How Good Is An "Entry Level" Road Bike In 2023?

[@MaNiaGCoD]

For the same price you get the Triban RC520 with a 105 groupset from Decathlon! Big bike brands are getting ridiculously expensive.

[@ScrubbersGhost]

Can’t imagine these guys buying from Decathlon…beneath them.

[@birkaster]

Yepp, I have the same and it has carbon forks, hybrid disc brakes, 105

[@frisedel]

@@ScrubbersGhost maybe they should?

[@AK-je7ns]

@@ScrubbersGhost give over, they test stuff from Ali express ffs

[@ScrubbersGhost]

@@AK-je7ns and?….they ain’t popping down to Halfords and picking up a bike for £500 are they?

[@JakeMay]

It's great how passionate Jimmi is about bikes having easier gearing - it's such a blocker for new riders and they just assume they're unfit and bad at cycling, rather than it being the fault of the setup of the bike

[@boyflux]

It still amazes me that most entry level bikes that I've seen don't come with a 1:1 gear ratio. If I had a bike like this I'd slap a Sunrace 11-34T cassette on there right away for US$17, but I am a chunky monkey...so...

[@lolbubs11111]

Yeah. Really, the 11-28 is fine, it's the 50-34 that's excessive for beginners. They don't need a 50x11 gear!

[@ellipticalsoul]

I only started riding in August last year and have a 11-28 and 50-34 and it's a relief to hear this haha

[@JakeMay]

@@ellipticalsoul get yourself a bigger cassette if your rear derailleur allows it! (You might need a new chain too)

[@maartends6051]

they indeed do, but i think the problem is that 50/32 is to big of a jump to have less chance to drop the chain. I do think that 48/32 would be high enough for most because 2 teeth in the big ring dont matter as much as 2 teeth in the little ring.

[@MrLuigi-oi7gm]

"It does look a bit budget." "Well, it does have all this cardboard over it." 😂😂😂 BEST LINE OF THE DAY!! 👏👏👏

[@Obsrvr86118]

I tend to buy second hand bikes. you can get a really nice mid range bike for that £900 these days. And if there is another £50 left over (because you managed to make a good deal) you spend that on a basic service at the local shop if you dont feel like you want to get your hands dirty and that way you supported the local community, got an amazing bike, saved some money and gave a second chance to a bike. thats a win win win win in my eyes.

[@borano2031]

Spot on!! Rgr

[@stubbingtonmarigold3032]

Mid range 900 quid ??????????????

[@Obsrvr86118]

@@stubbingtonmarigold3032 for 900 you can usually buy a bike that is only about 4years old and the original price of it was around 3k Which on the grand scheme of things (compared to super bikes) is a mid range bike. But of course this is true for all price ranges. If your budget is £200 then for that amount you can probably buy a second hand bike that is a few years old and used to be just under 1k. At least this is what i see on the second hand market :)

[@Hans.Dewitt]

@@stubbingtonmarigold3032 I got a 2021 Roubaix with 105 for 900

[@MrBoggins1234]

💯%

[@K777John]

My first bike on my return to road cycling in 2016 was a B’Twin Ultra 720AF, new but ‘shop soiled’ which I paid £700 for-full Ultegra gearing 50x34 and 11 x 28-I changed the block for an 11 x 32 (because 11 x 34 wouldn’t fit) and rode it for 18 months before I bought myself a new Specialized Roubaix Expert for my 70th birthday in 2018-still got it, still love it.

[@jasmeet_singh2028]

Man it's so rare that people of your age are into mountain cycling. My grandpa is the same age as you

[@shoeyn9674]

Second that for B'Twin. 2019 Ultra 900CF , costed 550GBP for full carbon, 105 Groupset and Mavic Aksium wheelset. It was end-of-line sale tho, can't get that price anymore.

[@Daniel-dj7fh]

Any reason why you decided not to just keep the btwin?

[@buki4343]

I just came here to approve of Francis’s expression when he tossed out the reflector, also love the new format and the addition of Jimmi really adds to this new feel. Two cool folks chatting about bicycles, wins all around.

[@Countrystock]

My first bike was a Btwin & cost £299 and it was brilliant. Didn’t want to pay too much as I was dipping my toe into cycling and now I love it. Should of taken up the hobby years ago. The perfect starter bike

[@martinmalloy5997]

I've got three Btwin including a 500SE.

[@cybertonto72]

I have 2 B'Twin bikes and my first road bike was the 500SE and cost me £300 Great bikes to start out on, and in fact its only this year that I have not used the B'Twin as it needs upgrading

[@paulscott4950]

I still ride a red Triban 3, and for the £300 i paid for it new back in the day it roflstomps this £899!! 'entry level' bike (of course its like Trigger's broom nowadays) :-)

[@DiscipleOfMan]

Ridden nearly 7000 miles on my Triban RC120, an amazing bike for £329

[@turtleneck369]

using rc520 used rim brakes 565 size for 300€ sora 9 speed no problem,only terrak no brand brakes sucks but iam 65kg and rerely ride in rain or very wet so its alright ,i dislike disc brakek agenda new bikes are too heavy like 11kg for sora or even tiagra and pricing of most brands is way too high i feel like so if i am buying it will be probably Canyon with rims tiagra or 105 mechanical of course or from used markets

[@oliverloveday4508]

My first bike was a Fuji Feather single speed, second hand, £125. Have since replaced almost all components and it's taken me all over Europe. Totally agree that some small upgrades can make a huge difference. Just invested in a Ribble Endurance for £1400, which is mind blowing to me that it's still considered entry level, but I'm very excited to own it and it feels like a big step up for me.

[@TheGrandmasterMan]

Bike prices seem to have gone through the roof

[@askmeaboutmattweiner]

Claris is a huge bump up in ergonomics over Tourney. Claris also supports an 11-34 cassette. Maybe your next video should be: "How good is an entry level bike that you should actually buy?"

[@lg.studio]

Yes, but maybe go for a less expensive frame brand ? So Still keeping it as low as possible. Maybe try the cheapest Claris bike you can find.

[@themindgarage8938]

£899 for fucking TOURNEY is daylight robbery. Tourney is basically a groupset-shaped-object; Claris is genuinely quite good. You can absolutely get Claris bikes cheaper than that even in today's market. I paid £1080 in mid-2020 for 105, for an 8.5kg aluminium bike with welds so clean and well-hidden that all my riding buddies assumed it was carbon.

[@kylehagertybanana]

yeah the cheapest bike on canyon's website is $1500 and comes with tiagra 10spd 11-34 and hydraulic discs

[@Kelso66]

​@@themindgarage8938out of interest, what did you buy? You're happy with how it rides?

[@themindgarage8938]

@@Kelso66 It's a Rose Pro SL (105 rim brake model). No longer sold in the UK, but still available in Europe for 1300 EUR. Really happy with the bike, rides very well. Only real downside is the rim brake version is only rated for 25mm tyres - if you want more you'd have to get the disc one.

[@f0rzen]

As a proud owner of a £625 Giant Contend with Claris groupset from a few years back I really enjoyed this video. The bike has been my entry into road cycling from an MTB and have gotten me around London for about 5k miles so far. I sometimes think about upgrading to a £1.2-1.5k bike but really hard to justify it. The 3 year service it came with alone was worth £300 pounds and they've replaced parts for about as much so amazing value for money. I have a feeling I'll be keeping it for a really long time.

[@newoldsteel]

Claris is such an awesome groupset

[@jonathanforman5357]

@@diesel9677 Giant Contend 2 - currently £879 on the Giant site - seems to address to big concerns. 11-34 cassette. 40cm bars. Claris groupset. Approach saddle with cutout channel. Seems like it would have been a better choice to test.

[@markthorrowgood3266]

@@jonathanforman5357 Think about a certain tester's relationship with a certain brand *cough* Scott, and not with another *cough* Giant, even if the Contend is very decent. Oh and Claris is quite good, but these days, with trickle down, Sora is really good. Something like 105 was in a previous 9 speed iteration.

[@hcw199]

My 2017 Giant Contend SL2 with tiagra groupset was £679 with a little discount. Bought in the UK and I flew it out to Taiwan where I'm living now. Such a great bike. I cycle around 1000km a month. Bike has over 32000km on it and it's still going strong.

[@tonyharris7399]

The gaint content was my first road bike . Gears are smooth. Love it

[@Prosper_NA]

I bought my girlfriend a used 2005 Jamis Comet for $140 USD. I put around $150 in part upgrades, $40 for a full tune by my local bike mechanic that included everything from truing wheels to making sure all of my wrenching was done correctly, and around 6 hours of sweat equity to make sure it is cleaned, the paint touched up, and the thing was properly greased. That road bike was around $1,900 USD when it came out and still packs a punch in terms of weight and geometry. What would I need to buy a $900 - $2000 brand-new "entry-level" road bike for? I could buy a car that runs and drives for that price.

[@owensnicholas]

My first road bike was a Trek 1200, from about 1992. Because standards haven’t changed all that much, I still ride it. I think the frame is the only original part left, and it’s on my trainer. I’ve put thousands of miles on it that way.

[@abedfo88]

I love Jimmi, he is such an asset to the channel with the chemistry you have together.

[@zoothornrollo9960]

I was in Halfords yesterday they had a Boardman SLR 8.6 Claris 2 x 8 sp 11-32 for £585. For most riders that will do everything that a bike at any price will do. Plus it'll be cheaper to fix, service and get bits for. And you won't need Castelli underpants in case you get caught short on your £12k Pinarello.

[@Mulberry2000]

I bought a road bike for £279 four years ago and its fantastic, no problems with it and i am a heavy guy 110 kg. No problems with the gears, wheels or brakesdd. I did have to change the front one due me standing on the front wheel. The wheel was fine but not the brake lol. I still have the same types, and inner tubes on them. Back brake is great, shifters excellent. Vitesse sprint.

[@quintennn]

I'd consider it to be entry level for the enthousiast. Someone that already knows about cycling and maybe had an older road bike and now want to get a new modern bike but not break the bank. Personally really love cheap/affordable/entry-level but good quality bikes that are upgraded. I remember seeing someone put HED carbon wheels and sram red etap (11s) on an aluminium trek, totally awesome!

[@rickdoehler502]

Treks top-level aluminum ain't bad.

[@quintennn]

@@rickdoehler502 No of course not! Never meant to imply that, it's just not "common" to see aluminium bikes get the expensive part treatment. I have a mid range aluminium bike myself and I'd rather buy better components for it then get a new frame.

[@Unwavering137]

​​@@quintennn In 2019 I bought a aluminum CAAD12 with 11 Speed Ultegra r8000 and rim brakes for $1600. It weighs under 17 lb.s. I swapped out the crappy wheelset for Hed Ardennes. It's a midrange model but it's a hell of a bike and a great value! It's way better than any bike I've ever owned.

[@mustacherides420]

My first bike that I purchased as an adult that wasn't just a leftover from my dad was a fixed gear that I built myself last year for around 500 pounds. This year I'm building a Mash SF steel All-Road with some fairly nice components as a light-duty gravel bike at a significantly higher cost because I realized I really enjoy cycling and building bikes so I figured I'd build something more adapted to the terrain around here.

[@gregmcnicoll5520]

This bike is ridiculously priced. You can get a Canyon with Tiagra for £1000. I saw a Cube Attain with Tiagra and mechanical disc brakes for £900. How can Scott get away with selling a bike with Tourney for this much!? This is worth about £400 max. Can pick up a Triban RC 520 for £800 that comes with 106 and semi hydraulic discs, same weight as this too

[@thetinusnl8834]

Considering inflation based on 2% from 2009-2019, that £599 2009 Trek already costs 599*1,02^10 = £730. £899 in 2023 is not bad at all with all the crap that happend since 2020.

[@mocat4]

My first bike was a 1981 Motobecane Grand Record that I got for my 16th birthday. It had Shimano 600EX (which became Ultegra at some point) and cost $499 new, but it was on sale for $349. It had presta valves, toe clips, downtube shifters, and skinny race tires. It was so euro, and I loved it!

[@bikelawbloke]

First bike was a Boardman ADV gravel bike, £800 in 2019 and comes with shimano sora groupset. I still ride it today, as my winter / commuter bike and the only real upgrade it’s had is some Hunt wheels and better bar tape. I also changed the cassette size when I needed to swap out my first cassette so it’s 32/48T and 11-28T and that suits me fine. And it took me from John O’Groats to Land’s End in just over 7days last year, faultlessly. 👍🏼

[@nickhumphrey4833]

My first bike was that bike but it was the speedster 60, 2013 model but it came with the tourney groupset. Ive now given it to my stepdad and he's put a flat bar on it and changed it to tiagra 4700 groupset. Still going strong nearly 10 years down the line. Great bike

[@chetnolian6310]

Bought an entry level Jamis Ventura Sport for about £450 in 2015 with Claris. Been bomb proof - about 12K miles couple of chain/cassette changes but derailleurs or still fine. It’s been semi retired to the turbo for past 3 years but still going strong.

[@gusmicklewright8589]

Bought an RC500 (back when they were £550) rode it for 5k miles, recently added some deepish section wheels, trp spyre front brake, carbon seatpost, cut out saddle & used 105 crankset. Cannot complain for the money to performance ratio!

[@newoldsteel]

YES THANK YOU for covering these bikes. I’m a HUGE advocate for budget bikes because I personally was in a position in the past where I was priced out of simply buying a road bike and it felt so unfair. But I went down the route of vintage, new old stock, and budget bikes and I’m passionate about this catagory because with the alarming prices of new bikes, it is CLOSING doors on folks financially who are looking to ride bikes and that is absolutely not ok. It’s not fun saying “oh this bike costs as much as you would put down on buying a car” and their faces of disappointment is upsetting. Also I agree Claris and Sora is literally better than mechanical dura ace from less than 10 years ago and ALL shift so incredibly well.

[@RiseNShine681]

I was given an old school 8-speed Greg LeMond by my dad for my first road bike. It's from 2001 or 2002 I think. Steel frame, rim brakes, granny gear, etc. I was only going to use it to commute to and from work, but I fell in love! It's because of that bike that I grew more fond of road cycling and now ride it more than I ride my mountain bike lol. I know eventually I will probably replace it with something more "modern", but I still love that thing. Ride it almost daily :)

[@AlbertBuckinghamEllison]

My training bike is a Trek Domane 2.0 with Claris. Some Racing Quattro wheels on it, all in just over £800 with Gatorskins. She's heavy as hell to ride, but built for British country roads. Great to see the budget builds in your vids!

[@thedangerbag]

I got myself a Boardman Slr 8.9 rim last year for £1000. Possibly one of the cheapest full carbon road bikes available? It had a 105 groupset (FSA crank and Tektro brakes, though). Since then I've put the proper 105 brake calipers on, put some chinese 28mm deep carbon rim wheels on, and switched the bars and saddle. I'm now looking to use what I learned from that bike to then build one from parts and make it more what I want from a bike, but I still love that boardman. It rides great, its light, and the price was unbeatable.

[@bertespino4340]

Funny enough, I bough the same trek 1.2 bike on that year as a new cyclist. I still have it and works great, which I currently use it on my trainer. To your point, a good entry level bike will last you many years, and so happy I did. I have so many fond memories with my trek 1.2. I never had any issues I couldn’t resolved, including a crash on my first year of crit racing. Today, a few bikes later, makes me smile to see this bike on your video! 🤩

[@ambrose1435]

I had a Btwin Triban 520, bought 2016, which cost around £500. It replaced a much more expensive bike that I just didn't get on with, and it was superb. I rode it 11000 miles, and I've still got it, even after I bought a new bike because I couldn't bear to part with it.

[@maximiIiaan]

the triban 500 and 520 are so much better value than the bike they got

[@jongom9328]

First bike was a 2022 Trek Domane AL2 (aluminum) size 54cm. I did a few rides on it and went for a bike fit. Come to find out it was one size to small so I had to return it and the only bike my LBS had in stock was a Domane SL 6 (Carbon). Spent 4X more but, was very glad I did. The carbon bike felt so much more comfortable “smoother” then the aluminum bike. Also went from a Sora group set to an Ultrega group-set. Night and day difference.

[@vince5474]

What did I just read.

[@fassive]

Triban is a pretty good brand, my first bike was a triban with shimano 105 rimbrake, alloy frame and carbon forks for 899 euro's (2017/2018 ish)

[@edlazda3245]

My first bike was a Hercules. Single speed, but it did have a freewheel. Steel pipe tubing, steel mudguards, rod brakes, roadster handlebars like the old Raleigh (which was well out of his price range). My father probably got it from the tip, stripped the frame down, painted it with neat phosphoric acid to stop rust and finished it with Humbrol enamel. Entry level? I think it was black hole level.

[@christiankeim]

Full park tool setup. I'm from St Paul Minnesota, I love seeing my hometown tool company across the world! You guys rock

[@MattRose30000]

I bought my first road bike two years ago. It was a (not much) used Cube Attain SL 2017 with 105 and rim brakes for €800, almost half the og retail price. I luckily got a friend who's into road cycling which recommended me the bike. I think if you have friends that can give you some advice (components, bike fit etc), you're better off buying a used bike as your first one.

[@editdroid99]

My first road bike was a Schwinn Phocus. Aluminum frame, carbon fork. Tiagra groupset. I paid $350 for it 4 years ago from wal-mart, but it was marked for $500 everywhere else. It's only problem, is that it says Schwinn on the downtube, otherwise, it's a fantastic bike for the price.

[@jameswoolley5422]

I would definitely class this as an entry level bike, and considering what's happened in the market in recent years, I'm glad that manufacturers are still offering such bikes. My first road bike was Specialized Allez Sport. Great bike and still going strong at nearly 8+ years.

[@alefone2]

Great stuff guys, as always. My first road bike was CAAD12 with 105, which I highly recommend, that set me back 100$ CAD in 2018 which is about 920 GBR. Still, up to today, after so many bikes I've changed, is one of my favorite bikes ever. Didn't brake the bank, at first, and yet, made me fall in love with biking. I believe, you get what you pay for, so if you are ANY serious about biking, going couple of steps up in price, will only be for your advantage... Love your new place and your partnership with Jimmy and can't wait for new video to come out. P.S. ADORE your tool kit by park tools...:))))

[@dereban5654]

I think entry level is quite hard to define honestly, it varies a lot from person to person. I think for the average person completely new to cycling, £900 is really steep. But for someone who is already into cycling, perhaps a different type of cycling or someone who is coming back to the hobby, it's more of a reasonable entry level. Personally, I used to enjoy cycling on some really cheap bikes growing up. When I was a young teenager I got a second-hand ancient road bike for free and it really got me into cycling. Fast forward to two years ago, I was looking to get back into cycling and had a stable job earning decent money but anything above the £300 point was just a bit too much. I settled with getting a Triban 100 which I quite liked overall, the only problems being that it doesn't have a wide enough range of gears while also having an inconvenient shifter. Aside from that I though it was fine for the price. If you're okay with buying second hand you can get some decent bikes as long as you keep looking and know what to look for, I was able to get myself a Ribble R872 with Ultegra DI2 for £625.

[@netecrivernetecassassins2945]

Havent seen a single channel talk about bikes that are £100-300? how is £900 entry level?

[@Dravde]

Got my Trek 1.1 with Claris and Sunrace components back in 2015 for 700€. Since the I've upgraded quite a lot as the components wore down. Changed tires to Conti GP5000, 42cm handlebars to 38cm, 11cm stem to 9cm one, one piece brakepads to ones where only the rubber needs to be changed, square taper BB to hollowtech and thus the crankset, wheels to shimano rs100. Love the new setup.

[@bobinjc]

I bought my first road bike in 2008, it was a Scott Speedster S30 (entry level). Came with 105 groupset and a TruVativ Elite crank. I think it cost around $1,000. Replaced the wheels and saddle right away. Once set up, I loved it! Just last year it had to be retired because the headtube cracked.

[@jamesdickson8015]

I remember my first road bike being a Carrera virtuoso from halfords which was sub £400, came with claris and I actually still have it! For £900 I'd definitely be looking at the second hand market. For example, yesterday I saw someone advertised a scott foil with first generation Ultegra Di2 for £750, no brianer to me!

[@super8hell]

My entry level bike was 80s steel Koga Miyata with modern handlebars, saddle and SRAM Apex 1x11 groupset that I built myself. Rode like a dream, and cost me around 500 EUR in total. Most of the budget was spent on groupset (brifters) and saddle, but it had everything right, from the beginning. Selle Italia boost green budget saddle. Silver Zipp service course stem and handlebars and rs100 Shimano aluminium wheels with Spesh Roadsport 28 mm tires. I had a pretty premium feel. On the long rides, it was so comfortable, but severely lacked stiffness during harder efforts. City bike crashed into me and bent whatever was to bent on the frame. Moved the components to a nice (TIME VXR) used carbon frameset and upgraded the wheels. Couldn't be happier with both.

[@cb6866]

Thanks Francis and Jimmi. ...I knew nothing when I went to buy , and I spent $2,300 on a Specialized Camber as entry level . I am older , hadn't ridden in a long time , the guy asked " How are you at shifting " ? I said " I'm the best...........where are the shifters ?" OAF strikes again !

[@nathanmay3554]

Merida Ride Lite 90 in 2012, still serving me well today. New tires saddle and bar tape is about all I’ve changed over those past 11 years.

[@mahanmoshir]

In 2014 I bought a brand new BMC GF02 (2013 model) with all 105 parts and triple crank + 10-speed cassette (11-28) for only £900. The original price was £1400. So I advise looking around in shops for a model from the previous year and paying less for a better bike. Looking forward to more 'outdoor' testing videos ;) cheers.

[@royjamescrossley3671]

Raleigh Record Sprint, I think it was £199, but it was about 35 years ago. I loved it and kept it for many years

[@schneidare]

TRP Spyre are a fantastic mechanical disc brake, soo serviceable, can replace pistons with ease. Good modulation, not hydro level but can still stop on a dime and easy to adjust out on the road. I love em!

[@lordlucan7655]

My first proper bike was a Dawes Atlantis as a 15 year old . It took me around for years and at that time was my pride and joy .

[@darrendavis9874]

proud owner of a boardman slr 8.8. had just over a year now. all good . Enjoying the new videos

[@mlafleurhua]

My first bike was an Miele(Italy) steel frame from 1988. Tange Infinity steel tubing. Shimano Ultegra 600 (6400) 7-speed with downtube indexed SIS shift levers. I added clipless pedals (Shimano look compatible) a year later. The original gearing was 52-42 and 12-24 cassette. It was a very good entry level bike. Cost was about 750 $canadian back then. In 1989, I swapped the gearing to 50/40 and 13-28 and went to the Alps. With young legs and decent fitness, the 40-28 got me up Alpe D'Huez, the Croix de Fer, Joux Plane, and a few other big climbs. There was no spinning up climbs back then! Terrific memories though.

[@grahambell9831]

HI Francis & Jimmi 👋. Great review, sensible upgrades. The Speedster 50 is a very canny "big brand" entry-level bike. Purchasers will have the reassurance of a good frameset warranty. My 1st road bike ( after a number of road ' converted' titanium frame mtb's was a cervelo RS custom build .....only sold last year. A superb bike 👍

[@andrewbird57]

My first road bike was a 2017 Fuji Sportif 1.5 disc that I bought new in 2018 for $800. Aluminum frame/carbon fork. Tiagra 2x10 groupset. First thing I did was swap out aluminum seat post for a carbon post and swap out the stock saddle for better one with a cutout. It was a comfortable enough ride and got me into road cycling. I still have the Fuji, but now I prefer to ride my vintage steel-frame Lemond Tourmalet.

[@jasoncollins5949]

My first road bike, a 2013 Vitus Zenium ZR (I think), was cheaper than that with a 105 group set and a carbon fork (with carbon steerer), still going strong a decade later with mostly original components

[@ltu42]

Same! A €600 Wilier Montegrappa with a Sora 3500 in 2014. The stock cassette was 11-25, whereas 11-30 was available. The handlebars on the XL size bike were 44 cm wide.

[@miguelcpt]

My first road bike was/is a Specialized Allez Sport 2021, 27 gears (Tripple) with Sora and had 23 tyres. Over the years I have upgraded wheels, tyres, levers. The bike is so fast. When i ride it (still) feels like I am flying. I can hold 31kmh on flats for days around where I live. I have also climbed some monster climbs. Love Sora.

[@workshopninjathe1st]

My first road bike was a Carlton 10 from Loot! Stripped and repainted in my garden, it was stolen… Went through various used steel bikes - all stolen… First nice bike was a lugged Reynolds 531 frame and fork I got from my LBS - had it powder coated and rode as a singlespeed. First real race bike was a Kinesis Racelight I built with 105 in the early naughties - still have it in the garage.

[@hananas2]

Just a couple years ago I bought my first real road bike. 250 euros bought me a mid '90s alloy bike with Shimano 105 3x8. The bars and saddle were horrible, changed them in a heartbeat but the rest was really solid rode nice and smooth, and shifting was fast and reliable with Microshift brake/shift combo levers with the 105 derailleurs. Did a few thousand km's of commuting and recreational riding on it, totally loved it until I found a major crack along the length of the steerer tube. Now I built up a neo-retro bike with a Columbus SLX steel frame and semi-modern components with a classic look, and absolutely love that. 9.4kg, quite comfortable, decently fast and ohh myyyy handling to dream of, totally rips around corners as if it's on rails which are guided by my thoughts.

[@fyuen4839]

The first bike I bought is Reid Falco Advanced road bike in 2016. It is a Australian local brand I found it quite high in CP value. I got it for a discounted price for AUD$699 from $999 with free locks, pumps, bell and front and rear lights. It has 2x10 105 groupset (5600 series) front and rear and tektro brakes. I think it is a bit outdated with 5600 series in 2016 and that's why they're doing the discount. But for a beginner perspective, I didn't see any disadvantages. Although I haven't ride it after a year of buying it, I still love my bike and started riding again recently and it still feels wonderful to me!

[@johnhayes1641]

My first road bike was a Giant Contend (entry-level), Sora (2x9), for US$800. The Scott looks nice but it seems like a lot of money for that groupset.

[@mattspoor5046]

First road bike for me was a 2013 Specialized Allez Elite with Sora: 300 quid 2nd hand with a spare pair of wheels thrown in too. Since rebuilt with mechanical 105 and still great fun to ride!

[@Pratalax]

I think when you're approaching a grand, claris should be the floor in terms of component tier. I suppose something like that could be considered "entry" if you're entering proper road riding - if like me you were just a little curious about road bicycles, i think something in the 250-450 range would be more appropriate, and would hopefully keep you clear of absolute clangers like that ebay bike! I started out (2014, 15?) on something almost the same as the orange bicycle you flashed up on screen for 230 quid (but used, around 150...i think it was meant to be 300 retail). As my interest deepened, i began upgrading parts bit by bit to improve my experience, (things like the bars and saddle you talked about!!) to the point where pretty much every component had changed, and i learned a ton along the way - but then again i'm a massively obsessive nerd. Had i not been though, i'd still have a very robust and functional bicycle - I've kept all the old bits and they're definitely still very servicable.

[@JackofNothingess]

Back in 2016-2017 I got myself a Cannondale CAAD Optimo 105 that I paid $1080 USD, which comes close to £900 you paid for the Scott Speedster. Great bike, and I beat it up badly since I was a new cyclist and wiped out a few times on it. I still have it to this day, and it functions great. I still ride it, alongside the CAAD12 Ultegra I acquired later at a used sale. Prices aren't getting cheaper, but there are still deals to be found if we're patient with the process. Thanks for sharing your experience with this!

[@jasonlanza]

My first road bike was an '09 Trek 1.2 also. :) A little bit of maintenance here and there throughout the years, and I'm still riding it now in 2023.

[@DJHibby]

My first road-adjacent bike (I guess it's a cross) was a Norco Threshold, I got it in an Evans sale as it was the last of last year's model. I really lucked out - it was about 500 quid off the list price, the one frame they had fitted me, and they built it up nicely. 5-6 years on and clear 10,000km with a few upgrades (mostly new wheels, pressure relief saddle...) my first roadside disaster happened last year - snapped hangar, damaged spokes, ruined derailleur and broken chain. I rebuilt, recabled, re-bearinged and it's running better than new... I'm now eyeing up a new groupset as cable disc brakes are driving me absolutely mad, but for someone who wants to grow a good frame is so important - the components and parts can grow with them, upgrades aren't out of reach and having/being perfect now is the enemy of just getting out and having fun!

[@christopherprice-hq5sy]

@3:23 i can relate. [you already know..] The rollers impart more resistance and slow to a stop much faster. It is like 20 psi(e, 700x36c@38psi vs 55+psi) less and lubing everything with park grease. Rollers also force you to hold a more comfortable yet steady position which when applied to normal road cycling, increases the 'fit' of the bike,, sortof..

[@cneubert28]

My first road bike was a Trek Domani AL2. Cost me just shy of a grand and had Shimano Claris. Big fan of the bike even though I went too big with it. Seeing it’s now 1200, it would be hard for me to say get it over another bike.

[@waygonner]

My first proper bike was a ‘92ish Bridgestone MB-5. It was around $550 and had shimano deore dx components. I rode it all over the Pacific Northwest until it was stolen in 1999. Still miss that bike!

[@billyadam8559]

My first "proper" bike was a btwin triban 3 for £249 with sora grp set which I upgraded to tiagra. Grt bike. Personally feel £900 for a starter bike is a little steep and may put people off dipping their toe in.

[@bharbir]

Man this is almost my dream bike. Zero maintenance, full function Rim breaks - check 7 speed cassette - check Alloy frame - check Tbh I’d go even further and drop the double chain rings A 7 speed cassette with sufficient range is all you need.

[@rodrigocutini8308]

I bought this one last year, it's my first road bike. Mine came with Claris groupset but looking to upgrade to 105 soon. Amazing bike.

[@JSC131]

I purchased a Scott Speedster s55 triple in 2012 from Damien Harris in Cardiff after 34 year lay off the bike felt phenomenal compared to my late 70s Peugeot Roubaix absolutely loved the bike in HTC colours great content again Francis and Jimmy.

[@malcontent_1]

As I mentioned on Monday, you might look at a nice looking _retro_ bike for

[@DC-lu5qs]

When I dipped my toe into road cycling during the summer of '21 (so, still quite recently), I bought a $300 "bike" from Walmart (an unbranded Kent) and rode that for 9 months before buying a $2000 Trek. I set myself the target of completing a 100 mile ride before buying a "real" bike, and it worked out brilliantly for me. I did upgrade parts piecemeal on the Kent as I learned what features I cared about and which I didn't, and learned what specific aspects of the cheap bike were limiting factors in long rides. Being completely straight here - if the minimum bar of entry for me had been $1000+ i may never have given cycling a go. It's a lot to spend when you have nfc.

[@jamesashford9106]

My first bike was a Mekk A1 Pinerolo AL 1.5 (bought on Cycle to Work Scheme). Great bike for the money at the time considering it came with carbon forks and tiagra for £800. Gradually upgraded components over the years as the frame was a great foundation

[@arthor675somthing]

In the last 2 and a half years the price has rocketed up. I bought a Ribble endurance 725 with Shimano 105 for £1400 and last I looked a couple of months ago it was £2100. And for a better comparison their aluminium endurance with rim brakes 105 was £900. Mad to think a good quality low end road bike is pushing a grand now.

[@AshleyTowey]

My first bike was a Halfords (carrera Zelos) and I think I would consider that an ‘entry level’ bike, because I was very happy riding on it. Until! Like you say, everything broke. But then I knew I liked cycling, so spending £1000 felt like a great deal!

[@muhamadirfaan3329]

My first road bike is the giant contend 2. I had to choose carefully in terms of buying my first. Im glad i pick the giant. Looks good and reliable as heck still running after 3 years with a shimano claris.

[@pierremaggi8661]

Yes, same for me ! Great bike, only downside is the front derailleur quite finicky, but the rear one is very smooth. Position is great for me as well

[@huib5030]

My first bike was a cube radial, for 675 euro, had a tiagra triple groupset. loved it, never missed anything until i bought a bike with Ultegra.

[@New-ye2fl]

Mechanical breaks on my entry level tribal rc500 seem alright tbh but I’m somewhat new to cycling and so is the bike, give it 6 months probably be getting problems 😆 900 and getting that group set, should have Claris on atleast imo

[@8paolo96]

I got as my first real road bike (just after a 30/40 years old steel eroica bike I got for 100€ on facebook market that got me into cycling) an 8 years old Giant TCR advanced SL, carbon frame, alloy wheelset and a mix of chorus and record campy groupset for just 700€. That was 1.5 years before covid. That thing was a beast, loved it, really, a lot, rode like a dream. I just replaced for a newer Supersix evo because of the fixed (and slightly wrong, after a correct bike fit) saddle height. I think that for this pricepoint you can get way better deals on the used market than buying new.

[@lomicwind]

Last year (march) I got a gravel bike with aluminium frame, carbon fork, full GRX groupset (a bit of 600 and mostly 400), nice hydraulic brakes, 46/30 at the crankset, 10 speeds at the rear (11-32 which I've since changed to 11-36 to climb easily). All this for £879. 3000km later I am still the happiest "beginner". Hard to find that kind of price at the moment (except if you find the same model, but with the current difficulties to get Shimano parts, they are now equipping it with a no-name 46-30 crankset instead of the GRX).

[@djsugarfiend]

My first bike I bought myself was a Lemond Tourmalet circa 2000. It had a Shimano 105 triple with the integrated computer that was just about $1100 new. I rode that bike for years and loved it, but it's so different from what I ride now in terms of geometry.

[@countertony]

My first road bike was a 2006-ish Trek 1000SL at around £500, which had a Tiagra groupset and Bontrager kit. Lovely bike for a hefty rider, until it got stolen in East London. I replaced it with a 2011 Pinnacle (Evans Cycles' own brand) Dolomite 2 (about £650 at end of the season) with a mix of Sora/Tiagra, which still serves me well as an all-weather fast commuting and occasional holiday bike.

[@falklevien]

My "first" road bike was a Serious Valparola. Cost me a tad over 400€ in the last months before the pandemic. Six months on, and the same bike, same spec was 1000€, so I guess I got lucky. It came with a Claris group set and many of the same parts you had on this bike. Straight away, I made pretty much the same upgrades you made, too. Tires and saddle were the first thing, a little while later I swapped the handlebars. Then more modifications over time. A carbon seatpost, which makes a good difference, comfort wise. Changed the brakes to a set of 105s, then put in an actual hollowtech 2 claris crank, so I could get a left side powermeter, and I got a new, 35mm rim alloy wheelset. And the ultimate atrocity, as I got used to the position on a road bike more and more, I got a -25° stem to get into a bit of a more aggressive position. Not too many original parts left on the thing now, but it's still my only road bike. With prices what they are these days, anything that's a significant upgrade over this is pretty much out of my price range, so upgrading bit by bit was the way to go for me. It's got about 50000k by now, I reckon, and still going strong.

[@TheRealKaner]

First road bike I bought (back in 2010) was a Ribble Sportive Racing with 6700 Ultegra and Fulcrum 7 wheelset. Came in around £1k. Was on Mountain bikes beforehand, still got my 1997 Marin Rift Zone. That was more expensive, back then than the Ribble was, some 13 years later. Now there's about 7 bikes in the garage, and a couple of frames (Planet X Jack Flash- unbuilt from around 2000...must do something with that) Wife says I have enough bikes and kit to open a small shop... I did have an entry level MTB BSO back in the 90's. But used mainly for road riding, as it definitely was not up for any off-road, at all. The 70's was just a load of hand me down (too large frames) bikes from cousins, etc.,...then I got a Raleigh Grifter one Christmas. That was a beast. It was heavier than I was back at the time , in about 1978/9.

[@BCarmo1970]

My first road bike was a Giant OCR that was about £600 came with shimano Tiagra, my second bike bought in 2013 was £1000 (aimed at the cycle to work scheme Buyer) that was a Trek Madone (alloy) and had predominantly shimano 105, so entry level bikes have got much more expensive or not as well equipped, depends how you look at it.

[@bennetthasty7886]

My first bike was a Trek hybrid I pulled outta someone’s trash 🗑️ paid for a good servicing & loved it 🥰

[@georgeelkins8011]

I recently bought a new Giordano Libero for $300 which, except for brake calipers and crankset, has a Claris groupset. One advantage is not worrying about it getting damaged or stolen.

[@Rocky4719]

Doing a bit of conversion, my allez was around £830 thanks to the price hikes. Rim brakes and Claris but by goodness is it an amazing bike to ride and commute on. Even dies well in the rain and is pretty durable, so I’m happy with it

[@teckendrums]

my first roadbike was a used decatlon bike with sora 2x7 groupset for 195€. it made realize how fast and easy even i could ride even longer distances. i probably rode it 3500 km in the first year. i replaced the steel fork with a cheap carbon/aluminium one, the saddle to a used fizik, aswell as the breaks the bartape during this time, the weight is a litle under 10kg and the bigest gear is 52/11 so its quite fast. after that year i got a used cervelo p3 and gave the the decatlon to my brother as a birthday gift a litle later, he also realy likes it and already put about 1000 km on it, (we both use other bikes durig winter) about 300€ well spend i guess.

[@iain7061]

My first and current road bike was a Felt FR50 2018 for around £800. Only things changes so far are lower geared cassette, new narrower bars, different stem, shorter cranks and clipless pedals all as a result of a bike fit.so far it's a great first bike. However with all the accessories, clothing and zwift Hub I've spend more than I paid for the bike. Bike fit was the best investment, maybe followed by the zwift Hub.

[@lokerola]

First new road bike was an aluminum 2005 Trek 1000 with Sora. It was darn good first road bike and shifted very well. Carried me through a number of centuries.

[@tippy35075]

My first and still current road bike is a 2013 Merida Sculpture 4000, it's turned 10 this year. So far the only original parts of the bike are the handle bars, seat post, and the seat. I've replaced the carbon frame under warranty, the entire groupset, and most recently the wheels. Sure it doesn't have disk brakes or 28mm tires however it's enough to keep me going. Current spec is 11s 105, 52t 36t chain rings, dt Swiss 1600 wheels, 26mm pzero v4s all season race tires, 75psi front and 80psi rear

[@stuartmitchell523]

My first adult bike was a second hand specialized Allez sport 2012 which had a sora full group set (triple 50/39/30 and 11-25 9s cassette) which I picked up for £100. Frame was a 58 which was 2 sizes too big, which I didn’t know at the time. Was a great bike which gave me the bug. Picked up a second hand carbon mekk poggio next which had only been used twice for less than half its original price and still have it, though upgraded everything but the frame. Bought another Allez sport second hand to build up for my trainer, in a 54 this time and managed to build for a little over £125 running 10s sram axis. Second hand bargains are the way to go for me. Love your vids by the way. Been watching for a few years now.

[@SichardRamuels]

My first road bike was a Felt F95 in "Monster Green". It cost £495, had a combined Sora/Microshift groupset and served me well For modern entry level bikes, I'd say Giant are the big brand of choice but Vitus will blow most other options out of the water (£600 RRP for a Razor which has a Claris groupset and carbon forks).

[@bullet63381]

Orbea Aqua (entry level) for $799 US in 2011. Came with Sora 8sp. Used it for 1-2 years then added 10sp Tiagra. Used the that bike for the first 5 years of cycling outdoor. Then turned it into my indoor trainer bike for another 5 years.

[@palmer3977]

My avatar is my first entry level bike 2015 Ultegra front & rear mech with 105 chain rings, levers & brakes, aluminium frame & seat post but a full carbon fork, compact 50, 34 with a 11-32 & Mavic alloy wheels, £850 from Tredz, fantastic spec for the money, i remember the Specialized Allez coting £650 at the same time but the spec was far lower then the Cube Peloton SL.

[@endianAphones]

For 559€ (599£ over there) you can get a "Women's road bike triban rc 500", which has a carbon fork (alloy steer tube), and full Shimano Sora with rim brakes. Although the geometry is more on the upright size of things, you can always put a super low stem on it.