiggle.co.uk/continental-gatorskin-folding-road-t…)I was getting one puncture every 1-2 months but after swapping 9 months ago, I haven't had a single flat.

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  Grooler on 04/08/2015 - 20:23

  Thanks for the input guys. I did see on Reid I think it was saying to upgrade to the Conti tyres. So with that comment, I think I will. Got to be worth the extra $60

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    Euphemistic on 05/08/2015 - 10:12

    An alternative to the gators kin tyres are tyre liners. I've got them in my road bike and fixie and haven't suffered a puncture since installing them - and I commute on a concrete path with metal fibres sticking out of it. Got heaps of punctures before liners, none since. Beauty of them is you can use any tyre you like, and they only cost about $20.