Entry level road bike

[Fas1975]

Am fairly new to this part of the forum and I posted recently about the purchase of my new Hardtail which I absolutely love. One thing I have learnt in these parts is we always need n+1 bikes! And that's where I'm at.

I live in South Bucks and we have some great woodland and trails but we also have some really picturesque roads through the country side and the Hardtail on 29 is hard work, so I'm thinking about getting a road bike. I don't have a big budget and in these Covid times, even second hand prices for older stuff is strong.

Looking around the usual sites (and the standard lack of stock)

Vitus:
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-razor-ro...

Would something like this at £550 be a good entry point or am I wasting money? I'd likely be using it 1-2 times a week with the majority of time on the MTB. I'm in no rush and I appreciate we're on the cusp of new 2021 models but am just looking around this price point. I'm 6ft 2" so looking for an XL / 60cm frame, apart from that, I guess I'm looking for advice on do's / dont's at this price point.

Thank you

[g7jhp]

I'd suggest looking for a 2nd hand bike on eBay for £550.

You're size will mean you have a smaller pool of bikes, but the seller will have less buyers.

Aim for a Carbon, 11 speed, rim brakes with Shimano 105 gearing. You may have to go 10 speed which is no issue.

Best decide if you want an Endurance frame e.g. Roubaix, Domane (more upright, better for your back) or a race e.g. Tarmac, Emonda etc.

[_Hoppers]

Can you up your budget to this? https://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-rc-520-disc-roa...

[David_M]

_Hoppers said:

Can you up your budget to this? https://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-rc-520-disc-roa...

That bike gets GREAT reviews - excellent VFM if you can stretch to it.

https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/bikes/road-bikes...

[MockingJay]

g7jhp said:

I'd suggest looking for a 2nd hand bike on eBay for £550.

You're size will mean you have a smaller pool of bikes, but the seller will have less buyers.

Aim for a Carbon, 11 speed, rim brakes with Shimano 105 gearing. You may have to go 10 speed which is no issue.

Best decide if you want an Endurance frame e.g. Roubaix, Domane (more upright, better for your back) or a race e.g. Tarmac, Emonda etc.

I would agree with this. You'll get much more for your money, provided you have some knowledge of what you are looking for. For example, last week my Giant had an issue and ended up in the shop for 3 weeks. As I didn't have a winter bike I scoured ebay, facebook etc and found a Trek Domane disc for £700. The same bike retailed for £1400 and was barely used so there are still bargains to be had.

The problem you'll face with buying a new bike right now is there's no stock, and people have put prices up up on the stuff they have left.

[MockingJay]

David_M said:

That bike gets GREAT reviews - excellent VFM if you can stretch to it.

https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/bikes/road-bikes...

It's out of stock..

[Fas1975]

g7jhp said:

I'd suggest looking for a 2nd hand bike on eBay for £550.

You're size will mean you have a smaller pool of bikes, but the seller will have less buyers.

Aim for a Carbon, 11 speed, rim brakes with Shimano 105 gearing. You may have to go 10 speed which is no issue.

Best decide if you want an Endurance frame e.g. Roubaix, Domane (more upright, better for your back) or a race e.g. Tarmac, Emonda etc.

I've seen this one on ebay:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Specialized-Allez-XXL-6...8oAAOSwpWpe~j~g

But there's no information on it but with your list, I can reach out to the seller and ask about the groupset etc. It doesn't say which year it's from so it's hard to find reviews on this particular one, but if you could cast your eye over it and see if anything stands out? that would be appreciated.

_Hoppers said:

Can you up your budget to this? https://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-rc-520-disc-roa...

Potentially yes, budget can go to this, but I don't want to fall into the trap of budget creep. Did that with the MTB. What started out at £600 turned into a £1200 purchase (which I absolutely don't regret), but this will be my first foray into road cycling.

MockingJay said:

The problem you'll face with buying a new bike right now is there's no stock, and people have put prices up up on the stuff they have left.

I've noticed that for sure. Second hand prices are strong and it's hard to tell what's value for money or what's worthwhile leaving and sticking to new.

[MockingJay]

Fas1975 said:

I've seen this one on ebay:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Specialized-Allez-XXL-6...8oAAOSwpWpe~j~g

But there's no information on it but with your list, I can reach out to the seller and ask about the groupset etc. It doesn't say which year it's from so it's hard to find reviews on this particular one, but if you could cast your eye over it and see if anything stands out? that would be appreciated.

It's from 2011.

[Fas1975]

MockingJay said:

It's from 2011.

Absolutely blown away by the knowledge of this forum. Thank you

Quick google shows this

https://www.thebikelist.co.uk/specialized/allez-sp...

Looking at the Specialized website, 2020 model is £650, of course, out of stock, but again, not in a rush, especially if 2021 models are around the corner at a similar price point

[MockingJay]

Fas1975 said:

Absolutely blown away by the knowledge of this forum. Thank you

Quick google shows this

https://www.thebikelist.co.uk/specialized/allez-sp...

Looking at the Specialized website, 2020 model is £650, of course, out of stock, but again, not in a rush, especially if 2021 models are around the corner at a similar price point

To put into perspective the pricing, last November I paid £499 for a Specialized Allez Elite with 105 (2018). If you can hold off a bit until prices return to some sense of normality you will get way more for you money.

[Fas1975]

MockingJay said:

To put into perspective the pricing, last November I paid £499 for a Specialized Allez Elite with 105 (2018). If you can hold off a bit until prices return to some sense of normality you will get way more for you money.

I think that's the way forward. If you do spot anything that's worthwhile looking at, would appreciate the heads up.

[David_M]

Another thought - if you MTB with mates/club, ask them if they have or know someone who has an old road bike that they want to sell. It's likely to be closer to home, "known" quantity seller and probably cheaper. You might even get the offer of a loan bike as a result.

[hantsxlg]

Someone mentioned carbon for the frame on a 2nd hand bike. I'd suggest being a little cautious.

1) you sound potentially like a ph powerful build director so watch out for max weight limits on carbon frames
2) carbon frames can have damage that isn't easy to spot and ends in catastrophic failure and risk of death (again going full PH).

Crappy time to be trying to buy either way. If you want it now see what you can find new or Ebay and know you are paying well over the odds. Or waiting until depths of winter and pick up a post covid 6 months old bargain on ebay.

[Mazinbrum]

MockingJay said:

It's out of stock..

Not much left at Decathlon.

[Fas1975]

David_M said:

Another thought - if you MTB with mates/club, ask them if they have or know someone who has an old road bike that they want to sell. It's likely to be closer to home, "known" quantity seller and probably cheaper. You might even get the offer of a loan bike as a result.

At the moment, biking solo and don't have any friends who bike. Actually never thought of a local bike club, will check. I do see a few groups cycling, but they're the full kit and caboodle. Multi-thousand bikes, matching uniforms etc. Certainly not aware of any local MTB clubs.

hantsxlg said:

Someone mentioned carbon for the frame on a 2nd hand bike. I'd suggest being a little cautious.

1) you sound potentially like a ph powerful build director so watch out for max weight limits on carbon frames
2) carbon frames can have damage that isn't easy to spot and ends in catastrophic failure and risk of death (again going full PH).

Crappy time to be trying to buy either way. If you want it now see what you can find new or Ebay and know you are paying well over the odds. Or waiting until depths of winter and pick up a post covid 6 months old bargain on ebay.

Didn't think of that. I'm a big old unit. I'm deliberately looking for an alloy frame, just because of the price point, but a lot come with carbon forks. Would the same apply?

[Captain Raymond Holt]

The COVID tax is strong 2nd hand atm... Just be mindful of that.

I agree with borrowing from a mate if you can.


ETA: I wouldn’t buy a 2nd hand carbon frame, forks would be ok but they get a good looking over!

My Enduro bike is alu just as I’d just smash carbon to bits

Edited by Captain Raymond Holt on Tuesday 7th July 13:55

[towser44]

MockingJay said:

Fas1975 said:

I've seen this one on ebay:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Specialized-Allez-XXL-6...8oAAOSwpWpe~j~g

But there's no information on it but with your list, I can reach out to the seller and ask about the groupset etc. It doesn't say which year it's from so it's hard to find reviews on this particular one, but if you could cast your eye over it and see if anything stands out? that would be appreciated.

It's from 2011.

I've got that exact bike and it is a 2011 model as that is when I bought mine. Paid £700 brand new in 2011. Sora 9 Speed groupset.

Edited by towser44 on Tuesday 7th July 13:59

Edited by towser44 on Tuesday 7th July 14:00