The Cycling Thread

God, I thought choosing running shoes was hard enough, Im now trying to choose a bike, saw the article in cycling + the other day and quite fancy a Ribble sportive 7005 then I started looking round at alternatives, trek, cannondale, speciallized etc and now more confused than ever need something comfy for riding home after a 12 hr night shift so kinda heading towards a sportive bike (?) and something I could maybe do a duathlon on later in the year, byw did you guys use your local dealer to buy your bikes or go to the big boys like wiggle , chain reaction etc ? I know a good local dealer can set a bike up better than a mail order firm but just wondering
Cheers

[maviczap]

The Ribble is a fine bike, nothing wrong with them or your other choices.

Just set your budget.

The big online places usually beat local dealers on price, but some locals will do a price match, which is how Luckypants got his MTB I think.

With mail order you'll have to do the setting up yourself, but not too difficult.

Halfords Boardman range are also well specc'd so don't discount them either + you can get 3% back via Qudco

Thanks mate, just waiting for a cheque to drop through the letterbox and I'm away, happy days

[pookie]

You could also check if your employer does a cycle to work scheme. It may be a cost effective option of buying a bike.

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by maviczap

which is how Luckypants got his MTB I think

Not quite, small bike shop near London had a blinding deal on it so I drove down to get one.... what I should have done is get local Evans bike shop to price match! LOL

I have a Ribble Gran Fondo Stewie. They are a very good bike and the sportive should be all day comfy. They will set it up for you if you pick it up from the shop (sorry factory outlet) and they are only up the road from you in Preston...

Originally Posted by pookie

You could also check if your employer does a cycle to work scheme. It may be a cost effective option of buying a bike.

I dont know if they do tbh, I'm in the process of being taken back in house by Matalan as wincanton logistics are being booted of the contract atm, will have to check it out as soon as we know whats happening

Originally Posted by Luckypants

Not quite, small bike shop near London had a blinding deal on it so I drove down to get one.... what I should have done is get local Evans bike shop to price match! LOL

I have a Ribble Gran Fondo Stewie. They are a very good bike and the sportive should be all day comfy. They will set it up for you if you pick it up from the shop (sorry factory outlet) and they are only up the road from you in Preston...

Didnt realise Evans were local, will have to check em out next week while Im off, cheers Mike
Edit: Evans ? where did that come from ?

[Luckypants]

I think the closest Evans is Manchester Stewie. Ribble are in Preston. Both have good websites to choose and order before going to pick up to save P&P and get bike set up.

Originally Posted by Luckypants

I think the closest Evans is Manchester Stewie. Ribble are in Preston. Both have good websites to choose and order before going to pick up to save P&P and get bike set up.

Sorry, Ive got every cycling website in the uk tabbed atm and confusing myself there a bit, no change there then, think ribble may be the way forward tbh

[Dipper]

Another one to consider is the Tifosi CK7, had mine since August and been really really pleased, very comfortable on all day rides etc.