Advice on first road bike on a budget, please!

If you buy a bloke's bike, I have a Specialized women's specific saddle you are more than welcome to have for the cost of the stamp

This could end up a good deal http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trek-Pilo...0642873869?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item1e6aec0e0d

Or this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Specializ...0641576956?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item1e6ad843fc

Regarding sizing, you're the same height as me, but your inside leg measurement is 2in shorter. (Are you sure you're measuring correctly? You need to measure from the top of your leg to the floor, wearing shoes rather than barefoot - obviously not platforms, but whatever shoes you wear for cycling won't have a tiny, thin sole.)

I was lucky in that I had 2 independent bike shops reasonably close when I bought my road bike, and they both happened to stock one bike manufacturer in common. One shop recommended 47 or 50cm in the bike I looked at, but probably the 50. The other shop recommended 47, 50 or 52, most likely the 50, but possibly 52. Without a test ride, going by what I'd read online and my gut instinct, I ignored their advice and went for the 47cm, and it's perfect for me.

My partner has an inside leg measurement 1in (about 2.5cm) longer than mine, she insisted she wanted the same bike as me because she liked the colour (!) so we ordered her a 50. I can ride hers if I lower the saddle, although it's a bit stretched and I wouldn't want to be on it for long, but I have to be very careful stepping down from the saddle because I have absolutely no clearance over the top tube. Not as painful if I landed hard on it as it would be for a man, but still ....

So, from my experience, you may well be recommended a bigger frame size than you need.

(And, of course, the measurements I've used in my example won't be relevant to you at all because all manufacturers measure their frames differently, and bike sizes can come up different even between ranges from the same manufacturer. I was just using them as examples to illustrate my point.)

You are not a million miles from Epsom... I'd go along and talk to Paul & Guy at Corridori, perhaps better known for rather more £££ kit, but they are a Specialized outlet and from what I've see they just as happy to put you on their turbo to work out sizing for a low cost bike as a more expensive one. Obviously you won't get the full "3D" fitting session whithout paying for it, but certainly enough to pick the right size, and to choose between Allez, Secteur, Dolce....

While ur their have a look at the Claud Buttler Critirium. Just picked up one this week as a first bike

Decathalon is mentioned in the OP, and no one has mentioned the B'Twin Triban 3 yet? C'mon Cycle Chat!

This is one of the better spec'd road bikes for a person on a budget if you are wanting to buy new - Carbon forks for £300 - Haven't seen that elsewhere!

Here's some more pics.

Err I did!! Post #9

go outdoors do deliver some bieks to your home you just need to build it yourself or take it to a go outdoors store and they will build it for you. check out there airlite 100 and 200 range and also the raleigh racer and the claud butler road bike.

My fault, you're right!

Atleast the thread I linked might be useful.

Update on bike buying...
Having got totally OBSESSED and chewed the ear off more than one bike shop sales guy I have decided to spend more of my (partner's) money and go for a Giant Avail 1. Having tried a few out I discovered I dont like thumb shifters, so have got Tiagra, and got properly measured for the compact frame (I'm 5'3", size small). My reasoning came down to thinking it's better to spend a bit more now than want to upgrade in three months, and I think I got a good deal. Plus he's paying ...

Hi Megan, well done, the Avail is a £1000 plus bike, must have a very understanding partner.

Good luck and enjoy

What a mine field! Your head must have been spinning......Well, now you have your bike, let me know if you want to take a rideout. Are you in Sevenoaks? I'm in Otford.

Hi pnh, I still dont have it yet. The people I ordered it from said when they went to check it was damaged so am having to reorder it from somewhere else. Getting very impatient now! Will definitely be wanting to get out on it lots once it's here though. I'm only a couple of miles from you.

I dont know whether it's understanding, think he's just sick off me talking about this one or that one.

Well under a grand though, it's not an Advanced, just the ladies version of the basic Defy. Paid £600 for last year's top of the range, with alu frame, carbon fork, carbon seatpost, tiagra shifters (found I didnt like thumbs), small (46.5cm) in a compact frame. Sound like I did okay?

You did ok for sure, let us know how you get on.

Just let me know.......... Sainsbury's Homebase/Halfords car park good for you? Trying to get out a couple of times a week - the hills definitely gets easier the more you do.....