I have had two trek 1000 (the first one was stolen) and overall I am quite happy with it.
Trek 1.2
At a RRP of £549, it is just above the target of £500. But, I will include it because it is pretty close; and if you search you might be able to pick up a new model with 10% discount. Some people have complained about the wheels going out of true quite easily, but, I have not experienced this since owning one for a couple of year years. The trek 1.2 comes with an aluminium frame and carbon fork. A carbon fork is a very nice upgrade helping to reduce the weight and increase comfort when riding. The Trek 1.2, makes an excellent choice for a good commuting bike (I have fitted both panniers and mudguards) or an entry level racing bike. For just over £500 it offers good value if unexceptional performance.
Specifications for Trek 1.2
- Carbon fork with alloy steerer
- Aluminium Sl Frame
- Groupset of Shimano Sora
- Wheels – Alloy Hubs
- Tyres Bontrager Select
- Saddle – Bontrager Race Lux
- Seatpost Bontrager Carbon
- Handlebars Bontrager Sport
- Stem Bontrager Select, 17 degree
- Headset Aheadset Slimstak w/semi-cartridge bearings, sealed
- Brakes Alloy dual pivot; Shimano Sora STI levers
- Trek 1.2 2009 at Evans Cycles
Tifosi CK3 – £499
Based on an Aluminium 7005 tubing and Campagnolo Xenon groupset. Comes with selle Italia saddle and Vredestein tyres. Another reasonable level entry bike made in Belgium and Italy. Tifosi are a relatively new model but have achieved a good degree of popularity. Lacks the Carbon extras of the Trek 1000
Tifosi bikes at Wiggle.co.uk
GT GTR – £399
One of the cheapest entry level road bikes. GT Road bikes offer a cheap way to get a decent road bike which can be used for touring, training and sportive. The compact frame is made by the established GT frame builders. Groupset is a mixture of Shimano Sora and STI
GT Road Bikes at Wiggle.co.uk
Giant SCR
Giant SCR is one of the best selling road bikes, which is unsurprising given how cheap it is. Manufactured in Taiwan Giant bikes benefit from the mass production of aluminium frames. Groupset is Shimano 2200. If you’re looking for a cheap, but fairly decent road bike, it will be difficult to find anything cheaper than the Giant SCR
Raleigh Airlite
Raleigh are making a comeback into the road bike market, they have restarted sponsoring a road team and are promoting a range of road bikes. The Airlite road bike is rrp £499, though you may pick up a discount. The aluminium semi-compact frame gives a solid ride and equipped with Shimano 2300 gives good performance for an introductory road bike.
The 2011 model has a distinctive white and black design. It’s not quite to my taste but overall the Raleigh is a good bike. Weight 11Kg for 55cm model.
Chris Boardman Bikes
The cheapest Chris Boardman road bike is RRP £649 (Boardman Race with Aluminium frame and Sora) so is out of budget for this price range.
Buying Second Hand
To buy a road bike under £500 does limit your choice. One option may be to look into the second hand market. This may enable you to pick up a carbon frame. If you are lucky you could get a £1,000 bike for half price second hand. Make sure it’s not stolen, see tips on buying second hand
Related
at Amazon.co.uk
at Amazon.com
6 comments ↓
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[...] Road Bikes under £500 [...]
[...] this bike reminded me quite a bit about my current commute a Trek 1.2. It is a similar frame size and I felt quite at home on the drop handlebars. The main difference is [...]
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