Entry Level Road Bike Budget $600-$800

[Benlee89]

Hey Folks,

If this has been covered please forgive me!

I am wanting to get myself a entry level road bike with a budget of $600-$800 for a first time rider, I am 179cm and weigh 92kgs. I am looking at riding to begin with mainly on weekends maybe 40-50kms on road and paths. I have yet to go into any stores for a look as i can find sales people quite pushy and I dont want to purchase something not suited for myself. I dont have any substantial issues with knees or back to affect my riding but would prefer a more relaxed/up right position.

Below are a couple bikes i have been reading about however being that new its hard to determine what componentry is decent/acceptable as a entry level bike.

Polygon Strattos S3
https://www.bicyclesonline.com.au/polyg ... -road-bike

Giant Contend 2 2017
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/au/contend-2

Any other recommendations or bikes to avoid would be greatly appreciated

Ben

[RobertL]

There are people who know a lot more than me who will jump in, but my advice would be that those two bikes are quite similar, and at the bottom end of the road bike market. They will both do what you want, but if you really find that you like cycling, you may want to upgrade within a year or two. (Nothing wrong with that.)

Having said that, the most important thing is that you like your bike and enjoy riding it. If you don't enjoy it, you won't ride it.

Part of that, I think, is getting a bike that fits you properly and suits your style. For that, as an inexperienced first-time buyer, I think that means going to a bike store and trying it. I think that rules out the Polygon as they are only sold online (I could be wrong about that).

Giant is a well-known brand that sells squillions of bikes all over the world. That Contend will be a good bike.

For the same price you could also look at Reid or Cell bikes. They only have stores in the capital cities and I'm not sure where you are. Other big brands like Specialized also have similar models.

You could take a punt and buy the Polygon online. You could also get a better quality bike by buying second-hand - but you need some knowledge to do that. You could also look around for something like the Contend, but for a 2016 model. Bike shops often have last year's model on special to get rid of them, and it will be a virtually identical bike.

Out of the two, I would pick the Giant - just because it comes standard with a 32 tooth largest sprocket, while the Polygon's is 25 tooth. I live where there are a lot of steep hills, and that would make the difference for me. If you live somewhere flat, then you may not need to worry about that.

[RobertL]

Ha! I don't normally reply to myself, but the next post that I looked at sounds like your story a few months down the track: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=93629

[Benlee89]

Thanks Robert and just read that Post and quite fitting for my question isnt it haha.

I am starting to feel as if buying online is going to be risky now and might be best going into a bike store, do you have any thought on a Avanti Giro 1? I have just seen one go for sale on Gumtree, link below.

Forgot to mention i am located in Perth

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/forrest ... 1140535476

[RobertL]

That's pretty similar to the Giant and the Polygon, and is 3/4 of the price. It's a 55 cm frame, which is about right for you, or maybe slightly on the large side. If it's near you, why not go and have a look.

Check this video out first. It's a good description of what to look for in a used bike: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boslRs4BfwY

[rodneycc]

Best entry level bike currently I reckon is this one.

https://www.reidcycles.com.au/falco-eli ... -bike.html

The Polygon Stratos range look to have take over from the Helios and isn't badly priced. I would be temped to go the S5.

Otherwise a secondhand Giant Defy 1 and a service from your local LBS might be a good option as well.

[Benlee89]

The Falco looks interesting and worth checking out in person which is the benefit but as Rob was saying i do like the look of Polygon range but as i can only purchase online there is no guarantee i will like it once it gets here. Still considering checking out the Avanty Giro 1 which is for sale second hand at $450 not sure what htye are worth second hand?

[RobertL]

The Reid has much better specifications than the Avanti. The Avanti is quite nice, but the brand new 11 speed Shimano 105 groupset would be much nicer to ride than the 8 speed Claris or Sora or whatever is on the Avanti.

Lighter, better gear shifts, more gears, better wheels and tyres.

[Mediocratus]

As well as the bike you will need a pump, spare tube, puncture repair outfit, multi tool gadget and a little bag to carry the stuff under the saddle. If you are prepared for problems you are much less likely to have them. Sods law. All of that can be bought from your local bike shop (good for getting to know where to go if you need mechanical help). Or Kmart which is much cheaper. Or Ebay which is cheaper still. When I got back to cycling I found saddles had changed and I needed padded pants. Eventually I bought an old fashioned Gyes leather saddle which sorted that problem out. You may want a set of lights also. All these things cost money so allow between $100 and $150. That is conservative. It could be much more if you want quality stuff.

40 or 50km trips are fine but start small and work up. 10km every day for a week. Then up it to 15km for a week and so on. That way you will finish each ride having enjoyed it and feeling like you could do more.

I was in your situation two years ago. Back to cycling after a 50 year break. Out of condition. Didn't know if I would like it or give it away after 6 months. I bought a $300 bike secondhand off Gumtree. My thinking was that if I didn't take to it I could always sell the bike for what I had paid. As it happened I loved it and go out every morning that I get the chance.

[Benlee89]

good to know Robert as i am only new to this game i wouldnt of known all that so really helpful!

Medicratus all things i will keep in mind and thanks for letting me know, in regards to the type of riding it more then likely will start with coastal rides on paths/roads 10-15kms at a time and potentially longer trips as i have a few friends who are right into their riding but i will not be game to ride with them just yet. Pretty much as mentioned i am after a reasonably priced entry level bike which wont kill the bank just yet as i also have another expensive hobby

cheers lads

[koshari]

I agree with robert and rodneycc. The reid falco is prolly the best priced bike in the 800 range atm. 2nd hand you will get something an order of magnitude better again. A bloke i work with this week picked up a 10 speed full carbon tiagra for $600. Done bugger all kms as well.

[Benlee89]

koshari cheers and i am leaning towards that now, i am on the lookout in the second hand market but without the experience of knowing what to look for i am only guessing at this stage,

[koshari]

I bought a $300 bike secondhand off Gumtree.

there are planty of bikes on gummy very well priced, of your speaking of your 2nd hand falco for 300 its indeed a very good deal.

if your really lucky you can get a great one for 100 bucks (i picked up an 8 speed ally sora bike for $99 a little while back) but its takes a lot of looking and sometimes some time, 300 is a pretty sweet spot however and the frequency of nice bikes coming up in that price point is a lot more often.

another example of what you can get for around 300
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/craigie ... 1140569653

or even $250
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/casula/ ... 1136464658

[rodneycc]

Also just be very careful with fit. Fit and comfort trumps everything else. Reid should do a basic fit for free and recommend the right size (and some stores are really good if you are in between sizes may even fit you up exactly with the proper sized stem). Thats the advantage of the LBS. You need to be comfortable with the people because you will probably need help from them again at some stage if you are a beginner (I don't mean that the wrong way).

Edit: My tip is dont go too cheap with possibly setting the bar as Sora being the min but you can do so much better than that around the $800 mark. 11 speed 105 is the bee's knees lovely stuff and I think a lot better than 10 speed 105, then goes tiagra and then Sora. So stick around there a couple years old and I don't think you will go too far wrong (unless you pick a bike too big or small for you!).

Good luck! Enjoy the journey.

[Benlee89]

thanks Rodney! wont stoop to low on the budget as I want it to be a enjoyable experience to begin with, I will keep searching gumtree and visit Reid soon and have a chat.

[Mediocratus]

I bought a $300 bike secondhand off Gumtree.

there are planty of bikes on gummy very well priced, of your speaking of your 2nd hand falco for 300 its indeed a very good deal.

It wasn't a Falco. It was a 4 year old Merida Ride Lite 88. I am very happy with it. I knew nothing about bikes when I went out to look at it but it seemed clean, the brakes and gears worked, the chain wheel and cassette didn't seem hooked but it did have a flat tyre. I took a chance on it and was lucky.

[Benlee89]

Hey Lads,

A bit of a update as i checked out a few LBS today and I am thinking that i may need to raise the budget slightly. Now i checked out a Merida 200 which looked great but slightly out of my price range at $1500.
Went to check out the Giant Contend 1 and 2 however both were sold out so i could not see these in person. Next was the Reid Falco Elite which seemed to be the best bang for my buck however they only size available is a XS as these are now being phased out by the Vantage which has now taken my interest! https://www.reidcycles.com.au/vantage-e ... -disc.html

I am also tossing up two of the entry level Polygon bikes which are both within my price range

Polygon Helios C4.0 https://www.bicyclesonline.com.au/polyg ... -4700-road

Polygon Strattos S5

https://www.bicyclesonline.com.au/2017- ... speed-road

So after visiting a few stores i was unable to test ride any bikes as they were all sold out which is annoying. Can anyone way in their thoughts on thee bikes or others in comparison?

thanks in advance

Ben

[Benlee89]

another option second hand is a 2012 Giant Defy Advanced which is the correct size for me at $750?

[rodneycc]

another option second hand is a 2012 Giant Defy Advanced which is the correct size for me at $750?

yep thats a good option and a pretty good price if in good condition. Just make sure its a 2012 and not an 2011 (check pictures). That model ran from 2012-2014 with just minor tweeks. Just make sure. Might need a service but sounds promising.

[koshari]

Let is know how the used defy went.

[Benlee89]

thanks Rodney!

Actually seeing a 2016 Def 2 disc this afternoon for sale at $750 which i think is a great buy plus getting something newer, will come back with the outcome later tonight.

[Benlee89]

Hey Guys,

Ended up getting a second hand 2016 Giant Defy 2 Disc

Now to get some accessories1

[Mububban]

Hey Guys,

Ended up getting a second hand 2016 Giant Defy 2 Disc

Now to get some accessories1

How'd you score a bargain like that? Well done! It should give you many years of happy cycling

[Benlee89]

the add was put up for like a day then taken down as the bloke decided he would keep it ! but kept asking him and got i!