Road bike

[Aidan Mailey]

I am looking for an entry level road bike. So far I have 2 options:

 

1) Raleigh RC2000 with shimano sora gearset. 8 gears at the back and 3 at the front.

 

2) Focus Variado with Shimano Tiagra gearset. 9 gears at the back and 3 at the front.

 

I am new to cycling and have learnt that a 9 speed is better, however I haven't heard about a Focus bike before.

 

Can anyone point me in the right direction? Both are my size and in my budget.

[Bateleur1]

Focus is a German brand.  They have pretty awesome models here in Germany.  The one thing you did not mention is the year models.  I am personally not too excited of the Sora groupset so would rather vote for the Focus with the Tiagra.  I personally have had very good service from Raleigh bikes for many years. 

 

The Ralleigh might actually be a slightly heavier bike as well.

[Cav']

The Focus has a better spec.

[Cat2forLife]

Focus make great bikes. I used to ride one for years. Still use it on my trainer. Raleigh here in SA was not really Raleigh.. The bikes were made by Probike I think. So not the same bikes you got in England-land. They're the same people who make/ made Axis bikes.

 

I'd go for the Focus out of the two. Besides the 9 speed group set, I'm sure that it'll be a better frame as well.

[Patchelicious]

Focus are great bikes, think the 9 speed is also a consideration.

[JA-Q001]

Whats your budget?

[JacBrand]

I would go for the Focus, because Tiagra is better than sora (build quality). Also 9 speed parts should be easier to find.

Looking at your specs, maybe also look for a bike with Shimano 105 (10 spd).

 

BTW, Shimano Group (gear) sets in order of cheapest to expensive:

 

Sora

Tiagra

105

Ultegra

Dura Ace

 

Any bike with Tiagra or 105 will be good value for money.

[Karman de Lange]

The one that is the correct size after you had a bike fit done.

 

Edit:  see you say your size ... Just make sure its really your size ...  The RC2000 is a "big" bike for its size, one normally go about 1-2 sizes smaller

[Allrounder]

What is your budget? and size? I am basically giving my roadbike away at the price that it is for sale for. 

[Eugene]

What are the prices? The Raleigh sounds quite old.... Not thats a bad thing as it depends on how well it is looked after.

[DieselnDust]

But jeeerzuuuus guys..... What's the geometry.!??!!?

 

 

OK sarcasm aside. Get the Focus. It's got the better parts kit and better perceived broad value

[Butterbean]

Just get the focus and then upgrade it till you've spent more than what you would have on a brand new bike and then sell it and replace it with a sweet medium spec bike...

 

 

And then quit the road and buy a mountain bike. Rinse and repeat..

 

It's what everyone else does here....

 

 

 

 

 

But for reals, the focus is way better specced than the Raleigh, and focus is way cooler.

[porqui]

You don't mention the model year or the prices.

Are these bikes in thehub or elsewhere (watch out for gumtree)

[sharp001]

build bike yourself

[Coolspin]

build bike yourself

OP says he is new to cycling and your advice is, to build a bike himself.

 

Slow clap.

[Patchelicious]

OP says he is new to cycling and your advice is, to build a bike himself.

 

Slow clap.

Seattle Americano just squirted out my nose ????????????

 

Edit: if I ever do a book on the best Hub comments, this will be right up there. I’m honestly still pissing myself. Hahaha day friggen made! ????????????