Bike suggestions

Don't take this as a definitive answer (because it isn't) but for me, I'd buy the one I liked the
most. Wouldn't imagine there's much between them.

Regards, Jim.

"Geoff Bowles" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm looking for a new road bike to replace my 20 year old 531 racer, and have started visiting
bike shops to see what's available. Most of my rides are fast solo 2-4 hour rides on country roads
(e.g Mendips, Chilterns) and

I

Quoted message said:

expect to find what I want for £600 to £800. I don't actually race but do enjoy the feel of a
fast, responsive bike

One of my local shops sells road-bikes by Bianchi and Scott, and the other sells Specialized and
Trek. They are good shops, so it doesn't seem worth going elsewhere or buying mail order

Are there any big differences between the quality and feel of these manufacturers' frames, or is
it just down to colour and spec?

Geoff

I was in an identical situation to you and bought a new bike at Christmas, I got a 2001 spec Scott
Expert, reduced for 580 to 480 on account of last years model, I think the spec is actually better
than the 2003 model.

Extremley pleased with it, the triple chain set is very useful on some steep hills near me. I am
not an expert but would suggest that any aluminium 7005 frame, steel forks and Sora otr Tiagra
gears from any reputable manufacturer would do the job very well. However 105 would be nicer if you
can afford
it. You MUST get SPD pedals (or similar) and shoes to get the full benefit of the bike. Extra
cost of using your local shops over mail order is extremely good value for the service and
advice you get

Kevin "Geoff Bowles" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm looking for a new road bike to replace my 20 year old 531 racer, and have started visiting
bike shops to see what's available. Most of my rides are fast solo 2-4 hour rides on country roads
(e.g Mendips, Chilterns) and

I

Quoted message said:

expect to find what I want for £600 to £800. I don't actually race but do enjoy the feel of a
fast, responsive bike

One of my local shops sells road-bikes by Bianchi and Scott, and the other sells Specialized and
Trek. They are good shops, so it doesn't seem worth going elsewhere or buying mail order

Are there any big differences between the quality and feel of these manufacturers' frames, or is
it just down to colour and spec?

Geoff

Quoted message said:

Don't take this as a definitive answer (because it isn't) but for me, I'd buy the one I liked the
most. Wouldn't imagine there's much between them.

Seems sensible 🙂 I have a Bianchi San Remo and love it.

Cheers, helen s

~~~~~~~~~~
Flush out that intestinal parasite and/or the waste product before sending a reply!

Any speeliong mistake$ aR the resiult of my cats sitting on the keyboaRRRDdd
~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks. I don't need convincing about SPDs as I've been using them on both my mountain and road
bikes for many years, albeit with just one pair of Shimano M-055 mountain biking shoes for both
bikes. I'll probably get get some "proper" road shoes if and when I buy the new road bike, so may go
for Look or one of the newer alternatives to SPD

As for the bike, I'm inclined towards Campag equipment, since I'm old enough to remember pre-Shimano
days, when Campag was what we all aspired to. In fact the "Gran Sport" rear derailleur on my 20yr
old bike is still working perfectly! I have retrofiitted a Shimano 105 front derailleur and brakes
on my old bike, and they look good and work well, but I've reecently had a bad experience trying
unsuccessfully to fit a Shimano 105 headset that was supposed to fit a standard 1" threaded fork,
but didn't.- it's a long story. I now have trashed forks, so I'm a bit anti-Shimano at the moment!!!

Still, it's fun reading the brochures and comparing specs, and models from Bianchi and Scott head my
shortlist just now. I feel a visit to the bike shop and a couple of test rides coming on.....

Geoff

"Kevin Stephens" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I was in an identical situation to you and bought a new bike at Christmas,

I

Quoted message said:

got a 2001 spec Scott Expert, reduced for 580 to 480 on account of last years model, I think the
spec is actually better than the 2003 model.

Extremley pleased with it, the triple chain set is very useful on some

steep

Quoted message said:

hills near me. I am not an expert but would suggest that any aluminium

7005

Quoted message said:

frame, steel forks and Sora otr Tiagra gears from any reputable

manufacturer

Quoted message said:

would do the job very well. However 105 would be nicer if you can afford
it. You MUST get SPD pedals (or similar) and shoes to get the full

benefit

Quoted message said:

of the bike. Extra cost of using your local shops over mail order is extremely good value for the
service and advice you get

Kevin "Geoff Bowles" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm looking for a new road bike to replace my 20 year old 531 racer,

and

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

have started visiting bike shops to see what's available. Most of my

rides

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

are fast solo 2-4 hour rides on country roads (e.g Mendips, Chilterns)

and

Quoted message said:

I

Quoted message said:

expect to find what I want for £600 to £800. I don't actually race but

do

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

enjoy the feel of a fast, responsive bike

One of my local shops sells road-bikes by Bianchi and Scott, and the

other

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

sells Specialized and Trek. They are good shops, so it doesn't seem

worth

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

going elsewhere or buying mail order

Are there any big differences between the quality and feel of these manufacturers' frames, or is
it just down to colour and spec?

Geoff