Make sure you budget for a pannier rack and pannier bag, mudguards, lights and a good lock. You’ll appreciate the pannier rack to carry your stuff off your back, and the mudguards mean you stay cleaner and drier and more likely to commute on wet days
Would you consider secondhand? I’ve found it really useful for stretching your money as far as it can go - unless you’re using cycle to work scheme as a higher tax payer
Pay attention to frame size! A lot of people end up on a wrongly sized bike for them, usually too big a frame.
And don't go to Halfords. They are very hit and miss on quality of build. Decathlon is pretty good I'm told.
Are you sure you want a road bike if you want it for general commuting? You might want to look at either a gravel bike or cyclo-cross bike (drop bars but better for commute and other uses), or a straight bar hybrid (better position for traffic visibility).
True road bikes often have no way to attach pannier racks, which you will probably want for commuting. They're also not as comfy a ride because they're aiming for speed, can't take as wide tyres, and you're paying for small weight savings that don't matter if you're going to lug a bag of work stuff around.
Cheapest decathlon tribam bike is alright for any casual riding (50km-100km), works for commuting too. I.... Don't really see the point pf spending more on a bicycle, unless you're aiming to compete or something
The problem with Halfords or decathlon and other chains is that the service is very changeable and if you're new to bikes you might find that the difference between a "poor value" bike from an lbs and a "good value" bike from a chain is less than the difference getting it assembled and set up correctly makes.
Start with scrolling decathlon/halfords then jump to some normal online bike shops like trendz, wiggle. You will see what market have to offer.
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cannondale-Synapse-Sora-Disc-2023-Road-Bike_217123.htm
This is for example very good offer on sale. Unfortunately only 1 frame size but maybe its good fot you 😊
Looking for new entry level road bike (your price range) look for shimano sora groupsets. Claris in my opinion is worse option.
I hear everyone saying about Triban bikes but its's like with cars. Solid frame from known brand is always good base for future upgrades.
https://www.bikeradar.com/advice/buyers-guides/best-road-bike-under-1000
Here you have also some article that can point you in direction of manufacturers and what cool models are on market.
If you know stuff about bikes go used. If you don't go new from reputable brand.
Hope this helps
Everyone who got a bike in lockdown who hasn’t ridden it in 3 years is selling them on FB marketplace. You are spoiled for choice. For that money you could get a great bike and have it service properly at your local bike shop. There’s 2020 Cube GTC carbon with ultegra group set going for £750 near me. Guys selling it because he’s not riding it anymore- it looks new
Don't discount your local bike shop, but I think I'd probably choose Decathlon over Halfords.
Decathalon is best bang for buck at that price range. Triban is the brand to look out for.
The second-hand market should have some nice bikes for that kind of budget.
Make sure you budget for a pannier rack and pannier bag, mudguards, lights and a good lock. You’ll appreciate the pannier rack to carry your stuff off your back, and the mudguards mean you stay cleaner and drier and more likely to commute on wet days
Some decent bikes and occasional bargains at Evans Cycles
Would you consider secondhand? I’ve found it really useful for stretching your money as far as it can go - unless you’re using cycle to work scheme as a higher tax payer
Pay attention to frame size! A lot of people end up on a wrongly sized bike for them, usually too big a frame. And don't go to Halfords. They are very hit and miss on quality of build. Decathlon is pretty good I'm told. Are you sure you want a road bike if you want it for general commuting? You might want to look at either a gravel bike or cyclo-cross bike (drop bars but better for commute and other uses), or a straight bar hybrid (better position for traffic visibility). True road bikes often have no way to attach pannier racks, which you will probably want for commuting. They're also not as comfy a ride because they're aiming for speed, can't take as wide tyres, and you're paying for small weight savings that don't matter if you're going to lug a bag of work stuff around.
Cheapest decathlon tribam bike is alright for any casual riding (50km-100km), works for commuting too. I.... Don't really see the point pf spending more on a bicycle, unless you're aiming to compete or something
The problem with Halfords or decathlon and other chains is that the service is very changeable and if you're new to bikes you might find that the difference between a "poor value" bike from an lbs and a "good value" bike from a chain is less than the difference getting it assembled and set up correctly makes.
Start with scrolling decathlon/halfords then jump to some normal online bike shops like trendz, wiggle. You will see what market have to offer. https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cannondale-Synapse-Sora-Disc-2023-Road-Bike_217123.htm This is for example very good offer on sale. Unfortunately only 1 frame size but maybe its good fot you 😊 Looking for new entry level road bike (your price range) look for shimano sora groupsets. Claris in my opinion is worse option. I hear everyone saying about Triban bikes but its's like with cars. Solid frame from known brand is always good base for future upgrades. https://www.bikeradar.com/advice/buyers-guides/best-road-bike-under-1000 Here you have also some article that can point you in direction of manufacturers and what cool models are on market. If you know stuff about bikes go used. If you don't go new from reputable brand. Hope this helps
Everyone who got a bike in lockdown who hasn’t ridden it in 3 years is selling them on FB marketplace. You are spoiled for choice. For that money you could get a great bike and have it service properly at your local bike shop. There’s 2020 Cube GTC carbon with ultegra group set going for £750 near me. Guys selling it because he’s not riding it anymore- it looks new
Halfords Boardman road bikes are great value for money.