1st Road Bike Shimano 105 etc

nzae86

Hi all,

(ive done a search but the answer i was looking for its really here)

I'm looking for my first road bike as my knee can no longer take running, i live in Brisbane Australia and there are plenty tracks here and the climate is good for cycling its hugely popular here, anyway i've basically narrowed my choice down to one of the following

Giant $1100 with Shimano tinga reduced from $1300
Avanti $1300 with Shimano 105 reduced from $1700
Merida $1100 with Shimano sorer reduced from $1150


the avanti has carbon forks and saddle, i dont know the 1st thing about shaimano 105 or sorer etc but was told to get a 105 because it'll last and make the bike easy to sell if i ever need to get rid of it.

Does a beginner really need 105 or is it worth getting a bike with this on it now, also anyone know anything about these bikes? or could someone recommend another brand and model.

Also would these bikes be cheaper in Ireland as i'm home soon and could bring it back with me.

Thanks for any help you can give me

(Euro1 = $0.68)

Ryder

depending on the exact model, the prices you posted seem like good value. You dont NEED 105, but i think its worthwhile getting it now...... It is a jump up in performance terms from tiagra and it differs from the groupsets above it only in terms of weight.

nzae86

thanks for the quick reply, getting exicted bout it now and want to pick it up asap anf get cycling soon as we are coming into summer now, i'm not sure what the model nos are will find out tommorrow, what are those brands like in general?? i wouldnt know if there are the lada or ferrari of the cycling world!!

the guy selling the giant said they are the biggest selling bike in the world not sure if that is true either!

nzae86

hi the bikes i've looked at are the

Giant Defy 2
http://www.bikeexchange.com.au/bikes/show/100145628-giant-defy-2

Avanti Vivace
http://www.bikeexchange.com.au/bikes/show/100155969-avanti-2010-avanti-vivace

Merida Road Race
http://www.bikeexchange.com.au/bikes/show/100160182-merida-road-race-901-18

I'm tempted to go for the Avanti because it has the Shimano 105 and i like it in red but i've been told the Giant are better bikes but you need to go up too $1500 for the 105, i wonder would it be easier to sell the giant 2nd hand as its a bigger brand name

any comments would be appreciated

Thanks

bikermartin

http://www.kellys-bicycles.com/index.php?id=ie_product&product_id=21054&countries_id=103&countries_name=ie&cat_id=243&subcat_id=244


this is what i have bought but not collected yet

nzae86

http://www.bikeexchange.com.au/bikes/show/100119840-malvern-star-oppy-a5-2010-full-105-group

sorry meant to say i'm also considering this bike, anyone know of any of these brands

thanks