Help Me Choose a Road Bike

• 

  Hybroid on 12/02/2021 - 12:54

  -2

  Have you considered an electric bike? You can get a fairly decent one for that budget and would help significantly on such a daily commute.

  Most accessories can be picked up from Decathlon. Suggest pop in over weekend if one around and have a look. They have almost everything at reasonable prices.

  • 

    franco cozzo on 13/02/2021 - 12:15

    +2

    guy asks for a roadbike and you rec an ebike? huh?

    • 

      Hybroid on 13/02/2021 - 14:06

      I didn't recommend anything. I asked if they had considered it for the commute. Part of the conversation.

• 

  Drakesy on 12/02/2021 - 13:03

  +2

  If you're just commuting that bike will be fine, although you'll quickly want to upgrade to a carbon frame for it's lightness and vibration dampening ability. IMHO given that you know you'll use it stick to carbon as a base line rather than buying 1 bike now and 1 bike in the future.

  Merida's a good starter brand, similar to Giant in a sense.

  Both make good value bikes.

  For commuting i'd stick to anything running 105, UItegra and Dura ace. Personally Shimano Tiagra is a pretty entry level groupset.

  Either the Merida Scultura or Giant TCR range will do the job. They pop up on gumtree/marketplace all the time.

  If you want to be a bit more fancy go the Trek Emonda, Cannondale System Six or Specialized Tarmac. But these are getting exxy.

  • 

    o53djz7qTPY4der on 12/02/2021 - 13:15

    +2

    I agree with the 105 comments but not the carbon ones. Especially, if you're only commuting 15km each way. In this scenario alloy frame will be fine. 15 km will take about 30 to 40 mins - perhaps less with a tail wind. Honestly, price difference between carbon/alloy, not worth it. But, if you're riding on the weekend too or putting in longer rides, then yes, carbon will be good.

    I'd get decent tyres, and good and fully stocked saddle bag plus track pump for home. Shoes, helmet are standard - plus you'll need pedals.

  • 

    FocusRider on 12/02/2021 - 13:15

    +2

    Lol.. You won't get any groupset above 105 for under 2k..

    • 

      Drakesy on 12/02/2021 - 13:25

      You will quite easily second hand ;)

      • 

        Tee Rex Arms on 12/02/2021 - 13:44

        But once cry once. Drop the coin on a brand new bike.

    • 

      pe arl on 12/02/2021 - 14:10

      +2

      Not at RRP, but you can if you're prepared to do the legwork and shop around for clearance models from lesser-known brands.
      2k is a fairly generous budget for a commuter bike and I'd try to get one with 105 if spending that much. Look on Bike Exchange and refine to New condition.

• 

  Bartemaus on 12/02/2021 - 14:02

  +3

  My first bike was from decathlon (around $500) and did the job for commuting. It was alloy and weighed quite a lot for a road bike (from memory 11-12kg).

  Upgraded to a second hand Giant TCR with a full ultegra group set for $1,000 last year and the difference is very noticeable. There are always plenty of these appearing on Marketplace and gumtree as mentioned above.

  I'd also recommend upgrading the tyres to be more puncture resistent (schwalbe marathon plus or continental gatorskin) so you spend less time fixing punctures and more time riding :)

  I'd recommend going second hand to begin with and if you don't enjoy the commute you can always sell the bike and not be out of pocket by too much.

• 

  c64 on 12/02/2021 - 14:16

  i would get one with a flat handle bar, no bending over

• 

  BargainCowboy on 12/02/2021 - 14:28

  I got a Giant flat bar road bike and I'm commuting about the same distances. Carbon-fork, alu-body, pretty happy with it.

• 

  [Deactivated] on 12/02/2021 - 14:44

  Are the bike paths all bitumen/paved?

  • 

    PAOK11 on 12/02/2021 - 14:45

    paved Edit* I mean yes lol

• 

  Seraphin7 on 12/02/2021 - 15:17

  +1

  As ever on this question, it's difficult to answer.

  If you're saying you'll only be using it for the commute as you've described, you can get something that will be more than serviceable for well inside your budget. The one you've linked to would be very handy for this purpose.

  If you want to work up to doing more, then it's a bit of a different game. Personally, I reckon an alloy/aluminium frame with carbon fork and 105 running gear is the place to start if you think you want to have a crack at getting into cycling as more of a sport (not just commute/easy recreation).

• 

  frondono on 12/02/2021 - 15:49

  Have a look at canyon. They have an outlet that they regulary restock where you can buy them for cheaper. They have a pathlite model and roadlite that might suit you.

• 

  Euphemistic on 12/02/2021 - 16:00

  +1

  Do you really want a drop bar bike? I prefer a flat bar for commuting, it’s easier to sit up and see further in traffic.

  Most important thing is fit. More brands will have very similar bike in the same price range. Slight asvantages/disadvantages over other brands but not a lot in it. Sitting on it and being comfy is more important than a an individual part spec.

  Nothing wrong with Merida. They are one of the biggest brands in the world and I believe actually manufacture frames for many other brands.

  • 

    PAOK11 on 12/02/2021 - 16:41

    Yes, I want to go as fast as possible.

    • 

      Euphemistic on 12/02/2021 - 19:22

      +1

      Fair enough. A fast flat bar, not a hybrid with big tyres and shocks , is still pretty fast. I use one as a commuter and didn’t notice a significant difference compared to the drop bar I had previously. I updated an older drop bar to a flat bar to get disc brakes cheaper.

      • 

        bobkin on 14/02/2021 - 14:51

        I have a light carbon road bike and an inexpensive aluminium flat bar road bike with 28mm tyres. On the flat there is little difference between them unless there’s a strong headwind. If just for commuting with that budget I would look for a belt drive and internal geared hub (which would likely be on a flat bar bike) and maybe pannier attachments. If planning to use it for longer rides at the weekend, different story

        • 

          Euphemistic on 14/02/2021 - 19:13

          +1

          @bobkin: It’s also important to consider that while you’ll want to go as fast as possible sometimes, you’ll struggle to do that 5 days per week. Ultimately the difference between fast and average will only be a few minutes on a 15km commute. My old 6.6km commute varied by about 4 min.

          Comfort and ease of use is high priority of planning an everyday commute.

• 

  brotherfranciz on 12/02/2021 - 17:08

  +3

  First of all, welcome to the cycling community! 😁

  The short answer is anything with a Shimano 105 groupset (which is the top end of your price range). Everything else is a personal choice.

  Other things to consider would be:

  • Disc brakes (unlikely in your price range, unless you buy second hand) or rim brakes. Rim brakes are fine, but I definitely prefer disc brakes…

  • Carbon or alloy frame. I would go with carbon if you can find it in your price range.

  • Whether you want a pannier rack (a rack that you mount to the rear of your bike, above the rear wheel, which allows you to attach and carry pannier bags) - if yes, you'll need a bike that has the appropriate mounting holes.

  As for the accessories, in addition to what you already listed, you'll need:

  • Multi-tool
  • Rear and front lights (pick ones that are USB rechargeable)
  • Water bottle
  • Tyre levers

  Good luck and I am totally jealous that it's New Bike Day for you!

  • 

    Euphemistic on 12/02/2021 - 19:20

    +1

    Disc brakes (unlikely in your price range, unless you buy second hand) or rim brakes. Rim brakes are fine, but I definitely prefer disc brakes…

    Plus one for disc brakes. Better in the inevitable wet conditions you’ll encounter while commuting. Rim brakes are OK, but I’d rather discs than higher spec drivetrain.

• 

  bobkin on 13/02/2021 - 20:12

  Which state are you in?

  • 

    PAOK11 on 13/02/2021 - 20:46

    Vic why?

    • 

      bobkin on 13/02/2021 - 20:51

      Just changes what’s available. I bought two bikes in the middle of the year in SA and really had to shop around to find one and bought the other from Victoria. I am sure you would have already had a look at Bike Exhange - lots more available in Victoria than SA and I think best option is looking for a clearance model that’s a year or two old. One of the bikes I bought was a 2019 Liv (Giant) that was several hundred dollars cheaper than the new model which had new paint but otherwise almost identical specs

      • 

        PAOK11 on 14/02/2021 - 13:40

        Thats the bike i currently have. 2019 giant roam. Worst bike, looks cool but that's about it

• 

  bobkin on 14/02/2021 - 19:19

  This would be pretty much my ideal commuting bike

  • 

    PAOK11 on 14/02/2021 - 22:30

    Looks kinda old school

    • 

      bobkin on 14/02/2021 - 23:17

      Haha, I get very few points for style! (but lots for being practical)