Good value Road/Racing bike?
Hello, I'm new to this forum and somewhat of a novice when it comes to knowing about bikes. I had an old peugeot racing bike that has recently rusted away in my garden after becoming unusable and this summer I'm hoping to take up some cycling again.
That's where the problem comes in, I have absolutely no idea about what bikes are good/crap. I was looking for something on the cheap side of £300 and wouldn't know where to start, so I thought it best to ask the experts who have been doing this all their lives.
A general purpose one would be great, but this summer I'm hoping to plan some kind of long distance trip to the soutcoast (from North Lincolnshire), so a very durable/reliable one is a must.
Any tips or advice on what bike to get? Should I go second hand?
Thanks in advance, guys.
That's where the problem comes in, I have absolutely no idea about what bikes are good/crap. I was looking for something on the cheap side of £300 and wouldn't know where to start, so I thought it best to ask the experts who have been doing this all their lives.
A general purpose one would be great, but this summer I'm hoping to plan some kind of long distance trip to the soutcoast (from North Lincolnshire), so a very durable/reliable one is a must.
Any tips or advice on what bike to get? Should I go second hand?
Thanks in advance, guys.
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Comments
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"Should I go second hand?"
My opinion, YES! And given depreciation rate on cycles, I'd say that however much you wanted to spend. BUT if a complete novice then need a certain amount of patience: need to know what you are looking for and what you are looking at!
Others will I am sure be along with more specific advice.
And "welcome".d.j.
"Cancel my subscription to the resurrection."0 -
Thanks, Meagain. Second hand was deffinately a rout I was considering, but I'm pretty worried about buying a dud or a bike that has taken damage. I wouldn't really know what flaws I would be looking for in a second hand bike.0
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I think if you google or whatever you will find some clues/tips e.g. re frame damage. But in some ways you are judging - as with many purchases - the SELLER!
If not already done so, register on ebay so that you can scan "completed listings". If you simply LOOK at all sales in a given price range/type of bike for a week or two soon get a feel for what fetches what sort of money. If then you try to source thro' local free ads or whatever, at least you know what is silly money and what might be worth a detailed viewing.
Specific ?s ask on here - usually someone will answer! Whether or not you listen is a metter for you!d.j.
"Cancel my subscription to the resurrection."0 -
A bit of a conundrum this! If you don't know much about bikes (like me!) my automatic reaction would be to recommend staying clear of second hand. But then again, if £300 is your budget..... :arrow: Second hand is the only way
No chance you could increase budget/ utilise ride to work scheme?
Peter0 -
I wouldn't really want to spend more than that on a bike, to be honest. I'm only really going to be using it for fun in the summer and I'm not much of a bike nerd or anything. As long as its reasonably efficient, sturdy and light thats fine by me.0
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Pauly
the Giany SCR4 looks suitable for your stated requirements. Look around and it can be found for sub £300, or £350 full retail.
http://www.dalescycles.com/ProductDetai ... e=SCR42007
where in the country are you? Loads of Giant outlets from Midlands upwards.
If you want something 'hybrid' than I've been running a Scott Sub for over a year and love it as an all rounder. I've communted, ridden NCN routes, taken grandsons out, road ridden.
http://www.jdcycles.co.uk/bikes/road/08-scott-sub-30
A few people on various forums have praised http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/sport-2-24281226/ from Decathlon.0 -
I was in the same position as you last year. Bought a s\h allez off ebay for under £300, apart from a couple of broken spokes which were easily and cheaply fixed its been faultless. There are loads of allez out there, you will definitly be able to get one under £300, just keep looking, lots of them will be very low mileage.0
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Tifosi in the ebay link isn't bad, xenon groupset and alloy frame, and would probably do you for summer and occasional use, but the most important consideration is does it fit you?
Do you know what size you are after?
Have you had yourself measured properly?
Only after arming youself with this criteria will you find yourself in a better situation for finding the bike for you.0 -
I think it would fit me. I'm 6/6"1 and I have a 34" insteap.0
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Sorry if obvious, but are you sure 34" is inside leg and not trouser size?d.j.
"Cancel my subscription to the resurrection."0 -
Isn't it the same? Well I'm 34" trouser size.0
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I'm currently watching these three. So long as they don't go over £300, I'm pretty interested. Any advise? Should I steer clear of any of these?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... :IT&ih=007
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... :IT&ih=003
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... :IT&ih=007
The Massi one looks/sounds very nice.0 -
plz0
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Hi Mate,
Massi is by far the best of the three you have listed, note though that there is a reserve and the guy said it cost about £900 to build. he also say's it's done next to no mileage so he's probably not going to let it go cheap.
The other two really are basic and you should be able to do a lot better.
Also noticed you said you want to go long distance [south coast], another consideration is to whether you want a bike that can carry luggage --- just a thought,
good luck and keep watching ebay and of course bikeradar classifieds,
scurry0 -
Hi mate, back again,
just noticed an Orbea for sale in the bikeradar classifieds,
it's an excellent specification with some good upgrades.
only problem might be the size [a bit on the small size],
you could ask the seller what size person has ridden it or would suit,
hope this helps, scurry0 -
Thanks a lot for taking the time. I calculated that 56cm would be ideal for me, so I guess 55cm is pretty close. Is it deffo good value for money?
I don't think I'd have a problem getting the train to Manchester to pick it up (you can take bikes on trains, right?). As for the luggage, I'm going to try to keep it as light as possible and stay in the clothes I'm in. I plan on taking my camel back, a super compact tent and a super compact sleeping bag that I should be able to all get on my back. If I can get one of those platforms above the back wheel to get the tent and bag on, then thats a bonus.
Again, cheers for the advice. I think I'll wait and see how much that Massi goes for, and if its out my price range(which you said it probably will be), I'll probably get the orbea.0 -
The Massi is the best of those three by a long way, yes, but that will probably be reflected in the price it sells at. It is impossible to tell before the auction actually ends, as people pile on in literally the last few seconds (sniping.)
I won some handlebars just yesterday that were at 1 bid, £5, until 15 seconds before the auction end, when 6 or 7 people (including me!) piled on. Final price was £22.
The only way to get a feel for prices is to look at completed listings (advanced search) - unfinished auction bid prices mean absolutely nothing.0 -
Pauly_j wrote:Thanks a lot for taking the time. I calculated that 56cm would be ideal for me, so I guess 55cm is pretty close. Is it deffo good value for money?
I don't think I'd have a problem getting the train to Manchester to pick it up (you can take bikes on trains, right?).
Where are you based? It'll be fine getting it back from Manchester by rail, but bear in mind that most train companies operating out of the city require a reservation (free of charge) to be made beforehand at a railway ticket office. Agree with the others, by the way - the Massi is the best of the bunch by a long chalk and looks to be a really nice bike. Best of luck with the auction!
David"It is not enough merely to win; others must lose." - Gore Vidal0 -
I'm based in good old Grimsby, just down the track from Manchester but I've emailed him about sending it via courier because it'd be cheaper than train tickets. I'm still not sure whether it's too small for me. He said it'd suit someone up to 5'11 and I'm at least 6'. I did the book between the legs x .65 and it was 56cm. Is there a big difference between 55 and 56? It also has a 55cm top tube so I'm pretty much stuck with that size if I buy it.
Really appreciate the help guys. I've put a bid in for the massi and its at £260 with 5 days to go, so I don't see how it will stay below £300.0 -
hmm, this one in the classfields has caught my eye. In my price range.
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=125732450 -
That's a fixed gear bike if I read it correctly. You'll have to be fit to take that on a trip to the coast!0
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A 55cm top tube is quite short for someone who is 6'. I'm 5'11' and have two bikes one with 55.5 top tube and a 12cm stem the other is 57 with a 11cm stem.0
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Gutted on both parts.0
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Keeping my eye on these two for the time being:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... TQ:GB:1123
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... :IT&ih=0170 -
They are both very decent bikes, good luck.0
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From a QUICK skim, I agree with you - the Massi looks the best bet!
Hasten to say, it ain't mine!!d.j.
"Cancel my subscription to the resurrection."0 -
Pauly_j wrote:plz
How about this brand new 2008 model with a choice of sizes ?
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=876340 -
Can't ever see point of buying a "this years model" at full price. "Last years" at 10/20....% discount always a better deal IMHO.d.j.
"Cancel my subscription to the resurrection."0 -
Van Nick wrote:Pauly_j wrote:plz
How about this brand new 2008 model with a choice of sizes ?
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=87634
or this one
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... 21&n=Giant SCR 4
or this one
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... 201%2020080
