Road bikes - a few questions
Discussion
At the moment I'd describe myself as a casual cyclist. I use my bike 5 days a week rain or shine for the commute. Then again it is only 2.5 miles each way so I've no excuse not to. Sometime I go for short ride in the evenings or at weekends, and have done a few bigger rides too, the longest being about 50 miles. I'm using a fairly low end Ridgeback hybrid bike (about 8 years old I'd guess) which does the job brilliantly, very robust, not heavy, low maintenance - the Toyota Corolla of the bike world perhaps. However, I'd like to do a bit more of the recreational stuff and fancy a more focused machine so;
1) How different will a road bike feel? I know "It never gets easier, you just go faster" but will a road bike feel a world apart from my hybrid in terms of how 'easy' it is to move?
2) How much of a budget should I set? I'm looking to buy a used bike as if I don't get on with it I can then sell it on without making a big loss. However, as much as I'm hoping it'll suit me, I don't want to plunge a huge amount of money in to what's really a spur of the moment idea. Then again I don't have much patience for poor quality goods, so I'd like it be a nicely made bit of kit. Could I get something decent (used) for £300-400?
3) Bearing in mind it'll be pre-owned, how can I make sure it's not been stolen? The last thing I want to do is support criminality and theft.
4) What should I look for? I moderately well versed with bikes but not up together on the latest components or features.
1) How different will a road bike feel? I know "It never gets easier, you just go faster" but will a road bike feel a world apart from my hybrid in terms of how 'easy' it is to move?
2) How much of a budget should I set? I'm looking to buy a used bike as if I don't get on with it I can then sell it on without making a big loss. However, as much as I'm hoping it'll suit me, I don't want to plunge a huge amount of money in to what's really a spur of the moment idea. Then again I don't have much patience for poor quality goods, so I'd like it be a nicely made bit of kit. Could I get something decent (used) for £300-400?
3) Bearing in mind it'll be pre-owned, how can I make sure it's not been stolen? The last thing I want to do is support criminality and theft.
4) What should I look for? I moderately well versed with bikes but not up together on the latest components or features.
It'll feel very different. The first time you stand up in the pedals, make sure you've got hold of it. The time you really notice it is around others. They way they pick up speed down a hill surprises people too.
I don't know much about the second hand market, but there are plenty of stories of people getting bargains on eBay, especially if you need a common size. Good luck picking a non-stolen one, I don't know how common a problem this is.
Look for one that fits you, first and foremost. If you get one that fits, you'll love it, and want to change it in 9 months anyway. If you get one that doesn't fit, you'll just go back to your hybrid. The fit is more important than components at all levels, but on your first bike, it's critical.
I don't know much about the second hand market, but there are plenty of stories of people getting bargains on eBay, especially if you need a common size. Good luck picking a non-stolen one, I don't know how common a problem this is.
Look for one that fits you, first and foremost. If you get one that fits, you'll love it, and want to change it in 9 months anyway. If you get one that doesn't fit, you'll just go back to your hybrid. The fit is more important than components at all levels, but on your first bike, it's critical.
one thing you will notice is the twitchy front end, narrow bars and less tyre contact can be quite nervy
good classified pages are www.bikeradar.com and www.road.cc
dont even look at components and things, just look for a bike in budget that is the right size. for £400, you can get pretty good road bikes new, both raleigh and giant have good bikes around that price range but s/h is where you will get more bang per buck.
good classified pages are www.bikeradar.com and www.road.cc
dont even look at components and things, just look for a bike in budget that is the right size. for £400, you can get pretty good road bikes new, both raleigh and giant have good bikes around that price range but s/h is where you will get more bang per buck.
On the assumption that you'll be collecting any second hand Ebay purchase in person, you could always ask the seller if they'd be happy to meet you at their nearest Police station so that you can go in together and ask them to check the frame number against bikes reported stolen before you hand over your cash.
Kermit power said:
On the assumption that you'll be collecting any second hand Ebay purchase in person, you could always ask the seller if they'd be happy to meet you at their nearest Police station so that you can go in together and ask them to check the frame number against bikes reported stolen before you hand over your cash.
Or just ask to see the purchase receipt etc - especially for nearly new first-owner bikes.I did this recently - have a Scott hybrid which is great for light off road stuff (did the 75 mile L2B off road on it last year and will again this year) but had the road bike bug so looked for a suitable example. I went for another Scott (Speedster S40) having had good experience with the hybrid which I secured on ebay for £399 and it really looked like it had been ridden only once - the guy said he'd done 50 miles - it was like new.
It's a much more direct front end as has been said and does climb much more easily - cut the time taken for my 20 mile ride home from work down by just over 10% as far as I can judge. Having done a 60 mile ride yesterday in the piddling rain and wind I was more than happy with how it went (not so impressed with my legs but there you go)
When looking I found it easier to narrow down to a few models and wait for a good one to come up as there's a wide array of stuff out there.
It's a much more direct front end as has been said and does climb much more easily - cut the time taken for my 20 mile ride home from work down by just over 10% as far as I can judge. Having done a 60 mile ride yesterday in the piddling rain and wind I was more than happy with how it went (not so impressed with my legs but there you go)
When looking I found it easier to narrow down to a few models and wait for a good one to come up as there's a wide array of stuff out there.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff