Where to find a (very) cheap road bike?

[Mr Will]

I've been commuting on my hybrid for the past ~9 months but I'm starting to get a hankering for something faster. I don't know much about bikes though, so I turn to you knowledgeable chaps in here for advice.

I only have a maximum of a couple of hundred quid to spend, which means I'll need to be looking second hand but I'm not bothered about anything flashy/new and won't be doing massive distances, just looking for something which will be different to what I already have.

Where is best to look for second hand bikes? Is eBay worth a look or has it been overrun by idiots? Are there any more specialised corners of the internet where I'm likely to get a better deal?

Secondly, what should I be looking for? Bike specs are still a foreign language to me, but is there anything that I should be making sure it has?

[snotrag]

bikemagic.com

bikeradar.co.uk

road.cc

All have busy classified sections on them, for a starter.

Also check for your local independent bike shops who will often have a classifieds board, and are worth getting on your side as will often come across chesp bikes that are being passed on.

[Bluetoo]

what hybrid do you ride?

Could be quite easy to roadify it depend on the base model, frame may be fine, just need a change to bars and changers and perhaps a wheel upgrade too.
Bars and some Shimano Tiagra changers you should be in business for £150 or less if you are patient with auction sites, set of wheels, maybe PLanet X model Bs would be a further £100 plus some extra for tyres.

You can pick up the base model Decathlon bikes new in their sales promitions for under £400, quite rideable but may not be a step up form your hybrid as 'cheap' road bikes are not likely to be significantly 'faster' or better equiped than a hybrid so if it just the image etc then conversion may make the most sense.

Other than that, cycling weekly small adds etc, although it is all relative to what cheap means.

[Mr Will]

Bluetoo said:

what hybrid do you ride?

Could be quite easy to roadify it depend on the base model, frame may be fine, just need a change to bars and changers and perhaps a wheel upgrade too.
Bars and some Shimano Tiagra changers you should be in business for £150 or less if you are patient with auction sites, set of wheels, maybe PLanet X model Bs would be a further £100 plus some extra for tyres.

You can pick up the base model Decathlon bikes new in their sales promitions for under £400, quite rideable but may not be a step up form your hybrid as 'cheap' road bikes are not likely to be significantly 'faster' or better equiped than a hybrid so if it just the image etc then conversion may make the most sense.

Other than that, cycling weekly small adds etc, although it is all relative to what cheap means.

It's a roughly 10 year old Claud Butler Dolomite RT-C (if that means anything to anyone!)

I'd prefer to get a second bike rather than upgrade it though, as it is good at what it does and will be useful to have for winter or any time my roadbike it unserviceable/unsuitable.

[Mr Will]

Bluetoo said:

You can pick up the base model Decathlon bikes new in their sales promitions for under £400, quite rideable but may not be a step up form your hybrid as 'cheap' road bikes are not likely to be significantly 'faster' or better equiped than a hybrid so if it just the image etc then conversion may make the most sense.

Blimey, this one is cheap: http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/sport-1-54-57-695674...

How bad is it likely to be? Would it be easily upgradable as time and funds allow?

[Mr Will]

snotrag said:

bikemagic.com

bikeradar.co.uk

road.cc

All have busy classified sections on them, for a starter.

Also check for your local independent bike shops who will often have a classifieds board, and are worth getting on your side as will often come across chesp bikes that are being passed on.

Thanks for the links, once I have a better idea what I am looking for I'll go digging.

[Roman]

Mr Will said:

Bluetoo said:

You can pick up the base model Decathlon bikes new in their sales promitions for under £400, quite rideable but may not be a step up form your hybrid as 'cheap' road bikes are not likely to be significantly 'faster' or better equiped than a hybrid so if it just the image etc then conversion may make the most sense.

Blimey, this one is cheap: http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/sport-1-54-57-695674...

How bad is it likely to be? Would it be easily upgradable as time and funds allow?

I'd say that is a good option for your requirements to be honest (a friend has the model above which is also a bargain for the spec). Decent frame and if it does come with 27 speed transmission (spec unclear) - easy to upgrade drivetrain components to Sora/Tiagra as & when they wear out. Certainly worthy of upgrading the forks (to carbon), wheels and chainset at a later date.

If you can find a good secondhand machine in your size in good condition for a good price locally fair enough so long as you don't need to spend extra on a new chain, cassette, chainrings, tyres & brake blocks. The Decathlon won't need any of these and will have a warranty.

Edited by Roman on Thursday 10th June 13:05

[magpie215]

You should be able to pick up a base model specialized sirrus in your price bracket. Purpose built commuter fast with a heads up position just what you need for urban commutes :-)

[princeperch]

Mr Will - where abouts are you based?

I was actually about to put my fairly lightly used Claude Butler Criterium on ebay with a view to getting about £190 or so for it..

Its got new tyres, pads, and cables, and shimano spd pedals..

I'm in London, but could also meet you in Essex or Herts.

eta this is the review of the newest model (mine is the version before) - only difference is mine has the shimano gear shifters not the funny seperate ones.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/...

Edited by princeperch on Thursday 10th June 13:34

[Justayellowbadge]

Will, do Haymarket do the cyclescheme?

Makes the bike half price...

[Mr Will]

magpie215 said:

You should be able to pick up a base model specialized sirrus in your price bracket. Purpose built commuter fast with a heads up position just what you need for urban commutes :-)

Probably a logical option, but a bit closer to the hybrid I already have than I want.

[Mr Will]

princeperch said:

Mr Will - where abouts are you based?

I was actually about to put my fairly lightly used Claude Butler Criterium on ebay with a view to getting about £190 or so for it..

Its got new tyres, pads, and cables, and shimano spd pedals..

I'm in London, but could also meet you in Essex or Herts.

eta this is the review of the newest model (mine is the version before) - only difference is mine has the shimano gear shifters not the funny seperate ones.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/...

Edited by princeperch on Thursday 10th June 13:34

Looks interesting, I'm in Hampton. Whereabouts in London are you?

[Mr Will]

Justayellowbadge said:

Will, do Haymarket do the cyclescheme?

Makes the bike half price...

They do... but it was in March.

[princeperch]

Mr Will said:

princeperch said:

Mr Will - where abouts are you based?

I was actually about to put my fairly lightly used Claude Butler Criterium on ebay with a view to getting about £190 or so for it..

Its got new tyres, pads, and cables, and shimano spd pedals..

I'm in London, but could also meet you in Essex or Herts.

eta this is the review of the newest model (mine is the version before) - only difference is mine has the shimano gear shifters not the funny seperate ones.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/...

Edited by princeperch on Thursday 10th June 13:34

Looks interesting, I'm in Hampton. Whereabouts in London are you?

I live nr Shoreditch and work in Holborn.

I'm often around Richmond afterwork for a ride...

Only snag if if you went for it you would also need to get hold of a pair of shoes - you can pick these up for about 30 quid new for the cheapest pair. I do have a pair of normal flats you could use but they're not as fun.

Let me know if you want any more info.

[shalmaneser]

princeperch said:

Mr Will said:

princeperch said:

Mr Will - where abouts are you based?

I was actually about to put my fairly lightly used Claude Butler Criterium on ebay with a view to getting about £190 or so for it..

Its got new tyres, pads, and cables, and shimano spd pedals..

I'm in London, but could also meet you in Essex or Herts.

eta this is the review of the newest model (mine is the version before) - only difference is mine has the shimano gear shifters not the funny seperate ones.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/...

Edited by princeperch on Thursday 10th June 13:34

Looks interesting, I'm in Hampton. Whereabouts in London are you?

I live nr Shoreditch and work in Holborn.

I'm often around Richmond afterwork for a ride...

Only snag if if you went for it you would also need to get hold of a pair of shoes - you can pick these up for about 30 quid new for the cheapest pair. I do have a pair of normal flats you could use but they're not as fun.

Let me know if you want any more info.

^This is a much better option than that dodgy Decathlon.

You'll be wanting shoes ASAP anyway.

[Mr Will]

princeperch said:

I live nr Shoreditch and work in Holborn.

I'm often around Richmond afterwork for a ride...

Only snag if if you went for it you would also need to get hold of a pair of shoes - you can pick these up for about 30 quid new for the cheapest pair. I do have a pair of normal flats you could use but they're not as fun.

Let me know if you want any more info.

I'll drop you an email later, definitely sounds worth a look.

[Swalsey]

Perhaps try singletrackworld.com 's classifieds - apologies if that was suggested and I've missed it

[Onzlouk]

Just do your research into what you want then wait for the right bike to crop up on ebay, which it will. Theres loads of bargains at the minute. My OCR was a real bargain a few months back.
Just make sure the seller has plenty of feedback. I dont know why theres so much hate for the auctuion site?
Of course if you really arent sure what you are after then your LBS will be a better place to start for advice then go from there, lots of good links above!

[trackrod944]

Provided that you know what you're looking for / at, and use a good dose of common sense, and follow the rules, you can't go wrong with Ebay. I've both brought and sold quite a lot on there without problems, most without an inspection. The best buys are the ones where the owner can't be bothered to take a good pic or give a full description. The very obvious ones are allways the ones which everyone goes for. Always go for a good name bike and good spec., that way even an older one can be a great buy.

[Stuart]

Mr Will said:

Justayellowbadge said:

Will, do Haymarket do the cyclescheme?

Makes the bike half price...

They do... but it was in March.

I would speak to HR Will. I think that they do it twice a year?