New to Road Cycling and close to buying first bike!

jon_e00
jon_e00 Posts: 64
edited October 2008 in Road beginners
Hi guys,

Just stubbled across your extremely informative and helpful forum. Thanks for all the advise! I'm 25, from Pembrokeshire, Wales, new to cycling and am looking for my first bike.

I'm in the process of recovering from a broken leg which was sustained whilst playing rugby. As my rugby "career" is now over I am looking for another sport to dedicate my time to.... cut a long story short, cycling is my choice!

I've been looking on various auction sites, ad sites and forum over the last month or so in order to find myself a bike. I have a budget of around £400 and have decided to by a well looked after/maintained 2nd hand bike as opposed to new. Is this advised?

I am come across a Giant SCR 1.0 (2007) located 1hr from myself. The bike is as standard + spd pedals. The ad can be seen here http://www.gumtree.com:80/london/24/26453924.html The bike is advertised at £475 but I hope to get it for as close to £400 as possible. I have arranged to go take a look on thursday evening.

I would be greatful for any comments and thoughts regarding my imminent purchase. What should I be looking out for when buying 2nd hand? Is this bike recommended?

Thanks in advance. :lol:

Comments

  • CanterburyTailwind
    CanterburyTailwind Posts: 162
    Great bike, and worth £400. But do check the size before commiting to it, or even travelling the hour to try it out.
  • HungryCol
    HungryCol Posts: 532
    Hi Jon,

    Which new bike is quite a common question on these forms which might explain the lack of response so far. Here's my tuppence worth.

    When looking for a bike look for size and comfort above all else. You could buy a £5k bike but unless it fits you you won't be comfortable and won't enjoy it. You are right to look at the second hand market for your first bike within your budget. New entry level road bike start at arounf £700 plus. Also have a look around the bike shops because it's coming into the winter (like we had a summer!) and it's generally a quiet time bike shop wise as well as the shops wanting rid of their 2008 stock to make way for the 2009 stock in the run to to Crimbo.

    The Giant looks OK (respected manufacturer) but the seller doesn't give the size of the frame or any other specific details about it. Be careful it's not hot, it's probably perfectly legit but buyer beware and all that (does he have the sale receipt?). Ask the seller if he'll throw in the shoes that go with the SPD pedals, he won't be using them (bad back) and if they're your size then great. As I said before we're coming into winter so you'll have to budget for mudguards, some bike clothing, you wouldn't go rugby training in bike gear or likewise get on the bike in rugby gear, it's all about comfort right? Lights too with darker evenings. Don't be tempted to get this one when you go and see it. There'll be plenty more. Offer him £400 to include the shoes and walk away if he rejects it. Besides we don't even know the frame size so it might not even fit you!

    It does look like a very clean bike and likely to have done little mileage from what I can tell from the small pics (although he is proping it up with what looks like an empty bottle of Muck-Off!).

    Hope this helps.

    Col
    (excuse spelling)
    Every winner has scars.
  • jon_e00
    jon_e00 Posts: 64
    I know the frame is Large (58cm) which will suit my 6ft 1" height.
    I phoned the seller yesterday and it sounded legit.
    I like the idea of asking him to through in the shoes if they are a size 11.
    I will take £400 and not pay any more.
    Thanks for all the guidance.
  • bice
    bice Posts: 772
    check it carefully for damage: spin front wheel. ditto reverse. Obviously, ride it and go up and down the gears. I'd check the forks and extremities - handbars, pedals - for scrape marks. The guy says he paid £55 for spds, which is excessive. Even 540s are more like £35.
  • jon_e00
    jon_e00 Posts: 64
    thanks guys, great help as usual.
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    You live in such a great area for cycling, v v jealous!

    Giant make good bikes - my Welsh training buddy rides an SCR and loves it. I'm not a fan myself but that's purely because I don't like the Geometry.
  • HungryCol
    HungryCol Posts: 532
    How did you get on Jon_e00?
    Every winner has scars.
  • jon_e00
    jon_e00 Posts: 64
    HungryCol wrote:
    How did you get on Jon_e00?

    Hi Col,

    Picked it up on Sunday... am absolutely delighted!!

    Got pics here - http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12589213

    Cheers,

    Jon
  • HungryCol
    HungryCol Posts: 532
    Wow Fantastic. sorry I missed that thread. 400 quid? Right on the money.

    Did you ask him about the shoes or the cleats for the pedals?
    Every winner has scars.
  • jon_e00
    jon_e00 Posts: 64
    HungryCol wrote:
    Did you ask him about the shoes or the cleats for the pedals?

    To be honest I got 20 miles from home on the way back and thought "sh*t, the shoes!". I have bought a cheap pair of flat pedals and a toes grip for now as I have some practising to do!
  • harkins
    harkins Posts: 25
    I know this post is a bit 'after the horse has bolted', but for anyone else who's new to cycling (like me) and is about to buy a first bike, I have this advice;

    If you are even thinking of joining or riding with a local club this winter, buy a winter bike, i.e. one with full mudguards fitted.

    I spent over £600 on a bike in September and soon discovered that I'm pretty much barred from riding in a group. So now I'm facing spending at least another £400 on a winter bike just six weeks after buying my first bike. And if I'd realised this before I'd have bought a decent winter bike and spent the next few months saving a few quid to buy a better 'first' bike in the spring. I'm pretty hacked off about this at the moment as I enjoy the Sunday club runs and thus feel likely to end up buying another bike already.

    So in other words, don't rush into buying a bike like I did; read all the forums and take your time. The roads aren't going anywhere!
  • fuzzynavel
    fuzzynavel Posts: 718
    harkins wrote:
    I know this post is a bit 'after the horse has bolted', but for anyone else who's new to cycling (like me) and is about to buy a first bike, I have this advice;

    If you are even thinking of joining or riding with a local club this winter, buy a winter bike, i.e. one with full mudguards fitted.

    I spent over £600 on a bike in September and soon discovered that I'm pretty much barred from riding in a group. So now I'm facing spending at least another £400 on a winter bike just six weeks after buying my first bike. And if I'd realised this before I'd have bought a decent winter bike and spent the next few months saving a few quid to buy a better 'first' bike in the spring. I'm pretty hacked off about this at the moment as I enjoy the Sunday club runs and thus feel likely to end up buying another bike already.

    So in other words, don't rush into buying a bike like I did; read all the forums and take your time. The roads aren't going anywhere!

    I'm sure I have read other posts in this forum about people using clip on mud guards...maybe you should ask in the bike kit forum.
    17 Stone down to 12.5 now raring to get back on the bike!
  • harkins
    harkins Posts: 25
    fuzzynavel wrote:
    I'm sure I have read other posts in this forum about people using clip on mud guards...maybe you should ask in the bike kit forum.
    I have actually got a set of SKS race blades. They're not bad and protect my own bike and behind from the worst of the wet but unfortunately they aren't deemed adequate for keeping your fellow riders’ face's dry. Along wit the club I've ridden with the other local clubs websites I've checked all state full mudguards and even a mud flap. As much as I hate the idea I do understand the reasons for it.

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