Wanted: My First Road bike

Small bikes are usually a little cheaper, I think. But yes, lots of good value finds being posted up. I'd still recommend trying out different shifters.

Some lovely bikes up for sale here, just thought I would add that theres no brifters but ive got a lovely Alan for sale here £275 ONO:

http://www.lfgss.com/thread75354.html#post2559013

this was my first road bike in years and helped me make up my mind about what I wanted out of a roadie

I am loving this thread. Keep these finds coming!

Oh and I want a geared ride bike for longer touring rides and battling hills, if you're interested!

When you say "longer touring rides" does this mean you'll be wanting to fit a rack or two?

and eyelets for guards, slightly different geo to a road bike, like an audax?

something like this?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ribicicli/6476280159/in/photostream/
or this
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ribicicli/6476281213/in/photostream/

something like this?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ribicicli/6476280159/in/photostream/
or this
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ribicicli/6476281213/in/photostream/

hehehe, thanks freez...i was struggling trying to do exactly that!!!

When you say "longer touring rides" does this mean you'll be wanting to fit a rack or two?

Yes!

okay, here's the Principia. I haven't connected the gear cables up or re-attached the chain yet but you get the idea :o) Obviously there's no rack or mudguard braze ons....

Hmm Poots that changes everything if you want to put racks on it.
Road bike for battling hills, touring bike / hybrid (sorry) for racks and touring.
I tried to find a bike to do both around this price and couldn't really find anything.
You might want to decide on the balance. Like if you won't be touring that much then could you do it bike-packing. Or if you're touring more then find a sporty hybrid?
I ended up wIth a bike for each occasion. ;)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pearson-Carbon-Audax-Bicycle-/330653261191?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item4cfc785d87

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pearson-Carbon-Audax-Bicycle-/330653261191?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item4cfc785d87

Can see that going for £600 easy, nice bike though

I tried to find a bike to do both around this price and couldn't really find anything.

Spesh Dolce have rack mount, longer headtube and relaxed geo...

Or maybe not. I hate the feel of touring bikes. They're just so stable and boring..I prefer riding with a racing bike with a seatpost monted saddle bag. The carradice ones are 16L...easily enough for 3 days on the road.

Actually one needn't have a touring bike to tour in the first place.

Post stuff ahead=tour at speed.

shameless plug, but touring without the need for rack/panniers etc. and still feel as lively as a road bike should = more fun on the ascent/descent;

The pole of the sleeping bag is on the top tube so the steering don't feel heavy.

echoing Dan's point, Genesis roadie with steel fork;

bumping this thread.

A colleague at work needs a road bike. Budget £350-500, for training and riding the Amsterdam 300 and from then on general use.
So will need to be modern groupset and I would assume for that price alloy frame with carbon fork.

size?

Sorry, I've bumped this pecific thread as size wise I think the op requirements match.
Around 50-52cm.
But I'm taking her to Evans to test ride some bikes for size this week.
I've also now joined Bike Radar...

bikeradar?

There's not too many decent things on bike radar at the mo.

if they can stretch to £600

http://road.cc/content/forum/50165-fs-bmc-streetfire-ssx-veloce-pictures-added