to much to choose from where to start?
Discussion
finally getting round to getting a road bike but....as im sure it has been said on here before just no idea where to start.
I have been into a local bike shop and had a look around but I don't want to buy a new bike just yet. I would like just to buy a to get me started and but looking at second hand bikes there's to much variety.
So is there anything I need to stay away from? anything I should look for or in my price range of a few hundred quid will it really matter?
I have found this on ebay and think it ticks all the box's but what are your thoughts?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/140821644367?ssPageName=...
I have been into a local bike shop and had a look around but I don't want to buy a new bike just yet. I would like just to buy a to get me started and but looking at second hand bikes there's to much variety.
So is there anything I need to stay away from? anything I should look for or in my price range of a few hundred quid will it really matter?
I have found this on ebay and think it ticks all the box's but what are your thoughts?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/140821644367?ssPageName=...
nammynake said:
I would avoid that Barracuda. Look for a Specialized Allez - they have pretty strong residuals because they are very good and solid bikes, but you might be looking at £300 plus. You won't lose much if you come to sell it on later though.
much appreciated, out of curiosity why is the one above one to be avoided? Just like to get an idea as it will help me find a better bike. Is it just the build quality? or cheap components Buy a bike from a maker you've heard of recently. Sadly a lot of the "classic" brand names - Raleigh, Claud Butler, Dawes, Viking, etc - are pretty low-end these days. Anything from Trek, Giant, Specialized, Cannondale, Bianchi, Wilier, Boardman, Carrera, Orbea, Focus, Scott (...) will be more than fine for starting.
Look for something with aluminium frame and forks (carbon fork if you can find it) and Shimano Tiagra or 105 gears are preferable to Sora (silly thumb lever). Beware of the word "alloy" in bike descriptions, it frequently means "Cro Mo alloy" not aluminium alloy, which is a very stiff type of steel that is heavier than a Challenger tank.
Look for something with aluminium frame and forks (carbon fork if you can find it) and Shimano Tiagra or 105 gears are preferable to Sora (silly thumb lever). Beware of the word "alloy" in bike descriptions, it frequently means "Cro Mo alloy" not aluminium alloy, which is a very stiff type of steel that is heavier than a Challenger tank.
Gizmoish said:
Buy a bike from a maker you've heard of recently. Sadly a lot of the "classic" brand names - Raleigh, Claud Butler, Dawes, Viking, etc - are pretty low-end these days. Anything from Trek, Giant, Specialized, Cannondale, Bianchi, Wilier, Boardman, Carrera, Orbea, Focus, Scott (...) will be more than fine for starting.
Look for something with aluminium frame and forks (carbon fork if you can find it) and Shimano Tiagra or 105 gears are preferable to Sora (silly thumb lever). Beware of the word "alloy" in bike descriptions, it frequently means "Cro Mo alloy" not aluminium alloy, which is a very stiff type of steel that is heavier than a Challenger tank.
What utter bLook for something with aluminium frame and forks (carbon fork if you can find it) and Shimano Tiagra or 105 gears are preferable to Sora (silly thumb lever). Beware of the word "alloy" in bike descriptions, it frequently means "Cro Mo alloy" not aluminium alloy, which is a very stiff type of steel that is heavier than a Challenger tank.
ks. The raleigh airlite range is as good as anything with a trendy name at the same price. The carbon stuff seems to be good enough for their pro team to win on too. Dawes still make the best touring bikes around too. Have you ever seen a super galaxy up close?!..... Most "carbon" forks have am alloy steerer which adds weight and can make the ride quite uncomfortable and mean that your carbon forks weigh little less than an alu pair. Problem with eBay is that most often bikes go for more than they are worth and tete is a lot of crap on it incorrectly advertised. There are enough good bikes on bikeradar for around 300 for you not to go near eBay. Have a look at mags like cycling active, see what they recommend and see if there are any on the market. Failing that, try a wanted ad and you will get some responses, especially now as people want to upgrade at this time of year.
The check list for a starter road bike is basically:
Carbon fork
Gear change on the brake levers - Not down tube or on handle bars
Weighs less than 10.5kg
Anything from a recognised brand will have the above. There are some decent brand who you won't have heard of, bu they are usually further up the market, at the £500+ price point.
Carbon fork
Gear change on the brake levers - Not down tube or on handle bars
Weighs less than 10.5kg
Anything from a recognised brand will have the above. There are some decent brand who you won't have heard of, bu they are usually further up the market, at the £500+ price point.
Justayellowbadge said:
Dave, seriously, have a look at the Bianchi in the classifieds.
my main concern with that bike would be the size as im 6ft 2. someone once told me the most important thing with a bike is to get it fitted to your size. Hopefully this is correct and I haven't been holding onto a useless bit of info dave0010 said:
Justayellowbadge said:
Dave, seriously, have a look at the Bianchi in the classifieds.
my main concern with that bike would be the size as im 6ft 2. someone once told me the most important thing with a bike is to get it fitted to your size. Hopefully this is correct and I haven't been holding onto a useless bit of info Shame, it would be perfect.
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