budget road bike

[rock]

Was having a looks at some new entry level road bikes ? Tiagra vs. 105

<?:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

 

<?:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Merida have some nice looking and well priced bikes ? worth the extra K for 105? I see Tiagra has had some remodeling ? ?looks? improved ? but will I be unhappy with it a few months time?

 

Anything else out there that should look out for?

 

Ta.

[javadude]

Go for the 105. Its 10 speed vs 9 and you at least will have an easy upgrade path in future to better parts. 

[GIRR]

The shifting is far better on the 105 than the tiagra, also the new tiagra cover on the shifters can be easily damaged as they are just clear plastic and look horrible once this has happened.

[Newboy]

If I can ask: Which Merida and how much are they?

[rock]

If I can ask: Which Merida and how much are they?

 

The allow ones - 903' date=' 904 etc (2008 models)

 

R6250 for Tiagra

R8900 for 105

 

Go for the 105. Its 10 speed vs 9 and you at least will have an easy upgrade path in future to better parts. 

 

good point.

[ewep]

Pay the extra for the 105.

[Gumpole]

is the only difference in the bikes the groupset??

[Canaris]

rock try campy mirage or veloce, they are priced at about the same and are standard 10 speed and can be systematically upgraded to record.

THe next question is the frame.  Try a Eddy Merckx corsa for under 3500 new from Queens.  Also try a Ciocc (if you can get one).  Lastly there are also some sold second hand bikes out there.

 

Wheels- there are many cheap wheels sets under R2000.  Or you can build with solid rims. 

[linnega]

Why not have a look at the GT road bike.  Looks as good a deal as you could hope to get:

http://www.bikehut.co.za/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=460