decent first bike?

[Otispunkmeyer]

Looking at getting a road bike for myself and for the OH so we can do some leisure type riding and going on a few more serious rides with friends.

Never had a road bike before (though have rode other peoples before and been on a velodrome a few times). Not really sure what to look for other than frame size (in the 59 cm region for me and 56 for her).

Don't want to spend loads on these first bikes. Totally happy with second hand jobs and not arsed about cosmetics.

I have found a Claude Butler bike for sale. Not sure on its age but looks well used. Its a milano and has shmimano sora bits on it, tektro brakes, ALU frame, carbon forks, Richey stem, cane creek head, sells saddle and clipless pedals.

Not sure if any of that is good, but for the price of well under 200 I'm thinking it can't be that bad? Worth a squirt?

What other brands should I look out for in the bargain basement of Gumtree classifieds? There are a few Boardman bikes but they are typically another £100+. Are they worth the extra?

[General Madness]

I have 2 of these, my own and partners.

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-300-road-bike-wh...

I genuinely do not believe you would be unhappy purchasing these.
Great reviews and I love it.

[ecsrobin]

General Madness said:

I have 2 of these, my own and partners.

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-300-road-bike-wh...

I genuinely do not believe you would be unhappy purchasing these.
Great reviews and I love it.

For your budget you really can't go wrong with this.

[Tc24]

I picked up a second hand Cannondale CAAD 8 Sora Triple as a first road bike.

Not a mark or a speck of dirt on it (suspect it's been sat in a garage for most of its life so far) and paid £275 for it vs the £650 it would have been new.

Based on this, I'd suggest monitoring Gumtree closely and picking up something similar. That said, the B'twin posted above looks like a good shout too.

[Kell]

I picked up a Triban 3 SH last year for £135.

If it was great value at £300, then it's even better for the money I paid. It was certainly worth it to find out if I enjoy road cycling before spending loads of money on something flash.

It looks exactly like the one linked to above and the only thing wrong with it is that it's the White Triban 3, not the red one, so doesn't benefit from Carbon forks - and I get a lot of road buzz.

Other than that, very happy with it.

If you can find a red Triban 3 (for decent money) second hand, then that might be the better bike.

Edited by Kell on Tuesday 7th April 09:46

[bakerstreet]

I think Gumtree is the place to look for used bikes. Prices are a bit more reasonable and you don't have to get involved in a bidding war.

Some of the Halfords own Carrera bikes can be good value too. Think they start at around £250

[Gruffy]

I started with a Triban 300 (white) last May as a toe in the water to see if I liked cycling. I did and now I've bought something flash and debating whether to sell the Triban or keep it as a winter/city bike. I rode a handful of long sportives on it, relatively quickly, and nearly 7,000km. I upgraded the tyres (worth doing) but other than that I do think it's a great bike at that price.

[Gruffy]

I like the idea of a disc-equipped 28/32mm-shod audax/touring bike for monster trips, which would mean the Triban wouldn't see any action.

[JEA1K]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

"SPIT" Like lending ones wife out.

[Gruffy]

I live in a small fourth floor apartment in Central London. S=3.

[Gruffy]

Unless one of them is a Tardis, I'll be sticking with two bikes for me and one for her.